Biography:

HSP holds two photograph albums of important Philadelphia men taken by W. Curtis Taylor and Company. "The Artist and Publisher of this work presents it as a tribute to his native city, her principal Libraries kindly acting as custodians. The prupose has been to preserve, from the Artist's own negatives, approved photographs of Philadelphians worthily representing the Industry, Enterprise, and Intellect of the City in the nation's Centennial Year. With one exception all these portraits are from life, and nearly all from sittings accorded for the express purpose. The blank pages annexed are designed for biographical sketches, when such records become appropriate. Since no portrait album of these dimensions could be made to emberace all who are entitled to the recognition above named, the undersigned, in conjunction with his present partner, Mr. S. Broadbent, has resolved to respond to the interest shown in their productions by the preparation of further volumes of this character. --William Curtis Taylor, of Broadbent & Taylor, No. 914 Chesntut Street."