Wild, J.C. “Fairmount, Philadelphia.” From "Views of Philadelphia and its Vicinity"

J.C. Wild. “Fairmount, Philadelphia.”  From Views of Philadelphia and its Vicinity. 

Philadelphia: J.C. Wild & J.B. Chevalier, 1838.  5 1/8 x 7 1/4.  Lithograph.  Hand color.  Minor tear in right margin, not affecting image.  Else, very good condition.  A/A

A lovely view of the Fairmount Waterworks and the gardens, shortly after the landscaping on Fair Mount was completed.  This attractive lithograph is by J.C. Wild, a Swiss artist who studied in Paris, and then came to Philadelphia around 1832.  Soon after he moved to Cincinnati and then back to Philadelphia in 1837.  At that time he formed a partnership with J.B. Chevalier to publish a series of small lithographs illustrating the city of Philadelphia.  The intent was to sell the prints inexpensively, at a rate of 25 cents for two images, and this was done in part in conjunction with the Saturday Courier, which used the prints in its promotions.  The prints were all issued in 1838, and when completed they were sold in a bound volume.