Bromley, G. W. “Atlas of the City of Philadelphia: Wards: 5-20, 28, 29, 31, 32, 37, & 47.” [Central Philadelphia]. 1922

G. W. Bromley.  Atlas of the City of Philadelphia: Wards: 5-20, 28, 29, 31, 32, 37, & 47. [Central Philadelphia: South Street to Lehigh and Delaware River to Schuylkill River]. 

Philadelphia: G. W. Bromley, 1922.  Folio.  21 1/2 x 32 1/2 (sheet).  Lithographs.  Original hand color.  Twenty seven maps-one plate missing.  Cloth.  All maps are very clean.  Typical wear to covers and spine.  Very good condition. 

Starting about 1870, atlases of properties in and outside of Philadelphia began to be published by such firms as Bromley, Hopkins and Mueller.  Their output has provided us with excellent, detailed images of the growth of the city of Philadelphia and the suburbs as well from the 1870s through the first part of the twentieth century.  These atlases were used for planning, government purposes, and just for the information of citizens of the area.  These atlases are also known as ‘railroad, real estate, and/or insurance’ atlases and contained very accurate and detailed information such as streets, properties, parks, and other topographical and social features.  Such information as property ownership, materials of construction, proposed developments, and so forth, are given with clear precision.  Thusly these maps provide a rigorous and accurate picture of the locale at one point in history, and allows us a unique privileged look at our past.