Collection of nearly 3,000 stereographs published and distributed in or of Philadelphia. The photographs mainly portray commercial and residential street scenes, particularly Market and Chestnut streets; religious, public, financial, and industrial buildings and institutions; and historic and prominent landmarks as well as a small selection of non-Philadelphia views.

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Table Rock from above, Niagara N.Y.
View of overhanging rock cliffs above the Niagara River on the Canadian side of the falls, showing a man sitting on the edge of the cliff, and buildings, one undergoing construction, along the land's edge., Title on mount., Photographer's imprint printed on mount in fancy scrollwork., Photographer's blind stamp included twice on the mount. Stamp consists of his initials, C.B., within an art palette., Distributor's label pasted on verso: James Cremer, publisher of stereoscopic views, 18 South Eighth St., Philadelphia. Stereoscopes and views, wholesale and retail., Manuscript note on verso: Muschamp, No. 32., Orange mount with rounded corners., Gift of Mr. Saul Koltnow., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bierstadt relocated to Niagara Falls, New York from New Bedford, Massachusetts ca. 1863 and opened his own photographic studio.
Take a 'poon piggie.
Genre view of a barefoot girl, seated and holding a spoon, as a pig eats from a bowl in front of her., Copyrighted by Melander & Bro., Title printed on mount., Photographer's imprint printed on mount., Distributor's label pasted on verso: James Cremer, publisher of stereoscopic views, 18 South Eighth St., Philadelphia. Stereoscopes and views, wholesale and retail., Manuscript note on verso: Muschamp, 21, Buff mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Terra cotta ware, Portugese [sic] sec.
View showing a large terra cotta urn surrounded by four statues of female figures on pedestals in the Portuguese section of the Main Building. Also shows a display of glassware in the background and decorated roundels above long, rectangular windows. The Main Exhibition Building was designed by Joseph M. Wilson and Henry Pettit. The fair celebrated the centennial of the United States through an international exhibition of industry, agriculture, and art., Title on negative., Photographer's imprint printed on mount and on verso. Imprint on verso contains initials "CPC" in decorative border surmounted by date range 1776-1876., Distributor's stamp on verso: S.B. Moyer, finest line of stereoscopic views of all parts of the world. Pottstown, Pa. Best views of the Johnstown Disaster., White curved mount with rounded corners., Gift of Charles Isaacs., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Terrace walk, Fairmount Park.
View showing a tree-lined pathway on the Lemon Hill estate in East Fairmount Park. A man leans against a tree-trunk near a marble stairway in the foreground., Title printed on verso in numbered list with sixty-seven other titles in the series (No. 58-125)., Manuscript note on mount: View near Lemon Hill mansion., Publisher's imprint printed on series label pasted on verso., Buff mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Ms. Jane Carson James.
"That pesky rat again"
Comic genre scene showing a male suitor "hunting" a rat loose in the bedroom of two young ladies attired in their bed clothes. The man rests on his knees and holds a shoe above the rat, which flees under a bed on which one woman, in a nightdress and on all fours, looks in fear. Another woman, in underclothes, stands on a chair near an overturned plant stand and the man while holding a plate in the air in wait for the "rat." Also shows wallpapered walls, drapery covering windows, and a framed print showing a couple in a canoe., Distributor's imprint printed on mount: Sold only by Underwood & Underwoood, New York, London, Toronto Canada, Ottawa Kansas., Buff mount with rounded corners., Title printed in six different languages on verso., Gift of Jesse Randall., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Third Reformed Dutch Church, n.e. corner of Tenth and Filbert streets, Philadelphia.
Exterior view showing the Doric-style church built 1835-1840 after the designs of Thomas Ustick Walter on the 900 block of Filbert Street. View also includes a horse-drawn dray., Stereograph on pale yellow paper mount with square corners. Paper backing pasted on verso., Title from accompanying publisher's label describing the church and listing the pastors., Manuscript note on mount: 3rd Reformed Dutch Church., Possibly by Philadelphia photographer John Moran., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., McAllister & Brother, opticians, a partnership between brothers William Y., John A., and Thomas H. McAllister, was active 1853-1865.
Third St., north of Walnut, east side.
View showing the back of the Merchants' Exchange building, designed by William Strickland, at the southeast corner of Third and Walnut streets. Includes signage for the Union Mutual Insurance Company (incorporated 1804) that tenanted the building at street level. In front of the building, a man leans on a tree, a female peddler sits beside her produce stand, and a horse-drawn carriage stands idle. View also includes a lamppost with letter box., Paper label on verso listing over one hundred exterior views published by the firm., Yellow mount with rounded corners., 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. 97., Arcadia caption text: ... The image below, looking north along Third Street from Walnut Street, shows the plainer western façade of the Exchange., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Newell & Son, a partnership between Robert and his son, Henry, was active from around 1870 until 1897 and the death of the elder Newell.
Third Street, above Chestnut. [graphic] / Photographed by Bartlett & French, Phila.
View of Third Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets, west side, looking north. Includes signage for W.F. Scheible awning, tent and flag manufacturers and stencil cutters (49 S. Third)., Title, photographer's imprint and series number from accompanying printed label., Yellow mount with square corners., Published in Kenneth Finkel's Nineteenth-Century photography in Philadelphia (New York: Dover Publications Inc., 1980), plate 227., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French ca. 1867-1869.
Third Street, below Chestnut. [graphic] / Photographed by Bartlett & French, Phila.
View of Third Street, between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, west side, looking south. Shows the offices of several newspaper publishers (Public Ledger, Evening Telegraph, and Sunday Transcript) and printers (Haddock & Son, printers and lithographers, and Torr card & job printers); and First Bank of the United States (i.e. Girard Bank)., Title, photographer's imprint and series number from accompanying printed label., Yellow mount with square corners., Orginally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French ca. 1867-1869.
[Third Street, east side, north of Chestnut Street, Philadelphia]
View showing the east side of Third Street between Market and Chestnut streets. Depicts the speculative office building built by Borie Brothers after the designs of Fraser, Furness & Hewitt at the northeast corner of Third and Chestnut. The building adorned wtih signage for the tenanting businesses of Franklin Telegraph Office, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and a banker's office, also housed the office of Frank Furness on the top story from 1871 to 1875. Also shows a flags, awnings, and stencil cuttings store adorned with an awning illustrated with a female figure and a partial view of the building at the northwest corner of Third and Chestnut tenanted by bankers, B.K. Jamison & Co., and L. Pelouze & Son's Philadelphia Type Foundry., Title supplied by cataloguer., Orange mount with rounded corners., Manuscript note on verso: 3 St. north of Chestnut., Gift of Robert M. Vogel., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Toll house, Wissahickon Lane.
View of dirt road flanked by boulders and trees, showing a man standing on the side of the road looking away from the photographer toward a small toll house in the distance., Title from photographer's label pasted on verso., Yellow mount with square corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French circa 1867-1869.
Tomb of President James K. Polk, corner of Union & Vine St., Nashville, Tenn.
View showing the tomb of James Knox Polk, the eleventh president of the United States, on his Polk Place estate before it was relocated to the Tennessee State Capitol in 1893. The columned front facade of Polk Place is partially visible in the background., Title from manuscript note on verso., Photographer's imprint on mount., Yellow mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Mr. Saul Koltnow.
Tombs in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Shows a man standing next to the rock-altar monument for Philadelphia humorist John Clay Neal. Monument includes plaque that reads "Joseph C. Neal Born 1807-Died 1847. A tribute of affectionate regret from those who loved him as a man and admired him as an author." View also shows ironwork fencing designed by Robert Wood & Co. and adjacent burial vaults. Cemetery built 1836-1839 after the designs of John Notman., Title printed on mount., Name of photographer from duplicate. [(8)1322.F.49m]., Buff mount with square corners., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Tower view, at Water Gap House.
Bird's eye view from a circular window looking north at the Delaware Water Gap region from the Water Gap House built in 1872 on Mt. Minsi. Shows the Delaware River (right), the adjacent hilly landscape, and a residence on the west bank of the river in the foreground., Title from printed series label on verso with twenty-three other titled views (No. 121-144)., Photographer and publisher's printed label pasted on verso., Manuscript note on mount below image: Tower view, Water Gap House., Yellow curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Tree-lined path in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.]
Landscape view of tree-lined path in Fairmount Park., Title from manuscript note on mount., Photographer's imprint obscured by photograph pasted on mount., Stamped on verso: Copyrighted Kiralfy Bros., Philadelphia, 1876., Pink curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Ms. Jane Carson James.
Trials of bachelorhood.
Comic genre scene showing a man having difficulty sewing his shirt. Two women peer over a clothes screen at the scene with grins on their faces. The room is messy with clothing and scraps strewn about. A guitar leans up against a table., Copyrighted by B. L. Singley., Title printed on mount., Publisher's imprint printed on mount., Buff curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[T.S.R. Fassitt residence, s.e. corner 17th & Locust streets, Philadelphia]
Shows the residence of Philadelphia gentleman T.S.R. Fassitt at 1630 Locust Street., Manuscript note on mount: Residence of - Fassett S.E. cor 17th & Locust Sts., Buff paper mount with square corners., Partial manuscript note by collector on verso., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Tugboat south of Girard Avenue Bridge, Schuylkill River]
View looking northwest on the Schuylkill River showing a man standing on the deck of a tugboat in the foreground. The first Girard Avenue Bridge, built 1852-55 by Adolphus Bonzano after designs by Rudolph Hering, is visible in the background., Title supplied by cataloger., Stamped on verso: Copyrighted by Kiralfy Bros., Philadelphia, 1876., Photographer's imprint printed on recto., Orange curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Ms. Jane Carson James.
Tumbling Run scenery, Schuylkill County, Pa.
Views of the park Tumbling Run, located at the southern foot of Sharp Mountain, south of Pottsville, Pa., including a farm on the bank of the twin dams looking east toward Pottsville, a dried-up stream with a stagecoach adorned with signage "A.M. Allen, photographer, Pottsville" in the background, and a man sitting on a large boulder next to a small stream., No. 97; 100; and 102, Title supplied by cataloger., Photographer's imprint from label pasted on versos., Photographer's imprint printed on mounts., Yellow and orange mounts with square corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift from the heirs of Paul D.I. and Anna S. Maier: James H. Maier, Anthony M. Maier, Marianna M. Thomas, and Cynthia C. Maier., A.M. Allen, born in Deerfield, Mass., relocated to Pottsville, Pa. ca. 1852 and set up his studio at the southwest corner of West Market and North Centre Streets. He retired from the business in 1894.
Tunnel near Girard Ave. Bridge.
View looking north from in front of the Girard Avenue Bridge showing the Promontory Rock Tunnel, bored in 1871, on East River Drive (i.e., Kelly Drive) in East Fairmount Park. Also shows a section of the New York Connecting Railway Bridge, built for the Pennsylvania Railroad 1866-1867, in the background., Title from manuscript note on verso., Green mount with rounded corners., Photographer's imprint printed on mount., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Turbine wheel house Fairmount.
View looking north through a pavilion of the old mill house showing the new mill house (built 1862) at the Fairmount Water Works on the Schuylkill River. The waterworks, originally built after the designs of Philadelphia engineer Frederick Graff, were altered and remodeled after the designs of Philadelphia engineers, Henry P.M. Birkinbine and Frederick Graff, Jr., until 1872., Attributed to Robert Newell., Title from accompanying label., Yellow mount with square corners., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Turbine wheels, Fairmount Water Works, Phila.
View showing the interior of the new mill house completed in 1862 after the designs of engineer Henry P.M. Birkinbine. Shows a man standing between the turbine wheels and several pumps, which were added to the waterworks to increase the supply of water to the growing number of city residents. The waterworks, originally constructed between 1812 and 1822 after the designs of Philadelphia engineer Frederick Graff, were altered and expanded until 1872., Title from label on negative., Warped yellow mount with rounded corners., American scenery was a popular series of copy stereographs issued between 1874 and 1877., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Turner's Mission]
Exterior view of frame mission building with picket fence and sign over entrance reading, "Turner's Mission, Sabbath School 2:30pm, prayer meeting every Thursday evening". Two girls stand near the open entranceway to the mission., Title supplied by cataloger., Mint green mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Twin houses, Green St. Philadelphia.
View of two identical brick Italianate twin houses with central towers capped by a flat roof with overhanging eaves. Towers extend above the main rooflines. View includes balustrades on the second level and trees in adjacent yards and on sidewalk., Title from manuscript note on mount., Numbers and mathematical equations written on verso of mount in ink., Buff curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Two little nigs
Racist portrait depicting two African American boys, attired in torn and worn clothes, seated on a plank on a barrel in a field. The barefooted boy in the left, attired in a hat, a torn shirt, and worn pants, sits with his hands folded on his lap. The boy in the right, attired in a hat, a worn shirt, torn pants, and dilapidated shoes, sits with his hands between his legs., No. 119., Photographer's imprint printed on verso., Title from manuscript note on verso., Warped orange mount with rounded corners., Gift of David Long, 2002., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
[Two men hunting]
View of two men and a young boy hunting in the woods. One man crouches and aims his rifle while the other stands next to him and watches the shot. The boy stands in the background in front of large tree trunk., Title supplied by cataloger., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Two young women in an embrace]
Genre photograph showing two women embracing., Title supplied by cataloger., Photographer's imprint on mount., Buff mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Ms. Jane Carson James.
Uncle Jimmie, Beaufort, S.C. [graphic] / Photographed by Wilson & Havens, Savannah, Ga.
Stereograph depicting “Uncle Jimmie,” an older African American man knitting the corner edge of a mesh fishing net extended out in front of him from a pole on the porch of a wood cabin. Shows the man, with receding, short, cropped hair, seated, and in profile. He wears a white, long-sleeve, button-down shirt; dark-colored pants; and work shoes. The man, possibly Gullah, uses a flat rule and needle on the edge of the net. Behind the man, in the background, an open door to an entryway with an open window is visible. A vertical beam is also visible in the left of the image. Knitting fish net was and is one of a number of Gullah traditions (customs developed by enslaved Africans living along the Atlantic coast of South Carolina) practiced in Beaufort, S.C., Title from manuscript note on verso., Date inferred from active dates of Wilson & Havens partnership., Orange mount with rounded corners., Description reviewed 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Under the arch. Looking up the Schuylkill
View looking northwest through the observatory tower arch at the basin of the Fairmount Water Works on the Schuylkill River. Shows the terrace of the new mill house built on the mound dam between 1859 and 1862 after the designs of engineer Henry P.M. Birkinbine. Also shows a pavilion of the old mill house and the pavilion on the the pier of the mound dam. The waterworks, originally built between 1812 and 1822, were altered and expanded until 1872., Attributed to Robert Newell., Title from manuscript note on verso., Grey mount with rounded corners., Inscribed in negative: 4., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Gift of Jane Carson James., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Unidentified Centennial Exhibition building]
View of pavillion-style building with center cupola. Formally landscaped walks wind around building. Possibly a building constructed for the Centennial exhibition held in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park., Title supplied by cataloger., Orange curved mount with rounded corners., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Unidentified commercial interior, possibly dealer of glass and fancy goods, Philadelphia]
Interior view of shop showing display cases and cabinets containing glassware, vases, sculptures, and object d'art. Also shows a staircase and landing to an upper floor., Buff mount with square corners., Title supplied by cataloguer., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Unidentified estate near Philadelphia]
Shows a residence and surrounding grounds., Attributed to John Moran., White paper mount with square corners., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Unidentified fountain]
View of ornate fountain., Title supplied by cataloger., Publisher's imprint printed on mount and on verso., Buff curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Roberts & Fellows, formed by H.L. Roberts and Charles T. Fellows, succeeded Edward L. Wilson ca. 1887 and dissolved in 1891.
[Unidentified residence]
Unmounted stereograph view showing an unidentified dwelling surrounded by a decrepit fence and bare trees., Title supplied by cataloger., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Unidentified residence and outbuildings]
Views depict unidentified residences and the rear of these properties with a circular tent and flagpole., Title supplied by cataloger., Photographer's imprint from printed red text on versos., Yellow mounts with square corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
[Unidentified residence, Philadelphia]
Exterior view of front facade of a two story residence. An illegible sign protrudes from the building near the entrance door. Includes a partial view of a carriage house and adjacent houses and yards., Title supplied by cataloger., Photographer's imprint printed on mount., Manuscript note on verso: H.M.B.S., Gray mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Unidentified residences, Pennsylvania.
Exterior views of unidentified residences in or near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shows residents sitting on their front porches and lawns and standing in their side yards, gardens, and driveways., Image P.9299.115 possibly depicts Wyck in Germantown. The earliest section of the house was built circa 1690 by Hans Milan. Center section and alterations were designed and completed by William Strickland in 1824. For nine generations the house belonged to the Wistar-Haines family. Image P.9299.111 possibly shows the Francis Cope House in East Germantown., Title supplied by cataloger., Copyrighted by Kiralfy Bros., Philadelphia., Photographer's imprint printed on mounts., Pink curved mounts with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Ms. Jane Carson James.
Union Avenue.
Unmounted stereograph showing an elevated view of displays lining the main thoroughfare, Union Avenue. Patriotic bunting, flags, and banners hang from the ceiling and rafters. A "Lingerie Trimmings" sign in the center display aisle is also visible. The Great Central or Sanitary Fair held June 7-28, 1864 on Logan Circle was one of several national fairs that displayed art, craft, and historical exhibits to benefit the U.S. Sanitary Commission, a soldier relief organization., Title from printed paper label below image., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Union Avenue.
Interior view of the fair's main thoroughfare showing a line of displays dividing Union Avenue in two and exhibition booths flanking the aisles. Flags and patriotic bunting cover the walls and hang from the ceiling. Also shows spectators standing on Union Avenue near the "lingerie and trimmings" display. The U.S. Sanitary Commission organized the Great Central Fair in Logan Square from June 7-28, 1864. The fair was one of several national fairs that displayed art, craft, and historical exhibits to benefit the U.S. Sanitary Commission, a soldier relief organization., Title from publisher's label pasted on verso., Photographer's imprint on label pasted on verso., Yellow mounts with square corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Union Business College Phila.
Shows a classroom of male students, including young boys, at the business school, later renamed Peirce's Business College, at 931 Chestnut street. View also includes a manned registration desk adorned with signage reading "Thomas M. Peirce & Co.," instructors, a gallery, and chandeliers., Title from photographer's label pasted on verso., Yellow mount with rounded corners., 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. 110., Arcadia caption text: This crowded classroom at the Union Business College, located on the 900 block of Chestnut Street, shows young men and boys studying while instructors look on. Thomas May Peirce founded this practical business school months after the Civil War ended to prepare former soldiers for employment. While this c. 1873 scene shows only male students, the college also designed a Ladies Department for women seeking work in the business world. Renamed Peirce College, the school still operates today., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.

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