The Poquessing

The Poquessing

Editorial comment on this plate:

The City of Brotherly Love is located amid scenery of the most varied description: On one side the Wissahickon winds dreamily through the woodlands, with artistic “bits” at every turn; on the other hand stretch the pine forests of New Jersey. Here are unrolled the undulating meadow lands of Chester County, with quaint farm houses dotted here and there, and numerous shady country lanes leading townwards; and there to the left the broad heaving bosom of the Delaware presents an ever changing panorama to the photographer whose taste tends marinewards.
In the heart of the city, too, there are quiet nooks and corners within a stone’s throw of the busy avenues of trade, carrying the mind back to the old colonial days.
About twelve miles from Philadelphia, upon the New York Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is the little village of Torresdale, through the middle of which a small stream, known as the Poquessing Creek, winds its way to the river Delaware, which flows past the foot of the village. Although in summer the stream is merely a thread, wending its tortuous way alternately through woodland and meadow, yet, the upheaped brushwood along its seared, steep banks shows many an angry frown behind its present rippling laughter. In our many photographic rambles amid rural scenery around Philadelphia, none has appealed so strongly to the eye and heart as this little laughing streamlet. It is full of contrasts: Every turn brings photographic gems to view. Above, the stream widens, and the waters dance merrily between sunlit pebbles; below, it narrows, entering the woodland, and its laughter melts into a melancholy murmur. Stalwart oaks, graceful elms, and sombre pines line its banks and try to out-rival each other in their wealth of foliage, flinging their arms across the stream as though to catch their reflection deep below the surface of the placid water; while sunlight streaming through the quivering leaves makes light and shade play hide and seek.
The Poquessing abounds in “Turneresque” studies, and will well repay the visit of any brother or sister camerist.

 W.N. Jennings

engraved on mount below image within plate impression:

The Coquessing Creek (sic)
near Philadelphia, PA.

It may be inferred Jennings was the author of this photograph because he also supplied the text here for it, however the plate is unsigned.

Title
The Poquessing
Photographer
Journal
Country
Medium
Atelier
Year
Dimensions

Image Dimensions18.6 x 12.9 cm | published August 1, 1890 | issue No. 463

Support Dimensions28.7 x 20.5 cm