Object Details
graphic artist
Pennell, Joseph
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 Century Magazine 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
Credit Line
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
date made
nineteenth century
ID Number
GA.14230
accession number
94830
catalog number
14230
Object Name
print
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
Associated Place
United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
See more items in
Work and Industry: Graphic Arts
Ferris Collection
Communications
Art
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1001495