Unattributed "A Picture Sale in London"

Unattributed. "A Picture Sale in London."  From The Illustrated London News. 

London, April 27, 1872.  9 3/4 x 8 3/8.   Wood engraving.  Very good condition.

Beginning just before the middle of the nineteenth century, in England and then America, illustrated weekly newspapers made their appearance.  These folio sized papers covered current events of local, national and international import, printed fiction and poetry by prominent authors, recounted gossip of note, described popular tourist sites, and generally were filled with stories on any subject that might be of interest to the reading public of the second half of the nineteenth century. 

The true source of the popularity of these newspapers, however, were the manifold wood engraved prints which graced almost every page of the issues.   These pictures provide us today with one of the best sources for lively and informative images of the period.  With photographs in a primitive stage, it is through these illustrations that the public got its visual information about the events, personalities and places of the time.  These illustrations are also one of the few sources we have today for these same things.  While originally issued in large numbers, few have survived in good condition.  The Illustrated London News was the first illustrated newspaper, beginning in 1842, and it continued to be the most influential throughout its life.  It included genre subjects, portraits, views and many other fascinating images of nineteenth century America and Europe.  An interesting and very collectable print.