Newcastle upon Tyne, Antique Steel Engraving by J.H. Hair, circa 1850

About this sheet

A steel engraving of Newcastle upon Tyne seen from the south bank of the river, painted and engraved by J.H. Hair.

The town climbs the far side of the Tyne under a haze of smoke from chimneys and steamers. Masted ships crowd the river by a many arched bridge, and church towers and spires rise above the roofs. In the foreground the slope of the south bank falls to the water past rooftops and a white house, with a man resting and two women walking above the river.

The plate is lettered "Newcastle" in script and "J.H. Hair, pinxt and sculp.", with the imprint "London, Brain and Payne, 12, Paternoster Row". A dealer's record dates this plate circa 1850.

Newcastle in the mid nineteenth century was the great coal port of England, and this view captures its working river and smoky skyline in the age of coal.

John Henry Hair both painted and engraved the view, as the lettering "pinxt and sculp." records, so the plate is his own work from start to finish. The low bridge of many arches at the center appears to be the eighteenth century Tyne Bridge, which carried the road between Newcastle and Gateshead until the 1870s.

A strong piece for anyone from Tyneside, it suits a study or office. The engraved image measures about 10.2 by 15.9 cm (height by width), and the margins around it carry all the original lettering, which is worth keeping visible in the mat.

Condition: Age toning, darker at the edges; handling soiling along the edges and scattered foxing in the margins. Printed image clean.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.