Colton, G.W. “Philadelphia" From "Gray’s Atlas of the United States"

G.W. Colton. “Philadelphia.”  From Gray’s Atlas of the United States.  

Philadelphia: O.W. Gray & Son, 1876.  15 1/4 x 24 3/4.  Lithograph.  Original hand color.  Several repaired short tears at bottom left hand side.  Diagonal crease bottom left corner.  Else, very good condition. 

An original antique map of Philadelphia by O.W. Gray & Son.  Gray began issuing atlases around mid-century and continued, first on his own and later as O.W. Gray & Son to the 1880s.  This map shows Philadelphia at the time of the Centennial Exposition based on the detail devoted to information about the World’s Fair.   The Centennial grounds are shown in Fairmount Park on the west side of the Schuylkill.  The map also gives much detail to Center City, the Northeast, and Camden connected by ferry boats.  Other information shows the railroads which were bringing over a million people to the Centennial grounds while influencing a burgeoning West Philadelphia   The map depicts and names streets, rail lines, and major buildings.  Each ward is colored in a contrasting, light pastel shade.  Of interest is that the panel of explanation is given in three languages, reflecting the international interest in the Centennial.