Description: EAUX BONNES IN THE PYRENEES Artist: T. Allom ____________ Engraver: J. Kernot Note: the title in the table above is printed below the engraving AN ANTIQUE STEEL ENGRAVING MADE IN THE 1860s !! ITEM IS OVER 130 YEARS OLD! VERY OLD WORLD! INCREDIBLE DETAIL! In the Aquitaine Pyrenees, all the way up the Ossau valley, two spas famous for their climate and water goodness. Both cure rheumatism and respiratory tract problems. When you reach Laruns, the valley's big town, turn towards Aubisque's pass and the picturesque Valentin gorges to go to Eaux-Bonnes where you keep going alongside the Gave d'Ossau stream to reach Eaux-Chaudes. The Ossau valley rises from the Pau plain to Pic du Midi d'Ossau which culminates at 2,884 meters in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. In that local fauna and flora conservatory, excursions and tours take place in a grandiose site. Artouste's tourist electric train brings you to the lake, and offers a rendezvous at the top for those who cannot or do not want to climb. Although known for ages by natives who knew how to take advantage of their waters, it is in the 19th century only that the reputation of those two spas exceeded the canton limits. Empress Eugenia herself (Napoléon III's wife) who liked to "take the waters" as we said then, stayed in Eaux-Chaudes and Eaux-Bonnes and advertised the goodness it did to her. The springs gush forth at between 33° and 44° C. from the three springs that made the spa fame for curing rheumatism and respiratory tract problems. FROM THE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Eaux Bonnes is cradled in the lap of mountains 2,454 feet above the sea-level, and consists of one good street, composed, almost entirely, of spacious and handsome hotels and lodging-houses, with a neat chapel at one of its extremities. It has no thoroughfare, the mountains rising almost perpendicularly above it, and showing no opening, except on the north-west side. On one side of the street is an open space, laid out as a shrubbery, and planted with trees, called the Jardin Anglais. It is, however, for the beauty of its vicinity and the mildness of its climate that Eaux Bonnes is visited by those who desire to participate in the beneficial effects of its waters. Mrs. Ellis says that "you can scarcely walk a dozen yards from your door, in any direction, except to the Jardin Anglais, without treading on what appears almost enchanted ground" so rich is the foliage with which the trees are clothed-so brilliant the green of the many grassy knolls which start into view- so pure and white the foam of the crystal stream in its rocky bed-and so varied the innumerable paths which track the sides of the hills in every possible direction-sometimes passing under the deep shadow of overhanging rocks-sometimes winding round the knotted stems of ancient and majestic trees-sometimes forming a sudden angle on a steep promontory that juts out on the side of a mountain, where a foaming torrent rolls at a far depth below-and sometimes leading to a sheltered spot, by the side of a magnificent waterfall, where you may stand, in perfect safety, listening to the ceaseless roar, and watching the strife of waters in the gulf beneath." 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. SIZE: Image size is 5 inches by 7 inches. Print size is 9 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches including white borders. CONDITION: Condition is excellent. Bright and clean. Blank on reverse. SHIPPING: Buyers to pay shipping/handling, domestic orders receives priority mail, international orders receive regular mail. 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. EXTREMELY RARE IN THIS EXCELLENT CONDITION!
Price: 7.99 USD
Location: New Providence, New Jersey
End Time: 2024-12-31T19:16:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.95 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Material: Engraving
Date of Creation: 1800-1899
Subject: Landscape
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Type: Print
