Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell, 2018., Textile shot bag. On the front of the bag in red letters: “Standard Drop Shot, T.W. Sparks, Philadelphia. 7.” An eagle in red is in the center. Inside the bag is a newspaper clipping, “A Brief History, Sparks Shot Tower.”, Opened in 1808 by Thomas Sparks and John Bishop, the 142 foot tall brick tower revolutionized the manufacture of ammunition. Gun shot was made by pouring lead from the top of the tower. The lead developed a round shape through falling and solidified in cold water at the bottom. Four generations of Sparks operated the tower until 1903 when it was sold to the United Lead Company. The City of Philadelphia bought the site in 1913.
Exterior view showing neat piles of cannon balls stacked on platforms. A sign in the foreground reads: "No admittance on these grounds without permission". Also shows a building in the right background., Title from manuscript note on verso., Photographer's imprint stamped on verso., Orange curved mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., R. Newell & Son, a partnership between Robert Newell and his son Henry, was active from around 1870 until 1897 and the death of the elder Newell.
Creator
R. Newell & Son
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Newell - Military [P.8709.9]
