Details
Title Lehman, George
Date ca. 1803-1870
Description George Lehman, partner in Childs & Lehman, born ca. 1803 in Switzerland, was a lithographer, engraver, "ornamental painter," and aquatintist in Philadelphia ca. 1825-ca. 1870. Lehman immigrated to the United States as a "printer," arriving aboard the ship "Howard" at the port of New York with his parents and siblings, including a number in the stonecutting trade, on June 11, 1824. Not only a printer, but also a talented landscapist, he exhibited views of Pennsylvania and Switzerland at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts by 1825 and served as John James Audubon's assistant on a trip to Florida 1831-1832. Between 1833 and 1834 Lehman partnered in Childs & Lehman, and subsequently with French lithographer P. S. Duval to operate Lehman & Duval from 7 Bank Alley 1835-1837.
Although a partner in Childs & Lehman 1833-1834, Lehman's professional affiliation with Childs preceded this affiliation, and he delineated works printed by Childs as early as 1827. As Childs & Lehman (43-45 Walnut Street), the firm predominately created lithographs of public landmarks in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, including views of "Eastern Penitentiary," "Fairmount Waterworks," "Philadelphia Arcade," and "Coal Mine at Maunch Chunk."
At the end of 1834, Lehman & Duval was established when P. S. Duval purchased Childs' share of the business for $750. Relocated to 7 Bank Alley, the establishment printed portraits, maps, sheet music illustrations, advertisements, certificates, views of public buildings and book illustrations. The firm also retained the noted lithographic artists Albert Newsam and James Queen, the latter serving a four-and-a-half year apprenticeship with the firm. In 1837, Lehman left the partnership, but continued to delineate work for his former partner, such as "Wyoming Monument" announced in a "North American" advertisement in 1842. He was also most likely the George W. Lehman listed in the 1855 city directory as a burnisher at Duval's establishment at 5 Ranstead Place.
Lehman remained as a lithographer in Philadelphia until at least the mid-1840s, working from several locations, including 186 North Sixth Street (1841), 137 North Sixth Street (1843), and the rear of 40 St. John Street (1844). He purportedly died in Philadelphia in 1870.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
References See Childs & Lehman, Lehman & Duval, Newsam, Albert and Queen, James.
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Carey, "American Lithography" (PhD. diss., 1954), 330-337
Groce & Wallace, 391
Library Company of Philadelphia research file
North American, June 7, 1842
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
Peters, 263-264
Philadelphia Business & City Directories, 1830-1855 (intermittently)
WWWAA, 1987