Inspired by Philadelphia’s prosperity of beauty, William Birch created a series of engravings that capture its regal buildings, virbrant street life, and busy ports. This 18th century record of an American city has become incomparable, and this book reproduces all the engravings in full color, and brings them up-to-date by including facing-page photos of each site in 1960 and 2000. Sites shown include: the Independence Hall group, Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Bank of the United States. This marvelous visual record shows the historic city of Philadelphia the way it was and its renewed growth and vitality over the years, and is a fascinating read for any lover of early Americana and Philadelphia.