Philadelphia Pennsylvania city plan insane asylum almshouse 1876 OW Gray old map

Philadelphia

(Pennsylvania- Urban Plans of 19th century America- Centennial)

Issued Philadelphia, 1876-7 by O.W. Gray and E.D. Marsh.

Oversized and quite uncommon 19th century antique map. Engraved and lithographed with original hand color. Small company symbol logo lower left corner. Centennail Fair grounds noted with key buildings shown and named.

Extensive tri-lingual explanation key at bottom right denotes steam railroads, home railroads, etc. Key at top left details the location of steam railroad passenger depots within the city (by street name).

Likely a variant issue of this city plan, prepared for special separate 1876 Phila. Centennial Fair issue by the publisher and likely also issued as a loose folding pocket map. The highly unusual inclusion of a multi-lingual key [English- French & German] within an American issued- U.S. atlas testifies to this theory. Publisher likely used this plate for the 1877 issue of the atlas because it represented the most up-to-date plan they owned.

Map identifies a number of interesting buildings, including an Eastern Penitentiary, "Penna. Hospital for the Insane", as well as a large almshouse, naval yards, colleges, cemeteries, parks, etc.

Attractive looking example, with minor light surface age wear and toning as typical, trivial light dampstaining in the margins, but remaining clean with a fine visual appearance.

Original fold line as issued.

Sheet measures c. 27" x 17 1/4" .

Engraved area measures c. 25 1/2" x 15 1/2".

Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers , vol. II, pg. 206.

[R12810]