[Early 20th-century drawings of prominent Philadelphia sites] [graphic].
Title
[Early 20th-century drawings of prominent Philadelphia sites]
Description
Collection of drawings, predominantly pencil, depicting views of prominent sites in Philadelphia, mainly exteriors. Includes the residence of William Penn, the Slate Roof House (built circa 1687-circa 1699 and demolished 1867, 100 block of South Second Street), Benjamin Franklin Bridge (built 1922-1926), Rittenhouse Square, and John Wanamaker department store (built 1902-1910, 1300-1326 Market). Many of the exterior views include pedestrian traffic. The three Wanamaker’s pencil sketches show interiors of the department store, including the restaurant, balconies, American flags, and arm chairs. The sketches portray an impressionist aesthetic. Bridge view includes an automobile and cityscape. Rittenhouse view includes an apartment building in the background and visitors seated on park benches in the foreground. Collection also includes a pen & ink exterior view of an unidentified stone commercial building, likely in Philadelphia., P.2017.15.3 signed lower right corner: T. F. Bancroft 1923., P.2017.15.4 signed lower right corner: T. F. Bancroft., P.2017.15.1-2 & 5-7 attributed to Bancroft., P.2017.15.3 manuscript note on recto : Slate Roof House “1863.” From photo courtesy of Mr. L. C. Siner., P.2017.15.3 manuscript note on verso : Slate Roof House in 1863 (from Photo by Gutekunst) mentioned in “Watsons Annals” as home of Wm. Penn in 1700. S. E. cor. 2nd & Norris Alley (or Sansom St), P.2017.15.1 manuscript note lower right corner: Aug 11th. Bridge from 2nd & Race., P.2017.15.2 manuscript note lower right corner: Rittenhouse Sq. Aug. 2nd., P.2017.15.5-7 inscribed: Wanamakers., Thomas F. Bancroft (1864-1934) was a Philadelphia engraver and later illustrator for popular periodicals like “Ladies Home Journal.” Bancroft worked as a button maker early in his career and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in the late 19th century. He resided in Collingswood, NJ by 1930., Forms part of the David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell Collection., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell Collection., Leander C. Siner was proprietor of the Philadelphia gun and sporting goods business first established by John Krider in 1837. Siner assumed operations of the firm in 1903 with partner Charles Mohr as L. C. Siner & Co.
Creator
Bancroft, Thomas F., artist
Date
[ca. 1923-ca. 1930]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Doret and Mitchell Collection - Bancroft [P.2017.15.1-7]