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Photo, Print, Drawing Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the Night of the 17th May, 1838. Destruction by fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the night of the 17th May, 1838

About this Item

Title

  • Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the Night of the 17th May, 1838.

Other Title

  • Destruction by fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the night of the 17th May, 1838

Summary

  • This dramatic print shows the destruction of Pennsylvania Hall, a large building that was constructed in 1837--38 at Sixth and Haines Streets in Philadelphia as a meeting place for local abolitionist (antislavery) groups. Dedication ceremonies began on May 14, 1838, and continued over several days in a climate of growing hostility from anti-abolitionist forces in the city. On the night of May 17, 1838, an anti-abolitionist mob stormed the hall and set it on fire. Fire companies refused to fight the blaze, and the building was completely destroyed. A large crowd looks on, as firefighters spray water on an adjoining building. The printer and publisher John T. Bowen issued the print within a few days of the fire to commemorate the event. The illustration is by John Caspar Wild (circa 1804--46), a Swiss-born artist and lithographer, who arrived in Philadelphia from Paris in 1832. He produced paintings and prints of Philadelphia and other American cities, including Cincinnati, Saint Louis, and Davenport, Iowa. His works are important historical records of these cities before the era of large-scale industrialization and rapid urban growth.

Names

  • Bowen, John T., circa 1801-1856? Printer.
  • Wild, J. C. (John Caspar), circa 1804-1846 Artist.

Created / Published

  • Philadelphia : J.T. Bowen, 1838-05.

Headings

  • -  United States of America--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
  • -  1838-05-17
  • -  Antislavery movements
  • -  Cities and towns
  • -  Crowds
  • -  Fire engines and equipment
  • -  Fire fighters
  • -  Fires
  • -  Lithographs
  • -  Pennsylvania Hall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • -  Street scenes

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  "Digital catalog number: POS 311.1"--Note extracted from World Digital Library.
  • -  Original resource extent: 1 print : lithograph, hand-colored ; 29 x 35 centimeters.
  • -  Original resource at: The Library Company of Philadelphia.
  • -  Content in English.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Source Collection

  • Philadelphia on Stone

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021670168

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Bowen, John T., Circa ? Printer, and J. C Wild. Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the Night of the 17th May. Pennsylvania United States of America Philadelphia, 1838. Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, -05. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021670168/.

APA citation style:

Bowen, J. T. & Wild, J. C. (1838) Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the Night of the 17th May. Pennsylvania United States of America Philadelphia, 1838. Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, -05. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021670168/.

MLA citation style:

Bowen, John T., Circa ? Printer, and J. C Wild. Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall. On the Night of the 17th May. Philadelphia: J.T. Bowen, -05. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021670168/>.