The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1882-11-29
The Devlopement of Art in America.

The rapid strides of progressive civilization
OF the highest standard in America, is the
greatest of all astonishing marvel in the old
world. Young in national existence-young
even in known geographical existence as q
part of the globe-the progress that we have
recorded seems to the scientist and philoso-
pliers of the old world like fanciful mid
summer nights dream, or fable of widest
Imagination.
A century since, art, science and develop
ment in all directions were of the most primi-
tive order, but now, as it were, all is by mag
ic changed. Our artists take rank with the
first and foremost of the old world; our sci
entists and poets haYe made known their
power, and the mechanical arts have pro-
gressed more rapidly than in any other coun-
try. And to-day this wonderful development
is progressing with speed hitherto unknown,
producing results of the most momentous
importance to all mankind.
1t is fact that the state of civilization In.
country may be Judged, to a great extent,
by the status of its art development. The
development of art in the United States has
certainly been phenomenal, and while few
years since we were far down the scale, to-day
we stand side by side with nations that were
old at the time of the declaration of our In
dependence. But q few years since nearly
but now our own artists supply the ever in
creasing demand for great works of high art.
Great art publishing houses have come into
existance, capable of supplying any demand
that can be made for all descriptions of pic
lures for galleries and home adornment 1t
Is an interesting and noteworthy fact that
the pictures demanded of these art publish
ing houses, by the masses, are generally
superior to those found in the homes Of the
masses abroad. Through the operations of
these art publishing houses, good pictures,
that but few years since cost large sums Of
money may now be purchased for the veriest
trifie, and il the least judgment is brought to
bear in the selection, works of real merit
may be had; or IL the purchaser has no taste
in such matters, all that is necessary Is for
him to be sure that he purchases the goods
| of a reliable house.
In this connection it may be proper for us
| to mention the great art publishing firm of
George Stinson d Co, Of Portland, Maine,
who SELL on an average, of all descriptions. q
million pictures month 1t Is believed that
| they pay for postage stamps, not only more
than any other firm in this country, but more
| than any other house at large.
During the year 1879 they paid for postage
| stamps over eighty seven thousand dollars.
During the year 1880 they paid for postage
stamps over one hundred and twenty-five
| thousand dollars, while for the year 1881 their
postage bill amounted to over one hundred
| foFty-lour thousand dollars. Thus it will be
seen that Messrs Stinson & Co. pay the two
| hundred and ffftieth part of all the postage
| collected by the United States Government,
and it should be remembered that we live in
a country having nearly fifty thousand post
| offices and over ten thousand newspapers
and periodical publications. While such
sums are paid for postage, the fact should
not be lost sight of that only the smaller
packages are sent by mail, all large orders
being sent by express and freight.
Their trade extends all over the civilized
world, though, of course, America comes in
for the lions share. Messrs. Stinson q Co.
are not behind the times in properly under
standing the great power OF the judicious
use of printers ink, and, in this connection,
| we wish to state that in less than dozen
years past they haye expended in newspaper
advertising over three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.
Enterprise, industry and good judgment
| will accomplish great things, and In the
success of this great art publishing house we
have forcible example OF that fact, and
now they may, we feel sure, fairly claim to
stand at the head OF the art publishing busi-
ness IN this country.
We have lately received four elegant steel
engravings, published by Messrs. Stinson &
Co. All are very fine works of high art, and
do credit to the publishers. These engravings
are very large, thirty by forty inches each;
the original paintings, and the steel plates
cost some thirty-three thousand dollars. The
engravings are sold at $500 per copy. To
engraye a single plate of this size and descrip-
ton of workmanship, requires the labor Of q
most skilfful artist from one to two years
and often longer. These elegant engravings
are entitled ''Sing Birdie, Sing" "Remem.
brance, ""The Bather's Attendant" and "The
Garden Gate"
1t is believed and generally conceded, that
these engravings make up the finest and
most elegant set of works OF high art ever
brought out by American publishers. Ameri-
can homes should be made beautiful by re-
fined works of art, and prices for really good
and meritorious pictures are now so low
that there can be no excuse for the walls to
remain gloomy, and cheerless. American
homes should be made beautiful, and the
tendency of this will be to make more refined
and beautiful the lives of all dwellers therein.