Birch, William Russell "High Street, with the First Presbyterian Church. Taken down in 1820. Philadelphia"

William Russell Birch. "High Street, with the First Presbyterian Church. Taken down in 1820. Philadelphia". From The City of Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia: W. Birch, 1828. Fourth Edition. 8 1/2 x 11 1/4 (image). Engraving. Margins trimmed to just outside plate mark with minor chipping into plate mark lower right. Else, very good condition.

When issued in 1800, William Birch's prints of Philadelphia formed the first series of views of any American city. As the first comprehensive picture of an American city, illustrating its buildings and street life, this work is of great historical importance. The first edition, published in 1800, included 27 plates was a great success and this prompted a second edition that was issued in 1804. The second edition contained one completely new plate, six revised plates, and thirteen modified plates. A third edition was issued in 1809 and a final edition with eleven modified plates and three new plates appeared in 1827-1828, again engraved and published by Birch. This appealing glimpse of High Street shows The First Presbyterian Church, built in 1793-1794 from designs of John Trumbull and demolished about 1822.   

Other prints by William Birch:

High Street Market

State House Garden. Philadelphia

Library & Surgeons Hall, 5th St Philadelphia

Theatre in Chesnut [sic] Street Philadelphia

Destroy'd by Fire in 1820. The Late Theatre in Chestnut Street ...

New Theatre in Chesnut [sic] Street Philadelphia

The New Theatre in Chestnut Street Philadelphia Built 1822. Taken down 1856...

Girard's Bank, late the Bank of the United States ...

Philadelphia Bank in Fourth Street Philadelphia

Arch Street, with the Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

New Market, in South Second Street Philadelphia

Back of the State House, Philadelphia

Second Street North from Market St. with Christ Church Philadelphia

An Unfinished House, in Chestnut Street Philadelphia

The Water Works in Centre Square Philadelphia

Landsdown, the Seat of the late Wm. Bingham, Esq. ...

Bath, Near Bristol, Pennsylvania