Sidmouth from the Cliffs, Devon

Description

SIDMOUTH, FROM THE CLIFFS,

TOWARDS SEATON, DEVON

Published by Fisher, Son & Co. London 1829-32

From ‘Devonshire Illustrated’ written by J. Britton & E .Brayley

Drawn by W. H Bartlett : Engraved by P. Heath

An original antique print showing a view of Sidmouth in Devon from the cliffs at Salcombe Hill. In the distance are the distinctive Triassic red beds of High Peak and Ladram Bay further to the west. The engraving is slightly mislabelled in the publication –  Seaton is further east along the coast so is not in the view, but the picture may have been created from the cliffs along the ‘Seaton Road’.

Medieval Sidmouth developed into a prosperous merchant town through the wine trade, but it never developed as a port due to the lack of shelter in the bay. The town grew as a desirable coastal resort in Georgian times and there was an increase in grand buildings, including the Regency esplanade. Just after this print was created, in the early 1830’s, a harbour railway was constructed along the seafront, running from the west to a tunnel beneath the cliffs in the east, and this was designed to transport stone.

This print is an original steel line engraving with later hand colouring. It was worked from a sepia wash drawing by William Henry Bartlett who was apprenticed to Britton. The print was engraved by the John Percy Heath, one of 94 views in the Devonshire publication.

This print is in a good clean condition with later hand colouring. It is presented in an ivory conservation quality mount and framed with a walnut and gold wood frame. Price – £30.00.

Approximate dimensions are:

Mount window: 180 x 120 mm

Frame overall size: 285 x 235 mm