Wash study for engraving by Mumford's brother, Thomas Mumford, appearing in several editions of John F. Watson's "Annals of Philadelphia,...with engravings by T.H. Mumford" published by various publishers between 1844 to 1870. Depicts an exterior view of the coffee house and merchants' exchange at the southwest corner of Front and Market streets in colonial Philadelphia. An auction of enslaved people occurs outside the coffee house and pedestrians traverse the sidewalks. Partial view of the adjacent printing house of "Pennsylvania Journal" publisher, William Bradford, is visible. Erected in 1702 and established as a coffee house in 1754 by Bradford, the site was a public center for social and economic activities during the late 18th century, including auctions of enslaved people. The building was razed in 1883., Title from manuscript note on recto., Manuscript note on recto: Original., Accessioned 1982., 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.
Creator
Mumford, Edward William, 1812-1858, artist
Date
[ca. 1844]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Drawings & Watercolors-Mumford [P.8757.18]
Album page with pre-printed lithographic border containing a drawing and unattributed poem about the first steamboat on the Missouri from the 1838 edition of "The Token and Atlantic Souvenir." Drawing is after Joseph Andrew's engraving of the work by painter John Gadsby Chapman. Depicts two Native American men on a rock, one seated, and portrayed with a forlorn expression, and the other standing with their arms raised in an anguished pose, watching a steamboat in the distance. Poem, "The Indian's Farewell to the Missouri, on seeing the First Steamboat on its Waters," addresses the power of the white man and the steamboat as a harbinger of his usurpation of Native American territories., Title from album page., Date from album page., LCP exhibit catalogue: African American Miscellany p. 45., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Douglass, an African American artist and early photographer, was an active member of the Philadelphia anti-slavery and civil rights movement.
Creator
Douglass, Robert M. J., 1809-1887, artist
Date
September 25, 1841
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Martina Dickerson album [13859.Q.70]
