View showing a rendering of the monument, surrounded by trees and bushes, to be erected in honor of German natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt in East Fairmount Park. Monument composed of a bust of Humboldt resting on a column pedestal adorned with lion-mouthed fountains and two cherubs holding a globe marked "Cosmos" (representing Humboldt's 5-volume work about his knowledge of the earth). A stone canopy with benches protects the monument under and near which a lady and two gentlemen stand. Also shows a short level of stairs leading to the monument. The cornerstone of the monument, commissioned by German societies, was laid facing the entrance to Girard Avenue Bridge during a celebration of the centennial of the birth of Humboldt on September 13, 1869. The completed monument, including a full-length sculpture by Frederick Drake, was unveiled on July 4, 1876 during the Centennial Exhibition., Not in Wainwright., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 366, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 632 H 881, Collins & Autenrieth, were German-born Philadelphia architects who worked on several projects for the German immigrant community of Philadelphia.
Date
[ca. 1869]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bb 632 H 881
