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- Title
- East side of Thirteenth above Callowhill. Occupied in 1844 by Colored Orphan Asylum
- Description
- View depicting the commercial Philadelphia street with the four-story building of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company Office. Building formerly housed "Brotherly Love Hall," the African American orphanage founded by the Society of Friends in 1822. Businesses lining the street include Sullivan & Sweeney, rag and feed store; J. Hunsinker, merchant; J. Neil & Sons, coal dealers; Barber & Son, Edward and Frank, painters; and Haines & Scarlet. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalk., Title from item., Commissioned by Philadelphia antiquarian Ferdinand Dreer., Lib. Company. Annual report, 1975, p. 6-11., Purchase 1975., 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 Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
- Creator
- Evans, B. R. (Benjamin Ridgway), 1834-1891, artist
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Evans watercolors [P.2298.93], http://www.brynmawr.edu/iconog/evans/files/plc093.html
- Title
- Southside Chestnut St. from Carpenters Court to 4th St., 1809
- Description
- View showing the block of four wooden buildings, including a stable, near the back of Carpenter's Hall during the year 1809. A horse-drawn carriage travels down the street. Several men and women pedestrians, including an African American man, attired in an apron and carrying two bundles, walk the sidewalks., Title from item., Inscribed on recto: Copy., Commissioned by Philadelphia antiquarian Ferdinand Dreer., Lib. Company. Annual report, 1975, p. 6-11., Purchase 1975., 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 Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
- Creator
- Evans, B. R. (Benjamin Ridgway), 1834-1891, artist
- Date
- 1883
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Evans watercolors [P.2298.146], http://www.brynmawr.edu/iconog/evans/files/plc146.html
- Title
- The conflagration of the Masonic Hall Chesnut Street Philadelphia. Which occured on the night of the 9th of March 1819 This plate is respectfully dedicated to the active and much esteemed fire engine & hose companies, by their obed't serv'ts S. Kennedy and S.S. West
- Description
- Reissue of the print after a commemorative painting of the hall on fire by Samuel Jones at the request of the publishers with added figures by the prominent Philadelphia genre painter, John Lewis Krimmel. View depicts several volunteer firefighters hosing the flame-engulfed tower of the majestic hall, erected in 1811, purportedly after the design of William Strickland. A large frenzied crowd, including African Americans and well-dressed men and women couples, gather on the street. Spectators push, shove, are knocked down, and watch the fire in horror. Residents flee with their belongings as firefighters blow horns and transport a handpump. The fire started by a faulty flue destroyed the building, which after several successful masonic charity events was rebuilt, without a tower, in 1820 under the direction of Strickland., Title from item., Third state., Inscribed below image: Copy right secured., Samuel Kennedy and Samuel West were members and official print publishers for the Association of American Artists, later headed by Krimmel., Barber, a Philadelphia printer, artist, and engraver, was in business from 1867 until 1885., See Anneliese Harding's John Lewis Krimmel. Genre artist of the early Republic. (Winterthur, Delaware: The Henry Francis Dupont Winterthur Museum, 1997), p. 206-208., See Milo Naeve's John Lewis Krimmel: An artist in Federal America. (Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1987), p. 109., LCP exhibition catalogue: Made in America #30., 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 Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
- Creator
- Hill, John, 1770-1850, engraver
- Date
- [ca. 1876]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department **PhPr - Associations - Masonic Hall [P.9210.5]
- Title
- Historical The plan for the organization of the Sunday School Union of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was presented by Rev. C. S. Smith to the Council of Bishops at their annual meeting in Cape May, N. J. August 11, 1882. The bishops approved of the plan, and the Rev. C. S. Smith was appointed corresponding secretary. At the General Conference, which met in Baltimore, MD. May, 1884, the Union was adopted as one of the general departments of the church, and the Rev. C. S. Smith was unanimously elected corresponding secretary of the same. The building now owned and occupied by the Union was purchased February 28, 1888, at a cost of $9,000. The building is situated on the north side of the public square in the city of Nashville, Tenn., and is a handsome five story structure with a solid stone front. The printing department was organized February, 1889, and is known as the publishing house of the A. M. E. Sunday School union. The first book ever issued by a Colored publishing house in the history of the world was issued by the Union, September, 1890, with the title, "Poor Ben." The first Children's Day to be observed in the A. M. E. Church took place on the 4th Sunday in October, 1882
- Description
- Print commemorating the ten year anniversary of the Sunday School Union containing half-length portraits of the president, and founder of the Sunday School Union, and three-quarter length portraits of the four regional queens of Children's Day 1891. Shows Bishop D[aniel] A. Payne D.D. L. L. D. President of A. M. E. Sunday School Union, an avid proponent of higher education for African Americans; Rev. C[harles] S. Smith. Founder of the A.M.E. Sunday School Union and organizer of Children's Day; Miss Amelia Boddy, Philadelphia, Pa. Eastern Queen; Miss Ida Jenkins, Independence Mo. Western Queen; Miss Mamie Pettiford, Franklin, Ind. Northern Queen.; and Miss Minnie Mabrey, Vicksburg, Miss. Southern Queen. The young women wear crowns, sashes, and flowers and hold scepters. Also contains a central vignette showing the exterior of the publishing house and a border comprised of flowers, ferns, and greenery. Children's Day was devoted to the interest of the children in the church, and included donations, special programs, and exercises such as original poetry, hymns, and African American history lessons., Title from item., Accompanied by original mailer tube containing label printed: Lithograph. Handle with Care. From the A. M. E. Sunday School Union Publishing House, Nashville, Tenn. *albums (flat) [P.2006.27b], Purchase 2006., 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 Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
- Creator
- A. M. E. Sunday School Union
- Date
- 1891
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC - Religion [P.2006.27a]
- Title
- The International Exposition 1876 at Philadelphia, PA. U.S.A View from George's Hill
- Description
- Allegorical commemorative print celebrating the internationalism and historic significance of the Centennial Exhibition. Depicts a bird's-eye view of the active exhibition grounds including the Agricultural Building, Horticultural Building, Main Building, and Machinery Hall. In the foreground, figures representing various races, ethnicities, and cultures convene and interact with one another. An African American woman and man sit on a bench. An African American man, attired in a black suit, tips his top hat and greets a white woman sitting on a bench. Groups of people stand in clusters to converse and walk including Native Americans, attired in feather headdresses, and Chinese women and men. Middle Eastern and Russian men ride on horseback. Contains ghost-like imagery visible in the sky depicting significant historic American moments, figures, and buildings, including William Penn's Treaty with the Indians, George Washington, and the White House. Contains the names of the prominent exhibition halls below the image., Copyrighted by George H. Ellsbury & J. Hayward., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 390, Accessioned 1983., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Ellsbury, George H., lithographer
- Date
- 1876
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department **BW - Centennial [P.8966]
- Title
- In commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of American independence
- Description
- Elaborate Centennial Exhibition commemorative print depicting an arched monument containing a central full-length portrait of George Washington surrounded by vignettes; allegorical figures; and religious quotes by the first president. Washington is depicted mounted on his horse. Arch is adorned with the names of the 38 states and is flanked by columns containing views representing the industries of the North, East, South, and West. Views show a white man laborer of the North chopping a tree at a waterfront, white women loom workers of the East, an overseer on horseback watching an enslaved African American man picking cotton in the South, and a white man farmer reaping his harvest with a horse-drawn plow in the West. Columns also contain allegorical figures to represent the years 1776 and 1876. Justice and Independence (depicted as white women and holding the Declaration), and a prostrate British soldier represent the year 1776 and Peace and Liberty (depicted as white woman and holding a "Ballot"), and a seated enslaved African American man free from his shackles represent the year 1876. Monument also contains views of Independence Hall and Memorial Hall (Centennial Exhibition), the scene showing the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and allegorical figures and emblems symbolizing the classical and industrial arts. Other pictorial elements depict the all-seeing eye; American eagle, shield, and flag; vignettes showing Washington praying, and accepting the sword of surrender from Lord Cornwallis during the American Revolution; and vignette views with dimensions of Centennial Exhibition buildings. Buildings include the Art Gallery, Main Building, Agricultural Hall, Machinery Hall, and Horticultural Hall. The centennial of the United States was celebrated through an international exhibition of industry, agriculture, and art in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia., Not in Wainwright., Improvement copyrighted 1877 The Presbyterian Philadelphia, Pa., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 370, Gift of David Doret, 2007., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Date
- 1876, 1877
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department **BW - Centennial [P.2007.28.7]
- Title
- [View of the Centennial Machinery Hall with people from all nations]
- Description
- Block-printed wallpaper depicting an exterior view of Machinery Hall designed by Henry Pettit and Joseph M. Wilson for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, which celebrated the centennial of the United States through an international exhibition of industry, agriculture, and art in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Horse-drawn carriages bring visitors to and from the Hall. A large crowd of spectators walk on the grounds. In the foreground, people from various nationalities and ethnicities are represented including Native Americans attired in feather headdresses; two men, including a Black man, attired in fez hats; two Chinese men, one carrying a fan, attired in conical hats and robes; two Arab men in white headdresses and robes; and a Scottish man attired in a kilt. Other spectators include a man attired in a sailor’s uniform, men and women couples, and young boys., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Gift of David Doret., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1876]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ***Doret and Mitchell Collection – Prints [P.2022.62.3.49]
- Title
- Centennial Westward the course of empire takes its way
- Description
- Print commemorating the 100th anniversary of the nation, celebrated at the Centennial Exhibition through an international exhibition of industry, agriculture, and art in Philadelphia. Contains the text of the Declaration of Independence and the Proclamation Emancipation bordered by several historical and allegorical vignettes, scenes, and views that symbolize the social, political, and technological progress of the country. Oval frames surround the texts, which encircle bust-length portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The frames are adorned with banners labeled with the names of the original 13 colonies and the 38 states recognized as of 1876. Two bird's eye views showing the development of a cityscape, possibly New York City, from 1776 to 1876 are visible between the framed texts. Other images show the "Battle of Bunker Hill"; "Battle of Gettysburg"; "Surrender of Cornwallis"; "Columbus - 1492"; colonists landing at "Plymouth Rock"; "[Lafayette's] Visit to U.S. in 1824"; "A Home of 1776" with a white woman at a loom; "Franklin's Printing Press"; "Hoe's Ten Cylinder Press"; "A Home of 1876" with a white woman at a sewing machine; the marine battles of the "Constitution and Guerriere" and "Merrimac and Monitor"; Independence Hall, and the U.S. Capitol., Uncaptioned vignettes show an auction of enslaved African American people, African American children in a classroom, farmers harvesting a field by hand, a farmer harvesting a field with a horse-drawn reaper, a man traveling by horseback, a speeding train, a hand-pump fire engine of "1776" and a steam engine of "1876." Other pictorial elements include an American eagle, flags, and a view of the Main Building of the Centennial Exhibition incorporated into the title design in addition to floral vinery interweaved between the vignettes, scenes, and views., Title from item., Date from copyright statement: Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1876, by D.T. Ames in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington., Letters of title illustrated with state seals., Title based on quote by Bishop George Berkley., Not in Wainwright., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 96, Gift of David Doret, 2001., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Ames, Daniel T., artist
- Date
- 1876
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ***BW - Centennial [P.9974.2]
- Title
- Philadelphia, western & southern trade journal. Illustrated supplement Devoted to the commercial and manufacturing interests of Philadelphia
- Description
- Advertisement supplement containing 23 titled vignettes depicting and promoting prominent landmarks and businesses within Philadelphia. Landmarks include the State House; Girard College; U.S. Mint at Chestnut and Juniper streets; Merchants' Exchange; Chamber of Commerce at Dock and Walnut streets; Custom House at 420 Chestnut Street; Carpenters' Hall; the Navy Yard at Southwark; and Fairmount Water Works. Businesses include George W. Plumly, paper box manufacturer; Harrison, Havemeyer & Co.'s Franklin Steam Sugar Refinery; R. & G.A. Wright, manufacturers of fine perfumery; F. Gutekunst, photographer; Brooke, Colket & Co., commission merchants; McKeone VanHaagen & Co. Soap Works; Henry Disston's Keystone Saw, Tool & Steel works; Seyfert, McManus & Co.'s Reading Iron Works; Charles Magarge & Co., dealers in paper; Howsons' United States & Foreign Patent Offices; Wilson, Childs & Co., Philadelphia Plantation & Road Wagon Works; Dohan & Taitt, tobacco commission merchants; Lafourcades Brothers & Irwin, importers of cloths, cassimeres & vestings; and Lockwood's Paper Collar Factory. Also contains several passages of text recounting the history of the city and describing the depicted landmarks., Title from item., Various delineators and engravers, including Van Ingen & Snyder, Matthias Reiff Longacre, and Lauderbach & Schell., Accessioned 1992., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., 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 Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
- Date
- [ca. 1868]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ***Ph Pr - Government Buildings [P.9384a-w]

