Title |
Rease, W. H. (William H.) |
Date |
ca. 1818 - April 26, 1893 |
Description |
William H. Rease, born in Pennsylvania ca. 1818, was the most prolific lithographer of advertising prints in Philadelphia
during the 1840s and 1850s. Rease became active in the trade ca. 1844, and through the 1850s he predominately worked with
printers Frederick Kuhl and Wagner & McGuigan in the production of advertising prints known for their portrayals of human
details.
|
|
Although Rease often collaborated with other lithographers, by 1850 he promoted in "O'Brien's Business Directory" his own
establishment at 17 South Fifth Street, above Chestnut Street. He advertised his drawing on stone of "foundries, factories,
stores, machinery, portraits, landscapes, architectural drawings etc." In 1855 he relocated his establishment to the northeast
corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets, after a ca. 1853-1855 partnership with Francis Schell, where in addition to advertising
prints he produced certificates, views, maps, and maritime prints.
|
|
Between 1856 and 1861, Rease partnered with Henry W. Scattergood in map mounting with an additional shop front at 512 North
Ninth Street 1861-1862. During this time Rease maintained a good credit rating with $2,000 of capital in 1856 and in 1861
he advertised his $1.00 lithograph "printed to order" of the U.S.S. Hartford as a memento and "Encouragement to our blue jackets."
The same year he employed lithographers Charles Bonwill, Francis Daniels, and George Kunzman. Rease continued his successful
business and during the Civil War earned enough income to be taxed by the I.R.S. In 1867 he entered another partnership with
Horatio J. Kurtz, his probable apprentice whom lived with Rease as a teen in 1859 and 1860. The partnership lasted about a
year and Rease remained active in the trade until ca. 1873.
|
|
During his career in lithography, Rease resided in North Philadelphia (1844-1852, 1857-1862, 1868-1872) or Fairmount (1853-1856,
1862-1867). In 1860 he lived at 1440 Marshall with his wife Elizabeth (ca. 1824-1896) and the lithographers Horatio Kerse,
i.e., Kurtz (b. ca. 1844) and Francis Daniels (b. ca. 1835). His personal estate was valued at $950, which increased to $4000
in 1870 when a resident at Marshall Street, corner of Venango Street. By 1880 "artist" Rease and his wife were boarders at
2120 Wallace Street. Rease died on April 26, 1893 while a resident of 313 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa.
|
Is part of |
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers |
References |
See Bonwill, Charles; Daniels, Francis; Kuhl; Frederick; Kunzman, George; Kurts, Horatio; Schell, Francis; and Wagner & McGuigan |
Has format |
Smithsonian-ArchivesCenter-Rease.jpg |
Call number |
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers |
Bibliographic citation |
Census 1860, 1870, 1880 |
|
Groce & Wallace, 527 |
|
Peters, 331-332 |
|
Philadelphia Business and City Directories 1844-1873 |
|
Pennsylvania, Vol. 136, p. 445, R.G. Dun & Co. Collection, microfilm, Hagley Museum & Library |
|
Philadelphia Inquirer, April 27, 1893 |
|
WWWAA, 2718 |
Image file |
Smithsonian-ArchivesCenter-Rease |