1320 Walnut Street

The Rosenbach is located on the 2000 block of Delancey Place because that was the home of our founders, Philip and A.S.W. Rosenbach. But there are other locations around Philadelphia that were important to them as well, and probably none more so than 1320 Walnut Street. The brothers’ business, the Rosenbach Company, operated out of 1320 Walnut (later adding 1322 Walnut) for 40 years, from 1903-1943, before moving to 1618 Locust for its final decade.

The building that the Rosenbachs knew is gone and an IHOP stands in its place, but I thought I’d share some pictures of the store in its prime. These also give a sense of the variety and quantity of merchandise which the Company handled. All my descriptions come from notes penciled on the back of the photos, so if anyone has any further information on these I’d love to know.

This image is labelled “Entrance Hall/1320 Walnut.”
2006.2389. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia
This is the print room, which was in the “2nd floor middle.”
2006.2416. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia
 This image is also of the second floor.
Photograph by Marceau, Philadelphia. 2006.2403. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia
So is this room. Note the knights standing guard in the doorway at the right.
2006.2398. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

This image shows the “2nd Floor middle,” with the book room in the back.
2006.2402. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

Here is the book room–those readers who have taken a tour at the Rosenbach may recognize the Shakespeare houses perched on the bookshelves.
2006.2414. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

 

This room is apparently on the third floor. I love the chair in lower left front.
2006.2418. The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

These are only a selection of our photos–to see more, check out our online object catalog and search for 1320 Walnut.

And last, and definitely least, here’s the interior of the IHOP now on that location, as shown in a photo on Tripadvisor. I’m all in favor of pancakes, but the decor just can’t compare.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60795-d3566313-r164804704-IHOP-Philadelphia_Pennsylvania.html#photos
Photo by Roberto V:
“L’interno”
(Jun 2013).


Kathy Haas is the Associate Curator at The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia
and the primary poster at the Rosen-blog.