Views of Philadelphia
Title
Views of Philadelphia
Description
Collection of prints from the various editions and restrikes of Birch's "Views of Philadelphia," originally published in 1800 as The City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania North America; as it appeared in the year 1800. Four editions of the views, purchased through subscription and totaling 44 unique plates including a map of the city and title page with vignette, were published by William Birch in Philadelphia from 1800 until 1828. First and largest edition contained 29 plates, the pictorial views drawn by Thomas Birch and engraved by Samuel Seymour between 1798 and 1800; with the map and title page executed by script engraver William Barker. Bookseller Robert Campbell is listed as a seller on many of these plates, but appears to have been disassociated with the project before publication of the bound volume. Second edition of 22 plates was published in 1804. Third edition of 14 plates was published in 1809. Fourth edition of 12 plates was published between 1827 and 1828. The first and second edition were printed by Philadelphia printer, Richard Folwell. The later editions, predominately completed by William Birch alone, contained reissues of selected plates from the first edition as well as new engravings of prominent city structures erected after 1800. In the 1840s restrikes of five plates were produced by bookseller Robert Desilver, and in the 1860s, twelve by the antiquarian John McAllister, Jr; many of the restrikes originally published in the fourth edition. Collection also contains the second edition copper plate of the Bank of Pennsylvania, and the fourth edition copper plate of The Late Theatre in Chestnut Street., Series of late 18th and early 19th-century views of principal sections of the city of Philadelphia including primary streets, government buildings, local landmarks, and financial, religious, educational, and benevolent institutions. The series, the first of its kind in the United States, was created to attract new citizens and to illustrate to an international audience the vitality of the nation's premiere city. The views focus on structures, but also contain lively depictions of daily street life in Philadelphia. Plates depict Philadelphia's Delaware River port with the Penn Treaty Tree; several street views including Arch Street, High (Market) Street, and Third Street; city markets; city banks, such as the Bank of the U.S.; the State House (Independence Hall); Congress Hall; prominent churches, such as Christ Church; Pennsylvania Hospital; Library and Surgeon's Hall; Chestnut Street Theatre; the Alms House; Walnut Street Jail; the Water-Works; and the Schuylkill Bridge., See S. Robert Teitelman's Birch's views of Philadelphia. (Philadelphia: The Free Library of Philadelphia, 1982, rev. 2000)., Snyder, "William Birch: His Philadelphia views," The Pennsylvania magazine of history and biography 73 (July, 1949), p. 271-315., Snyder, "Birch's Philadelphia views: New discoveries," The Pennsylvania magazine of history and biography 88 (April, 1964), p. 164-173., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., William Birch, trained in England, was a Philadelphia engraver, miniaturist, and enamel painter. He also engraved and published in 1804 "The Country Seats of the United States of North America."
Creator
Birch, William Russell, 1755-1834
Date
1800-1860, bulk 1800
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Birch's views [Sn 1 - Sn 43]
Africa. America.
Title
Africa. America
Description
Abolition print juxtaposing two female allegorical figures in chariots representing Africa and America. In front of a backdrop of tropical trees and huts, "Africa," depicted as a Black woman, is attired in a feathered headpiece, an orange shawl covering one breast, and a pink sarong. She holds a flag inscribed "Slave Trade abolish'd in England 1806" and the reins of two lions pulling her chariot. In front of a waterfall, probably Niagara Falls, "America," depicted as a white woman, is dressed in Native American attire, including a feathered headpiece, a breast plate, an orange cape, a pink and blue sari, and an axe strapped to her back. She holds the American flag, decorated with a portrait of George Washington, and the reins of two tigers pulling her chariot. Near the wheels of her chariot, a rattlesnake is coiled., Title from item., Date inferred by content and medium., Name of publisher illegible., Lib. Company. Annual report, 1969, p. 56., Purchase 1969., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date
[ca. 1808]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC-Allegories [7812.F]
Reliques of William Penn in Philadelphia in 1864.
Title
Reliques of William Penn in Philadelphia in 1864 The carriers of The Press to their patrons. January 1st. 1864
Description
Carriers' address containing six titled vignettes showing residences, scenes, and objects associated with William Penn. Vignettes surrounded by a decorative border. Border includes a male and female Native American, smoking and holding a peace pipe, respectively, and the seal of Philadelphia designed by Penn. Central vignette shows William Penn's Treaty with the Indians, 1682. Other vignettes show contemporary depictions of "William Penn's House in Letitia St."; William Penn House in Second St.; the dilapidated "Brew House at Penn's Manor [i.e., Pennsbury Manor] Built by William Penn"; "Monument at Treaty Ground"; and "Penn's Manor with Cherry Tree Planted by William Penn." Many of the views include pedestrian traffic and site visitors. Treaty Ground view includes a shed adorned with signage marked "Painter.", Philadelphia on Stone, POS 637, Library Company of Philadelphia: *W307 [1883.F.183], Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 18 R 815, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 18 B 786
Creator
Rosenthal, Max, 1833-1918, artist
Date
[1864]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bb 18 R 815