Item 27: Lithograph, New Suspension Bridge at Fairmount, by William Croome, ca. 1842
Item — Box: 21, Folder: 27
Dates
- Created: ca. 1842
Creator
- Croome, William, 1790–1860 (artist) (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Lithograph
Condition Note:
Fair, paper is worn and very discolored.
Measurements:
9 13/16 in. x 5 ¾ in.
Title:
New Suspension Bridge at Fairmount
Description:
A lithograph depicting a suspension bridge in Fairmount Philadelphia. There are people in a boat rowing up the river as well as a house placed on the shoreline. The Fairmount Water Works is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was designed in 1812, being built between 1812 to 1872. It operated until 1909. It followed the yellow fever epidemic in the late 18th century which was thought to be caused by unclean water and rotting matter in the streets at the time. The Water Works were built to try and mend this issue. This print was illustrated by William Croome, with contributions from Rawdon, Write, Hatch & Smillie.
William Croome was a 19th-century American illustrator and wood engraver born in 1790. He trained in Boston, Massachusetts with Abel Bowsen. Much of Croome’s work can be found in the “American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge (1830s), Lady's Annual (1830s), Crockett Almanac (ca.1840s), and in numerous children's books.” He died in 1860.
Ralph Rawdon owned an engraving and printing firm that was located in Albany, New York in 1816. Rawdon partnered with Vistus Balch of Williamstown, Massachusetts and Asahel Clark to form Rawdon, Clark, & Co. “On March 1, 1832, their two firms merged to become Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, & Company.”
The bridge in the lithograph was constructed by Charles Ellet Jr., The term del.following Croome’s name in the manuscript is a shorthand for the term drawer. It comes from the latin term, delt. or delin, which means “drew,” indicating the original artist of the engraved replica. The Printing Museum website has created a glossary of Renaissance Print terminology.
The bridge in the lithograph was constructed by Charles Ellet Jr., The term del.following Croome’s name in the manuscript is a shorthand for the term drawer. It comes from the latin term, delt. or delin, which means “drew,” indicating the original artist of the engraved replica. The Printing Museum website has created a glossary of Renaissance Print terminology.
Location:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Transcription:
W. Croome. del. [engraved] by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, & Smillie.
NEW SUSPENSION BRIDGE AT FAIRMOUNT
Philadelphia
Drawn and
Engraved expressly for Oraham’s Magazine.
Creator
- Croome, William, 1790–1860 (artist) (Person)
- Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Smille, 1847-1851 (engraver) (Person)
- Ellet, Charles, 1810-1862 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu