Original Print “Boston Common: Beacon Street Mall, Looking Towards Park Street”

Boston: Haskell & Allen, n.d. [probably 1871-1875]. Approximately 19 x 13”; framed (contemporary, if not original) and glazed; hand-colored lithograph. This view is hardly changed to this day; above this path, an iron railing runs along Beacon Street; the State House sits above and to the left; the Park Street Church spire is seen to the more distant right. Along the path the well-dressed local citizenry, couples, children, a baby carriage and a bewildered looking gray-beard are enjoying the day. The story could be apocryphal, but it has more than the ring of truth in it, that a now-late imposing figure in Boston bookselling stepped outside onto Beacon Street on a very hot day. His companion, from out of town, proceeded to remove his suit coat. He was told to put it back on, as “a gentleman does not go out onto Beacon Street without wearing a jacket.” The print is in only good condition, and has undergone some professional preservation and cleaning. However, there is some soiling, staining, erased penciling, and mended tears, most of which is marginal. The image is still highly presentable, even if not in pristine condition.