SAN FRANCISCO Bay California - 1882 German Print Xylograph

Description: Print Specifics: Type of print: Wood engraving, xylograph - Original German antique printYear of printing: not indicated in the print - actual: 1882 Publisher: Leipzig, Heinrich Schmid & Carl Gunther Condition: 1 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair). Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30 cm), including blank margins (borders) around the images.Paper weight: 2-3 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin)Reverse side: BlankNotes: Green color around the print in the photo is a contrasting background on which the print was photographed. Original Narrative: Beyond is the city the glorious city that leaped full-born into existence. It rises up with numberless towers and spires, and great warehouses, as the schooner, with her sails filled to bursting with the fresh sea-breeze, staggers on. Little craft and big craft, steamers from the ocean, tugs, and every variety of floating thing, are spread upon the gleaming waters, whose green waves dash into white foam upon the three islands ahead. Beyond the city, one can catch momentary glimpses of shipping, which grow fuller and fuller until we get abreast of Alcatraz, when all the glory of the bay bursts upon the sight. Far on the other side are Benicia and the glittering waves of Carquinez Straits. Beyond we catch a glimpse of the peak of Monte Diablo, at the base of which seems to crouch the town of Oakland, though it is really a very large place. But the air is so pure, so serene, that one can see the scarred ravines on the sides very far, and we almost think we can see Stockton. It is not from the bay itself, however, that the finest view can be obtained. From the schooner's deck one can indeed obtain glimpses, but the whole can only be seen from the shore. To survey all the beauty of the Golden Gate it is necessary to climb Telegraph Hill, which is to the westward of the city. From that elevated position, with roofs and buildings lying peacefully below one's feet, and stretching far out to one's right hand, the prospect of the Golden Gate is, indeed, exceedingly beautiful. The portals of the "Gate" seem but a mile apart, and, through the mist that hangs upon the farther side, the giant Tamulpais looms with tremendous force, like some Titan sentinel guarding the approach of a new Hesperides. The steamers, with their crowds of passengers swarming along the bulwarks, move majestically through the heaving tide, which makes the white-sailed schooners dance, and rocks the three-masted merchantmen that have traversed wild wastes of water around Cape Horn. The islands show plainly, and the fortifications gleam brightly, under the full glare of the sun. Spite of the mist that lingers along the bold cliffs opposite the vision commands a far stretch of landscape, and deserves the position which our eager friends of San Francisco have accorded to it. To them it is the lion of the place; and the first thing which the citizen recommends to the stranger within his gates is to take a look at the Golden Gate from Telegraph Hill. This view we illustrate with a steel engraving, from a drawing by Mr. James D. Smillie. But to the inhabitants themselves there is no pleasure equal to the drive through the sand-hills, over a fine, hard road, to the Cliff House. This is emphatically the most picturesque part of San Francisco, both in its surroundings and in its seal-cliffs, where the sea-lions bark and whine and roar, with none to make them afraid. The distance from the city is about five miles; and there is little to be seen on either side of natural beauty, though there are parks and cemeteries and gardens of extreme loveliness. Nature has furnished only sand-hills, which seem to be half firm, like sandstone, half crumbling. But the Cliff House is built, as its name imports, upon frowning basalt; and the road that winds from it to the ocean hence has been cut through solid rock. The bluff of the hotel is about one hundred and thirty feet in perpendicular height, of a gray color, verging into the deepest brown. Detached bowlders lie at its base, and are tormented by the fierce rollers. Beyond, at some distance, are the cliffs where the sea-lions congregate. Truly, their bark is worse than their bite.' They occasionally get up a little altercation, and roar tremendously; but they are a placable people, and their contests are not alarming. Strangers sit on the esplanade in front of the Cliff House, and watch them by the hour through their opera-glasses. There is one big, burly fellow, the largest of all, who roars ten times more than any other, and of whom all the others are afraid, who climbs to the top of the cliff, and suns himself comfortably all day. No one attempts to take his place; and, when he descends, paddling in the awkward manner of the phocine tribe with his flappers, the others respectfully get out of his way. Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy! Any print purchased from me may be returned for any (or no) reason for a full refund including all postage. Internet seller since 1998.Five-star service.

Price: 28.5 USD

Location: Manassas, Virginia

End Time: 2024-02-05T22:26:14.000Z

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