Milbert, Jacques Gerard “Falls of Mount Ida, above the city of Troy.” [Rensselaer County, NY]

Jacques Gerard Milbert (1766-1840). Plate 15.  “Falls of Mount Ida, above the city of Troy.”  [Rensselaer County, NY].  From Itinéraire Pittoresque du Fleuve Hudson et des Parties Laterales. 

Paris: H. Gaugain, 1828-29.  First edition.  Approx. 8 x 11 5/8 (image).  Lithograph on India paper, mounted on backing sheet as original issued.  Spotting in left hand margin not affecting image.  Else, very good condition. 

Many Europeans visited the United States in the early decades of the nineteenth century.  One of the most prominent was Jacques-Gerard Milbert, who came to the United States on a scientific fact finding mission in 1815, staying until 1822.  Interested in the topography of the United States, as well as its natural and social history, Milbert made drawings of most of the places he visited.  This resulted, upon his return to Paris, in the publication of the Itinéraire Pittoresque, comprising 53 prints of the United States.  These views form one of the most comprehensive and accurate depictions of the northeast in the period.  They are also important early examples of the use of the relatively new medium of lithography for topographical prints.

Other prints from Milbert's Itinéraire Pittoresque and other works

First Edition:

“Bridge on the Hudson River near Luzerne.”  [Warren County, NY]

“Falls on the Flint River.”  [Finger Lakes region, NY] hand color

“Falls of the Genesee Rivers.” [Rochester, New York]

“Mills on the Black River.”  [Jefferson County, NY]

“Theresa Falls, Indian River.” [Jefferson County, NY]

"Commencement of Passaic Falls." [Morris County, NJ]

"Falls near Schooley’s Springs." [Morris County, NJ]

Second Edition:

“Falls of Cohoes of the river Mohawk.”  [Saratoga County, NY]

“Military Post, Sacketts harbor.”  [Jefferson County, NY]

“Chereza Falls Indian River.”  [Jefferson County, NY]

“Falls on the Flint River.” [Finger Lakes region, NY]

“Deer Creek Falls.”  [Jefferson County, NY]

From Amérique Septentrionale:

“Vue du Cours supérieur de la vivière Mohawk qui se réunit au fleuve Hudson.  Etat de New-York.” [Upper Mohawk River]

"Machine à Vapeur sur la Rivière Schuylkill/Walet [sic] works on the Schuylkill River" [Schuylkill Water Works, Philadelphia]