VERY OLD WORLD! INCREDIBLE DETAIL!
FROM THE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Toulouse is the ancient capital of Languedoc, and now of the Upper Garonne. It stands on both sides of the river of that name, 'just above the point where the Canal du Midi, connecting the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, falls into it after winding round the north and east sides of the town." On the left bank is the suburb of St. Cyprien, connected with the city by three bridges-the Pent Neuf, of brick, the Font St. Pierre, and a suspension-bridge of iron wire. The town is old, exhibiting little architectural beauty in its public edifices; but there are many memorable events connected with it. Of the churches, that of St. Sernin is the largest and oldest. It is built of brick and stone, in the Romanesque style, and was finished and consecrated in 1090, by Pope Urban II. It is conspicuous by its lofty octagonal tower, formed by five tiers of arches, each less in size than the one below it. It contains several tombs of the early Counts of Toulouse; but, anterior to 1789, it boasted of possessing the bodies of no fewer than seven of the apostles. The church of St. Taur is more remarkable for its interior than its exterior. It takes its name from the wild bull, to whose horns the martyr, St. Saturin, was bound by his heathen persecutors. The struggles of the brute having liberated it from the cords on this spot, a church was, in consequence, erected. Its interior is adorned with numerous pictures and inscriptions upon the walls. ABOUT THE ARTIST: Thomas Allom (1804-1872) was born in London, England on 13th March 1804. He was articled to Francis Goodwin, an architect in 1819. He was to become a founder member of the R.I.B.A. (Royal Institute of British Architects - which is still the premier institution today). He is best know for his topographical drawings, so many of which were engraved on steel & appeared in many of the travel books of the time. He travelled extensively, not just in the UK & Europe, but further afield, covering such countries as Turkey & China. Collections of his work can be found in the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Please note: the terms used in our auctions for engraving, heliogravure, lithograph, print, plate, photogravure etc. are ALL prints on paper, NOT blocks of steel or wood. "ENGRAVINGS", the term commonly used for these paper prints, were the most common method in the 1700s and 1800s for illustrating old books, and these paper prints or "engravings" were inserted into the book with a tissue guard frontis, usually on much thicker quality rag stock paper, although many were also printed and issued as loose stand alone prints. So this auction is for an antique paper print(s), probably from an old book, of very high quality and usually on very thick rag stock paper.
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