[Americana] Childs, C.G. Views in Philadelphia, and its Vicinity; Engraved From Original Drawings

Philadelphia: Published by C(ephas).G(rier). Childs, 1827-30. In six original parts. First edition. Small folio. With letterpress title-page in No. 2, letterpress text, two printed publisher's slips tipped-in (at front of No. 1 and at rear of No. 2), one printed publisher's slip laid in No. 3 ("In consequence of indisposition, the publisher regrets that the publication of this number has been delayed a month....", dated, May 6th), and list of subscribers in No. 6. Illustrated with an engraved title-page in No. 6, 24 engraved views, and one engraved plan (each with tissue guard), by Childs, William E. Tucker, J.W. Steel, J. Cone, and William H. Hay, after drawings by Thomas Birch, George Strickland, E.W. Clay, Thomas Sully, John Haviland, et al. Publisher's stiff printed wrappers, Nos. 4 and 6 sometime rebacked, wear to spine ends of others, soiling and spotting to wrappers, (heavier on Nos. 3 and 6), scattered wear and creasing along extremities; all edges trimmed; light to heavy foxing to plates; scattered spotting to text; dampstaining in top edge of No. 3; dampstaining in fore-edge of No. 6; in red cloth folding case. Snyder, Mirror of America, pp. 70-77; Howes C-383; Sabin 12731 and 99588

First edition in original parts of one of the most important American city viewbooks of the 19th century. The second comprehensive viewbook of Philadelphia after William Birch's City of Philadelphia, the engravings depict several important sites, including the city's prominent churches, the state house, the Bank of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania, the United States Mint, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Fairmount Water Works, and more.

Uncommon in parts.

Provenance

Charles Sessler, Philadelphia

Collection of Joseph Newton Pew, Jr. (1886-1963), Ardmore, Pennsylvania, American Industrialist and co-founder of the Pew Charitable Trusts, thence by descent in the family

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Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Books and Manuscripts

[Americana] Childs, C.G. Views in Philadelphia, and its Vicinity; Engraved From Original Drawings

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