The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-01-11
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ART IN
AMERICA.

The rapid strides of progressive civil
ization of the highest standard in Amer
lea, is the greatest of all astonishing
marvels in the old world. Young in
national existence-younge even in known
geographical existence as part Of the
globe-the progress that we have record
ed seems to the scientists and philoso-
pliers of the old world like fanciful
midsummer nights dream, or a fable
of widest Imagination.
A century since, art, science and
aeXalepmapptt 10 oil 1digsetoR Tare 2. Of the
all is by magic changed. Our artists
take rank with the first and foremost of
the old world; our scientists and poets
have made known their power, and the
mechanical arts have progressed more
rapidly than in any other country. And
to-day this wonderful development is
progressing with speed hitherto unknown,
producing results of the most momentous
Importance to all mankind.
1t is a fact that the state of civilization
in q country may be judged, to great
extent, by the status of its art develop
ment. The development of art in the
United States has certainly been phenom-
inal, 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 independ
enoe. But few years since nearly all
PICTURES of importance were imported,
but now our own artists supply nearly
all of the ever increasing demand for
great works of high art.
Great art publishing houses have come
into existence, capable of supplying any
demand that can be made for all descrip.
lions of pictures for galleries and home
adornment. 1t is an interesting and
noteworthy fact that the pictures demand
de of the art publishing 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 a few years since cost large sums of
money, may now be purchased for the
veriest trifie, and if the least Judgment
is brought to bear in the selection, works
of real merit may be had; or if the pur
chaser 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 Il Co., of Port
land, Maine, who sell, on an average, of
all descriptions, a million pictures q
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 in the world of large.
During the year 1879 they paid for
postage stamps over eighty seven thous-
and dollars. During the year 1880 they
paid for postage stamps over one hun
dred and twenty two thousand dollars,
while for the year 1881 their postage
bill amounted to over one hundred and
forty-four thousand dollars. Thus it
will be seen that Messrs. Stinson & Co.
pay the two hundred and fifteenth part
of all postage collected by the United
States Government, and it should be
remembered that we live in country
having nearly fifty thousand postoffices
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, Amer
lea comes in for the lions share. Messrs.
Stinson & Co. are not behind the times
IN properly understanding the great
power of the iudicious use of printers
ink, and, IN this connection, We wish to
state that in less than dozen years past
they have expended in newspaper
advertising over three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars.
Enterprise, industry and good judg-
ment will accomplish great things, and
in the success of this great art publishing
house we have forcible example OF that
fact, and Low they may, we feel sure,
fairly claim to stand at the head OF the