Independence Hall [graphic / GS; Grant Simon 1958.
Material type:
PicturePublication details: [Philadelphia] , [1958]Description: 1 print: lithograph; sheet 39 x 31 cm (15.25 x 12 in.)Notes: Title from inscription below image; Artist’s initials in image, lower left;
Name of artist below image, lower left;
"#1.Ed.300." written below image, lower left;
Accompanied by folder titled “Independence Hall About 1830. A Christmas Greeting and Twentieth Anniversary Message to the Friends of Booth, Potter, Seal & Co.” with printed explicative text on the inside cover, including the inspiration for the print: On This Occasion we wish to share with you the view of Independence Hall we enjoy from our offices. This view has inspired and influenced us much as it did Abraham Lincoln in 1861 when he said: "I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing in this place, where we collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live." This lithograph is taken from an original drawing made for us by Grant Miles Simon, F.A.I.A. It emphasizes the unusual beauty of the tower which reaches well above our windows. We hope that you will feel this worth keeping in view, and that will give you, as it has us, pleasure and inspiration always. Mr. Simon is Chairman of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and author of "The Beginnings of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania." His talent, combined with an intimate knowledge of our historic treasures, has led to a number of fine lithographs which hang in American’s leading art galleries. ©Grant Simon. Booth, Potter, Seal & Co. Christmas 1958.Biographical or Historical Data: Grant Miles Simon (1887-1967), Philadelphia architect, artist, and lithographer served as advisory architect for the Federal Commission for Independence National Historical Park, beginning in 1953. Simon with historical architect Charles Peterson oversaw the development of the Park.Local Notes: Gift of Akemi Miyama;
Cataloging and/or digitization made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom (PW-285234-22), 2023-2025.Imprint: PA. Philadelphia. 1958.Subject(s): Genre/Form: Summary: Limited edition, Christmas gift print from Philadelphia insurance company Booth, Potter, Seal & Co. to their clients showing an imagined, historical elevated view, looking east, of the steeple and rear grounds of Independence Hall built 1732-1748 after the designs of Andrew Hamilton and Edmund Woolley at 520 Chestnut Street. Pedestrians stroll the grounds and the intersecting walkways of the plaza. A man on a ladder attends to a lower floor window of the Hall. Also shows the edge of the roof of Congress Hall (left foreground)) and the Library Company of Philadelphia completed in 1790 after the designs of William Thornton at Fifth and Library Streets (right background). Expansive cityscape is visible in the distant background. Booth, Potter, Seal & Co. tenanted the Public Ledger Building, just west of Independence Hall, at 600 Chestnut Street.
| Item type | Current library | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Material | Library Company of Philadelphia Graphic Arts Department | *BW – Government Buildings [P.2020.29] | Available | 312538 |
Title from inscription below image.
Artist’s initials in image, lower left.
Name of artist below image, lower left.
"#1.Ed.300." written below image, lower left.
Accompanied by folder titled “Independence Hall About 1830. A Christmas Greeting and Twentieth Anniversary Message to the Friends of Booth, Potter, Seal & Co.” with printed explicative text on the inside cover, including the inspiration for the print: On This Occasion we wish to share with you the view of Independence Hall we enjoy from our offices. This view has inspired and influenced us much as it did Abraham Lincoln in 1861 when he said: "I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing in this place, where we collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live." This lithograph is taken from an original drawing made for us by Grant Miles Simon, F.A.I.A. It emphasizes the unusual beauty of the tower which reaches well above our windows. We hope that you will feel this worth keeping in view, and that will give you, as it has us, pleasure and inspiration always. Mr. Simon is Chairman of the Philadelphia Historical Commission and author of "The Beginnings of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania." His talent, combined with an intimate knowledge of our historic treasures, has led to a number of fine lithographs which hang in American’s leading art galleries. ©Grant Simon. Booth, Potter, Seal & Co. Christmas 1958.
Limited edition, Christmas gift print from Philadelphia insurance company Booth, Potter, Seal & Co. to their clients showing an imagined, historical elevated view, looking east, of the steeple and rear grounds of Independence Hall built 1732-1748 after the designs of Andrew Hamilton and Edmund Woolley at 520 Chestnut Street. Pedestrians stroll the grounds and the intersecting walkways of the plaza. A man on a ladder attends to a lower floor window of the Hall. Also shows the edge of the roof of Congress Hall (left foreground)) and the Library Company of Philadelphia completed in 1790 after the designs of William Thornton at Fifth and Library Streets (right background). Expansive cityscape is visible in the distant background. Booth, Potter, Seal & Co. tenanted the Public Ledger Building, just west of Independence Hall, at 600 Chestnut Street.
Grant Miles Simon (1887-1967), Philadelphia architect, artist, and lithographer served as advisory architect for the Federal Commission for Independence National Historical Park, beginning in 1953. Simon with historical architect Charles Peterson oversaw the development of the Park.
Gift of Akemi Miyama.
Cataloging and/or digitization made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom (PW-285234-22), 2023-2025.