Philadelphia: Published by C(ephas).G(rier). Childs, 1827-30. In six original parts. First edition. Small folio. With letterpress title-page in No. 2, letterpress text, two printed publisher's slips tipped-in (at front of No. 1 and at rear of No. 2), one printed publisher's slip laid in No. 3 ("In consequence of indisposition, the publisher regrets that the publication of this number has been delayed a month....", dated, May 6th), and list of subscribers in No. 6. Illustrated with an engraved title-page in No. 6, 24 engraved views, and one engraved plan (each with tissue guard), by Childs, William E. Tucker, J.W. Steel, J. Cone, and William H. Hay, after drawings by Thomas Birch, George Strickland, E.W. Clay, Thomas Sully, John Haviland, et al. Publisher's stiff printed wrappers, Nos. 4 and 6 sometime rebacked, wear to spine ends of others, soiling and spotting to wrappers, (heavier on Nos. 3 and 6), scattered wear and creasing along extremities; all edges trimmed; light to heavy foxing to plates; scattered spotting to text; dampstaining in top edge of No. 3; dampstaining in fore-edge of No. 6; in red cloth folding case. Snyder, Mirror of America, pp. 70-77; Howes C-383; Sabin 12731 and 99588

First edition in original parts of one of the most important American city viewbooks of the 19th century. The second comprehensive viewbook of Philadelphia after William Birch's City of Philadelphia (see lot 20), the engravings depict several important sites, including the city's prominent churches, the state house, the Bank of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania, the United States Mint, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Eastern State Penitentiary, the Fairmount Water Works, and more.

Uncommon in parts.