This 1861 hand-colored political print by E.B. and E.C. Kellogg is one of a series of nine Civil War cartoons published by the Kellogg family that feature animals. It is filled with recognizable anti-secession symbolism and would have been posted at places of work or distributed in taverns. The print‘s subtitle, “The Union, it must and shall be preserved,” comes from an April 13, 1830 dinner toast by Andrew Jackson, in which he responded to tensions within his administration concerning states’ rights and the nullification movement.
In the illustration, an eagle sits on a nest made from a twisted American flag and holds a banner in its beak calling for “Annihilation to Traitors.” Each egg in the nest symbolizes one of the 34 states. While the Northern eggs are unblemished and clean, various predatory animals emerge from the cracked, rotten eggs representing the Southern states. Each is labeled with the names of outspoken state representatives. These include:
•An alligator from the Alabama egg labeled “Yancy” refers to Representative and radical “Fire-Eater” secessionist William Lowndes Yancy (1814-1863).
•A cow from the Arkansas egg labeled “Sebastian” refers to Senator and Confederate supporter William King Sebastian (1812-1865).
•A dog from the Florida egg is labeled “Mallory” and refers to Senator and Confederate Secretary of the Navy Stephen Russell Mallory (1812-1873).
•A donkey or ass from the Georgia egg, labeled “Toombs,” refers to Senator and early Confederate Treasurer Robert Augustus Toombs (1810-1885).
•The Louisiana egg, labeled “Beauregard,” refers to General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard (1818-1893).
•A donkey or ass for North Carolina labeled “Branch” refers to Representative and later Confederate Lawrence O’Bryan Branch (1820-1862).
•A rattlesnake, labeled “Pickens,” is held in the left talon of the eagle after slithering from the South Carolina egg. This refers to secessionist Governor Francis William Pickens (1805-1869).
•The Mississippi egg features a bear labeled “Jeff Davis.” He is grasped in the right talon of the eagle and is waving a flag containing three stripes and a circle of stars on a blue field. Beside him are papers labeled "Reputed/Bonds."
•A rat represents Texas and is labeled “Houston” for Sam Houston.
•A bear in the Virginia egg guards a group of African Americans. The animal is labeled “Lecher,” referring to Governor John Letcher (1813-1884).
Ironically, both John Letcher (Virginia) and Sam Houston (Texas) did not support their states’ secessions, although Letcher eventually cooperated with Confederates after the state's General Assembly voted to secede. Sam Houston, however, refused to take the oath of loyalty to the Confederacy and chose instead to resign from office. There are also three eggs representing the Border States – slave states that chose not to secede from the Union during the Civil War. Although these eggs have not yet hatched, they are beginning to crack. These are Kentucky, which is labeled "Addled,” Tennessee which is labeled "Rotten," and Maryland which is labeled "Bad Egg."
This piece was designed by the Hartford, Connecticut lithographic firm of E.B. & E.C. Kellogg. Edmund Burke Kellogg and Elijah Chapman Kellogg were younger brothers of the founder of the Kellogg lithography firm, Daniel Wright Kellogg. After Daniel Wright Kellogg moved west, his two brothers took over the family lithography firm in 1840 and changed the name to E.B. & E.C. Kellogg. They were responsible for the continued success of the family firm and involved in partnerships with Horace Thayer in 1845/1846, John Chenevard Comstock in 1848 and William Henry Bulkeley in 1867.
The print was published by George Whiting, who worked as the agent and distributor of the Kellogg brothers’ prints in New York from 1848 to 1860. In 1860, the Kelloggs closed their New York office and Whiting took over the firm, selling prints until his death two years later.
This black and white print depicts four rows of men facing four rows of women dancing inside a Shaker meeting room. Their arms are bent at waist height with hands extended as they advance towards each other and appear to be “shaking with fervor” and dancing, which was common with the group and how they got their nickname. They are all dressed simply and alike and are wearing caps, but the women on the end of each row have a small hand towel draped across their right forearms, perhaps to wipe their brows after the vigorous shakey dancing. The last row of men contains two African Americans and the people are of all shapes and sizes even if dressed alike. Cloaks and hats hang on pegs in the background. A women is seated in profile on a benchdepicted on the lower left. She appears to be wearing a cloak and large bonnet. On the lower right of the print is a bench holding a top hat and either a narrow cane or a rinding crop.
The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly known as the Shakers, was a Protestant sect founded in England in 1747. Ann Lee (1736-1784) was the founder and leader of the American Shakers. The Shakers practiced communal living, where all property was shared. Simplicity in dress, speech, and manner were encouraged, as was living in rural colonies away from the corrupting influences of the cities. At their height, between 1830 -1860, about 6,000 Shaker brothers and sisters lived in more than 20 communities in the Northeast, Ohio, and Kentucky.
This print is identical to an earlier print by Anthony Imbert (circa 1826-1836) titled Shakers Near Lebanon, New York State and was based on an image by John Warner Barber. This print was published by the lithographic firm of D. W. Kellogg and Company. A later copy was produced by Nathaniel Currier. Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874) founded the company in Hartford, Connecticut in 1830. Even before its first retail store opened in 1834, the D.W. Kellogg & Co. lithography firm was well established and popular in United States, particularly in the South and the Southwest. As the founding member of the family company, Daniel Wright Kellogg was responsible for the initial growth and popularity of the firm. After he left the company, it continued to flourish for decades under his younger brothers and other family members.
This colored print is an exterior scene depicting a man dressed in ragged clothes seated in a farmyard with four pigs that are eating. As the subtitle explains, “He would have filled his belly with the Husks that the swine did not eat.”
The parable of the Prodigal Son or the Lost Son is among the best-known Christian morality tales and is found in Luke 15:11-32. The youngest of the two sons demands his share of his father’s estate which the father gives him. Shortly after, he runs off and squanders the wealth “in wild living.” Finding himself destitute, he returns to his father, repents his ways, and begs to be allowed to serve as a hired servant. The father rejoices at the return of his son “who was lost and is found.” Meanwhile, the obedient, older son is angry and refuses to join the celebration. His father pleads with him to forgive and to understand his joy.
This print was produced by E.B. Kellogg and E.C. Kellogg and Kelloggs & Thayer after an engraving by Amos Doolittle. Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) and Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) were brothers of the founder of the Kellogg lithography firm, Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). After D.W. Kellogg moved west, his two brothers took over the family lithography firm in 1840 and changed the name to E.B. & E.C. Kellogg. The younger two of the four Kellogg brothers, they were responsible for the continued success of the family firm. These two brothers were also involved in the eventual partnerships between the company and Horace Thayer in 1845 or 1846, John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862) in 1848 and William Henry Bulkeley (1840-1902) in 1867. The print was produced by the lithography firm of Kelloggs & Thayer. Kelloggs and Thayer was the first partnership formed by Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) and Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) after they took over the family firm from their brother Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). Horace Thayer (1811-c. 1874) was a map dealer and in 1845 or 1846 the men opened a shop in New York. The partnership appears to have dissolved in 1847. In 1848, the Kellogg brothers formed a new partnership with John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862).
This colored print depicts the Prodigal Son on one knee pleading for his father’s forgiveness. There are two unidentified women looking on. They are in the lavish garden of the family estate, with the great country house pictured in the background.
The parable of the Prodigal Son or the Lost Son is among the best-known Christian morality tales and is found in Luke 15:11-32. The youngest of the two sons demands his share of his father’s estate which the father gives him. Shortly after, he runs off and squanders the wealth “in wild living.” Finding himself destitute, he returns to his father, repents his ways, and begs to be allowed to serve as a hired servant. The father rejoices at the return of his son “who was lost and is found.” Meanwhile, the obedient, older son is angry and refuses to join the celebration. His father pleads with him to forgive and to understand his joy.
This print was produced by E.B. Kellogg and E.C. Kellogg and Kelloggs & Thayer after an engraving by Amos Doolittle. Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) and Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) were brothers of the founder of the Kellogg lithography firm, Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). After D.W. Kellogg moved west, his two brothers took over the family lithography firm in 1840 and changed the name to E.B. & E.C. Kellogg. The younger two of the four Kellogg brothers, they were responsible for the continued success of the family firm. These two brothers were also involved in the eventual partnerships between the company and Horace Thayer in 1845 or 1846, John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862) in 1848 and William Henry Bulkeley (1840-1902) in 1867. The print was produced by the lithography firm of Kelloggs & Thayer. Kelloggs and Thayer was the first partnership formed by Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) and Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) after they took over the family firm from their brother Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). Horace Thayer (1811-c. 1874) was a map dealer and in 1845 or 1846 the men opened a shop in New York. The partnership appears to have dissolved in 1847. In 1848, the Kellogg brothers formed a new partnership with John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862).
This colored print is an interior scene depicting three men around a table in a well-appointed study. They are dressed in tightly tailored blue or brown frock coats with white shirts, ties and britches. One is standing and receiving money from his father. The other son is seated on a red chair and looks on disapprovingly.
The parable of the Prodigal Son or the Lost Son is among the best-known Christian morality tales and is found in Luke 15:11-32. The youngest of the two sons demands his share of his father’s estate which the father gives him. Shortly after, he runs off and squanders the wealth “in wild living”. Finding himself destitute, he returns to his father, repents his ways, and begs to be allowed to serve as a hired servant. The father rejoices at the return of his son “who was lost and is found.” Meanwhile, the obedient, older son is angry and refuses to join the celebration. His father pleads with him to forgive and to understand his joy.
This print was produced by E.B. Kellogg and E.C. Kellogg and Kelloggs & Thayer after an engraving by Amos Doolittle. Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) and Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) were brothers of the founder of the Kellogg lithography firm, Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). After D.W. Kellogg moved west, his two brothers took over the family lithography firm in 1840 and changed the name to E.B. & E.C. Kellogg. The younger two of the four Kellogg brothers, they were responsible for the continued success of the family firm. These two brothers were also involved in the eventual partnerships between the company and Horace Thayer in 1845 or 1846, John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862) in 1848 and William Henry Bulkeley (1840-1902) in 1867. The print was produced by the lithography firm of Kelloggs & Thayer. Kelloggs and Thayer was the first partnership formed by Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) and Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) after they took over the family firm from their brother Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). Horace Thayer (1811-c. 1874) was a map dealer and in 1845 or 1846 the men opened a shop in New York. The partnership appears to have dissolved in 1847. In 1848, the Kellogg brothers formed a new partnership with John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862).
This colored print is an interior scene depicting three men and three women gathered around a table drinking and carousing. The table holds fruit, wine bottles and glasses. One woman is pouring a drink on the head of a man, another woman is seated together with a man with their arms around each other. As the subtitle explains, “He wasted his Substance with Riotous living.”
The parable of the Prodigal Son or the Lost Son is among the best-known Christian morality tales and is found in Luke 15:11-32. The youngest of the two sons demands his share of his father’s estate which the father gives him. Shortly after, he runs off and squanders the wealth “in wild living.” Finding himself destitute, he returns to his father, repents his ways, and begs to be allowed to serve as a hired servant. The father rejoices at the return of his son “who was lost and is found.” Meanwhile, the obedient, older son is angry and refuses to join the celebration. His father pleads with him to forgive and to understand his joy.
This print was produced by E.B. Kellogg and E.C. Kellogg and Kelloggs & Thayer after an engraving by Amos Doolittle. Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) and Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) were brothers of the founder of the Kellogg lithography firm, Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). After D.W. Kellogg moved west, his two brothers took over the family lithography firm in 1840 and changed the name to E.B. & E.C. Kellogg. The younger two of the four Kellogg brothers, they were responsible for the continued success of the family firm. These two brothers were also involved in the eventual partnerships between the company and Horace Thayer in 1845 or 1846, John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862) in 1848 and William Henry Bulkeley (1840-1902) in 1867. The print was produced by the lithography firm of Kelloggs & Thayer. Kelloggs and Thayer was the first partnership formed by Elijah Chapman Kellogg (1811-1881) and Edmund Burke Kellogg (1809-1872) after they took over the family firm from their brother Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874). Horace Thayer (1811-c. 1874) was a map dealer and in 1845 or 1846 the men opened a shop in New York. The partnership appears to have dissolved in 1847. In 1848, the Kellogg brothers formed a new partnership with John Chenevard Comstock (1818-1862).
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This hand colored print is an interior scene of a family of five seated in the parlor. The father is seated on an ornate red upolstered sofa, his young son leaning against his knee holding a ball or piece of fruit, perhaps an apple. An infant sits in the mother's lap, while the eldest child, a daughter stands alongside the mother, entertaining the baby with her doll. The mother is seated in an upholstered red chair. Heavy drapes, a partial view of a landscape picture in a fancy frame, a patterned rug and foot pillow on floor complete this domestic scene. The couple gaze at each other and compositionally depict a balanced and equal family unit. This is one of several prints with the same title, depicting a contented family. These happy family scenes were meant to contrast with the restless, discontented bachelor prints.
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. 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.