His work often pairs formal portraiture with detailed historical scenes or figures like The Sibyl. In Portrait of General Lafayette and a View of His Landing in New York in 1824, King combines a central figure with a secondary narrative illustration. This dual approach provides a character study and a record of American history. He used copperplate engraving for his later pieces. These offered a sharper line than wood. His portraits of David Glasgow Farragut and DeWitt Clinton demonstrate this shift toward clarity.

These prints offer a window into 19th-century American identity and the technical peak of manual reproduction. Collectors value King for his ability to translate the scale of public monuments into a format suitable for the home. His compositions are balanced and instructional. They lack the over-ornamentation common in Victorian prints. Instead, they focus on clear forms and historical accuracy. These works are suitable for those who appreciate the history of New York and the development of American printmaking.