Item 39: A Lithograph entitled, “Coal Mine at Mauch Chunk,” by [Cephas Grier Childs and Richard H. Hobson], after an Aquatint by George Lehman (removed to Black Box #1), originally published [ca. 1829], [ca. 1837]
Item — Box: 21, Folder: 39
Dates
- Created: originally published [ca. 1829], [ca. 1837]
Creator
- Lehman, George, c. 1830-1870 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Aquatint
Condition Note:
Good
Measurements:
6 ¾ in. x 4 ⅝ in.
Title:
Coal Mine at Mauch Chunk
Description:
An aquatint exhibiting coal miners at Mauch Chunk. A bridge can be seen in the distance as well as the Pocono Mountain Range. This piece was originally created by George Lehman, but later copied by an unknown artist. Referred to as the “Switzerland of America,” Mauch Chunk was known for its mountainous scenic views along the line of the Switchback Railroad and Lehigh Valley Railroad. It is still attracting tourists to see the beautiful, mountainous views. Now referred to as Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania since 1954, Mauch Chunk is located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. It is known for the burial site of the Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe. It is settled in the Pocono Mountains about 29 miles northwest of Allentown.
According to Valley Views of Northeastern Pennsylvania, by Gilbert S. McClintock, this aquatint was “published by C. G. Childs and R. H. Hobson, Philadelphia. Made about 1829 the view is of the early open pit mining at Summit Hill, from where the coal was taken by chutes to the Lehigh River, as shown in Plate 61 and 66. One of the earliest and rarest of anthracite mining prints. The same drawing was also lithographed by Lehman in smaller size (4 by 6 ¾ inches).” This specific print was made by an unknown artist, but was originally illustrated and aquatinted by George Lehman and produced by Cephas Crier Cilds and Richard H. Hobson. George Lehman, born in c. 1803 in Switzerland, was a lithographer, engraver, aquatintist, and “ornamental painter,” in Philadelphia around 1825-1870. After immigrating to the United States as a “printer,” he arrived at the port of New York on the ship named “Howard” on June 11, 1824. Lehman was also a skillful landscape painter, and exhibited views of not only Switzerland, but Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts by 1825. He had also served as the assistant to John James Audubon when he visited Florida from 1831-1832. Lehman eventually partnered with Childs & Lehman from 1833-1834 and later with a French lithographer, P. S. Duval, where they operated Lehman & Duval from 7 Bank Alley from 1835-1837. Born on September 8, 1793 in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Cephas Grier Childs was one of the foremost engravers from Philadelphia. He managed early commercial lithograph firms and created many partnerships including: Pendleton, Kearny & Childs (1829-1830), Childs & Inman (1830-1833), and Childs & Lehman (1833-1835). With his skilled artists and lithographers like Albert Newsam, P. S. Duval and Henry Inman, Childs constructed a growth of popularity for the lithograph medium in Philadelphia. Richard H. Hobson was born in England during the 1780s and during the antebellum-era, a Philadelphia fancy, stationary, and print store proprietor.
The Oxford English Dictionary notes that the “fecit” label following George Leham’s name means “he/she made it,” bestowing credit on Leham as the original artist of the image rendered.
The Oxford English Dictionary notes that the “fecit” label following George Leham’s name means “he/she made it,” bestowing credit on Leham as the original artist of the image rendered.
Location:
Mauch Chunk, Jim Thorpe, printed in Philadelphia
Transcription:
On Stone Geo[rge]Leham Fecit [he]she made]
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu