A COPPERPLATE-PRINTED LINEN HANDKERCHIEF DEPICTING UPPER FERRY BRIDGE, PHILADELPHIA

Ca. 1820

Spandrels with images of commerce, a paddleboat, a harvest scene, a Native American with tobacco, and images of peace with Britania, enclose view of Bridge and inscription, "Over the River Shuykill near Morris Street in the county of Philadelphia, chord of arch 340 feet whole extent of Bridge 400 feet, rise of arch 20 feet elevation above water 30 feet the span is greater by 98 feeet that that of any other. The contruction is in general new. The principal invented by Lewis Wernay, who was assisted in the exeution by Josh. Johnson, general design by Robert Mills, Architect." 19 1/2 in. by 22 in (tears, old mends)
Note: This view closely resembles contemporary prints published by Samuel Seymour and J.J. Plocher, after a painting by Thomas Birch, dated 1813. The bridge was constructed between 1809 and 1812 and burned in 1832.