Library Company of Philadelphia
William or Thomas Birch, Preparatory sketch for An Unfinished House, in Chestnut Street Philadelphia, ca. 1800. Watercolor and ink.
An Unfinished House, in Chestnut Street Philadelphia, (Philadelphia: W. Birch & Son, 1800). Hand-colored engraving.
For subscribers not familiar with Philadelphia, Birch’s ambiguous title, “an unfinished house,” could mean that this impressive edifice was under construction and would soon be a showcase of American style and wealth. In reality, the residence’s owner, financier Robert Morris (1734-1806) was in debtors’ prison and the house, located near Eighth Street, would soon be demolished with the building’s materials used to pay off Morris’s creditors. William Birch purchased two bas- reliefs from the house for use in his own residence Springland. Restrikes from the original printing plate were issued as late as 1860.
William Birch, Ingenious Artist : His Life, His Philadelphia Views, and His Legacy on display now through October 19, 2018. To find out more visit: http://www.librarycompany.org/birch2018/
We’re starting the week with some marbled edges for #MarbledMonday! Trimming the edges of a textblock leaves a smooth surface that begs for decoration.
Our copy of Dress and Care of the Feet (New York, 1871) is signed by engraver John Feely and shows his characteristic squiggly lines. #PublishersBindingThursday
Dress and care of the feet. New York : Samuel R. Wells, 1871.
We’re joining @rutgers_scua and @rarebkcat for the July #JoyofGLAM challenge! We will be posting joy-inspiring images from our collection each Wednesday for the rest of the month.
To kick things off we’re sharing this video of a small portion of a recently acquired collection of publishers’ bindings featuring printed pattern book cloth. If you’ve been following us for awhile then you know that we love publishers’ bindings here at the Library Company, and seeing this new collection in the stacks every day always makes us smile.
Philadelphia and New York. (Philadelphia, ca. 1800). Broadside. Library Company of Philadelphia.
Here William Birch announces his intention of publishing a set of engraved views of both New York City and Philadelphia, projects in varying stages of completion in 1800. To increase interest in the sets, he published a larger engraving representing each city “intended as elegant furniture for a drawing or setting room, which will serve as references for amusement to the two volumes.” These engravings are on display to the right.
See this broadside and more in William Birch, Ingenious Artist: His Life, His Philadelphia Views, and His Legacy now on display through October 19, 2018.
Leave it to the Morris Family to give us lifestyle envy! Marriott C. Morris captured this image of a dreamy outdoor meal on July 7, 1888. We’re still trying to pick our favorite hat of the group, which one is your favorite? #MorrisMonday #HatsintheLibrary
This #FelineFriday feature is from the back wrapper on our copy of A Brief Biographical Sketch of I.A. Van Amburgh (New York, 1860). Van Amburgh is credited with developing the first trained wild animal act, and would often place his bare arm, and sometimes his head, within the jaws of a wild cat. His act influenced many circus performances after him.
Known as “The Lion King”, Van Amburgh was criticized in his time for his brutal treatment of animals.
A Brief biographical sketch of I.A. Van Amburgh.
New York, Samuel Booth, 1860.
We are intrigued by this five color decorated binding of The Dream (ca. 1827-1856). Orange, blue, green, faded red or purple, and gold illuminate a scene showing buildings, flora, and a figure repeated in a pattern like a stenciled wallpaper. On our copy, the verso cover was applied upside-down and the ink is a little off register making the imagery more abstract.
William Birch, Thomas Birch, ca. 1790. Watercolor, ink, and pencil. Library Company of Philadelphia.
Thomas Birch (1779-1851), William’s eldest son, pursued an art career like his father, finding success as a marine and landscape artist. Two of William’s other children, Priscilla Birch Barnes and George, also shared some of their father’s artistic talent. Priscilla exhibited work at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and George executed a drawing for one of his father’s Country Seats views.
William Birch, Ingenious Artist : His Life, His Philadelphia Views, and His Legacy is on display through October 19, 2018. For more info visit: http://librarycompany.org/birch2018/
It’s not often that we see Marriot C. Morris in front of the camera, but when it happens he does not disappoint! This fabulous image of MCM reclining among foliage was captured in July, 1909, while the Morris Family was camping (or should we say glamping?) in the Poconos. #MorrisMonday