The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-11-25

From the Boston Gommercial Bulletin. d
PICTURES FOR THE PEOPLE.
five should say that out In Roxbury
q 20 horsepower Corliss engine was
turning out oil paintings ut the rate OF
hundreds per day, the public would
think that modern Munchausen was
writing for the Bulletin; but when we
say that such an engine is turning out
pictures, 50 soft, so spirited and 80 accu-
rately reproduced, that the average OBJ
| server cannot distinguish them from
| oil paintings, we should be stating a
simple fact. In the last Aaantic Month
" Mr.. Parton gave long aud interest
| ing account of the art Of chrome litho-
graphy, derived from an inspection of
the works of Louis Prang 4 Co. Under
his graphic aud skilful handling chro-
mo-lithcgraphy was n1adc to assume its
proper rank as an art; and as such-as
novel and important development of
industrial: science, which this paper re-
CARDS as one of its peculiar fields, it
seems to demand more than casual
notice at our hands.
The works of Louis Prang 4 Co., of
Boston, are the largest of their kind in
the world, trebling in extent and facili-
ties the largest chrome establishment
in England. Whether chrome litho-
graphic painting be regarded as fine art
or as mere mechanical aptness and
! skin, as some critics will have it, the
possession of the principal studio or
workshop in the world is something to
boast of. And when it is remembered
that this great establishment running
Is printing presses, aud giving employ
ment to so hands, has grown up virtual
ly within six years, one experiences an
access of establishment and pride. If
chrome mo-lithography is not an art, it is
in one sense better, since 1t goes where
pure art cannot go, and does work in
popular aesthetic culture, which the lat
ter could never accomplish. -'"'
Six years of success -success 80 fplt
as to establish the merit of his work
beyond doubt, and tn assure market
for all the chrom.-lithograpLs he could
possibly produce, having supplied the
pecuniary wherewithal, Mr.. Prang pre-
ceeded to carry out long cherished
plan, in the erection of factory adapt
ed in all respects for his work, and
which should afford facilities for the
rapidly increasing demand for his pro-
ducts. This factory Was completed last
fall, and has now been in operation four
or five months. 1t stands in Roxbury,
(now part of Boston since its annexa-
tom near the station ~ tile Boston Il
Providence Railroad, main structure
of brick, so by "a feet, and three and
and All addition at each end, 80 by 20
feet, and three stories, with fiat roofs
and balustrades. A screw elevator runs
from basement to upper story, carrying
passengers or freight ~ desired. At
the left Of the main entrance is room
which contains the very foundation of
chromo-lithography-the stones from
which. covered with drawings, the
finished pictures are produced. These
stones all come from Bavaria, none hav-
ing been found elsewhere so we'll fitted
for this work. In this room the stones
are ground, polished and grained and
brought to that peculiar condition which
qualities them to receive the drawing of
the artist. Adjoining are the engine
and boiler rooms, where beautiful 20
horse power Corliss does its noiseless
task, and q huge boiler of 60 horse pow
er supplies steam for heating and pro-
pulsion. Thence the visitor passes to
the treasure house of the establishment,
a spacious, fire proof vault, where are
carefully stored many tons of stones,
from which chromos have been printed,
and which constitute the wealth Of the
firm, as stereotype plates are the wea lth
of publishers. ... ..s~. ..s.ts.
Stepping on board the elevator the
visitor is in a moment landed in the Sec
ond story, and finds himself between
two long rows Of presses, all giving out
pleasant clatter. The room is 100 feet
long and flooded with light. At tue
farther end is an apartment devoted to
the use of the foreman of the printing
room. Here he can sit and through the
glass partition watch the swift moving
presses and the busy fingersof the press
men, or turning, treat his eyes to
charming outlook oftrees and sky and
pleasant houses. A dozen or more
presses are driven by steam; others by
hand power. The process Of printing
seems to be the simplest thing in the
world, as one sees it here; merely the
adjustment of the stone OIL the press,
the laying on of a sheet of paper, the
turning of a crank and the removal of
the sheet. But this work requires an
apprenticeship Of years; slight mat
tention of printer may spoil Il stone
and the whole edition Of picture
aynr u S1trr s,,t ~