Birch, Thomas “Philadelphia, taken from Kensington”

Thomas Birch.  “Philadelphia, taken from Kensington.” 

Philadelphia, B. & T. Kite, 1811.  5 x 11 1/2.  Engraving by J. Seymour.  Folds as issued.  Hair margins to image boundary lines right and left.  Drum mount on paper.  Else, good condition.  A/A

A view of the river front of Philadelphia drawn from near the Treaty Tree in Kensington by Thomas Birch.  Thomas was closely involved with his father in the production of The City of Philadelphia.  It is interesting to note the similarities and differences between this lovely view and the frontispiece view of Philadelphia from that work.  This print was issued as the frontispiece for the first edition of James Mease’s The Picture of Philadelphia in 1811.  Ref.: Howes, Usiana, 471.