Scraps illustrative of the History of Philadelphia. Vol. VI [graphic] / by C. A. Poulson.
Title
Scraps illustrative of the History of Philadelphia. Vol. VI
Description
Scrapbook containing predominantly newspaper clippings dated 1845-1849 that pertain to the built environment, history, and political, social, and cultural climate of Philadelphia. Contents include editorials; anecdotal, current event, and sensational news articles; and columns reporting about local interest stories, government and politics, and city development and entertainments. Several pages of the scrapbook are dedicated to newspaper coverage of the 1848 court cases of the "Trial of Pratt, Pence, and McGowan for conspiracy to pass Stolen Money" and the Pierce Butler and Fanny Kemble divorce. Daily, monthly, and yearly weather reports for the months and years 1840, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1849 also form several pages of content. Several articles also describe local disasters, including the destruction of the Schuylkill Water Works reservoir (1848); the ice accident on the Schuylkill (January 1849); and major fires near Water Street Wharf (1839), at the Presbyterian Board of Education on the 800 block of Chestnut (1849), at the public school on Catherine Street (1849), and at the City Gas Works (1848)., Several articles report about city improvements, including the enlargement of Fairmount; the growth of the city as a whole and development of neighborhoods (Bridesburg, Spring Garden district, and Germantown, including the residence of artist C.G. Childs); new establishments on Chestnut and Market streets, including confectioner J. W. Parkinson (900 block Chestnut) as well as shops on the 700 block and 400 blocks, respectively; and the dedication and completion of new churches (Church of the Assumption, Logan Square Presbyterian, and St. Mark’s Church)., Anecdotal and local affairs pieces report about the city's municipal services and policies, social mores, and entertainments. Subjects include the city's purchase of Penn’s Treaty Ground for public use; the extension of gas lines to Moyamensing; the 1846 Triennial Parade of Firemen in commemoration of the First Volunteer Company of the City; a relief mission to famine-stricken Scotland (1846); omnibus etiquette, the demographics of Third and Chestnut streets; the gang Moyamensing "Killers"; the men’s fashion trend of winter shawls (1853); the Christmas holiday season; the Chinese collection at the Chinese Museum; performances at Walnut Street Theater; and the Tom Hyer and Yankee Sullivan Prize Fight of 1849., Other articles discuss politics and government, particularly the activities of the local Whig party, including elections and party meetings; the Mexican American War, including casualties and the "Illumination of April 16, 1847" in honor of General Taylor and Scott’s achievements; education, including Girard College and the semi-annual examination of Central High School; and local trades, including iron, lithography (P.S Duval, p. 34), dry goods; bankers and the 1846 and 1848 reports of the Philadelphia Board of Trade; and the management of the city's dog population in 1848 (p.52-3). Editorials discuss the 1848 cholera epidemic, including brandy as "cholera medicine"; a sociological "View of Chestnut Street" (1845); Philadelphia architecture; and the city's commercial superiority over New York, including the book trade. Scrapbook also contains price lists; "'poetry' cut from obituary notices in the 'Public Ledger' "; columns from the series “Philadelphia Sights from a Steeple. Written for the North American”; “Benevolent Institutions” (1849); and “Letters from Philadelphia. From the Boston Atlas (1838) and a small number of graphics. Series topics include Philadelphia Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, the Orphan’s Asylum the public squares and schools, Chestnut Street Stores, the book trade, and museums and galleries. Graphics include the illustrated article "Philadelphia As It Is" depicting a caricature of an omnibus driver and vignettes showing the Fairmount Water Works, the Farquhar Building, Blue Anchor Tavern, and "Kriss Kingle's [sic] Head Quarters" (advertisement for Parksinson's confectionary)., Several of the contents annotated with a date., Wood engraved periodical illustration "The Hall of Independence, as Arranged for the Reception of the Remains of the Late Hon. John Quincy Adams." pasted on front free end paper. Print includes amateur hand-colored details. Cut out printed “Philadelphia” pasted below the print., "Index to set in back part of vol. XI.", Photographic reproduction of Faden’s "Plan of the City and Environs" (1747) removed., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Poulson, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1789-1866, compiler
Date
1822-1862, bulk 1855-1856
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Poulson scrapbooks - vol. 6 [(6)2526.F]