"Panorama of Washington" by Charles Magnus, circa 1865

This 1865 colored engraving “Panorama of Washington” celebrates George Washington and many important buildings from around the Nation’s capital. This hand colored engraving was published in New York by Charles Magnus, circa 1865. At the top of the work, a portrait of George Washington is flanked by images of Mount Vernon and his tomb. His portrait is surrounded by a panoply of laurel, flags, canons, swords, and drums, encircled by the words, “First in War, First in Peace, and first in the hearts of his Countrymen.” Below Washington’s portrait is an illustration of the Statue of Freedom, the bronze statue commissioned to adorn the new dome of the U.S. Capitol. Interior scenes of the Senate and the House of Representatives are included on either side of the Statue of Freedom. Below, twenty three illustrations of famous D.C. landmarks are arranged in columns, highlighting all Washington has to offer. 

These vignette illustrations include the U.S. General Post Office, front of the Capitol, the U.S. Treasury, National Observatory, President’s House, Military Asylum, Columbia Armory, War Department, Jackson Monument, Willard Hotel, U.S. Navy Yard, U.S. Arsenal, Matthew Church, City Hall, Trinity Church, Georgetown College, a view of Georgetown, National Hotel, Lunatic Asylum, U.S. Patent Office, Smithsonian Institute, Mills’ Statue of Washington, and Fine Arts building. 

At the bottom of the sheet, there is a bird’s eye view of Washington, D.C. containing a rendering of the completed Capitol Building, with the National Mall in the background. At the time of the print’s publication, the building’s dome was still under construction. At the bottom of the print, an illustration of the Washington Monument is situated between an image of Washington during the Revolution and an allegory of Columbia with two cherubs. In 1860, the Washington Monument remained unfinished and this illustration of the monument features its original design of an obelisk surrounded by a circular colonnade, topped by a statue of Washington driving a chariot.

Charles Magnus (1826-1900) was born Julian Carl Magnus in Elberfeldt, Germany. He began his early career in Germany working for a silk firm. His family emigrated to New York City in the late 1840s, where he soon found his career in mapmaking and publishing.

The earliest works to bear Magnus’ name appeared in the 1850s, when he entered the publishing business producing pictorial broadsides, city views, commercial letterhead designs, and decorative maps. One of his most notable works among collectors is his 1855 map of New York. During the Civil War, he designed pro-Union envelopes and illustrated song sheets. The firm’s Washington, D.C. branch also produced small, hand-colored scenes of Union camps and hospitals. Soldiers purchased these picturesque scenes of camp life to send home to calm the worries of anxious family members.

Magnus produced about 1,000 works in total, and became one of the most prolific printers of broadsides and lithographs in the United States. Magnus' works excelled due to his superior printing technique, attention to detail, and variety of attractive subject matter.

CONDITION:

Good condition, overall. Hand-colored steel engraving, on thin wove paper. Paper is healthy with ample margins. Fold lines are present, as issued, and light foxing and edge wear. Color is bright, in yellow, blue, pink, green, brown and light tan. Printed above the vignette of “Front of the Capitol" is the text, "Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1860 by G. Heerbrandt, Inc." Printed below the birds-eye view of the Capitol building at the bottom is the text, "Published by Chas. Magnus. No 12 Frankfort Street. N. York." Printed above and below image of Washington Monument in block script is the title, "Panorama of Washington." Sheet size measures 31 ½” H x 8 ½” W. 

Engraving is framed, according to conservation standards, with acid-free red bottom mat, 8 ply grey top mat, a black and silver wooden frame, and UV Conservation Clear glass.

Framed Dimensions: 39"H x 16 3/4"W x 1 5/8"D. 

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.