Creator |
Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer. |
Contributor |
Poulson, Charles A. 1789-1866, compiler. |
|
Johnston, William L., 1811-1849, architect. |
Title |
Mercantile Library, on the southeast corner of Fifth and Library Street. [graphic] / Photograph by Richards. |
Publisher |
PA. Philadelphia. 1858 |
Date |
December 1858 |
Physical Description |
1 photographic print: salted paper mounted on paper; 19 x 13 cm.(7.5 x 5 in.) |
Description |
View showing the building of the library, organized in 1821 for the benefit of merchants and merchant clerks, built 1844-45
after the designs of William Johnston at 125 South Fifth Street. Includes a horse-drawn carriage parked in front of the library
and a partial view of Independence Square. Building demolished circa 1925.
|
Notes |
Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount. |
|
Date inscribed on photograph. |
|
Mount inscribed with directions: N. E. S. W. |
|
Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited. |
|
Select link below for a digital image. |
|
Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s
entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 111. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia
painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia
commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape.
|
|
Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the
19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 11.
|
|
Arcadia caption text: William L. Johnston designed this Greek Revival edifice, constructed 1844-1845, at the southeast corner
of Fifth and Library streets for the Mercantile Library Company of Philadelphia, which formed in 1821 as a member-supported
institution for merchants and clerks. Initially serving the specific interests of bankers, traders, and accountants, by the
late 19th century the library became a place for the general public to utilize its collection of newspapers, magazines, and
novels. Pictured here in 1858, the library relocated in 1869. The building was demolished c. 1925.
|
Subject |
Mercantile Library of Philadelphia -- Buildings. |
|
Libraries -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Carriages & coaches -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
Geographic subject |
Fifth Street (Philadelphia, Pa.) -- South -- 125. |
|
Independence Square (Philadelphia, Pa.) |
Genre |
Salted paper prints -- 1850-1860. |
Associated name |
Johnston, William L., 1811-1849, architect. |
Provenance |
Poulson, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1789-1866, compiler. |
Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| photo - Richards - Libraries - M [(3)2526.F.111 (Poulson)] |
Accession number |
(3)2526.F.111 |