(Memorial Hall) Art Gallery. Philadelphia: Thomas Hunter, 1874. $295.00

"Art Gallery, Centennial Exhibition International Exhibition, 1876"

One from a series of large tinted lithographic views by Louis Aubrun commissioned in 1874 by the Centennial International Board of Finance in order to publicize the upcoming international fair in Fairmount Park and to raise the money for the ambitious project. The prints show the architectural splendor of the impressive main buildings with their enormous size emphasized by the crowds of people thronging the grounds below. These prints were not bound. They were separately issued as souvenirs and thus relatively few of them have survived, especially in condition as good as this.
This image of the Art Gallery was built by R.J. Dobbins. It was the first home of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and later served a number of public uses as Memorial Hall.  It has recently been spectacularly restored and renovated and is now the home to The Please Touch Museum childrens' museum.

Tinted lithograph.
21 x 27 Inches, sheet.
Excellent condition and color save two small repaired tears in bottom margin.