DESCRIPTION: Unrecorded variant edition "Pictorial Map of the International Exhibition Grounds", the first "World's Fair" held in the United States (1876) the same year the Statue of Liberty began construction in France. Along with the technological innovations and displays of American natural resources the Centennial Exhibition is notable as the location where two works of the renowned sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi were on display- the right hand and torch of the Statue of Liberty and the Bartholdi Fountain.
"In May of 1876, Bartholdi constructed the right arm bearing the torch, realizing it could stand alone if financing for the entire project failed. The torch’s display at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia from August to November 1876 was a definite highlight with the fair’s approximately ten million visitors. Many scaled the 42-foot tall display for a fee of 50 cents."
The Bartholdi Fountain was created by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (1834 - 1904), the French sculptor who also designed the Statue of Liberty. The fountain was first exhibited in Philadelphia at the International Exposition of 1876. After the fair concluded, the Bartholdi Fountain was purchased by the U.S. Congress in 1877 for six thousand dollars and placed on the Botanic Garden grounds, then situated in the corner of the Mall. "
Only four institutional holdings of a map with this name are recorded in WorldCat and no copy of this rare variant, presumed second edition, of the map is recorded. The other four examples, one at Harvard, were all apparently sponsored by the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road. This edition, sponsored by the Cape May Seaside Resort differs significantly from the others.
In the title block the image of the passenger depot for the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore R.R. and in its place is an image of Independence Hall which in the Harvard example appears at right. At bottom center there is an advertisement for Cape May Seaside Resort where the Harvard example contains a reference to the railroad. Several profile views of buildings appear in this edition that are lacking in the Harvard copy (the Chemical Paint Co. building, Campbell Printing Press Co., and the Vermont pavillion).
Upper right corner with an inset "Birds-eye view, Centennial International Exhibition from Sawyer's Observatory." Copyright 1875 by Theo. Leonhardt & Son.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1876
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: Schuylkill River
CONDITION: Good.
Two panels laid down to covers at bottom left. Folds as issued. Three small holes at fold intersections repaired archivally from the verso. Two panels attached to the booklet cover.
COLORING: None.
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 21
" x
13 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 86
PRICE: $975
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