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Catalog Data

Graphic artist:
Pennell, Joseph  Search this
Physical Description:
paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements:
image: 25 cm x 19 cm; 9 13/16 in x 7 1/2 in
sheet: 35 cm x 25.5 cm; 13 3/4 in x 10 1/16 in
Object Name:
print
Date made:
nineteenth century
Description:
Joseph Pennell’s etching of the Water Street Stairs is one of several prints showing old Philadelphia streets and buildings that he made in 1881. Some of these appeared in the <i>Century Magazine</i> in 1882 with an article written by Elizabeth Robins, who would become Pennell’s wife.
In his autobiography Pennell noted with pride that as a child of about five he could write text backwards and forwards in a drawing. He demonstrates that skill here. He painstakingly etched the text of the many posters and signs backwards so it would read correctly in the print. But at center left he etched the name of the theater to read backward, perhaps from a quirky sense of humor.
Location:
Currently not on view
Subject:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  Search this
Credit Line:
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
ID Number:
GA.14230
Accession number:
94830
Catalog number:
14230
See more items in:
Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Ferris Collection
Communications
Art
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a8-85b1-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_1001495