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A striking piece of mid-19th-century American printing history, the allegorical image depicts Columbia draped in the American flag, crowned with laurel and holding a sword, accompanied by an American eagle and shield. Behind her is a bust of Alois Senefelder, inventor of lithography, while an artist's palette, brushes, compass and rolls of paper appear below. A banner boldly proclaims “ENCOURAGE AMERICAN ARTS!”
The Library Company of Philadelphia identifies the image as an advertisement for Wagner & M'Guigan's Lithographic & Steam Power Printing Establishment, Athenian Building, Franklin Place, and records its publication in McElroy's Philadelphia Directory for 1856, published by Edward C. & John offerdle. Thomas Wagner and James M'Guigan operated their Philadelphia lithographic studio in partnership from 1846–1858.
The American Antiquarian Society also discusses this image as an example of mid-19th-century American lithography and patriotic imagery.Measures approximately 5.25 x 6.75 inches. Strong original color with general age toning and wear, including staining along the upper edge, minor corner/edge wear and evidence of previous mounting on the reverse. “1856” written in period/later manuscript on reverse.
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Member of the ESA Ephemera Society of America, SNEAB Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers, RMS Rathkamp Matchcover Society and LCSNA Lewis Carroll Society of North America
