Unattributed "Swedish School House" From Thompson Westcott’s "Centennial Portfolio"

“Swedish School House.”  From Thompson Westcott’s Centennial Portfolio. 

Philadelphia: Thomas Hunter, 1876.  Octavo. ca. 5 x 9 with decorative border. Tinted lithograph.  Full margins.  Very good condition.

A lovely view of the Swedish School House at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.  This building is one of only a few structures still standing from the exhibition, which celebrated the American Centennial, though this one was moved from its previous location in Fairmount Park to Central Park, New York, by Frederick Law Olmsted, where it is now the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. 

The Centennial Exhibition was one of the greatest tourist attractions of the era, with visitors not just from across the United States, but also from all around the world.  With all the tourists and world-wide interest in the exhibition, there were many souvenirs issued.  One of the most detailed and best produced was Thompson Westcott’s Centennial Portfolio.  This volume included charming lithographs of all the buildings in the exhibition.  This is a fine example of that work and a wonderful artifact from our nation’s hundredth birthday.

There are many more images of the Centennial Exhibition in stock, both small and large formats.  Please contact the shop for additional information and images.