This colored print depicts a mission school at the American Baptist Missionary Union in Moulmein (now Mawlamyine), British Burma. This former colony became an independent republic in 1948. The ruling military leadership changed the British name for the country to Myanmar in 1988. The scene includes dormitories, teachers' residences, and classroom buildings. A variety of palm trees and shrubs are scattered about the grounds and along a central dirt path.
This print was created by Mrs. H.B. Mason(artist) and produced by Sarony & Major. Ellen Huntly Bullard Mason was the wife of the missionary clergyman Frances Mason (1799-1874). Mrs. Mason wrote and illustrated works about her missionary activities in Burma, including efforts aimed at Burmese women.
Napoleon Sarony (1821–1896) was born in Quebec and trained under several lithography firms, including Currier & Ives and H.R. Robinson. Sarony was also known for his successful experiments in early photography, and he eventually developed a cabinet-sized camera. In 1846, Sarony partnered with another former apprentice of Nathaniel Currier, Henry B. Major, and created Sarony & Major lithography firm. Joseph F. Knapp (1832-1891) joined the firm in 1857. Sarony, Major & Knapp earned a solid reputation for lithography, and the company was especially known for its fine art chromolithography. However, by the 1870s, the firm had shifted its focus to the more profitable area of advertising. It also expanded to become the conglomerate known as the American Lithographic Company, successfully producing calendars, advertising cards, and posters. In 1930 it was bought out by Consolidated Graphics.
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