Dark Blue Library, Philadelphia 8.25" Luncheon Plate

Circa 1814-1830: Brothers John and William Ridgway manufactured over 20 attractive American architectural views in their successful dark blue Beauties of America Series with its immediately recognizable rose medallion border, and this view of the Philadelphia Library is an excellent example of the English firm's output of transferware produced for the American market. The library was an historically important building. In the 1790s, the building pictured on this plate was located on 5th Street and faced State House Square. The library had over 500 members and actually was used as the Library of Congress until our government's relocation to Washington DC in 1800. It is no wonder that the Ridgway brothers decided to use this landmark in their popular series, which helped to establish trade once again between Britain and the United States after the War of 1812. This view was only used on the cup plate and this 8.25" luncheon plate, which is in superb condition with no chips, chracks, or repairs and only expected minor shelf wear on the bottom.