Horloge Astonomique de la Cathedrale de Strasbourg
c. 1845
By J. Bruck; printed by E. Simon
As recorded in account books and by surviving examples, prints were another type of souvenir favored by the Ridgely family to commemorate their travels. This early example of color lithography shows the astronomical clock at Strasbourg Cathedral in France which the Ridgelys likely visited during their trip to Europe in 1846-1848. The clock is one of the largest of its kind in the world and had just been completed in 1843. The cathedral itself was at that time the tallest building in the world, making it a likely destination for American tourists.
Lithograph on paper. H 32, W 22.3 cm
Hampton National Historic Site, HAMP 7411