Buy this book on-line

Philip Fry & Co : "Philip Fry & Co., Art Repository" (Collection of Sixteen Lithographs of San Francisco and California Taken from the Photographer), Circa 1876

Janentzky & Co., Philadelphia, PA

Collection of sixteen original, black-and-white lithographs taken from the photographer. Each lithograph is circular in shape and mounted on a card made of stiff paper or cardboard in the shape of a chevron or pentagon. Gilt decorative borders line the lithograph and card. The lithographs show San Francisco and other California scenery and points of interest. Each lithograph measures 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" with the card. Each lithograph measures 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" by itself. Each lithograph is very clean and intact except for a few small smudges to the front, some age toning, slight rubbing (some of the gilt is affected), and darkening limited to the back, which may be glue residue. A Very Good collection. Each card comes with brief text describing the depicted subject. The subjects are "Grand Hotel," "Mammoth Trees, Calaveras Co.," "Safe Deposit Building," "Woodward's Gardens," "Bank of California," "View from California & Powell St.," "Golden Gate," "Merchants' Exchange," "U. S. Branch Mint," "View from Russian Hill," "Eagle Peak, Yosemite Valley," "Telegraph Hill," "Market Street," "Palace Hotel," "At the Cliff House," and "California Street." Tipped in on the back of one card is a green sticker that reads, "Sold wholesale by Janentzky & Co., Sole Agents, Philadelphia, PA." Tipped in on the back of another one of the cards is a green sticker which reads, "From Philip Fry & Co's Art Repository." Philip Fry & Company (also known as "Philip Frey & Company") was a printing company that made photographic souvenirs. An advertisement from the company's 1876 Centennial Exhibition viewbook (published in Philadelphia; NOT included) reads, "Sole first hand Manufacturers and well-known original Makers of 'Souvenirs' of the most frequented and interesting Countries and Cities of the World in a variety of objects, such as Albums, Medalions, Fans, Baskets, Roses etc. containing Illustrated Views in Photographic and Coloured Print." That same ad promotes Philip Fry's "New German Process rendering Photographs permanent." The "New German Process" is the Glaser-Frey lithographic process, which was invented by Louis Glaser of Liepzieg and Charles Frey of Frankfurt. Their lithographic process was innovative and relatively unknown in the United States at the time. The Glaser-Frey process entailed using multiple stones (possible five or more) to print sequential shades ranging between white, gray, and black. This process resulted in a monochromatic lithograph with a varnished sheen and a greater depth of field compared to traditional lithography. While not explicitly stated on any of the cards in this collection, it is possible the Glaser-Frey method was used in their production because each lithograph features a great sense of depth and perspective and a glossy sheen to the image. Lithographs depicting architecture, cities, and scenery, such as these, were popular in the late nineteenth century.. Ephemera. Book Condition: Collectible-Very Good. Binding: No Binding

Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints.