Pendleton's Lithography facts for kids

"Published at Pendleton's, in Graphic Court, Boston", c. 1820s. Graphic Court was located near Washington St. and Franklin St.

Pendleton's Lithography was a special print shop in Boston, Massachusetts. It was started by two brothers, William and John Pendleton, in the 1800s. They made many different kinds of pictures using a printing method called lithography.

Even though their shop was open for only about 11 years (from 1825 to 1836), they created a lot of art. They printed pictures of people, beautiful landscapes, and even covers for sheet music. Their prints were known for having lots of details.

The Story of Pendleton's Lithography

The Pendleton brothers, William and John, came from New York. Before starting their own business, they worked with famous artists like Charles Willson Peale and Rembrandt Peale in Philadelphia. When William first arrived in Boston, he worked as an engraver.

Starting the Print Shop

The brothers opened their own shop in 1825. William got some lithography supplies from a merchant. This merchant didn't know how to use them. William talked to his brother John, who was in Europe at the time. When John came back, he brought more supplies. He also brought skilled workers who knew how to use the lithography process. The Pendletons became the first to bring this art to Boston.

Artists Who Worked There

Many talented artists worked for the Pendletons. Some well-known names include:

• Fitz Henry Lane
• John H. Bufford
• Nathaniel Currier
• William Rimmer

Several women artists also worked with them. These included Mary Jane Derby, Eliza Ann Farrar, and Margaret Snow. Margaret Snow later married William S. Pendleton.

Winning Awards and Praise

In 1826, the brothers won a silver medal. They received it for having the best example of lithography. This award came from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Their work was also very popular with the public. For example, in 1832, they printed a picture of President Andrew Jackson. A newspaper said it was "finely executed." It also noted that they had "never seen any lithography equal to it."

Where the Shop Was Located

The Pendleton's shop moved to a few different places in Boston:

• Harvard Place (1825-1826)
• Graphic Court (1826 - around 1832)
• Washington Street (around 1836)

The End of Pendleton's Lithography

In 1828, John Pendleton left Boston. William continued the business until July 1836. At that time, he sold the shop to his bookkeeper, Thomas Moore. Even after William left, the business kept going with the same staff and methods. It was like the Pendleton shop, but with a new name. This continued until 1840. Then, Thomas Moore sold it to another company.

Images for kids

Works printed by Pendleton's Lithography

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  Portrait of James Madison, c. 1828

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  Portrait of John Adams, c. 1828

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  Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, c. 1828

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  Portrait of John Sheridan

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  "Evening Dress, Walking Dress", c. 1820s (courtesy New York Public Library)

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  Gloucester, Mass.; drawing by F.H. Lane, 1836

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  "Tiger Quick Step: ... dedicated to Capt. E. Weston and the ... Boston Light Infantry: performed for the first time ... by the Boston Brigade Band; composed by T. Comer", 1834

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  Mt. Aetna, from Bigelow's Travels in Malta, 1831

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  Portrait of Robert Benjamin Lewis by Benjamin F. Nutting, c. 1830