Philadelphia. Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs, 1839-1914 by Robert F. Looney.

Dover, 1976.  215 prints from the collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Photographs by Franklin D. Edmunds, William and Frederick Langenheim, John Moran, William H. Rau, and other photographers. Remarkably clear views from the early days of photography, including daguerreotypes and albumen prints from glass negatives. Includes a chapter with photos of the Centennial Exhibition. Very good in illustrated wraps, possibly 1st edition, lacks ISBN number on reprints. 228 pages.  Summary:

Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs, 1839–1914 (published by Dover Publications in 1976) is a comprehensive historical and visual survey compiled by Robert F. Looney, the former head of the Print and Picture Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Created in cooperation with the library, the 230-page volume brings together 215 rare vintage prints that chronicle the architectural, technological, and social transformation of Philadelphia from the birth of practical photography to the eve of World War I.

Core Content & Historical Framework

1. The Dawn of American Photography

The volume traces the earliest days of the medium in the United States, beginning with Joseph Saxton's historic 1839 image of the Philadelphia Central High School—widely recognized as the first daguerreotype made in America. The structural narrative guides the reader through the evolution of photographic technologies, showing how early, static chemical exposures on metal plates gradually gave way to flexible film and rapid shutter speeds. The early selections showcase the city’s pioneering role in the development of American photographic arts and industry.

2. Architectural Evolution and Urban Landmarks

A primary focus of the compilation is the documentation of Philadelphia's rapidly changing physical footprint. The carefully captioned plates capture a vast array of structural landmarks, sweeping city panoramas, and daily street scenes. Featured imagery tracks the preservation and modification of iconic sites, including:

• Historic Independence Hall: Detailed perspectives of the birthplace of the nation across different eras of civic restoration.

• Residential and Commercial Landscapes: The transition from colonial-era brick rows to monumental industrial factories and sprawling banking institutions.

• Infrastructure and Transportation: The construction of massive iron bridges, expanding early railroad networks, and the bustling maritime activity along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.

3. Civic Milestones and Social Realities

Beyond architectural records, the catalog documents the shifting social fabric and major historical events that shaped the city's collective memory. The collection features rare photographic records of historic public gatherings, such as President-elect Abraham Lincoln’s visit to the city in 1861. A substantial portion of the later chapters focuses on the grand architecture, international crowds, and technological displays of the 1876 Centennial Exposition, illustrating Philadelphia's brief status as the focal point of the global industrial world.

Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs serves as a crucial archive of an American metropolis during its industrial golden age. By pairing pristine archival reproductions with rigorous historical annotations, Looney rescues lost neighborhoods and demolished landmarks from obscurity, validating these vintage darkroom records as indispensable primary source materials for urban historians and scholars of American culture.