Birch, William "Back of the State House, Philadelphia"

William Birch. "Back of the State House, Philadelphia". From The City of Philadelphia . . .

Philadelphia: W. Birch, 1799-1800. First edition. From The City of Philadelphia . . . 18 1/4 x 20 1/2 (frame size). Engraving. Uncolored. Full margins. Very good condition. Framed. Note: in the photo the darker area in the bottom mat is due to a shadow. 

The project of producing this series was carried out entirely in Philadelphia, and while many other individuals had a role, including Birch's son Thomas who provided many of the original drawings, the prints were mostly the product of the efforts of William Birch. Not only did he conceive and plan the project, but he also drew many of the scenes. The first edition, published in 1800, included 27 plates engraved by S. Seymour, and it was a great success, its subscription list numbering 156, including Thomas Jefferson. This print is one of the most interesting. It shows the roof and finial added to the State House in 1781, as well as the clock by Thomas Stretch added around 1750. To the right is the Library Company building designated as Philosophical Hall, and to its left is Peale's Museum, so designated.

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

Second Street North from Market St. with Christ Church Philadelphia

High Street, with the First Presbyterian Church. Taken down in 1820. 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