Plate depicts section of the 600 block of Chestnut Street (154-213 pre-consolidation). South side includes Swaim’s Building (160-164) tenanted by Barnum’s Museum and Edward L. Walker, Music Store and Piano Dealer (160); Lee & Walker, Successors to G. Willig, music store (162); and C. G. Henderson & Co., Booksellers and Publishers (164). North side includes Ambrose Smith, Druggist (213); F. Mahan, Publisher of Philadelphia Fashions (211); Leonard Benkert, Boot Store (209); Columbia House operated by Ferguson & Brothers and tenanted by E. G. Dorsey, Tailor (207). Swaim’s Building adorned with a flag, circus billboard illustrated with a seal, and a sign directing individuals to Swaim’s Laboratory. Plate also includes an unidentified residence with walled courtyard adjacent to Swaim’s. Swaim’s Building and Swaim’s Laboratory signage (160-164) included on plate as pasted-on details., Advertisements promote eight of the businesses depicted and Swaim’s Celebrated Panacea (New York agents Schieffelin Brothers & Co., later W.H. Schieffelin & Co.). Swaim’s full-page advertisement contains endorsements, several lines of promotional text, including "Beware of Imposition," and a description of the bottle label composed by Philadelphia bank note engravers Draper & Co. Smaller advertisements contain promotional text and ornamented type. Barnum’s text includes a description of the exhibits and performances at the Lecture Room and Mahan’s provides prices for his fashion plates., Title supplied by cataloger., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Folder 11., LCP also holds trimmed duplicate depicting North side [P.2008.34.16.4].
Creator
Rae, Julio H.
Date
[1851]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums - Rae - Folder 11 [*Am 1851 Rae, 2975.Q]
