Birch, William "Girard's Bank, late the Bank of the United States, With a View of Third Street Philadelphia."

William Birch.  "Girard's Bank, late the Bank of the United States, With a View of Third Street Philadelphia." From The City of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia: William Birch, 1827-28.  Fourth edition. 8 ½ x 11 ¼ (image).  Engraving.  Modern hand color. Top margin trimmed to plate mark. Expertly repaired tears in margins not affecting image. Creases along left and right hand plate mark where left and right hand margins were folded at one time.  Else, very good condition. When issued in 1800, William Birch’s prints of Philadelphia formed the first series of views of any American city.  As the first comprehensive picture of an American city, illustrating its buildings and street life, this work is of great historical importance.  The superior quality of the work is evidenced in its scope of conception, the artistic excellence of the prints, and their fine execution.  The prints provide a unique visual record of Philadelphia at a time when it was the most important and sophisticated city in