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- Title
- Mercantile Library
- Description
- Views showing the library built 1844-45 after the designs of William Johnston at 125 South Fifth Street. Demolished circa 1925. Image includes the Library Company of Philadelphia, a partial view of Philadelphia Dispensary, four horse-drawn carriages, and the block of Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut streets in the background., Yellow mounts, including two with rounded and one with square corners., Title from labels on versos of P.9260.9 and P.9573.14., One of images 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., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French circa 1867-1868.
- Creator
- Bartlett & French, photographer
- Date
- ca. 1868
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bartlett & French - Libraries [(8)1322.F.5f; P.9260.9; P.9573.14]
- Title
- The Free Library of Philadelphia, Southwark Branch, N.W. corner Fifth and Ellsworth Streets
- Description
- Exterior view of front facade of library built circa 1911 after designs by David Knickerbacker Boyd., Postcard issued by William H. Rau, Philadelphia, and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N.Y., Sheet number: 132B06., Divided back., Digitized with funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Brightbill, George M., collector
- Date
- ca. 1911
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Libraries - 132]
- Title
- [Fifth Street north of Allegheny Avenue.]
- Description
- Depicts row homes along the west side of 5th Street north of Allegheny Avenue. Includes a grocery store on the corner and a sign for the adjacent cigar store. Also depicts pedestrian and street traffic., Numbered 1062 on recto., Sheet number: 156B05., Real photo. Undivided back. Post marked 1907., Digitized with funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Brightbill, George M., collector
- Date
- ca. 1907
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Streets - Miscellaneous - 156]
- Title
- Home for Veteran and Wife G.A.R., 63rd and Callowhill Sts. [sic], Philadelphia, Pa
- Description
- Exterior view of the home for veterans and wives of the Grand Army of the Republic built in 1903 by Charles Webber Bolton., Numbered 5500 and 20074 on verso., Sheet number: 138A05., Divided back., Digitized with funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Brightbill, George M., collector
- Date
- ca. 1910
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Organizations (By Name) - 138]
- Title
- Bought of Russell & Landis, importers & wholesale druggists, & dealers in paints, oils, glass, varnishes, & c., also manufacturers of pure lily white lead, hunters iron paint, & ivory white lead. no. 5 North Fifth Street (3 doors above Market.) Geo. P. Russell. D. C. Landis
- Description
- Billhead of the Philadelphia druggist containing ornate lettering and an exterior view of the firm's storefront on Fifth Street. View also shows street and pedestrian traffic, including a horse-drawn omnibus and a man pushing a hand cart. Print also contains a pictorial detailed composed of a ribbon overlaid filigree and reading "All Claims to Be Reported Within Ten Days After Receipt of Goods." Terms of payment and shipping are also included. Russell & Landis relocated from the 400 block of Market and Fifth Street circa 1870., Completed in manuscript to F. P. Magraw on October 27, 1870 for $12.60., Stamped on recto: Paid Jul 19, 1904, E.K. Thompson & Son., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of William H. Helfand.
- Date
- [ca. 1870]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Helfand Popular Medicine Stationery Collection - Billheads -1879 (N-R) - R [P.2011.46.389]
- Title
- Philadelphia Library
- Description
- View looking northeast at the first permanent red-brick building of the subscription library, organized by Benjamin Franklin and his Junto in 1731, built 1789-1790 after the designs of Dr. William Thornton. View includes the Benjamin Franklin statue sculpted by Francesco Lazzarini and installed in the niche above the building entrance in 1792. Also shows a man digging up the street near a pile of stones and dirt, a partial view of a horse traveling north on Fifth Street, and men standing near the building on the corner. The library sold the building 1880 and it was demolished in 1887., Title printed on mount below image., Yellow mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Date
- [ca. 1875]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - Libraries [P.9058.170]
- Title
- Philadelphia Bourse postcards
- Description
- Contains three views of the Fifth Street front of the Philadelphia Bourse building constructed 1893-1895 after designs by G. W. & W. D. Hewitt., Contains 3 postcards printed in color., Sheet number: 27A03, Digitized with funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Brightbill, George M., collector
- Date
- 1900-1910
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Buildings - Miscellaneous - 27]
- Title
- [Library Company of Philadelphia, southeast corner Fifth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia]
- Description
- Shows the first permanent building of the subscription library, organized by Benjamin Franklin and his Junto in 1731, built 1789-1790 after the designs of Dr. William Thornton. View includes the Benjamin Franklin statue sculpted by Francesco Lazzarini and installed in the niche above the building entrance in 1792., Half-stereographic prints including one on white paper mount with square corners., Title supplied by cataloguer., 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.
- Date
- [ca. 1860]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - Libraries [(6)1322.F.20b; P.2282.41]
- Title
- The Free Library of Philadelphia, Haddington Branch, S.W. corner 65th and Girard Avenue
- Description
- Exterior view of front facade of library built in 1915 after designs by Albert Kelsey., Postcard issued by William H. Rau, Philadelphia, and the Albertype Co., Booklyn, N.Y., Sheet number: 132B03., Divided back., Digitized with funding from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Brightbill, George M., collector
- Date
- ca. 1915
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Libraries - 132]
- Title
- Library Company of Philadelphia scrapbook
- Description
- Scrapbook predominantly containing photographs of the interiors and exteriors of the buildings of the Library Company of Philadelphia at Fifth and Library streets (1792-1878) and Juniper and Locust streets (1880-1940). Interior views show the main reading room, the women's reading room, and the Henry C. Lea Annex (member's reading room) at the Juniper Street building. The images include shelves of books; reading tables and chairs; magazine racks; card catalogs; and paintings, photographs, manuscripts and busts and object d'arts on display. Also contains photographs and photomechanical reproductions of portraiture of early noted figures and donors to the Library Company and art and artifacts held by or associated with the repository. Additional content includes reference correspondence (1920 and 1924) between librarian George Abbot and overseas researchers studying Peter Collinson and an April 8, 1834 newspaper clipping reporting the Library Company's receipt of the book collection of the late James Cox "Artist and Bibliomaniac" accompanied by his autograph (John McAllister label pasted on verso)., Portraits depict Rev. Samuel Preston (1756-1834); optician Joseph Fisher (d. 1864); library director Dr. Thomas Parke (1749-1835); "library director 1825-1840" Benjamin R. Morgan (1765-1840); and Library Company purchasing agent Peter Collinson (1694-1768). Artifacts include the "Lion's Mouth" tin suggestion box (ca. 1850); the candle lantern from the entrance of the original library building (pre-1791); "old playing cards used as washers for Franklin's electrical machine" (1740s); William Penn's secretary desk (ca. 1680); John Penn's air pump case for electrical instruments (1738-1739); and the anti-slavery painting "Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences" given to the library by its artist Samuel Jennings in 1792., Title supplied by cataloger., Bookplate of the Library Company dated October 9, 1934 pasted on inside front cover., Some contents identified from manuscript notes on rectos and versos of scrapbook pages., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Housed in phase box., Select link above to access the website "Art & Artifacts. Discover the Library Company’s Art and Artifact Collection.", The Library Company of Philadelphia, America’s first successful lending library and oldest cultural institution, was founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin as a subscription library supported by its shareholders. Until the 1850s it was the largest public library in America. It was transformed into a research library in the 1950s.
- Creator
- Library Company of Philadelphia
- Date
- 1818-ca. 1934, bulk 1920-1930
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums - Library [Uy8 7065.Q], http://www.librarycompany.org/artifacts/
- Title
- Philadelphia Water Works. "Stand Pipe" 24th Ward Works
- Description
- View showing the standpipe with an ornate spiral staircase erected at Thirty-Fifth and Sycamore streets as part of the Twenty Fourth Ward Water Works also known as the West Philadelphia Water Works. Completed circa 1855 after the designs of engineers Birkinbine & Trotter, the standpipe served as a reservoir for the waterworks located on the west bank of the Schuylkill River above the Fairmount Dam. The standpipe was removed in 1870., Title from manuscript note by Henry P.M. Birkinbine, Chief Engineer of the Water Department, on accompanying label., Manuscript note on accompanying label: With respects of Henry P.M. Birkinbine Chief Engineer., Blue mount with square corners., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Birkinbine & Trotter was a partnership between Philadelphia engineers Henry P.M. Birkinbine and Edward H. Trotter (1814-1872)., See Poulson's scrapbook vol. VII, pg. 119 for clipping concerning the raising of the stand pipe dated December 15, 1853., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Date
- ca. 1860
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - Public Utilities [(8)1322.F.3a-2]
- Title
- Library Company of Philadelphia scrapbook
- Description
- Scrapbook containing newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera and prints predominantly issued between the 1930s and 1970s documenting exhibitions, loans, collections, events and the history of the Library Company. Clippings include newspaper articles about a loan of American political cartoons to the Toledo Museum (1936); exhibitions commemorating the centenary of librettist W.S. Gilbert (1936); the tercentenary of Swedish Settlement (1938); and the library's African American history collection (1971). Columns also describe the presentation of the Christopher Sower library (1909); the return in 1876 of a book 99 years overdue since the American Revolution (1938); the demolition of the Library's Juniper and Locust streets building for a parking lot (1939); and the vandalism of the former Ridgway Building at 901-933 Broad Street (1969). Photographs predominantly depict the exteriors and reading rooms of the library buildings at Fifth and Library Streets, Juniper and Locust Streets, and Broad Street (Ridgway Building). Other photographs include a series of views from the 1939 unveiling ceremony of the James Logan memorial (to be erected in Fairmount Park) on the steps of the Ridgway Branch. Ephemera includes invitations (several from The Women's Committee), brochures, catalogs, announcements and placards related to library events; bulletins and pamphlets describing collections; dues notices and book plates; the variant 1884 and 1906 "Rules of the Library Company"; an off-print of the 1882 Louise Stockton entry in "A Sylvan City..." about "The Old Philadelphia Library"; and a 1961 citation from the city recognizing the library as a "Philadelphia first.", Title supplied by cataloger., Cut outs of the seal and motto of Library Company from bookplate pasted on title page., Some contents annotated with dates and typewritten descriptions., Several loose photographs removed and rehoused as "Library Company of Philadelphia Scrapbook Photographs Collection" [P.2010.17]. Contains a ca. 1865 portrait of library donor John A. McAllister misidentified as librarian Lloyd P. Smith, a ca. 1935 portrait of librarian George Abbot, and interior and exterior views of the library buildings, including artifacts, at Fifth and Library Streets, Juniper and Locust Streets, and Broad Street (Ridgway Building)., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Typewritten index inserted in volume., The Library Company of Philadelphia, America’s first successful lending library and oldest cultural institution, was founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin as a subscription library supported by its shareholders. Until the 1850s it was the largest public library in America. It was transformed into a research library in the 1950s.
- Creator
- Library Company of Philadelphia
- Date
- [ca. 1865-ca. 1971, bulk ca. 1936-ca. 1945]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *albums (flat) [P.2010.17], Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Library Company of Philadelphia Scrapbook Photographs Collection [P.2010.17]
- Title
- Photograph album
- Description
- Album of photographs compiled and some possibly taken by Albert Hatch showing city and landscape views and family views and portraits. Photographs depict Atlantic City; Fairmount Park, including the water works and the Wissahickon Creek; Schooley family residences, landmarks, and the 1888 reunion in Luzerne County, Pa., including the residence of Joanna Schooley (West Pittston), the "Old Homestead" (Wyoming), the residence of H. N. Schooley before and after renovations in 1888, and the Schooley Breaker (Sturmerville) and Mill (Luzerne); lighthouses at Sandy Hook, N.J. and Neversink, N.Y.; and the White Mountains, N.H. Images also show the 500 block of North Twenty-Fifth Street, including Hatch's residence; the Girard Avenue Bridge and tunnel; the Old Red Bridge and Thorps Lane Bridge (Wissahickon), and "Old Smithy", a view by John Moran of a "smith" in front of his stone cabin shop in the woods. Also contains unidentified landscape views by Moran, and frontispiece photographs removed from late 1880s editions of "The Philadelphia Photographer," including views of South Africa and "The Kiosk of Isis" (Bed of Pharoah) at Philae Island., Calligraphed on cover: Photographs., Insert: Permission card issued to Mr. Albert Hatch, No. 577 N. 25 St. Recto contains stamps: Albert Hatch 190 Lambert St., Phila, Pa.; Albert Hatch 1616 Montgomery Ave. Verso printed: Permission has been granted to you to take Photographic Views in the Park during 1885. Good until revoked by the Committee on superintendance [use?] J. M. Dougherty, Secretary., Contains pasted label on back cover: Howard Album. Interchangeable Cards, Scovill Mf'g Co., N. Y. Patented and Label Registered., Photographers include George Hanmer Croughton; Lulu Farini; John Moran; and E. L. Wilson., Several of the photographs identified from captions below the images., Names of photographers from inscriptions below the images., Brown leather binding stamped: Photographs., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Agnes Kelly., Housed in phase box., Albert Hatch, son of Massachusetts-born, real estate broker Edward Hatch, was an amateur photographer who worked as a clerk at the U.S. Post Office from the late 1880s into the early 20th century. He was married in 1886 to Alice C. Schooley, who was from a family active in the milling and mining industry in and near Wyoming, Pa, including her brother Henry N. and Aunt Joanna. The couple had two children, including Augusta Hatch (b. 1868), who married James Kelly in 1890.
- Creator
- Hatch, Albert, 1844-1910
- Date
- ca. 1866-ca. 1888
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums [P.9250]
- Title
- The old houses and stores with memorabilia relating to them and my father and grandfather
- Description
- Memory album compiled by Lewis containing written narratives, photographs, watercolors, textiles, drawings, prints and ephemera documenting his childhood and his lineage and family businesses and residences from the late 18th century to mid 19th century. Specific narrative topics include the provenance of the "Pictures" included in the album; "Memorabilia"; the "Marriage of our Ancestor, 1786. Johann Andreas Philipp Ludwig (i.e., J. A. P. Lewis) and Anna Maria Klingemann"; 'In Memoriam: Johann Andreas Philipp Ludwig' "; the "Memorials of the old Houses, Stores &c.," including deed, plot, architectural, and decor information pertaining to Lewis family residences at 121, i.e., 311 North Fifth Street (1791-1797), 60, i.e., 128 North Fourth Street (1797-1805), 82, i.e., 132 North Second Street (1814-1818), 124, i.e., 264 South Third Street (1818-1824), 148, i.e., 264 South Second Street (1824-1840) and rear storehouse on Laurel Street, and Sixteenth and Walnut streets (1840-1858), and the stores at Walnut and Front streets (1829-1856)., Other narratives describe the yellow fever epidemic of 1793; J. A. P. Lewis's service in the volunteer militia; G. Albert's siblings S. Weir, John A., and Theodore C.; John F. Lewis's successful management of the financial panic of 1828 and his entertaining, including fireworks and "ample supplies of groceries, provisions, wine and liquors" on store; the business practices of the import trade; the conversion of Second Street residences into storefronts; the regrettable disposal of family possessions from the China trade, including card receivers, satins, pearl and ivory seals, artificial flowers, tortoiseshell combs, and silk covered boxes; the childhood of Eliza Mower along the Schuylkill River, her clandestine marriage to Lewis, and her death; John F. Lewis's lucky Mexican dollar; and the childhood and young adult years of G. Albert Lewis, including his "spying" at family parties, Christmas memories, sailing excurisons on the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers, and work for the Lewis firm., Album also contains numerous captioned and dated graphic and ephemeral materials, including watercolors and drawings by G. Albert Lewis, photographic views of family churches, family portraiture, newspaper clippings, certificates, bills of lading, and business and calling cards. Lewis's works depict family crests and coats of arms; sentimentalized genre scenes representing family lore, including J. A. P. Lewis's immigration to America for love; his childhood haunts, Christmas presents, and play areas; exteriors, interiors, grounds and gardens of the family residences and storefronts, including parlors, front rooms, gates, a weather vane designed as a cavalryman on the Walnut Street stable, dormer window (Second Street residence), store house on Laurel Street, and stores on Front and Walnut street; ground plans of Lewis residences (264 S. Second and Walnut Street); the "Great Tree" (South Second Street property); and Chinese exports and china patterns. Photographs depict family portraits of Johann Andreas Philipp and Anna Maria Lewis, John F. and Eliza Lewis, and G. Albert and Anne C. Lewis; the Lewis cargo ship "Globe," family churches and residences, including the altar of St. John's Lutheran Church, Crailsheim (J.A.P. Lewis's baptismal font) and St. Michael's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Swedes Church, (Gloria Dei), and St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church (Philadelphia), and the final residence of Eliza Lewis at 1927 Spruce Street; and family artifacts, furniture, and mementoes, including Ludwig's sword and secretary and John F. Lewis's lucky Mexican dollar. Also contains engraved portraits of Frederick the Great and pictorial details by Lewis incorporated at the end of narratives and as frames around portraits., Ephemera includes certificates, bills of lading, and calling cards (including in Chinese) related to the Lewis firms; G. Albert's share certificate in the Philadelphia Museum Company; photomechanical and chromolithographed genre prints; an engraving sample possibly by James Otto Lewis; newspaper clippings, including advertisements and announcement for the Lewis firms, family obituaries, and poems; manuscript "endorsements on notes received, but protested for non-payment" by Weir, Lewis & Co. and family signatures, including that of Eliza Lewis; and textile swatches from Chinese curios, wall paper, and upholstery. Family trees and a chronology of the Lewis firm (until 1828) also form the content., Floral border in watercolor on title page. Border also includes pictorial details showing a sailing ship and Chinese character., Wm. F. Murphy's Sons, Co. Makers stamped on spine., Red leather binding with gold lettering., Dedication: "Dedicated to the Memory of my dear Mother who made the homes of my childhood most lovely and so beautiful!" Surrounded by watercolor frame reading "Haec Olim Meminisse Juvabit Virgo," i.e., "This will help you remember once upon a time.", Gift of Oliver Allen., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Transcription and inventory available at repository., See Sarah Weatherwax, "The Lewis Albums," The Magazine Antiques (August 2006), 116-121., See Oliver H. Allen, "The Lewis Albums," American Heritage 14 (December 1962), 65-80., One of six Lewis Family albums held in the Print Department., Housed in clamshell box., George Albert Lewis, son of Philadelphia China trade merchant John F. Lewis (1791-1858) of John A. Lewis & Co. and Eliza Mower (1788-1885), was a banker, genealogist, and artist descended from Hessian solder and Philadelphia Prothonotary Johann A. P. Lewis [formerly Ludewig]. Lewis studied art with G. W. Holmes, frequently exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Artist's Fund Society, and was a member of several organizations, including the Numismatic & Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, Genealogical Society of Philadelphia, and the Library Company. He married Anne C. Larcombe on July 1, 1851 and with her had two children Alberta (1854-1934) and Hermann (b. 1863) and grandchildren Hildegarde Allen (b. 1885), editor and publisher Frederick Lewis Allen (1890-1954), Barbara Lewis [Shepperd] (b. 1885), Margaret Lewis [Browne] (b. 1886), and George Draper Lewis (b. 1888).
- Creator
- Lewis, G. Albert, 1829-1915
- Date
- 1900
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums [P.9829.2]