1854 Engraving View Grand Tower Devil's Bake Oven IL

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1854 View of Grand Tower, Illinois by Herrmann Meyer
GRAND TOWER AND DEVIL'S BAKEOVEN
(MISSISSIPPI RIVER)
Drawn After Nature

This beautiful steel engraving appeared in "Meyer's Universum" by Herrmann Meyer, published 1854 in New York, 164 William Street.

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 Grand Tower in Jackson County, Illinois. Devil's Backbone is an unusual rock ridge that runs along the Mississippi River at Grand Tower. Devil's Bake Oven is another formation with many caves. During the steamboat days, the Bake Oven served as a landmark for river pilots. It also afforded an excellent lookout point from which boats could be seen coming for miles away. The two outcroppings of rocks also made excellent hiding places for Indians and river pirates to hide and wait for their victims to come along. In fact, the raids by river pirates became so bad that in 1803, a detachment of US Cavalrymen were dispatched to drive the outlaws from the area.

The engraving shows the rock formations, a steamboat, and a barge. See scans for more details; click image to view larger version.

The view is 4.2 x 6.1 inches on 6.2 x 7.6 sheet. Margins suitable for framing. The condition is good. Imperfections: age toning; minor browning. Will look great with a mat and frame.

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