Colton Philadelphia Advertisements

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Prints from George W. Colton's Colton's Atlas of America. New York: J.H. Colton and Company. [and] London: Trübner and Company, 1856. Copyright reads 1855. All in very good condition, except as noted.

In 1856, J.H. Colton & Co. issued a Philadelphia commercial edition of its Atlas of America, on the cover of which was stamped "Colton's Atlas with Business Cards of the Prominent Houses in Philadelphia. Commercial Edition." This was an atlas in which the Colton firm sold different size advertisements to be placed within the atlas, so that among the fine maps of North and South America which appeared in all their atlases, this version included numerous advertisements for Philadelphia firms. Most of these were single page advertisements with wood engraved illustrations, though a firm could pay more and get a single page "business card" illustrated in lithography or chromolithography, and some few larger businesses even purchased bigger, double page illustrations of their businesses. These are amongst the most interesting, decorative and rare trade ads of the period. These have become a rare and prized part of the history of Philadelphia prints. In the introduction to the atlas, the firm states that this edition of the atlas will be limited to one thousand copies, "and distributed gratuitously, for the interest of the advertisers therein, to leading Hotels and Steamers, throughout the country."

Double page, lithographed advertisements:

• E. Beaulieu. "Bridesburg Machine Works." 18 1/2 x 29 7/8. Tinted lithograph. Printed by Herline & Co. Prints of Philadelphia: 185; Wainwright: 33. Includes a bustling picture of the Alfred Jenks & Son machine works, the largest factory in Bridesburg. Around the image are examples of some of the machines produced at this factory. $1,200

  
  

• William H. Rease. "Cornelius & Baker, 181 Cherry Street Philadelphia." 18 1/2 x 27. Tinted lithograph. Printed by Wagner & McGuigan. With some wear in bottom margin; expertly conserved. Prints of Philadelphia: 186; Wainwright: 88. A colorful image of one of the two factories for Cornelius & Baker, manufacturer of lamps, chandeliers, gas fixtures, etc. Interestingly, the two Cornelius & Baker factories, located two miles apart, were connected by a private telegraph line, only the third such line in the country. $1,200

  
  

• William H. Rease. "Cornelius & Baker. Columbia Avenue and 5th Street." 18 1/2 x 26 1/2. Tinted lithograph. Printed by Wagner & McGuigan. Wainwright: 87. A colorful lithograph of the other Cornelius & Baker factory. A Germantown Road public carriage and other street traffic is seen passing by this large building on Columbia and 5th. $1,200

  
  

• William H. Rease. "Harrison & Newhall." 18 1/2 x 30 1/4. Lithograph. Printed by Wagner & McGuigan. Wainwright: 167. A busy scene of Harrison & Newhall's sugar refinery, located at the corner of Race and Crown Streets. Workers load barrels of sugar onto carts, while pedestrians, riders, and carriages parade past the factory, and a street merchant strolls by balancing his merchandise on his head. $1,150

  
  

• William H. Rease. "Joseph Ripka's Mills. Manayunk 21st. Ward." 18 1/2 x 30. Lithograph printed by Wagner & McGuigan. Prints of Philadelphia: 188; Wainwright: 211. A superb view of Manayunk, focusing on the Ripka Mills along the Schuylkill. Joseph Ripka, "Manufacturer of all descriptions of Plain & Fancy Cottonades For Men & Boy's Clothing," had set up his mills in Manayunk in 1831 and by the time of this print he was the largest cotton manufacturer in the United States. On top of the ridge behind the mills is the shown the then small community of Roxborough. $1,750

  
  

• "Washington Mills Gloucester N.J. near Philadelphia." 16 1/4 x 24 3/4. Lithograph by P.S. Duval & Co. A scene of the Washington Mills in Gloucester, NJ, from the middle of the Delaware River, which is shown brimming with vessels of all sorts. Below the view is a text advertisement for David S. Brown & Co., cloth merchants for Washington Mills and other manufacturers. $750

Single page lithographed advertisements:

• William H. Rease. "Keystone Marble Works. S.F. Jacoby & Co." 18 3/4 x 16. Lithograph by Herline & Co. Repaired tear in upper left margin. At the top is an exterior image of S.F. Jacoby & Co.'s marble works, located on Market Street between 20th and 21st. Below are four interior views of the saw room, the cutting room, the polishing room, and the show room. This business made fireplaces, fountains, stairs, lintels, and many other architectural features. The pictures are framed by fancy motifs that could have also been carved in marble. $425

• "R. & G.A. Wright. Manufacturers of the Celebrated Gold Medal Perfumery." 15 x 17 3/4. Tinted lithograph. With considerable wear and tears at edges; expertly conserved. A lovely image advertising this perfumery "and importers of French, English & German Druggists & Fancy Articles." The text is surrounded by an elaborate cartouche, with symbols of trade, America, transportation, and the "celebrated gold medal" the firm was awarded in 1849. $400

• A. Hawley & Co. Perfumers and Chemists, No. 39 North Forth Street, Above Arch, Philadelphia." 16 x 13 1/4. Chromolithograph by Herline & Co.. A colorful, decorative border surrounds the advertising text. $850

• A. Kollner. "John T. Hammitt, No 111 South 3d. Street Above Spruce, Philadelphia. Bank Office and Counting House Furniture." Drawn, lithographed and printed by A. Kollner. 17 1/2 x 13 1/2. Includes a scene of travelers relaxing in the firm's "improved night & day car seats" for use on rail cars. $175

Single page wood engravings.

• "William R. Horstmann & Sons, Manufacturers and Importers, 233 Chestnut Street." A manufacturer of military goods and dress trimmings. Includes a view of the factory at Fifth and Cherry Streets. Backed with a Colton map of Pennsylvania. $145

• "Colbert's Envelope Manufactory and Printing Office, 55 South Fourth Street, opposite Library between Chestnut and Walnut." Lettering printed in color. With an elaborate view of the store front. $175

• "Grover & Baker's Patent Sewing Machines. No 161 Chestnut Street Philadelphia." With images of various kinds of sewing machines. $150

• "Evans, Card, Job and Fancy Printing, Fourth Street below Chestnut." With view of the store front, on Fourth Street south of Chestnut, and a vignette of their printing machinery. $150

• "A. Reed Builder's Steam Mill." With images of wood working machines for windows, doors, molding, etc. Backed by Colton map of Michigan. $165

• "Henry B. Ashmead, Book, Newspaper and Job Printer, George Street, between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets." Type printed in color. With a small view of the store front. Some light off-setting. $125

• "Sanson & Farrand, Builders' Foundry Willow Street above Twelfth." With images of cast iron columns, cornices, brackets, etc. $125

• "Stull's Patent Stereoscope and Self-Angling Camera. Stull's Circular Saw Mill." With image of advertised camera. Backed with Colton map of South Carolina. $175

• "Cresson, Stuart & Peterson Spring Garden Stove and Hollow-Ware Foundry, Willow Street Rail Road above 13th, Philadelphia." With images of cook ware. $125

• "Thomas White & Co. Manufacturers and Wholesale Dealers in Straw Goods." No. 41 South Second Street, Philadelphia." Includes a three-quarters size vignette of the store with a delightful busy street scene. With spots in margins. $175

• "Great National Mail Route between the East and the West." With map showing the mail routes from New York to St. Louis, and including a listing of various railroad lines $125

• "Great Central Mail Route between the East and the West." With a map showing the route of the Pennsylvania Railroad from New York and Philadelphia to St. Louis. $125

• "Carhart's Patent Melodeons. 97,99 and 101 East 23d Street, New York." With images of musical instruments with interior and exterior views of the factory. $150

• "Boardman, Gray & Co. Dolce Campana Attachment Piano Forte Manufacturers, Albany, NY." With images of instruments and an exterior factory view. $150

• "Philadelphia Warming & Ventilating Ware House, Arnold & Wilson. 146 Walnut Street, Philadelphia." With images of furnaces and mantels. With light off-setting. $125

• "Thomas M. Cash's Philadelphia Railway Agency and General Supply Depot of all Articles Required by Railroad Companies. Nos. 12 and 14 Walnut Street, Philadelphia." A listing of goods with prices. $75

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