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- Title
- Walnut Street Theatre, Philada
- Description
- View showing the Walnut Street Theatre at 827-833 Walnut Street (corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets). The theater, originally built as a circus in 1809, was altered to a theater in 1816, and remodeled from 1827-1828 after the designs of Philadelphia architect John Haviland. Also shows men sitting and standing near the corner of the building, along with adjacent row homes on the north side of the block looking east., Title from inscription on mount., Inscribed on mount: No. 1486., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 17., Arcadia caption text: The rowhouses on the north side of the 800 block of Walnut Street shown here c. 1865 no longer exist, but the Walnut Street Theatre still stands, holding the title of America’s oldest theater. Built by Victor Pepin and Jean Breschard, circus promoters who brought their equestrian and human acts to the United States from Europe, the theater has operated continuously since opening in 1809 as the New Circus. Architect John Haviland made extensive alterations in 1828, when it permanently changed its name to the Walnut Street Theatre., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Cremer, James, 1821-1893, photographer
- Date
- ca. 1865
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Cremer [P.9107.1]
- Title
- Arch Street Opera House
- Description
- Exterior view of Italianate front facade of the Arch Street Opera House at 1003 Arch Street, constructed in 1870 after designs by Edwin Forrest Durang. A distinctive large wreathed lyre is visible above the heavy cornice. Large awnings provide shade to the two shops flanking the main entrance on the ground level. Includes partial views of adjacent commercial properties and a horse-drawn cart parked in the street in front of decorative light standards., Title from inscription on mount., Inscribed on mount: No. 167., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 18., Arcadia caption text: The Trocadero’s origins date back to 1870, when the Arch Street Opera House opened its doors as a minstrel theater. Designed by Edwin Forrest Durang at 1003 Arch Street, the theater burned down and was rebuilt or altered several times within the first two decades, at some point losing the free-standing wreathed lyre above the cornice shown here c. 1870. It operated under a succession of at least nine different names until settling on the Trocadero in 1896, at which time the stage mainly showcased burlesque and vaudeville groups. The Italianate style building, which originally housed retail stores in the two flanks, is the nation’s only 19th century Victorian theater left intact, thereby earning its place on the National Register of Historic Places., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Date
- ca. 1870
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - Theaters [P.9085.4]
- Title
- Fox's American Theatre
- Description
- Exterior view of Robert Fox's theater built in 1870 on the former Chestnut Street site of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. A lightbulb sign spelling "Family Resort" hangs over the arched entranceway, which is flanked by ground floor shops. Two men stand on the roof, one story above the street, next to a sculpture adorned by an eagle, a clock and two light standards. The theater rises several stories in the rear., Title from inscription on mount., Inscribed on mount: No. 104., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 19., Arcadia caption text: Robert Fox built his American Theatre in 1870 at 1021-1029 Chestnut Street, the former site of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In this view, dated c. 1870, the faces of Comedy and Tragedy rest atop the cornice, while a large clock topped with an eagle ornaments the forward-projected entryway, flanked by playbills advertising “The Brigands.” The interior featured seats for 1,656 people and box seats designed in a fishbowl shape. The Chestnut Street Opera House began operating out of the theater in 1880 and became a leading venue in the city. The building was demolished in 1940., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Date
- ca. 1870
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - Theaters [P.9058.174]
- Title
- Eleventh St. Opera House Philada
- Description
- View from Girard Street (i.e., Ludlow Street) looking east at the front facade of the theater at the southeast corner of Eleventh and Marble Streets (i.e., Ludlow Street). The front facade of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church (19 South Tenth Street) is partially visible in the left background and the corner dwelling at the southwest corner of Eleventh and Girard Streets is visible in the foreground. A horse stands unhitched on the side of the road. The opera house opened as "The Lyceum" by H.S. Cartee in 1854 in the building constructed for the First Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1818 and altered to a theater ca. 1854. Cotton & Dixey succeeded Cartee after one season and called the theater the "Eleventh Street Opera House." Ownership changed again the following season in 1856 to Samuel S. Sanford, who renamed it the "New American Opera House" and remained for several years until the theater was leased to Carncross & Dixey, who managed it at the time of this photograph. Theater building demolished ca. 1911., Title from pencil inscription note on mount., Photographer's imprint from embossed stamp on recto., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Bartlett & Smith, photographer
- Date
- [ca. 1867]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bartlett & Smith - Theaters and halls [(8)1322.F.5a-1]
- Title
- Kiralfy's Alhambra Palace, Philadelphia. The illuminated gardens
- Description
- Views depict the front facade and interior illuminated gardens of Kiralfy's Alhambra Palace built on Broad Street below Locust Street in 1876 after designs by Frank H. Loenholdt for Hungarian-born brothers Bolossy and Imre Kiralfy. Shows Moorish-influenced architecture, garden sculptures, lights, balconies, and rock formations. The building was purchased by the Broad Street Theatre in 1877. Intended to be a temporary space for musical and dance performances during the Centennial Exhibition, it thrived long after its 100th anniversary, until 1937 when it was demolished for a parking lot., Stamped on rectos: Copyrighted by Kiralfy Bros., Philadelphia, 1876., Title and photographer's imprint printed on versos., Orange curved mounts with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., One item [P.9047.83] gift of Robert M. Vogel.
- Creator
- R. Newell & Son, photographer
- Date
- c1876
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Newell - Theaters and halls [P.9047.83; P.9145.1-4]
- Title
- Walnut St. Theatre
- Description
- View showing the Walnut Street Theatre at 827-833 Walnut Street (corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets). The theater, originally built as a circus in 1809, was altered to a theater in 1816, and remodeled from 1827-1828 after the designs of Philadelphia architect John Haviland. Also shows adjacent buildings, including a lager beer saloon. Street traffic includes a horse-drawn omnibus and several carriages., Yellow mount with square corners., Title from manuscript note on mount., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Date
- ca. 1863
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - theaters [(8)1322.F.5c-2]
- Title
- Arch St. Theatre, above 6th St., Phila
- Description
- Shows the theater built 1826-28 after the designs of Philadelphia architect William Strickland at 609-615 Arch Street. Also shows two women and a man posed in front of the building; a playbill on display; street lamps; and adjacent businesses, including Christian Bird's Billiard Hall., Title from manuscript note on mount of (8)1322.F.5d., Orange and yellow paper mounts with square corners., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., One of images originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Manuscript note on mount of 7992.F.1: Arch St. Theatre, Philadelphia., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Newell, Robert, 1822-1897, photographer
- Date
- [ca. 1868]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Newell - Theaters [(8)1322.F.5d-2; 7992.F.1]
- Title
- Chest. St. Theatre, Phila. Pa
- Description
- View looking northwest at the north side of the 1200 block of Chestnut Street showing the Chestnut Street Theater built in 1863 after designs by John Crump. Includes signs for Allen's furniture store (i.e., Joseph Allen, cabinet maker, 1209 Chestnut) and a concert hall north of the theater building. All of the properties have awnings shading the street level, except for the theater, which has street lamps lining the sidewalk and a broadside advertising "E.L. Davenport's Theatre...A Dream of Life" near the entrance. Also includes trolley tracks, pedestrians on the sidewalks, and a few horse-drawn carts and coaches travelling in the street., Title from photographer's manuscript note on verso., Manuscript notes in red pen appear on mount., Manuscript note in red pen on verso: Mrs. Mihesell Vane 11/3/63 270/10.00 (3), Yellow mount with rounded corners., Davenport managed the theater from 1869-1873. "A Dream of Life" played there un 1872., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bell began his photographic career in 1848 working for his brother-in-law's daguerreotype studio in Philadelphia and thereafter was associated with many commercial studios as partner or sole proprietor. He served as the chief photographer for the U.S. Army Medical Museum in 1865 and replaced Timothy O'Sullivan on George M. Wheeler's survey of the territories west of the 100th meridian in 1872. He returned to Philadelphia, went into business with his future son-in-law William Rau in 1875, and was active in the photography community until his death in 1910.
- Creator
- Bell, William, 1830-1910
- Date
- [ca. 1872]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bell - Theaters and halls [P.9189.2]
- Title
- Arch Street Theatre
- Description
- View of the north side of the 600 block of Arch Street, showing the Arch Street Theater built 1826-28 after the designs of Philadelphia architect William Strickland at 609-615 Arch Street. Also shows Bird's Billiard Hall operated by Christian Bird at 605-607 Arch Street. Includes two playbills on display in front of the theater, street lamps with large fixtures, an unhitched carriage on the sidewalk, and several horse-drawn carriages traveling along Arch Street., Title from photographer's label on verso. Also includes list of forty-one other titles in the series (No. 140-180)., Yellow mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Bartlett, George O., photographer
- Date
- [ca. 1868]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bartlett - Streets [P.2002.21.2]
- Title
- New Chestnut Street Theatre
- Description
- View looking northwest at the north side of the 1200 block of Chestnut Street showing the Chestnut Street Theater built in 1863 after designs by John Crump. Includes signs for Joseph M. Durr's restaurant (1211 Chestnut) at street level, Allen's furniture store (i.e., Joseph Allen, cabinet maker, 1209 Chestnut) and a concert hall west of the theater building. All of the properties have awnings shading the street level, except for the theater, which has street lamps lining the sidewalk and a broadside advertising "The Black Crook" near the entrance. Also includes trolley tracks and three horse-drawn coaches travelling in the street., Titles from printed label pasted on mount., Yellow paper mount with square corners., The Black Crook played at the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia in 1868., See duplicates: Bartlett & French (8)1322.F.29b and (8)1322.F.35i, Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French circa 1867-1869.
- Creator
- Bartlett & French
- Date
- [1868]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bartlett & French - theaters [(8)1322.F.29b]
- Title
- [New Chestnut Street Theatre.]
- Description
- View looking northwest at the north side of the 1200 block of Chestnut Street showing the Chestnut Street Theater built in 1863 after designs by John Crump. Includes signs for Joseph M. Durr's restaurant (1211 Chestnut) at street level, Allen's furniture store (i.e., Joseph Allen, cabinet maker, 1209 Chestnut) and a concert hall west of the theater building. All of the properties have awnings shading the street level, except for the theater, which has street lamps lining the sidewalk and a broadside advertising "The Black Crook" near the entrance. Also includes trolley tracks and three horse-drawn coaches travelling in the street., Titles from printed label on duplicate: (8)1322.F.29b., Yellow paper mount with square corners., The Black Crook played at the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia in 1868., See duplicates: Bartlett & French (7)1322.F.1c and (8)1322.F.35i, Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French circa 1867-1869.
- Creator
- Bartlett & French
- Date
- [1868]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bartlett & French - Theaters [(8)1322.F.35i]
- Title
- [Arch Street Theatre, 609-615 Arch Street, Philadelphia]
- Description
- View showing the north side of the 600 block of Arch Street, including the remodeled Arch Street Theatre. The theater, built 1826-1828 after the designs of Philadelphia architect William Strickland, was altered in 1863, and razed in 1936. Also shows adjacent buildings, including: J.S. Collings & Sons, carriage and wagonmakers (625 Arch); Metropolitan Hotel (623 Arch); and S.W. Jacobs Carriage Warehouse (617 Arch). Street lamps line the sidewalk., Yellow mount with square corners., Title supplied by cataloguer., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Date
- ca. 1868
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - unidentified - Theaters [(8)1322.F.5b-2]
- Title
- [New Chestnut Street Theatre]
- Description
- View looking northwest at the north side of the 1200 block of Chestnut Street showing the Chestnut Street Theater built in 1863 after designs by John Crump. Includes signs for Joseph M. Durr's restaurant (1211 Chestnut) at street level, Allen's furniture store (i.e., Joseph Allen, cabinet maker, 1209 Chestnut) and a concert hall west of the theater building. All of the properties have awnings shading the street level, except for the theater, which has street lamps lining the sidewalk and a broadside advertising "The Black Crook" near the entrance. Also includes trolley tracks and three horse-drawn coaches travelling in the street., Title and series name and number from duplicate: (8)1322.F.29b., Date supplied by cataloger., The Black Crook played at the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia in 1868., See duplicates: Bartlett & French (8)1322.F.29b and (8)1322.F.35i, Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Bartlett & French was a partnership between Philadelphia photographers George O. Bartlett and William French circa 1867-1869.
- Creator
- Bartlett & French
- Date
- [1868]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Bartlett & French - Theaters [(7)1322.F.1c]

