(Fairmount Gardens) Meyer's Universum. Hildburghausen: J. Meyer, ca. 1832. $125.00

“Fairmount Gardens. Bey Philadelphia.”

A lovely view of people enjoying the natural and man made wonders of Fairmount Park. This engraving features Upper Ferry Bridge.  Built in 1812, this was one of the earliest bridges to cross the Schuylkill River. According to Wainwright (Philadelphia Portrait of an American City, p. 134) “it was constructed by a company whose principal shareholder was Jacob Ridgway. The single wooden arch with two carriageways and two foot ways, 340 feet long, was then the greatest span ever achieved in wood or stone. The engineer and builder was German-born Lewis Wernwag and the architect of the cover was Robert Mills of South Carolina. The Colossus, as it was called, was as elegant in appearance as it was bold in structure. “

5 3/4 x 9 inches, sheet.
Hand colored steel engraving.
Excellent condition save small stain at title.