Scraps illustrative of the history of Phil[adelphia]. Vol. 5. [graphic] / by C. A. Poulson.
Title
Scraps illustrative of the history of Phil[adelphia]. Vol. 5
Description
Scrapbook containing predominantly clipped illustrations, prints and ephemera dated 1855-1856 and pertaining to the built environment, and social and cultural climate of Philadelphia. Contents include several wood engravings, engravings, cameo stamps, and lithographs depicting prominent city landmarks, businesses, cityscapes, and caricatures and cartoons. Many of the graphics are advertisements and vignettes, or illustrate published articles. Advertisements depict F. Roussel Perfumery (114 Chestnut); W. J. Horstmann, trimmings (223 Chestnut); E. Mathieu, clarified cider and vinegar (14 Lombard); Stoddart’s Dry Good Store (278 N. Second); a Segars and tobacco store (93 S. Sixth, i.e., 300 block); Bennett’s Tower Hall (184 Market, i.e., 600 block); C. B. Rogers & Co. Agricultural Works and Bone Mill; P.F. Cunningham Catholic Book Store (104 S. Third); "Palmer’s Patent Leg, as exhibited at the World’s Exhibition, London, 1851"; J. H. Rohrman, Japan Ware Manufactory (96 Cherry); Carpenter’s Schuylkill & Eastern Ice Depot (Franklin & Willow); Mills B. Espy, preserved fruits (109 S. Third); J. Thornley’s India-Rubber Emporium and Magnetic Telegraph Offices (101 Chestnut, i.e., 300 block); Thomas & Sons auction house and E. H. Butler & Co., publishers (67 S. Fourth, i.e., 200 block); The State Savings Fund (83 Dock); Leary’s Cheap Book Store (158 N. Second, i.e., 200 block); John Baird Marble Mason (Ridge Avenue); Farmers & Mechanics Fire Marine & Life insurance Co. (200 block Walnut) Frederick Brown Building (Chestnut and Fifth); Fritz, Williams, & Hendry, leather (29 N. Third); Henry Tilge & Co., importers & dealers in hatters goods (140 N. Third); F.A. Hoyt & Brother, boys clothiers (1000 block Chestnut); Masonic Hall and adjacent properties, including Horstmann and Washington House (700 block Chestnut); Thornley & Chism, dry goods (700 block Spring Garden); and North, Chase & North, iron founders (Second and Mifflin)., Other graphics show "Chapel and Principal Entrance. To the Monument Cemetry [sic] Phila."; Institution for the Blind; First Presbyterian Church; a building at "Pine & William St. West Phila."; an 1837 view of the American Sunday School Union annotated "Chestnut Street next E. of Jones Hotel; and the houses eastward to S.E. cor. of Sixth & Chestnut Street – Durand’s apothecary shop"; Stand Pipe for the West Philadelphia Water Works; "City Ferry Boat"; and a view of the entrance to Mount Moriah Cemetery, and map, including the cemetery; and genre engravings "The Farm-House Pets" and The Roadside Inn " by J.H. Byram annotated "specimen of the art of engraving on wood in Philadelphia 1855." Vignettes depict "A Merchant of Philadelphia in the year 1745"; housewares, including a sieve, bath tub, ranges and furnaces, and drapery; a "“Know Thyself” phrenological head annotated “Fowler, Wells & Co."; a "J.B. Smith, New Street File Works" file; and an annotated 1832 view of C. & N. Jones Stockings (200 block Chestnut) [p. 28 and 31]. Caricatures and cartoons satirize an African American women peddler "Hot Corn Biddy"; spiritualism; fashion; the medical profession; and street musicians., Scrapbook also contains several lithographs from the 1830 edition of "Watson's Annals," ephemera, and newspaper clippings. Watson plates include Stone Prison at Philadelphia 1728, Carpenter’s Mansion, London Coffee House, and High Street & Market Shambles. Most are accompanied by detailed manuscript notes by Poulson. Ephemera includes a chart of "Length of Squares East and West"; hand-colored, illustrated lithographed invitation for the "Hand in Hand Fire Company, First Grand Citizens Dress Ball" (1847); illustrated invitation to Islington Park showing Islington Park (1848); seals of the Agricultural Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, All Saints Church, Moyamensing; a “Ship news” cut from "Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser" (1822) annotated “designed at my request by my friend John Lewis Krimmel, the now celebrated painter; and engraved on brass by Mason, So. Fourth St."; "The Old State House Bell" souvenir poem; architectural drawing "N.W. Corner 2d & Chestnut St. extending W on Chest. St. torn down abt. 1832" (includes R. Jones, engraver; I. Davis confectionary; [C. & N. Jones] Stocking Store); and a partial circular advertising De Grath’s “Electric Oil” Depot, No. 39 South Eighth Street (1859)., Newspaper clippings include illustrated advertisements and articles; editorials; anecdotal and current event pieces; and columns reporting about city improvements and public interest stories. Illustrated pieces detail Lafayette Vauxhall Garden; a "Bird’s Eye View of the City of Philadelphia"; Central High School; the Society of the Cincinnati; the major 1856 fire at Sixth and Market streets; "The Trained Elephants ‘Victoria’ and ‘Albert’ " at the National Circus; "Gentlemen’s Short Boots"; and the new hall of the Athenaeum. Anecdotal and current event articles include commentaries about the closing of Blood’s Despatch Post in flavor of the Post Office (1861); the new traveling coach built by W. D. Rogers for entertainer Dan Rice; the influx of envelopes due to the change in the Post Office law (1841); a new cooling apparatus installed in Walnut Street Theatre (1855); the 1855 State Poultry Exhibition; and the planting of oysters in Back Creek below the city. Editorials discuss the Philadelphia Book Trade (1855); Academy of Natural Sciences; deterrents for pedestrians on Chestnut Street, including extension of shopfronts into the sidewalk and side show hawkers; ladies fancy work fads, including scrap furniture and poticho mania (1856); and the mansions of George Washington and George Willing., Other columns report about West Philadelphia; the 1856 fires at Bingham Mansion and the Artisan’s Building (100 block Chestnut); government buildings, including the Custom House, Commissioners Hall and United States Mint; city trades, including lager beer; city improvements, including the modification of street names, removal of the market sheds on Market Street, the laying of the cornerstone of the Church of Evangelists, the forthcoming erection of the new hospital for Christ Church; and new establishments, including Granville Stokes “picton stone” store (209 Chestnut). Clippings also include lists, reports, and tables about the cattle market; real estate sales; taxables (1841); crime statistics; the fire department companies; and building improvements. Scrapbook also contains explicative manuscript notes by Poulson (some tipped in or inscribed on lettersheets). Topics include Carpenter’s Mansion, Pennsylvania Hospital, and the State House. Some notes explicate accompanying graphics., Majority of contents annotated with a date. Several annotated with a detailed manuscript note by Poulson., Chromolithograph “Philadelphia” containing vignettes of portrait of Benjamin Franklin and the seal of the city and annotated by Poulson pasted on p. 4. Print inscribed: "Vincit qui se vincit. Vol. V. Collected from fugitive sources only, By C. A. Poulson.", "Index to set in back part of vol. XI.", Several photographs by F. De. B. Richards and James McClees, including views of Independence Hall, La Pierre House, and Central High School, removed to the Print Department., Original watercolors by Poulson, including view of Walnut Grove removed to Print Department., Various artists, engravers, and printers include William Avery; C. G. Childs; Edward Clarkson; S. H. Gimber; Alexander Lawson; C. A. Lesueur; J. H. Byram; King & Baird; R. Major; W. Mason; Charles F. Noble; Frederick Pilliner; John Sartain; Charles Spiegle; J. W. Steele; William Stott; William Strickland; R. Telfer; Cornelius Tiebout; and Charles Cushing Wright., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Poulson, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1789-1866, compiler
Date
1822-1862, bulk 1855-1856
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Poulson scrapbooks - vol. 5 [(5)2526.F]