1855 Engraving View Patent Office Washington DC Meyer

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1855 View of the Patent Office Building in Washington, DC by Herrmann Meyer
Patent-Office im Washington
Drawn After Nature

This beautiful steel engraving appeared in "Meyer's Universum" by Herrmann Meyer, published in Hildburghausen (Germany) by the Bibliographischen Instituts circa 1855.

The Bibliographischen Instituts in Hildburghausen (Germany) was created in 1826 by Joseph Meyer. From 1833 to 1864, Joseph Meyer issued a journal, Meyer's Universum, containing text and steel engravings of all parts of the world. Some of those engravings appeared in the 52-volume "Conversations Lexicon" (1840 - 1855). The Institute also issued "Meyer's Travel Guide" and many editions of "Meyer's Atlas". Herrmann Julius Meyer was Joseph's son. Joseph Meyer sent his son to establish a publishing house in New York. Herrmann proceeded to publish an American edition of the Universum but also desired to publish a new series of his own called, The United States Illustrated. Meyer enlisted the services of Charles A. Dana editor of the New York Tribune to serve as editor of the series. Unfortunately, the series did not do well, and Meyer decided to return to Germany. After the death of his father, he assumed control of their Bibliographischen Institut. The prints from Meyer's various publications are mostly based on first-hand renderings and are finely engraved.

This delightful pre-Civil War authentic steel engraving shows the historic Patent Office Building, located at 8th and F Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The building covers the entire block, defined by F and G Streets, and 7th and 9th Streets. Considered the third oldest federal building in Washington, it houses two art museums of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Designed in the Greek Revival style in the 1830s, the massive structure took over thirty years to complete. Many early government offices were located here. During the Civil War, the building was turned into military barracks, hospital, and morgue. Wounded soldiers lay on cots in third-floor galleries, among glass cases holding models of inventions that had been submitted with patent applications. The Patent Office continued to occupy the building until 1932. Recently named the Donald Reynold W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, the Patent Office Building is once again a part of the cultural life of Washington. See scans for more details; click image to view larger version.

The view is 4.6 x 6.3 inches on 6.9 x 9.2 sheet. Margins suitable for framing. The condition is very good. Imperfections: age toning. Will look great with a mat and frame.

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