Wild, J.C. “View from the Inclined Plane, near Philadelphia.” From "Views of Philadelphia and its Vicinity”

J.C. Wild. “View from the Inclined Plane, near Philadelphia.”  From Views of Philadelphia and its Vicinity. 

Philadelphia: J. T. Bowen, 1848.  5 x 6 7/8.  Lithograph by J.C. Wild.  Narrow margins.  Else, very good condition.  A/A

A lovely view from Belmont in Fairmount Park, looking towards the Schuylkill River.  In the near foreground is an interesting depiction of an inclined plane railway running up Belmont.  Wild first published his series of Philadelphia views in 1838.  They are noted for their attractive compositions and fascinating accuracy.  The series was not a success for Wild and he sold the plates to J.T. Bowen, who issued a third edition of the series in 1838 after Wild had left town.  Soon thereafter Bowen modified the imprints of the plates, and then reissued the series in 1848, this time adding wonderful hand coloring.  These are among the most pleasing Philadelphia prints, providing a charming look at Philadelphia in the first half of the nineteenth century.