Lake, D. J. and S. N. Beers | A fascinating picture of Philadelphia after the Consolidation Act of 1854

Lake, D. J. and S. N. Beers

Map of the Vicinity of Philadelphia From actual surveys by D.J. Lake and S.N. Beers Assisted by F.W. Beers, L.B. Lake and D.G. Beers. Philadelphia: J.E. Gillette & Co. publishers, 1861

Lithographed folding wall map (87 4/5 x 65 3/4 inches overall). Hand-colored in outline, in 36 sections backed onto linen, edged with pink linen ribbon, contemporary metal rings through cloth hoops sewn along upper margin of map. Housed in modern red two-fold chemise, all within a red morocco-backed cloth slipcase, lettered and dated in gilt on the spine.

A large-scale map of Philadelphia and surrounding country — a fascinating picture of Philadelphia after the Consolidation Act of 1854

The map incorporates a decorative title, an inset general plan of Philadelphia, with an extensive index of businesses and services, with inset details of boroughs and townships (with properties and ownerships indicated), the whole within a decorative border of scrolling fruit, vines, and leaves.

Philadelphia had been until 1830 the second largest city in the Union, when it was exceeded in size by Baltimore as well as New York. The Consolidation Act, passed by the state legislature, extended the cities boundaries to include all of Philadelphia county, and in 1860, the city was again able to claim to be the Union's second city. This map was drawn up after the census of 1860, and, in addition to comprehensive street plan of the city of Philadelphia, includes all the 15 boroughs and townships incorporated in 1854 (Somerton, Haddington, Whitehall, Bustleton, Fox Chase, Germantown, Bridesburg, Frankford, Kenderton, Manayunk, Falls of Schuylkill, Hestonville, Tacony, Holmesburg and Paschallville), each with accompanying directories, some adjacent, but most integral with the plans themselves. D. J. Lake and S. N. Beers, who had trained under J. H. French, were assisted in the execution of this map by Lamson Lake and Silas and Frederick Beers.

Rare

REFERENCE

Phillips, Maps and Views of Philadelphia 429; Phillips, America 706 (variant issue); Rumsey 2903 (suggests 8 variant issues); Ristow, American Maps and Mapmakers 397