Oct 10, 2013 - Sale 2324

Sale 2324 - Lot 282

Unsold
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
(PENNSYLVANIA.) Rae, Julio H. Rae's Philadelphia Pictorial Directory & Panoramic Advertiser: Chestnut Street, from Second to Tenth Streets. 16 lithograph plates (6 of them folding), 23 text leaves. Oblong folio, 10 x 14 inches, contemporary cloth with original printed label, worn, rebacked in cloth, original glossy wrappers bound in; moderate dampstaining on fore-edges, a few text leaves laid down on tissue, long repaired tear to plate 8, other minor wear. Philadelphia, 1851
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Additional Details

A unique and fascinating spin on the old-fashioned city directory. This volume presents street views of each side of the east end of Chestnut Street for eight blocks, with all businesses captioned. Subscribers were given display ads on the facing text page. Independence Hall appears on plate 8 as the State House, with the caption "Declaration of Independence Signed in this Room." Another highlight is the Jayne Building, a proto-skyscraper on plate 3. Miles & Reese, America Pictured to the Life 75 ("the first truly visual directory"); Sabin 61606; Spear page 289.
As we catalogue this book, lunchtime approaches at the Swann world headquarters. Let's stroll down Chestnut Street for a snack. E.G. Whitman, Confectioner and Fruit Dealer. That looks promising. The advertisement on the facing page promises fancy and plain candies, gum drops, pastes, &c, also lemon, gum, foreign fruits and nuts. Yes, that will do quite nicely. with--an extra unbound copy of plate 6, unfolded.