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John Bowen Indian Folio Prints (12) [179307]

Currency:USD Category:Art / General - Prints/Reproductions Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
John Bowen Indian Folio Prints (12)  [179307]
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This is a collection of 12 of 56 works by John T. Bowen that are part of the Smithsonian Art Collection. These very colorful prints (12"x 18"), show not only various Chiefs, but members of tribes who are not in leadership roles. Bowen was born circa 1801 in England. Early accounts of his life are scarce, but it is known that he emmigrated to the U.S. in 1834, working as a colorist and lithographer in New York before relocating to Philadelphia four years later to work on Thomas McKenney's History of the Indian Tribes. He purchased the print shop Wild & Chevelier on Wlanut Street and soon established himself as the preeminent lithographer and hand-colorist of Philadelphia. In addition to the McKenney collaboration, he published several folios and books including Views of Philadelphia, Audubon's Quadrupeds and Birds of America, and Log Cabin Politicians, as well as maps and atlases. He lived in Philadelphia with his wife and fellow artist, Lavinia, until his death around 1856. Lavinia would carry on her husband's lithography business for some time. F. W. Greenough served as publisher of the McKenny and Hall History of the Indian Tribes of North America with lithographs by John T. Bowen beginning ca. 1838. Greenough replaced E. C. Biddle and pledged on the reissue of Part 8 of the series, the daily increase of the subscription list enables him to say that, instead of allowing the work to decline in merit, as is frequently the case with similar undertakings, additional efforts will be made, without regard to expense, to render it yet more worthy of favor. Under Greenough, Bowen produced new, redrawn stones for most of the prints already published, as well as thirty-six new images until 1841 when Greenough declared bankruptcy and was forced to withdraw as publisher. Greenough was possibly the F. W. Greenough listed as a merchant at 8 South Front Street in the 1837 Philadelphia City Directory. There are some small tears, but in general, these are in very nice condition. Please see photos for more details.