Details
Creator Sartain, John, 1808-1897, engraver.
Title [Destruction of the hall] [graphic] / Drawn from the spot & Engraved by J. Sartain.
Publisher [Philadelphia] : [publisher not identified]
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1838
Date [1838]
Physical Description 1 print : mezzotint engraving ; sheet 12 x 23 cm (4.75 x 9 in.)
Description Depicts a street scene with the abolitionist meeting place, Pennsylvania Hall, engulfed in flames at Sixth and Haines Streets in Philadelphia. Crowds, including a group of drunken men and other revelers, look on as several fire companies using handpumps hose the adjoining spared building. The hall, erected in 1838 as an arena for "free discussion," was set on fire by a mob of hostile citizens who had witnessed 3 days of interracial dedication ceremonies and services. For disputed reasons, the fire companies did not attempt to extinguish the burning hall. The building was razed and never rebuilt.
Is referenced by Snyder, Mirror of America, 604
Phillips, 270
Notes Title from: [Samuel Webb's], "History of Pennsylvania Hall," p. 136.
Manuscript note on verso: Destroyed by a mob by fire on the night of 17th May 1838.
Originally published in: Samuel Webb's History of Pennsylvania Hall. (Philadelphia: Printed by Merrihew and Gun, 1838). (Am 1838 Hist Pa Hall). Last page contains advertisement for a limited supply of larger frameable versions of the print to be sold at the Anti-Slavery Office, No. 29 N. 9th Street, in Philadelphia.
LCP exhibition catalogue: Negro History #101.
Accessioned 1979.
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
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.LCP exhibit catalogue: Negro History #101.
Biographical / historical note Sartain, a member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and a premier 19th century Philadelphia engraver, often instilled his work with his reformist beliefs.
Subject Pennsylvania Hall (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Abolitionists -- Crimes against -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Antislavery movements -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Crowds -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Fire fighters -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Fires -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Intoxication.
Geographic subject Sixth Street (Philadelphia, Pa.) -- North
Genre Book illustrations -- 1830-1840.
Mezzotints -- 1830-1840.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| PhPr - 8x10 - Events - Fires [P.2283.2]
Accession number P.2283.2