Possible proof copy of view looking east showing the Second Bank of the United States, built 1821-1824 after the designs of William Strickland at 420 Chestnut Street. Also shows the neighboring Bank of Philadelphia, completed in 1837, also after the designs of Strickland, at 400-408 Chestnut. Pedestrians traverse the sidewalks in front of the banks and across from the buildings. Couples promenade and greet each other, and patrons ascend the stairs of the U.S. Bank and convene in front of the Philadelphia Bank. Also shows two dogs playing in the street and a man exiting the adjacent building (134, i.e., 426 Chestnut) partially visible in the right of the image. Building served as the Custom House 1844-1935., Originally published as plate 2 in Views of Philadelphia, and its vicinity (Philadelphia: Published by J.C. Wild & J.B. Chevalier, Lithographers, 72 Dock Street, 1838). The lithographic stones for the views were acquired by John T. Bowen and reissued in 1838 and in 1848 with hand coloring., pdcp00018, Philadelphia on Stone, POS 762, Free Library of Philadelphia: Philadelphiana – Streets – Chestnut - 4th-5th. FLP copy contains albumen print showing the Custom House pasted on recto., See Martin Snyder’s "J.C. Wild and His Philadelphia Views," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (January 1953, Vol. LXXXVII), p. 32-53., Title variant of Wainwright 415.4.
Creator
Wild, J. C. (John Caspar), ca. 1804-1846, artist
Date
c1840
Location
Free Library of Philadelphia. | Print and Picture Collection. FLP FLP Philadelphiana - Streets - Chestnut - 4th-5th
