Historical Materials: Lithography

"Our readers will please note in passing Procter Brothers store, 123 Front St., the fine View of Gloucester, which our distinguished fellow-citizen, F.H. LANE, Esq., has recently sketched from nature and imparted to the canvass. We understand that if a sufficient number of subscribers can be obtained, it will be lithographed, thus making a beautiful picture for the parlor of our residents, as well as an appropriate gift for our wandering Cape Ann natives, who can see the place as it now is. Persons who wish to subscribe will please leave their names with the publishers, Procter Brothers."

"We would respectfully call the attention of our citizens to a new lithographic view of Gloucester, from a painting by Lane. It will be found to present a faithful and accurate picture of the town and is well executed, and worthy a place in every man's house, who has a desire to possess a view of the town of his nativity or residence. To our native born townsmen, now residing in other places, it must prove a very welcome possession. The price of the lithograph is $2.25. To those wishing to subscribe $2.75, in addition to the lithographic view, an opportunity will be afforded to draw as prizes, (provided a sufficient number of subscribers are obtained,) the following pictures, executed by Mr. Lane:

1. The original painting, from which the lithograph was taken.

2. Winter scene, cutting vessels out of the ice.

3. View of a large boulder.

4. Moonlight scene.

5. Landscape.

These pictures will shortly be on exhibition at the store of Procter Brothers, where the lithographic view may now be seen.

Few marine artists are equal to Mr. Lane in correctness and fulness of detail. His ships look like ships, and seem almost to be in motion, for they are drawn by one who knows every rope and line, both nautically and artistically. His reputation and established, and his pictures adorn the residences of many admirers in distant cities, where his productions are estimated according to there true value. We hope that his fellow citizens will appreciate the feeling which has prompted him to publish this new view of Gloucester, and by their patronage will reward him pecuniarily, as he deserves.

The pictures offered as prizes are fine and faithful sketches of well-known localities, and need only to be seen to be appreciated. – Due notice will be given when they are ready for exhibition, and further particulars, in reference to the method proposed for disposing of them, will be announced."

This clipping has three separate sections on Lane:

"There are on exhibition at Procter Brothers two views of Gloucester, from sketches by Lane, one taken in 1840 and the other in 1858. A vivid idea of the change which has taken place in our town within twenty years, may be gained by an inspection of these pictures. Call in and see them. . . .

Every one who has any idea of subscribing for 'Lane's new View of Gloucester,' should not fail to do so immediately, as we learn from the publishers that the first edition is nearly all disposed of, and the subscription book will be closed the last of March. . . .

Call in at Procter Brothers, and see how they original painting of Lane's new View of Gloucester is improved by the handsome gilt frame in which it has been placed. Here is a PRIZE for somebody. Who is the lucky man?"