When distinguished German artist Edward Beyer visited the United Stated in the early 1850s, he was quick to recognize the almost unparalleled beauty of Virginia and it was there that he concentrated his work. He spent three years in Virginia working on the original drawings for this book.

The superb tinted lithograph views include beautiful natural scenes, Harper's Ferry, White Sulphur Springs, railroad bridges and tunnels (e.g Highbridge near Farmville), views in Weyer's Cave, and scenes at many of the fashionable resorts which nestled amid the mountains of Southwest Virginia. A broad variety of places in Virginia are shown.

Deak writes of Beyer, "He was taken by the beauty of the Virginia landscape, particularly by the elegant settings of some of the region's watering places...Virginians responded warmly to Beyer's enterprise and often gave him advance access to architectural plans when these could be of help to him. There was probably no Virginia county that Beyer left unvisited in his zeal to present what is, in fact, an affectionate family album of an entire state." Deak praises Beyer's "delicate and precise style" and "characteristic refinement of proportion."

This is a major outstanding item, the rarity of which is by no means fully appreciated" (Bennett)

Although the title page gives Richmond as a place of printing, the book was actually produced in Germany, with the plates being prepared in Dresden and the letterpress in Berlin. Originally issued in five parts.

Oblong folio. (16 1/4 x 24 inches).

The plates are 40 tinted lithographs by Rau & son, Dresden (18), and W. Locillot, Berlin (22).

References:

Bennett p.10; Deak Picturing America 721; Howes B413 ("b"); Sabin 5125.


1. Front Cover
10. White Sulphur Spring, Montgomery Co., Va.
11. View from the Peak of Otter
12. View from the Peak of Otter
13. View from the Hawk's Nest
14. The Little Tunnel near Shawsville
15. Old Sweet Spr.
16. Rockbridge Alum Spring
17. Yellow Sulphur Springs
18. Blue Sulpur Spring
19. Falling Springs
2. Title Page
20. View from Gambles Hill
21. Bullard Rock on the New River
22. View of Weyers Cave - Entrance
23. View of Weyers Cave - Cataract
24. View of Weyers Cave - Shell Room
25. View of Weyers Cave
26. Salt Sulphur Spring
27. Red Sulphur Spring
28. The Salt Pond from the Salt Pond Knob, Giles County, VA, No. 1
29. The Salt Pond from the Salt Pond Knob, Giles County, VA, No. 2
3. Natural Bridge
30. U.S. Armor in Harper's Ferry
31. Natural Bridge
32. Kanawha Fall
33. Viaduct on Cheat River
34. White Sulphur Springs
35. Fauquier White Sulphur Springs
36. Hot Springs
37. Old Point Comfort and Hygeia Hotel
38. Old Point Comfort and Hygeia Hotel
39. View from Little Sewell, Mountain No. I
4. Harper's Ferry from Jefferson Rock
40. View from Little Sewell, Mountain No. II
41. James River Canal near the Mouth of the North River
42. Natural Bridge
43. View of the Peaks of Otter
44. Roanoke Red Sulphur Spr.
45. Red Sweet Springs
46. Warm Springs
47. Back Cover
5. Rockfish Gap and the Mountain House
6. The High Bridge near Farmville
7. The Drums, the Tapestry Room, Weyers Cave
8. Stribling Springs
9. Burner's White Sulphur Spr. Shenandoah Co.