Birch, William “The New Theatre in Chestnut Street Philadelphia. Built 1822. Taken down 1856. Published by Wm. Birch 1823.”

William Birch.  “The New Theatre in Chestnut Street Philadelphia. Built 1822.  Taken down 1856.  Published by Wm. Birch 1823.”  From The City of Philadelphia.  Philadelphia: William Birch, [1860].  McAllister restrike ca. 1860 with numeral “3” at top right corner.  Upper left margin corned filled.  Not affecting image.  Very good condition. This print is a restrike which was issued by John McAllister around 1860 and can be identified as such by a number engraved just outside the image in the upper right hand corner.   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 whe