Architecture & Design · 19th century
€ 240
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
very good, given age. Front and rear text. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
Maritime Sydney: Entrance to Port Jackson and A Panoramic View of the Capital of New South Wales
This page from "The Illustrated London News," dated October 10, 1863, features two detailed illustrations capturing significant maritime scenes of Sydney, New South Wales.
1. Top Illustration: "Entrance to Port Jackson, New South Wales"
- The upper image presents a dramatic maritime scene at the entrance to Port Jackson, the natural harbor that serves as Sydney's gateway. The illustration shows several ships navigating the waters, with one prominently sailing towards the viewer under full sail and another steamship trailing smoke. The dark, choppy waters contrast with the early evening or dawn sky, which is tinged with muted colors, suggesting the challenges and importance of maritime navigation in this bustling port.
2. Bottom Illustration: "Sydney, the Capital of New South Wales"
- The lower illustration offers a sweeping panoramic view of Sydney, highlighting its development as a significant colonial city. The scene captures the sprawling cityscape, with its dense cluster of buildings lining the shores of Port Jackson. Numerous sailing vessels populate the harbor, emphasizing Sydney's role as a critical hub for trade and transportation. The foreground includes a pastoral setting, with figures looking out over the city, creating a contrast between the natural environment and the growing urban center. The detailed depiction showcases the city's layout, prominent structures, and the bustling activity that characterizes Sydney in the mid-19th century.
These illustrations provide a vivid portrayal of Sydney's maritime significance and urban growth, offering readers in the 19th century a glimpse into the thriving capital of New South Wales during this period.
In the early 1860s, Sydney was experiencing significant growth as a major colonial city. By 1861, the population of Sydney was approximately 95,000 to 100,000 people. This figure reflects Sydney's status as the largest city in Australia at the time, driven by its role as a key economic and administrative center for the colony of New South Wales. The city's population continued to expand throughout the decade, contributing to its development into a major urban hub.
During the 1860s, "The Illustrated London News" was one of the most popular and widely circulated newspapers in the world. At its peak during this period, the newspaper had a circulation of around 300,000 to 400,000 copies per issue. This was a significant number for the time, reflecting the publication's popularity and reach, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, including in the colonies such as Australia. The exact number of copies printed for each issue could vary, but it consistently remained in the hundreds of thousands.
