Burton, Charles "The Race Bridge, Fair Mount Water Works, Philadelphia."

Charles Burton.  "The Race Bridge, Fair Mount Water Works, Philadelphia." From John H. Hinton’s The History and Topography of the United States of North America. 

Boston: 1843.  Second American Edition.  5 ½ x 7 ¾ (image).  Steel engraving by J. Andrews. Very good condition.  

An unusual view, this print has a perspective along the bank of the waterworks race, looking towards the bridge which crossed it.  A punter is depicted in the race and two women and a child rest on the bank.  The buildings of the waterworks can be seen behind the race and the promenade and gazebo of the Fairmount Gardens appear in the far background.

Charles Burton, an English artist best known for his attractive views issued in Hinton’s History, was an accomplished draftsman and landscape and portrait painter who lived in America from 1819 to 1842.  After painting and exhibiting a number of views of New York City, several of which are said to have been given to Lafayette when he visited the city, and completing his illustrations for Hinton, Burton moved south, working as an instructor in the arts in Baltimore and Virginia.