Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

The Conflagration of the Masonic Hall, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
1819
J. Hill; S. Kennedy; S. S. West; W. Barber; S. Jones; I. L. Krimmell
USA: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Aquatint on paper mounted on board
sheet: 27-1/4"h x 20"w; mat: 34"h x 26"w; board: 28-1/2"h x 23-1/4"w
Special Acquisitions Fund
79.42.2

The Conflagration of the Masonic Hall, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia aquatint; scene shows Masonic Hall in background in flames; firemen, pumper, and spectators in foreground, including men, women, children, and a dog running; fire captain, l.r. directing people; reads on bottom "Painted by S. Jones -- the Figures by I. L. Krimmell/ Engraved by J.Hill/ Copy right secured/ The Conflagration of the Masonic Hall Chestnut Street Philadelphia./ which occurred on the Night of the 9th of March 1819./ This plate is respectfully dedicated to the active and much esteemed FireEngine and Hose Companies by their Obedt Servts/ S. [J?] Kennedy and S. S. West/ Published June 1819 by S. Kennedy and S. S. West No. 72 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia./ Printed by W. Barber."; after the paintings by Samuel Jones and John Lewis Krimmell. Pencil notes along bottom edge (from subsequent dealer?).

For additional information, see blog post, May 10, 2011 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2011/05/the-conflagration-of-the-pennsylvania-masonic-hall-in-1819.html AND Hamilton, John D., "Material Culture of American Freemasons," 1994, p. 25.