Rare first state impression of "Nihonbashi (Station 1) Morning Veil" from Ando Hiroshige's ((1797-1858) first series "The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido" published by Hoeido circa 1833-1834. The print depicts a daimyo and his attendants crossing the Nihon Bridge in the early morning hours. This is not a later edition or reproduction. It is a guaranteed original woodblock print by Hiroshige. Standard horizontal oban print measuring 9 3/4"V x 14 5/8"H (image: 8 3/4"V x 13 3/4"H). The artist's signature is at the lower right corner of the image. The title of the image and series is at the upper right. The kiwame seal is in the lower left margin. Very good impression quality and color. The paper is very fine and the image and baren marks are clearly visible from the back. Full margins. Lightly soiled center fold with a slight separation at the bottom. Bottom corners slightly rubbed. Some soiling, thinning and tiny holes evident. This early state impression is illustrated in color on page 26 of "Hiroshige: The James A. Michener Collection, Volume 1" by Howard Link, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1991. The omission of clouds in this impression illustrate the artist's migration toward the second state version of the print.