The Comic Natural History of the Human Race

A very interesting and amusing series of prints of Philadelphia's most well-known social figures and types in the mid-nineteenth century. Strong, recognizable faces perch comically atop animal bodies, each with a witty title designed to draw a chuckle. Originally issued in eight installments, thirty-nine plates were eventually printed to be bound into the complete collection of politicians and artists, businessmen and paupers.

Designed by Stephens with a sharp wit, the plates were printed by the Rosenthal brothers with considerable innovation. Trained in lithography while in Europe, Max, Louis, Simon, and Morris Rosenthal emigrated from Poland to the United States in the late 1840s, where they worked for famous Philadelphia printer/publisher P.S. Duval. Eventually establishing their own firm, the brothers are known in print history for developing chromolithography in the United States. In these prints, one can see the early expertise they employed in printing with color. All in all, these prints are a wonderful example of early chromolithography, and also have a wonderful whimsical appeal.

• "Old Shad and Young." "Shad" was a term for Protestant dissenters in Philadelphia, including Quakers and Mennonites. $85
• "C-Bass." Edward Seguin, opera singer. $85
• "Canvass Back." Abraham Woodside, painter. [Title trimmed] $85
• "Taylor Bird." Mary Cecilia Taylor, singer. $85
• "Catorn's Warbler." Kate Horn, singer. Illustrated above.NA

• "Humming Bird." Thomas B. Florence, politician. $85
• "Star Fish." Edwin Forrest, actor. NA
• "Woodpecker." William B. Gihon, wood engraver. NA
• "Sun Bird." James S. Wallace, publisher of the Daily Sun. NA
• "Catamaran. Speel's Owl." Charlotte Cushman (character actress and longtime manager of the Walnut Street Theatre) and Joseph A. Speel (bookbinder). $85

• "Night Hawk." $85
• "Rice's Crow." Thomas Dartmouth "Jump Jim Crow" Rice, performer. NA
• "Alms House Bird." $85
• "Same Old Coon." Henry Clay. $125
• "Widow Bird." $85

• "Driesbach's Lion. Black Tiger." Driesbach (lion tamer) and Thomas H. Rockwell (restaurateur). $85
• "Jolly Old Cock." John Swift, tavern sitter. Illustrated above. $85
• "Little Dear." NA
• "Milliner Bird." Minnie Doyle. $85
• "Butcher Birds." Bachelor and spinster. $85
• "Hum-Bug." Phineas T. Barnum. NA

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©The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd. Last updated April 25, 2011