Italy, The Cone of Mt Etna antique print c1858.

by The Illustrated London News

The Cone of Mount Etna and the "English House" (destroyed by the recent earthquake).

Climbers ïn August of the previous year recorded "Respiration became difficult, from two causes; we were now almost 10,000 feet above the sea; and the fumes of sulphur which issued from numerous little holes, and from the holes which our feet had made, nearly choked us.
When about halfway up the cone, whilst taking a rest, ashes from above us came tumbling down from the trembling of the cone, and at the same instant a deep underground sound, like very distant thunder, told us unmistakably that Etna was not quite at rest..."

This original wood engraving published in The Illustrated London News in July 1858, shows the peace of the region, and the mountain, already letting off steam.

This antique engraving appeared within the text of The Illustrated London News, which was one of the most important illustrated periodicals of the 19th century.  Young printer and newsagent, Herbert Ingram noticed that newspaper sales increased when they included illustrations. Ingram moved from Nottingham to London and set up The Illustrated London News in 1842. His chief advisor was his friend, Mark Lemon, the editor of Punch magazine. The illustrations have been collected, coloured and treasured ever since the day they were published.

Engraving measures 15.5 x 23.5cm (6.25 x 9.25 inches).