Books and Manuscripts

Fifth Annual Exhibition of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. May, 1815
Philadelphia: Printed by John Bioren, 1815. First edition. 8vo. 12 pp. Disbound; foxing to title-page; light foxing to text. Shaw & Shoemaker 23666

Rare and very early American art exhibition catalogue from America's first art school, including works by Thomas Birch, who curated the collection, as well as Thomas Sully, Benjamin West, Gilbert Stuart, Raphael Peale, and many more. 

The pamphlet lists the exhibits, including the Antique Saloon and Gallery, together accounting for over 160 individual drawings, engravings, prints, sculptures, and paintings. Among the paintings hanging in the gallery are several by Thomas Birch, including one titled, "View of Market Street Bridge." Birch, along with his father, William, was responsible for the important American plate book, The City of Philadelphia (see lot), fifteen years earlier.

A rare work, with only digital copies listed in OCLC over six records, and a useful source for provenance research into early Pennsylvania artworks.