The gold & silver artificers of Phila. In civic procession 22 Feb 1832.
Title
The gold & silver artificers of Phila. In civic procession 22 Feb 1832
Description
Event lithograph showing the gold and silver artificers of Philadelphia on procession past the Second Bank of the United States (420 Chestnut) for the centennial celebration of the birth of George Washington. Government officials and prominent citizens led the parade order, followed by the tradesmen, then the volunteer fire companies, and lastly the military. Shows the craftsmen, all attired in top hats and sashes, led by a parade marshall on horse-back. He is followed by a six-horse mounted team pulling a float carrying men operating and protecting a coin press. Two other men, probably the marshall's aids, on horseback, one on a rearing horse, flank the rear of the vehicle. Several rows of marching artisans follow the float led by an artificer carrying a large banner adorned with a bust portrait of Washington. The portrait is encircled by a wreath and bordered by an eagle that clasps a banner in his beak reading "Pater Patriae" [design on distributed coin]. Along the parade route, throngs of spectators watch from the steps of the bank, along the street, and from the second floor windows of businesses adjacent to the financial institution. Signage for "Thomas Fletcher, Manufacturer of Silver Plate and Jewelry"; "Fletcher & Gardiner"; and "Browne & Robb 132" adorn the storefronts. Merchandise is displayed in the windows of Fletcher & Gardiner. Spectators along the street include well-attired men, women, and children, including several boys who run to and gather in front of the float to retrieve freshly pressed coins being thrown from the vehicle. Many raise their arms and retrieve coins from the ground. Also shows two dogs in a tug of war over something in their jaws, trees flanking the bank, and partial views of surrounding buildings in the background., Sketches of the recto and obverse of the coin "Struck & Distributed to Civic Procession Feby. 22 1832. The Centennial anniversary of the Birthday of Washington by the Gold & Silver Artificers Philada." printed below the image. One side of die cut by Albert Bird and the other by Mr. Folwell., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 318, Wainwright retrospective conversion project, edited., Historical Society of Pennsylvania:
Creator
Brown, Mannevillette Elihu Dearing, 1810-1896
Date
1832
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *W380 [P.2212]