Details
Title Bovell, Thomas W.
Date ca. 1831-February 11, 1893
Description Thomas W. Bovell, born ca. 1831 in Pennsylvania, was a lithographer active in Philadelphia and New York ca. 1853-1881. A former employee of P. S. Duval, Bovell established his own shop at 37 South Third Street in September 1853. In 1854, Bovell began to be listed in Philadelphia city directories and he exhibited colored lithographs (awarded Second Class premium) and a lithographic press at the Franklin Institute Exhibition of Manufacturers. By 1859, Bovell relocated to New York and partnered with lithographer William B. Dalston as Dalston & Bovell until 1860. In 1869, Bovell operated his own Philadelphia lithographic establishment again, first from 328 Chestnut (1869-1873), then 409 Chestnut Street (1874-1878), and finally 305 Chestnut Street (1879-ca. 1881)
In 1871, he was elected vice-president of the committee established to organize the centennial of the birthday of lithography inventor Alois Senefelder and he printed a chromolithograph of Fairmount for "Everybody's Journal." Bovell remained in lithography until ca. 1881, despite being reported by R.G. Dun & Co. as having "no credit or standing among the trade" in 1875.
Bovell lived predominately in Center City during his career in Philadelphia. In 1850, he lived with the Shaw family in the Pine Ward of Philadelphia; in 1860 at 323 Pine Street; in 1870 at 331 Lombard Street; and in 1880 at 305 South Third Street (Second Ward). Bovell never married (inferred from census information) and died on February 11, 1893 with his residence at 1931 North Twenty-Third Street in North Philadelphia. He was interred at Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Image of the establishment from the collections of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
References See Duval, P. S.
Has format LCP-Bovell-Newell-P-9057-244.jpg
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Census 1850, 1880
Groce & Wallace, 70
Last, 168
Pennsylvania, Vol. 135, p. 240, R.G. Dun & Co. Collection, microfilm, Hagley Museum & Library
Peters, 103
Philadelphia Business and City Directories, 1854-1880 (intermittently)
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 13, 1893
WWWAA, 398
Image file LCP-Bovell-Newell-P-9057-244