Engraving of Ayr Market Cross, by William Miller

Description

Engraving of Ayr Market Cross. Shows Cross with street scene. Engraved by William Miller, after an image by David Octavius Hill.

This view of Ayr was published in "The Land of Burns - A series of Landscapes and Portraits, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of the Scottish Poet". This was published in 1846 by Blackie and Son of Glasgow. At this time the development of steel plate engraving made it possible for images to be reproduced in much greater numbers than previous printing technology had allowed. Books such as this one, illustrated by engravings of works by eminent artists, became popular, although they were still expensive and beyond the pocket of most people.