Details
Title Wagner, Thomas S.
Alternate title Wagner & McGuigan
Pinkerton, Wagner & McGuigan
Date 1813 or 1814- December 11, 1863
Description Thomas S. Wagner, engraver and lithographer, born in Pennsylvania in 1813 or 1814, was a partner in Wagner & McGuigan, one of the premier and most prolific lithographic establishments of the mid 19th century.
Active as a lithographer from 1840, Wagner pursued publishing early in his career. In 1841, while employed by premier lithographer P. S. Duval. he established the illustrated periodical "The U.S. Ecclesiastical Portrait Gallery." Printed from Duval's studio at 7 Bank Alley, the periodical illustrated with the work of acclaimed portraitist Albert Newsam, survived for only about a year.
Wagner continued at the studio of Duval until 1844 when he partnered with Edward Pinkerton, and James McGuigan (1818/19-1874) in Pinkerton, Wagner & McGuigan. Following the departure of Pinkerton ca. 1845, Wagner partnered with McGuigan until ca. 1859 at 4 Franklin Place. The firm was prolific in the production of advertisements and an innovator in chromolithography and steamed powered lithographic printing.
In 1857, a fire destroyed the building of the firm and the partnership of Wagner & McGuigan dissolved by 1859. Wagner then continued in the trade as sole proprietor of a firm executing "Lithography in all its branches," including printing in colors. He was also one of the few publishers of wooden lithographic puzzles and received a number of commissions from the federal government. Consequently in 1859, he acted as a prime witness in the congressional investigation of the Superintendent of Printing. He also manufactured lamp shades as noted in an 1864 city directory listing.
Despite professional success, Wagner's personal life was purportedly marred by alcoholism. His 1847 endorsement as a member of "high standing in society" for the patent medicine "Dr.Cullen's Indian Vegetable Panacea" lends credence and the possible start of these troubles, which led to Wagner's death from diabetes on December 11, 1863 while a resident at 1239 North Second Street (Ward 17). At his death, his professional estate, as appraised by colleagues Louis N. Rosenthal and John Harvey, was valued at $3817.50 (about $67, 500 in 2008 dollars). It included 7 large presses, 15 small presses, 20 ink slabs, 12,500 lbs of stone above 26 inches in width ($1250), 8100 lbs of stone 16-26 inches, and 3800 lbs of stones less than 16 inches. His personal estate was valued at $4411.
Married to Ellen by 1850, Wagner resided at multiple locations in Center City and Old City, before settling in Northern Liberties by the mid 1850s. By 1860, he had married second wife Annie and he had at least two children a daughter Ellen (b. ca. 1843), a stepson George Harold Theis, and possibly a son A.G., who may have been active in the trade with his father.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
References See Duval, P. S.; Newsam, Albert; Pinkerton, Wagner & McGuigan; Rosenthal, L. N.; and Wagner & McGuigan.
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Census 1850, 1860
Groce & Wallace, 653
Last, 156
Library Company of Philadelphia research file
WWWAA, 3435
Year 1863, Will 51, Vol. 436, Register of Wills, City Hall, Philadelphia