Carwithham South East View of the Great Town of Boston

A South East View of the Great City of Boston in New England in America. John Carwitham (fl. 1723-1742). Engraving with original hand color on wove paper countermarked 1794; London: Bowles & Carver, circa 1795. 12 1/4 x 18 inches sheet, 21 3/4 x 27 1/2 inches framed. Stokes' fourth state of four, with imprint of Bowles & Carver and title change from 'Great Town' to 'CITY'. The composition of this drawing derives from William Burgis' South East View of 1725. First issued sometime around 1764 this important, early view of Boston taken from Castle Island represents the town from the South Battery to the North End. Prominent features include Long Wharf, Fort Hill to the south, and in the background the three peaks of the Trimount, of which today only Beacon Hill is recognizable. Also of interest are numerous church spires, their height exaggerated most likely for artistic e ect. John Carwitham's rendering of this cityscape is derived from William Burgis' 1725 (now unobtainable rare) A South-East View of the Great Town of Boston in New England in America. It is generally faithful to Burgis' view although the scale has been reduced. In the creation of the printing plate for the present engraving updates such as the Old South Meeting House and the Hollis Street Meeting House, both built in 1731, were included. Like the Burgis view, the spire of Christ Church is shown -an interesting choice as it would not be completed until approximately 1740. Both views display the beacon on top of the peak of Beacon Hill above war ships displaying the English naval standard in the harbor. Overall this handsome prospective provides a detailed scope of Boston at this stage in its development. References: Deak, Picturing America, vol. I p. 86; Stokes and Haskell, American Historical Prints, p. 14; Winsor, Memorial History of Boston, vol. II pp. 531-32.