American Views & Cartography from The William Reese Company

Item 2 is an engraving of A Prospective View of the Battle Fought Near Lake George, on the 8^th of Sepr. 1755...in which the English were Victorious... by Samuel Blodget, published in London in 1756. This was early in the French and Indian War, which didn't start out all that well for the British and the colonists. The Battle of Lake George was a modest victory, but a great psychological boost, the start of a trend that would result in a great victory, kicking France almost entirely out of North America. The British troops were gathering on the south side of Lake George, north of Albany, New York, with a plan of attacking the French in their stronghold in Canada. However, the French planned to outflank them, attacking their headquarters on the northern Hudson River, thereby cutting off their supply route. The French seemed to have the element of surprise, and after an attack along the Hudson, and discovering the location of British troops at Lake George, they moved forward for an attack. However, the loss of a key officer spooked many of their Indian allies who followed his commands, and some of the Canadians as well. The result was the tide turned, and the French were were driven back with great losses. Blodget's view depicts the formations at the two key battles that took place. $75,000.

Item 4 is a pictorial letter sheet with the caption View of the Conflagration of Marysville on the Night of August 30^th 1851. Marysville, California, located in the central part of the state north of Sacramento, was a creation of the Gold Rush. Its convenient location led its residents to believe it one day would become a major city, but flooding issues prevented that from ever happening. In 1851, the young community suffered a devastating fire, wiping out three square blocks and causing an estimated half million dollars in damages, a very large sum in its day. This view depicts the roaring fire consuming the town, while onlookers, and a bucket brigade, fruitlessly attempt to stop the conflagration. $1,500.

The William Reese Company may be reached at 203-789-8081 or amorder@reeseco.com. Their website is www.reeseco.com