19th Century Architectual Wall Accent, Cast Solid Bronze

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Second bridge
The second Girard Avenue Bridge was built 1873-74, in anticipation of the 1876 Centennial Exposition that was to … Read more Second bridge
The second Girard Avenue Bridge was built 1873-74, in anticipation of the 1876 Centennial Exposition that was to be held in West Fairmount Park. It was designed by Clarke, Reeves & Company, Engineers, built by the Phoenix Bridge Company, and cost $1,404,445. When completed, it was believed to be the largest high bridge in the United States: 1000 feet (304.8 m) in length and 100 feet (30.5 m) in width.[2] It opened on July 4, 1874, three days after the Philadelphia Zoo.[3] In 1895, the trolley crossing it was electrified. The bridge was a five span iron Pratt truss bridge. This is a very rare piece of Philadelphia bridge architectural history, solid bronze casting as decor dressing to the bridge railing. After the disassemble of this bridge in 1974 these items where either scraped, given away or thrown to the river. I have left these in as is condition for your benefit as some may want it as subject to the weather, wind, rain and road salts. However you can view in photos, in which, on the reverse, I have polished a small section for you to see what could be. each photo has a slightly different light reflection of the cast bronze in a shiny state. These two photos came from a second element in which i have also posted. it was an easy 1-2minute hand polish. There was also a 2inch dent to the edge which i was able to straighten. It is 30lbs. 1/8 thickness cast bronze. See less