Books and Manuscripts

Bachmann, J.
Birds Eye View of Philadelphia
New York: Williams & Stevens, 1850. Lithograph with hand-coloring, printed by Sarony & Major, New York. 21 1/2 x 28 in. (546 x 711 mm). Sheet trimmed along edges; mat burn; scattered spotting along bottom; vertical repair along center verso. In mat, 28 1/2 x 35 1/2 in. (724 x 902 mm). Reps 3576; Library Company, Philadelphia on Stone 49a; not in Wainwright

John Bachmann's outstanding bird's-eye view of mid-19th century Philadelphia, looking west from the Delaware River. Philadelphia's grid and physical limits are instantly recognizable, with the major thoroughfare of Market Street seen toward the center, looking west to Centre Square (current site of Philadelphia's City Hall), off toward the Schuylkill River and surrounding countryside in the far background. Windmill Island is partially depicted in the bottom fore-ground with numerous commercial ships, ferries, and sailing vessels, either docked along Front Street or moving west down the Delaware. Numerous important buildings can be seen, including the Pennsylvania State House, Christ Church, the First and Second Banks of the United States, Spark's Shot Tower, and Moyamensing Prison.