Fairs & Expositions
A group of 2 albumen photographs of the Main Building at the Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876.

Bird's-Eye View, Main Building. 8 1/8 x 10 in. albumen photograph on 10 3/8 x 11 3/4 in. mount. -- Main Building from East End. 8 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. albumen photograph on 10 5/8 x 11 3/4 in. mount. Each titled in the negative, with applied paper label on lower margin of mount with imprint, "Centennial Photographic Co., International Exhibition, Philadelphia," dated 1876, William Notman identified as president.

Notman (1826-1891) was born in Scotland, but emigrated to Canada in 1856. He established a photography studio in Montreal, but then began training young artists and opening other studios, including seasonal operations in the US at Yale and Harvard to capture the students for posterity. He also regularly contributed to the Philadelphia Photographer, and with the journal's editor, Edward Wilson, formed the Centennial Photographic Company to document the American centennial exhibition in 1876.

A fine pair of photographs capturing the Main Building and surrounding buildings and exhibits erected for the first official World Fair held in the United States.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Prints overall very good.

Main Building from East End: wear to mount, including chipping and edge loss.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Fairs & Expositions
A group of 2 albumen photographs of the Main Building at the Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876.

Visions of America: The Stephen White Collection

Fairs & ExpositionsA group of 2 albumen photographs of the Main Building at the Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876.

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Fairs & Expositions
A group of 2 albumen photographs of the Main Building at the Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, 1876.