Kollner, Augustus. “Fairmount Water Works”

Augustus Köllner.  “Fairmount Water Works.” 

From Views of American Cities.  New York & Paris: Goupil, Vibert & Co., 1848.  7 1/2 x 11 (image).  Lithograph by Isidore-Laurent Deroy.  Printed by Cattier.  Vibrant original hand color.  Very good to excellent condition.  Beautifully framed to museum standards.  Deák: 560.  A/A

Augustus Theodore Frederick Adam Köllner, born in Wurttenberg in 1812, worked as an artist, engraver and lithographer in Stuttgart and Paris before emigrating to America in 1839.  He settled in Washington where he continued as a professional draftsman and also began to make drawings of American scenery.  In 1840 Köllner moved to Philadelphia, meeting P.S. Duval, who hired him to draw illustrations for Duval and Huddy’s U.S. Military Magazine.  Köllner achieved considerable success in Philadelphia as a lithographic artist, producing a wide range of prints, including trade cards, labels, and illustrations.  From his earliest days in the United States, Köllner traveled around the country making scenic drawings of his adopted land, including a number of views of Philadelphia.  Goupil, Vibert & Co. arranged to publish a series of Köllner’s views beginning in 1848.  Despite Köllner’s ability as a lithographer, the New York and Paris publisher had the prints both lithographed and printed in Paris.  54 prints were made, including seven views of Philadelphia.  When these prints were made, the Fairmount Waterworks remained as a very popular site, so Köllner included this lovely image showing the complex from just upriver on the eastern side.  The wire bridge, which replaced the wooden structure across the Schuylkill, is shown clearly, and the recreational aspects of the area is shown by the several relaxing groups in the foreground, the boaters, and a ferry loaded with visitors.