The Presidents of the United States

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Description: Portraits of the first twelve presidents of the United States are depicted in individual ovals. Zachary Taylor was president when the print was published, so his portrait is placed in the center. His image is surrounded by four American flags, a shield, laurel leaves, and an eagle directly above. In the background, at left and right, are two Corinthian columns. Liberty stands atop the right column, and Victory, atop the left.; Prints and book illustrations depicting bust portraits of American presidents were fairly common in the first half of the 19th century, and many similar prints were produced a year earlier for the presidential campaign to adorn public buildings and schools, and serve as handouts campaign handouts.; This print was produced by the lithographic firm of Kelloggs & Comstock. In 1848, John Chenevard Comstock developed a partnership with E.B. and E.C. Kellogg, whose principals were members of a prominent family of publishers based in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1850, Edmund Burke Kellogg left the firm, leaving his brother Elijah Chapman Kellogg and J.C. Comstock to run the lithography firm as Kellogg and Comstock. The short-lived partnership disbanded in 1851. It was not until 1855 that Edmund Burke Kellogg rejoined his brother E.C. Kellogg and continued the success of the family’s lithography firm.
Location: Currently not on view

distributor: Needham, D.
depicted: Washington, George; Adams, John; Jefferson, Thomas; Madison, James; Monroe, James; Adams, John Quincy; Jackson, Andrew; Van Buren, Martin; Harrison, William Henry; Tyler, John; Taylor, Zachary; Polk, James K.
maker: Kelloggs & Comstock

subject: Chronology: 1840-1849; Patriotism and Patriotic Symbols; U.S. National Government, executive branch; Flags; Eagles

See more items in: Cultural and Community Life: Domestic Life; Domestic Furnishings; Art; Peters Prints; NMAH Reception Suite

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