Platter

This black and white transfer-printed earthenware platter made by the Staffordshire firm of William Ridgway & Co. features a view of the Columbia Bridge on the Susquehanna River in Columbia, Pennsylvania. During the eighteenth century Columbia had been a candidate for the nation’s capitol and served as eastern Pennsylvania's main frontier post. It was also the site of Wright's Ferry, which began service in 1730 and was the most famous ferry west of Philadelphia and New York. The Columbia Bridge was built in 1812 to lighten traffic on the ferry and thus ensure that the town remained an important trade center. At the time, it was the longest bridge in America. Ridgway's view of the bridge was based on a drawing by English artist William Henry Bartlett (1809–1854) engraved by English engraver George K. Richardson (active ca. 1836–1891) and reproduced as "Columbia Bridge (on the Susquehanna)" in Nathaniel Parker Willis' "American Scenery" (London, 1840). Ridgway included the view in its "American Scenery" series of approximately sixteen views manufactured for the United States export market. The American Wing's collection contains additional pieces by Ridgway, as well as original works by Bartlett. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Ridgway.