Bird’s Eye View of Philadelphia
An amazing aerial perspective of “The Cradle of Liberty” during the early 1870s.
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Description
This stunning woodcut view of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was created based on sketches by Theodore Davis and published as a supplement to the July, 15 1872 issue of Harper’s Weekly. Just a few months earlier, the United States Centennial Commission was organized to help plan the forthcoming Centennial Exposition – the first World’s Fair in America, to be held in the city’s Fairmount Park in 1876. The area to be occupied by the grounds of the fair is expertly shaded in the upper right.
In the foreground, the Delaware River is filled with an interesting variety of sailing ships and steam vessels, several of which are likely products of the Naval Yard in the lower left. The Pennsylvania Hospital, penitentiary, Girard College, State House, and Academy of Music are among the numerous illustrated and labeled buildings. The last is of particular note, as it hosted the 1872 Republican National Convention just nine days before the view was published (note the crowd gathered outside).
Example at the Library of Congress.
Map Details
Publication Date: 1872
Author: Harper's Weekly
Sheet Width (in): 32.25
Sheet Height (in): 22
Condition: B+
Condition Description: Large woodcut print professionally mounted onto linen. Visible wear and soiling along the top several inches of the vertical fold in the center of the sheet (see scan) and moderate marginal wear including a bit of paper loss, spotting, and discoloration. Soft creasing along old folds, with some splits requiring a bit of expert infill. Good condition overall, a print greatly heightened with lovely modern hand color.
Out of stock