The Dickinson press., 1883-06-16
The Development Of Art in America.

the highest standard in America. is the greatest of
all astonishing marvrls in the old world. Young
in national cxist"uce-young even in known geo.
graphical existence as part of the glole--thc
progress that we have recorded seems to the sci
cntists and philosophers of the old world like
fanciful midsummer nights dream. or Il fable of
widest Imagination.
A century since. art, science and development
in all directions were of the most primitive order.
but now. as it were. all is by magic changed. Our
artists take rank with the first and foremost If
the old world: our scientists and poets have made
known their power. and the mechanical arts have
progressed more rapidly than in any other coun-
try. And to-day this wonderful development is
progressing with speed hitherto unknown. pro
ducing results of the most momcntous import
ance to all mankind.
1t it Il fact that the state of civilization in q
country may he Judged. to Il great extent. by H."
status of its art development. The development
of art in the United States has been phenomenal.
and while q few years since We We're far down the
scale. to-day we stand side by side With nations
that We're old ut the time of the declaration of our
independence. But a few years since nearly all
pictures of Importance were imported, but now
our own artists supply nearly all of the ever in
crrasing demand for great works of high art.
Great art publishing houses have come into OK
istcncr. capable of supplying any demand that
can be made for all descriptions of pictures for
galleries and home adornmcnt. Ii is All interest
ing and noteworthy fact that the pictures demand
ed of these art publishing houses. by the masses.
are generally superior 10 those found in the homes
of the masses abroad. Through the operations of
these art publishing houses. good pictures. that
but Il few years since cost large sums OF money,
may now be purchased for the vcriest triilc. and if
the least Judgment is brought 10 bear in The Sc
lection, works of real merit may be had; or if 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 he proper for lis to
mention the great art publishing linn of George
Stinson ~ Co.. of Portland. Maine. VIII" sell. on
All average, of all descriptions. a million pictures
u month. II Is believed that they pay for postage
stamps, not only more than any other firm in this
country. but more than any other house i'll the
world at large.
During The year 1879 they paid for postage
stamps over eighty-srvcn thousand dollars.
During the year 1880 they paid for postage
stamps over one hundred and twenty-five ,lous-
and 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
tIIls' ~ o.s liN VIZ 'Aii'liS sitih
tifticth part OF all postage collected by the Uni
ted States Government. and ii should be rcmrln-
bcred that we live i'll Il country havin. nearly
fifty thousand post offices and over ten tliuns-
and 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. Mcssrs StiEson & Co. are not behind the
times in properly understanding the great power
of the judicious Use of printers ink. and in this
connection. we wish 10 state that i'll less than a
dozen years past they have expended in ncwspa-
per advertising over three hundred and fifty thous-
and dollars.
Enterprise. indus,y and good Judgment will &c
complish great things. and III the success of this
great art publishing house we have Il forciblc en-
ample of that fact, an! RON they may. we feel
sure, fairly claim to stand at the head of the art
publishing business in this country.
We have lately received four elegant steel ell
cravings published by Mcssrs Stinson u Co.
All are very fine works of high art. and do credit
to the publishers. These cngravings are very
large, thirty by forty inches each; the original
paintings, and the steel plates. cost some thirty
three thousand dollars. The cngraNings are sold
at s $500 per copy. TO cnsruvc Il single plate OF
this size and description of workmanship. requires
the labor of Il most skillfull artist from one to two
years, and often longer. These elegant cngravings
ue entitled Sing Birdie. Sing" "Rcmcm'
brance,' 1.-THE Buthcr's Attendant and ''Th,
Garden Gate"
Ii is believed, and generally conceded, that
these c cravings make UP the finest and most Gle.
giant set of works of high art ever brought out by
American publishers. American homes should
be made beautiful by refined works of art. and
prices for really good ard mcritorious pictur"s
wall TO remain gloomy, nnadornod. and cherries
American homes should be made beautiful. and
the tendency of this will be to make more refined
/. and beautiful the lives of all jewellers therein.