Views in Philadelphia and Its Environs,
Item #81089
CHILDS, Cephas G. Views in Philadelphia and Its Environs, from Original Drawings Taken in 1827-30. Phila.: C.G. Childs, 1827 [-1830]. Six parts, imperial 8vo (11 x 7 1/2 inches). 3pp. list of subscribers. Engraved additional title, steel-engraved plates by Childs, J. Cone, J.W. Steel, W.E. Tucker, G. Fairman, and W.H. Hay, after Thomas Doughty, Thomas Birch, George Strickland, J.R. Watson, W. Mason and E.W. Clay. Orig. printed wrappers. Prospectus. Housed in custom green morocco backed clamshell box. Number 6 is supplied in 8vo with the plates. Number 6 is also present in Imperial 8vo (lacking plates).. Light scattered foxing, else very good. HOWES C-383, "aa." Not in Sabin. Martin P. Snyder Mirror of America pp.70-77 (giving a complete collation of the parts). Very rare in parts, with excellent engraved views that are "crystalline yet in almost every case warm and appealing" (Snyder). Parts Five and Six are especially rare, as Childs had moved shop twice, after Part Four and after Part Five. One of the nicest series of city views produced in the 19th century, and extremely rare in the original parts. Issued to subscribers between November 1827 and November 1830, these parts constitute the true first edition of the work. This work features engravings of prominent churches, the state house, Bank of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, United States Mint, and the Academy of Natural Sciences, among other important buildings. Childs explains the need for the present work: "Philadelphia can boast of many beautiful scenes in its immediate neighborhood, and contains finer specimens of architecture than any city on the American continent ... Every enlightened stranger who comes among us, bears ample testimony to the truth of this statement; and perhaps no one departs without wishing to possess some permanent memorial of our city ... To furnish such a memorial, and to exhibit at the same time a creditable specimen of the state of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, is the object of the publisher" (prospectus). The work was issued (between November 1827 and November 1830), as here, in Imperial Octavo at $1.75 per part, or in 8vo at $1.25 per part. The intention was also to issue " It is evident that, as Martin Snyder remarks, "nothing was overlooked in making the final presentation one of the finest quality."
Price: $9,500.00