Birch, William Russell "Jail in Walnut Street Philadelphia"

William Russell Birch.  “Jail in Walnut Street Philadelphia.”  From the City of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia: 1804.  Second edition.  8 ¼ x 10 5/8 (image).  Engraving by W. Birch.  Hand color. Faint mat burn in margins.  Old glue stains in top and left margins not affecting image.  20th century paper backing.  Else, good condition.  The Walnut Street Jail was built 1773-76 and demolished about 1835.  It stood directly behind Independence Hall.   When issued in 1799-1800, 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 the western hemis