Permission to reproduce material from Athenaeum collections must be granted in writing and is at the discretion of The Athenaeum staff. All permission is granted on a per-use basis. Images may not be altered (aside from cropping) without special permission. The user of supplied reproductions assumes all responsibilities for citing sources properly, and using images in conformity with existing copyright laws, and may be required to supply The Athenaeum with a copy of any publication or project in which the images appear. The Athenaeum reserves the right to refuse to reproduce any item in its collections.
For information on ordering reproductions of Athenaeum drawings, please see http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html.
Best o'Luck Linen Finish Writing Tablet (illustrated cover)
Best Restaurant in Philadelphia-Gimbel Brother's
Betz, Girard and Real Estate Trust Buildings
Legislator and financier Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844) was a member of the prominent Biddle family of Philadelphia, whose ancestors came to America with William Penn. A child prodigy, Biddle graduated from Princeton at the age of 15. He spent several years traveling throughout Europe, and served as secretary to James Monroe, then the US minister to Great Britain. Upon returning to the United States in 1807, Biddle practiced law, edited the literary magazine Port Folio, and helped edit the Lewis and Clark expedition journals for publication. Biddle belonged to many Philadelphia civic organizations, among them: the Athenaeum of Philadelphia (which he helped found in 1814), the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. Additionally, Biddle served as President of the Girard College Board of Trustees and was instrumental in fulfilling Stephen Girard’s vision of building a school for poor orphaned boys. As a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Biddle advocated for the reestablishment of a national bank. In 1816, the second Bank of the United States was chartered, and in 1819, Monroe, now president of the United States, appointed Biddle to the board of directors of the Bank. In 1822 Biddle became president of the Bank, serving in that role until 1839, when it became increasingly clear that President Andrew Jackson’s refusal to renew the Bank’s charter all but guaranteed the Bank’s failure. The Bank ultimately closed in 1841. Throughout his career, Biddle often took respite at his country residence known as Andalusia. In 1811 Biddle had married Jane Craig, and in 1814 obtained her parents’ large house located 14 miles north of Philadelphia overlooking the Delaware River. He commissioned architect Thomas Ustick Walter (who had designed Girard College) to transform the existing Craig house into a Greek Revival masterpiece. Biddle applied his lifelong interest in the arts, architecture, and experimental agriculture to develop the home and gardens into a stately and serene estate. Today, Andalusia is a National Historic Landmark open to visitors. Nicholas Biddle died at Andalusia in 1844 at the age of 58.
Eleanor Blaney Bird (1806-1888) was the wife of Henry Bird (1803-1864) sixth Librarian of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
Henry Bird (1803-1864), served as Secretary and sixth Librarian of The Athenaeum of Philadelphia from 1859 until his death in 1864. He was the husband of Eleanor Blaney Bird (1806-1888).
Permission to reproduce material from Athenaeum collections must be granted in writing and is at the discretion of The Athenaeum staff. All permission is granted on a per-use basis. Images may not be altered (aside from cropping) without special permission. The user of supplied reproductions assumes all responsibilities for citing sources properly, and using images in conformity with existing copyright laws, and may be required to supply The Athenaeum with a copy of any publication or project in which the images appear. The Athenaeum reserves the right to refuse to reproduce any item in its collections. For information on ordering reproductions of Athenaeum drawings, please see http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html.
Bird's eye view of Philadelphia from Lemon Hill
Bird's eye view of Schuylkill River, taken from balloon 1 mile high, showing Regatta
Blair Bond Linen Finish Writing Tablet (illustrated cover)
Blair's Mail Writing Tablet cover, illustrated with airplane
Blair's Old Bleach Linen Writing Tablets (illustrated cover)
Blasius & Sons Piano Manufacturers, Philadelphia
Blue decorative floral design on green background (possibly a book cover design)
Board of Directors Minutes, Volume 1, 1814-1821
Board of Directors Minutes, Volume 2, 1821-1832
Boardwalk at Delaware Ave showing New Nixon Theatre
Boardwalk, the Steeplechase and Steel Piers
Postcard to Mrs. Emily Pickering from Tillie Faith
Boat houses on Schuylkill and Fairmount Dam
Boiler Room, The Curtis Publishing Company
Bonaparte (Joseph) Sculpte par Delaistre
Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte in military uniform.
Metal figurine of Bonaparte carrying a flag at the Arcole Bridge. Mounted on a wood base, with inscribed label. Based on a 1796 painting by Antoine-Jean Gros. Sculpted by Faches (?)
Bookstacks and Manuscript Files, Research Library, Presbyterian Historical Society, Witherspoon Building
Border design with various costumed figures
Botanical Department. Girls Normal School
Boy in turban, holding a platter/Boy in turban, walking with a platter
Boy in turban, holding a platter/Group of five men in colonial attire
Boy lying on floor by fireplace, reading
Boy with turban carrying a platter/Three birds
Bringing Home the Bride (Old Swede's Church)