VUE DES CÔTES D'ECOSSE (Vue Optique/Optical or Perspective View) View of the Coasts of Scotland

Hand coloured engraving. Image VG - blank margins have a some faults. NO date, but possibly between 1780/1840? , likely a later impression of a late 18th Century print? . Light printing impression surrounding the print. 'Sarasin P.' on the left hand side (the Artist) , under the image, and 'la chaussee Sculp', on the right hand side. Additional printed caption "VUE DES CÔTES D'ECOSSE" inverted (mirror image) on the upper margin. Paper very lightly marked, and quite creased and 'rolled', to the edges, with some closed tears - no loss (neatly repaired with archive tape to the reverse) , to those broad blank margins, otherwise a very good engraving. This interesting view of the coast prepared for a 'peep box' represents a mountainous and stormy sea shore in, (apparently) Scotland. A small village is shown on the shore, and near the top of the mountain, with fishing boats and nets in the sea. "Vue Optique, or perspective view refers to a genre of etching popular during the second half of the 18th century and into the 19th. Such 'Vues' were specifically developed to provide the illusion of depth when viewed through a zograscope, also known as an "optical diagonal machine" or viewers with similar functions. Optical viewers were generally popular with well-to-do European families in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. What makes this particular image even more interesting is that I have found for sale by another dealer, an ALMOST identical view BUT entitled 'Vue des Côtes de SIBERIE' (View of the Coasts of Siberia) , there are some differences, but the basic layout is the same, but that print was published in Paris by Laurent Pierre La Chaussée, but also undated. I am unable to ascertain the chronology of these two prints, and whether one might be a 'pirated' version? . THIS print has the Publisher as 'A Paris chez Basset, rue St Jacques 64', at the left hand side by the outer bottom print impression line. Other than those mentioned above, there are no other publication details or text on this print. Paul Andre Basset was a Paris print publisher, printseller, wallpaper manufacturer and the son of André Basset. He married in 1787 and was very active during the revolutionary period. He was situated in Paris at rue Saint Jacques no.64, where his firm remained until at least 1885. The Image alone without the broad borders measures approx 15.5" x 10.0" (39.3 cm x 25.5 cm) . See Images ; Oblong Folio 13" - 23" tall.…