1876 Toudy View of Fairmont Park, Philadelphia

This is the impressive first edition 1875 H. J. Toudy bird's-eye view of Fairmount Park, the grounds for the Centennial International Exhibition, the first world's fair held in the United States. Held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the view illustrates the fairgrounds from high above the Schuylkill River. This view was issued one year before the actual event based upon architectural plans and landscape renderings. Multiple buildings are recognizable, including the Art Gallery and Machinery Hall, wide boulevards, fountains, and bridges. A key below the bottom border identifies the main buildings. Toudy issued a second edition of his view of Fairmount Park after the fairgrounds were completed as he knew that visitors would want a more accurate depiction. Philadelphia commercial engravers published several different views of Fairmount Park to capitalize on the fair's tourist economy.

The Centennial International Exhibition

Officially named the 'International Exhibitions of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine', the Centennial Exhibition opened May 10, 1876, and closed on November 10, 1876. Nearly 10 million people attended the Exhibition, including President Ulysses S. Grant and Brazilian Emperor Pedro II, who officially opened the fair. Among the exhibits were the Statue of Liberty's right arm and torch, the John Bull steam locomotive, and the Swedish Cottage (now the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in New York City's Central Park).

Publication History and Census

This bird's-eye view was created and published by H.J. Toudy in 1875. We note only one cataloged example of this rare first edition, which is part of the collection at the Library Company of Philadelphia.