Perkins, Granville “Fairmount Water-Works”

“G.P.” [Granville Perkins].  “Fairmount Water-Works.”

From Picturesque America.  New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1873.  6 1/4 x 9 1/4 (image).  Wood engraving.  Very good condition. 

This lovely view of the Fairmount Water-Works, seen from the west bank of the Schuylkill river, is from Picturesque America, a publication inspired by the prose of William Cullen Bryant.  This two volume set and others of its genre were very popular during the mid-nineteenth century.  Through their ample illustrations they provided a glimpse of nineteenth century America–much more bucolic than today–, its towns, cities, rivers, ports, important architecture, and other areas of interest.  One of the inspirations behind the publication was the forthcoming Centennial celebration of the United States to be held in Philadelphia in 1876, and this volume celebrates the variety and majesty of the maturing country.