Beautiful duotone lithograph, depicting a view of the Custom House in Constantinople (Istanbul).  On the right the is the Ottoman Imperial Armory.  The Galata Tower, in the print's left, and one of the minarets and the domed mosque on the right are extant.  This print was published in 1838, after artwork done by John Frederick Lewis in 1837, that was based upon sketches made by Coke Smyth during his residence in Constantinople during the years 1835-36.  At the time, Lewis himself had not yet traveled to Constantinople.  Print size: 11 1/4 x 14 1/2 inches.  The small dots in each of the print's corners are alignment pinholes used in the lithograph's printing and are not defects.  Some foxing and toning to the edges, but the print itself is in excellent condition.
 
John Frederick Lewis (1804–1876), was an English painter and printmaker who specialized in Mediterranean and Oriental scenes.  After being largely forgotten for decades, from the late 1970s on he became extremely fashionable, with his paintings commanding prices into the millions of dollars, and his prints now scarce.  John Richard Coke Smyth (1808-1882), was a British artist and traveler who produced several collections of prints from sketches made during his travels.