Collection: Chromolithography

The 50 years following the Civil War have been called the period of "chromo civilization" in America. Millions of chromolithographs were made, and they became the customary decoration in most homes throughout the country --what print historian Peter Marzio calls "the core of American life." One of the great appeals of chromolithography was its low production costs, allowing thousands of bright, attractive colored prints to be sold inexpensively, bringing glimpses of grand art within reach of the masses. But chromolithography was much more than this. Through chromolithography, historical events were graphically depicted, American views were spread far and wide, and all aspects of American life were vividly documented. Alongside these pragmatic purposes, artists employed the process to create prints that very closely followed their artistic vision, and many chromolithographs, which were produced using heavy oil-based inks, closely duplicated the appearance of actual oil paintings.


715 Items
  • Unattributed “U.S. Navy - Lieutenant, Midshipman and Armed Seaman-1830.”
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  • Unattributed “Officers and Private of Marines-1830.” [Execution scene]
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  • Unattributed “Commander, Captain and Lieutenant of the Navy and Lieutenant and Staff Officer of Marines-1840”
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  • Unattributed “Sinking of the Alabama June 11th 1864”
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  • Unattributed “Naval Battle of Manila-May 1st, 1898.”
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  • Unattributed. “2nd Class Cruisers–1899.” [Boston; Olympia; Torpedo Boat, Cushing; Baltimore; Raleigh]
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  • Unattributed “Infantry Field Equipment – 1892”
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  • Ogden, H.A. “Uniforms, (7 Artillery, 3 Officers Figures)–1899.” [US Army]
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  • Ogden, H.A. “Uniforms, (10 Infantry Figures)–1899.” [US Army]
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  • Unattributed “Uniforms–1899.” [Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Summer Dress; Lieutenant of Marines Service; Captain of Marines Full Dress; Chief Engineer Undress; Rear Admiral Special Full Dress; Commodore Undress; Surgeon Undress.]
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  • Unattributed “Uniforms–1899.” [Lieutenant-Service (Shore Duty); Lieutenant Commander Overcoat; Captain-Full Dress; Commander-Service; Ensign-Service; Naval Cadet Full Dress.”]
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  • Unattributed “Uniforms–1899.” [US Marines]
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  • Unattributed “Uniforms–1899.” [US Navy]
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  • Unattributed “Monitor, Amphitrite, Atlanta, Columbia, Charleston, Minneapolis.”
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  • Ludlow “Belgian Canaries: Clear Yellow, Variegated Yellow, Clear Buff"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Black-Cap, White-Throat, Nightingale"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Black-Headed Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Yellow Bunting"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Blue Titmouse, Bearded Titmouse, Cole Titmouse, March Titmouse"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Chestnut Eared Finch or Australian Zebra Finch, (M&F), African Zebra Waxbill (M&F), Amaduve Finch (M&F), Three Coloured Finch or Nun"
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  • Ludlow “Cinnamon Canaries. Norwich Type"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Green Glossy Starling, Malabar Mynah, Purple-Headed Glossy Starling, Longtailed Glossy Starling"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Greenfinch, Mountain Finch, Hawfinch, Chaffinch"
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  • Rutledge, W. “King-Fisher, Yellow-Wagtail, Pied-Wagtail"
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  • Rutledge, W. “Linnet, Goldfinch, Bullfinch"
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