Block numbered in two places: 5839, also 44 in one place, 31 faintly in one place., Image of three children playing with blocks; one boy kneels and places a block at the top of a tower while a second boy stands ready with another block; a girl sits in a small chair and holds a pile of blocks in her lap; the open box of blocks is visible in the foreground., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 76 and Child's world, v. 6 no. 12 (Jun., 1867), p. 2.
Block numbered in two places: 7262, also 1096 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman wearing a dress and long cloak regarding a boy; the woman rests one hand on a table or desk and the boy looks down at his palm or something in his hand., Signed; Vaningen-Snyder [i.e. Van Ingen & Snyder]; Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 7367., A woman with her hands on her hips and a spoon in one hand faces a girl who sits on a windowsill and rests her feet on a chair; a pot is behind the woman and they appear to be in a kitchen; another woman looks on from a doorway., Signed: Jasper Green, sc. Jasper Green is listed as an engraver in the Philadelphia city directory for 1872., “N.J. Wemmer & Son. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Ruth Allerton Pag [?]” – Inscribed on back of block., Illustration appears in Ruth Allerton, the missionary’s daughter, frontispiece.
Block numbered in two places: 6039., Image of a man (a minister?) sitting in a chair with a book, while four young standing girls share a book and face him., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Annals of the Poor p. 212 ‘I frequently used to assemble this little group’” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 106., Illustration also appears in Child's world v. 5 no. 5, p. 2.
Block numbered in two places: 5688., Image of a standing woman and girl indoors looking at a seated man weaving a basket., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., “Margaret Forbes p. 75” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 56.
Block numbered in two places: 5240., Image of a tiger crouched in a natural setting., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in three places: 6593, also 372 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man wearing a turban gazing forward while holding what appears to be a long pipe to his lips; a child crawls on the floor and a young woman or older girl sits behind him on what appears to be a loft bed or other high piece of furniture., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876, “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block.
Block numbered in one place: 6125, Image of two young girls leaning against a wall of square stones eating what appears to be bread; a small dog is by their side., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block in two places. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Supper-time.” – Inscribed on side of block., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Numbered in two places: 5224., Image of a seated woman handing flowers to a boy in bed., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6605, also 1219 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a standing man and a crouching woman who regard a small child who stands and places her hands on the back of a pram; the three appear to be inside a walled courtyard., "N.J. Wemmer 215 [Pear St. Phila]" Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Illegible inscription on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6443, also 1253 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man, a woman, and a girl standing on what appears to be a porch; the man holds a pointer or stick horizontally in the air and the girl runs under it toward an approaching figure, either a young man or an older boy., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Ni[?] Tav[e]rn” – Inscribed on back of block.
Block numbered 6269 in two places., Image of the interior of a tavern, with numerous men sitting at tables with drinks and cards; a central figure addresses the group., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “A.S.S.U” – Back of block.
Block numbered in two places: 7548, also 1750 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a woman and a girl standing in a doorway with the door open, looking at a girl who walks in front of the house in the rain barefoot, slightly hunched and carrying a basket with one arm while holding her hat down with her other hand., N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 7094, also 1453 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image an older woman outside leaning or stooping toward the ground in front of a tree; three girls facing her looking on, one reaching out hands, perhaps to assist her., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6536, also 1937 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a wolf with mouth slightly open beside a domestic dog, possibly a Rottweiler or bullmastiff., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876, “The House Dog and the Wolf.” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in Child's world v. 5 no. 5, p. 3.
Block numbered in two places: 6288., Image of three hunters among mountains; two kneel and prepare to shoot the small, fleeing chamois who run across another cliff; a third man cleans or loads his rifle., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in two places., “Chamois hunters” – Inscribed on side of block.
Otto Koehler, born ca. 1830 in Hesse, Germany, worked as a lithographer in Philadelphia, including from a studio at 720 Chestnut Street (later the establishment of the Resteins), between ca. 1858 and the mid 1870s. In 1870 Koehler, according to his listing in the census, also worked in the field of photography, Koehler resided in North Philadelphia while active in the trade in the city. In 1860 he resided at 4 Godfrey Avenue (Ward 19) with his wife Philipina (b. ca. 1834) and two children under six years of age born in Philadelphia. He also owned personal estate worth $800. In 1870 he resided at 1535 Stiles Street (Ward 20) with his second wife Christina (b. ca. 1844) and two children from his previous wife. His personal estate was valued at $300 and his real estate at $3500. By 1880 he had relocated his residency to Burlington, N.J. and continued to work as a lithographer outside of Philadelphia.
Date
ca. 1830
Location
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Block numbered in two places: 5136., Image of three unidentified birds perched in a tree in a natural setting., “N.J. W..mer” [i.e. Nelson J. Wemmer] -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper.
Block numbered in two places: 6105, also 1390 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy and a woman indoors; the boy stands across the table, holding a framed image toward the woman; the woman regards the image and holds a paper in her hand; an open chest or box sits on the ground, and plates, a coat hook, and a large table clock are visible behind them in the room., Signed: H.D. [i.e. Henry Dacre?], “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Tom Tracy. M.S. p. 135.” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in New book of two hundred pictures, p. 108
Block numbered in two places: 6109., Image of a landscape at night; water in the foreground, with various buildings and a bridge visible beyond., “Tail Piece Church and Bridge by Moonlight” -- Inscribed on side of block., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6803., Image of a bearded man in a long tunic, carrying a staff in his hand and something on his back; he steps on what appear to be stones or logs beneath him alongside or in a body of water, regarding an angelic female figure as a man in the foreground appears to be drowning., “’Detested wretch!’ – but scarce his speech began, When the strange partner seem’d no longer man:” – Inscribed on back of block; quotation from Thomas Parnell’s poem “The Hermit.”, “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block in four places. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 4690., Image of an unidentified bird perched on a branch in a natural setting., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.”—Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in one place: 6016., Image of a man wearing a crown and robes extending a hand toward another man; the second man looks downward and wears a cloth headpiece, a tunic, and sandals; they are in a room with columns and garlands, and are regarded by several men and women; (Bible Matt. 22, The Parable of the Wedding Banquet)., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “The Man without a Wedding garment” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in Child’s world, v. 1, no. 17 (Sept., 1862), p. 2.
Block numbered in two places: 5845, also numbered 58 in one place., Image of a little girl who appears to be staring sadly at a dead bird that is lying on a table next to a birdcage. Outdoor setting, next to a garden shed and tools., Illustration appears in The Little beggar-boy, or, Thou shalt not covet (Philadelphia, between 1867 and 1893?), p. 121. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from March 1867 to at least 1893. Caption of illustration -- "Harry had killed him!", Signed in reverse: Vaningen-Snyder [i.e. Van Ingen & Snyder.], “…[unintelligible] Bird” -- inscribed on side of block., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6338, also 361 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a boy and a man in a top hat holding a walking stick regarding a boy who kneels at the base of a tree, holding something in his hand; the standing boy touches the other boy’s shoulder and gestures toward him., “[N.J. Wem]mer. [21]5 [Pear St. Phila.]” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in three places., "The Old Stone Farm House 'He held it for some time.' p. [?]" – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6145., Image of two women outside a building [a tavern?] identified with the sign “Rose & Crow [i.e., Crown?].” A flag is suspended over the sign. Men, one of whom wears suspenders, are gathered at a table in the background., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down paper., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in three places: 6301., Image of a man with a cloth or bandage around his head, holding his chest and covered by a blanket; three men attend, one in a uniform with his arm in a sling, one beside him with arms crossed, and one at the end of the bed or bench offers him a bowl of food; a book and pitcher of water are on the floor and a paned window is to the side., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in two places., “The Old Red House ‘The poor fellows are so grateful’ p. 253 M.S.” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in The old flag, p. 283., Illustration also appears in Child's world, v. 10 no. 21 (Nov. 1871), p.2.
Block numbered in two places: 5430, with “4” printed over defaced second digit in both places, also 5330 inscribed faintly in one place., Image of an outdoor scene with a moose standing in the foreground on rocky terrain; three wigwams with chimneys emitting smoke are in the distance, and several people and a dog stand near them; two bare and fairly branchless trees are to the side of the image, and mountains are visible in the distance; an arc reaches across the block horizontally, possibly indicating the horizon or a rainbow., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 13 no. 16 (1874), p. 3.
Block numbered in two places: 6037., Image of a man seated in an interior setting, next to an open door that has a camel sticking its head through. The man's hut is very cluttered. The man appears startled or dismayed by the appearance of the camel, and is smoking a pipe., ‘The Peasant & His Guest’ – side of block, as well as the title of block., Illustration appears in The Peasant and his guest : illustrating the history of four boys (Philadelphia, 1862), p. 6. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from 1864 to at least 1893., Signed in reverse: DH [i.e. Henry Dacre?], “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 5627., Image of a landscape view of the city of Jerusalem, from a distant and elevated point of view., ‘Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives’ -- inscribed on side of block., ‘From Bethlehem to Bethany’ -- also inscribed on side of block., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.”—Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered 6173 in one place., Image of a girl standing next to a boy who is seated at a table. The table is set for a meal; a portrait hangs on the wall in the background, “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Susie’s mistake”—Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in three places: 6252., Image of two boys reading in a natural setting. One of them is sitting on a fence, and the other is seated on a tree stump., “Sunshine & Shadow To…[unintelligible] Chap 1st Vignette” -- inscribed on side of block., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in two places: 6590, also 3[7?]0 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man wearing a long tunic and cloth head covering and holding what appears to be a rifle, resting the butt end on the ground; behind him are what appear to be several temporary structures made of what may be tarp, with people and goats gathered in and around them; the area is surrounded by a large number of palm trees., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block.
Block numbered in one place: 4763., Image of an ostrich and two of its chicks in a natural setting., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Stamped on back of block twice. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6228, also 1450 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of a man and a woman leaning over the ground at what appears to be a grave; the man holds a shovel, and the woman wears a cloak with a hood and clutches a small branch or sprig; behind them are the spire of a church and a group of figures wearing coats and hats departing the churchyard., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in three places., “Prayer [?] do [?]” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6548, also 55 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of several boys beside a wall around what may be a church building; several standing boys and two kneeling boys regard or assist a boy who sits on the ground against the wall; the boy may be injured, and what may be a crutch or walking stick lies on the ground beside him., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “[?] Howard. M.S. p. 11” – Inscribed on side of block.
Block numbered in two places: 6439., The logo for the periodical Child’s world; the outline of the logo is circular, with the length of each letter extending or compacted to fit inside half of the circle, with Child’s in the top half and World in the lower half., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block . Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in three places., “Child’s World.” – Inscribed on side of block., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 8, no. 16, p. 4., Illustration also appears in Child's world, v. 4, no. 24, p. 3., Wood blocks (Printing blocks), Wood engraving (Process), End-grain blocks.
Block numbered in two places: 6522, also 1880 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image of an older boy and girl walking along a path in front of a house; the girl wears a bonnet and carries a small basket in one hand; a boy wearing a cap follows immediately behind her and appears to be carrying something as well, perhaps a box., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block in two places. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in three places.
Block numbered in two places: 6185., Image of a large, ornate building, possibly a train station or a convention hall; several figures stand in the street in the foreground., Back of block also engraved (for portion of map of Kansas)., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block in two places. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876.
Block numbered in one place: 4924., Image of a flower in a natural setting., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 5973, also numbered 182 in two places, now defaced., Image of a road, and two horse-drawn carriages on it. There is a sign on the road that reads ‘Keep To The Right As The Law Directs’. The driver of the carriage to the sign of the sign appears to be in conversation with a man who is attempting to give the driver something. Present in the background is a building., Signed in reverse: Van Ingen-Snyder [i.e. Van Ingen & Snyder], Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 5969, block also numbered 175 in two places, now defaced., Image of an elephant carrying a small child in its trunk, in a natural setting. An adult human is chasing the elephant, and the child is reaching back towards the adult figure., Signed in reverse: Vaningen-Snyder [i.e. Van Ingen & Snyder], “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856., Illustration appears in Child's world v. 10 no. 12 p. 3.
Block numbered in two places: 5966, also 170 in three places, two now defaced., Image of a boy and a girl waving at or hailing an approaching train; the boy waves his hat in one hand and holds a basket in the other; the girl holds up both hands; there are trees on the far side of the track., Signed: Van Ingen-Snyder. Van Ingen & Snyder, a partnership between William H. Van Ingen and Henry M. Snyder, was active between 1853 and 1871., “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6055., Image of a two girls, one of them sitting in front of an open suitcase. A dresser drawer is open. Various objects, including a doll, are scattered on the floor., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Illustration appears in Kate Morgan and her soldiers (Philadelphia, between 1862 and 1869), plate opposite p. [22].
Block numbered in three places: 3936, also numbered 100 in two places, and numbered 3390 in one place. 3930 also inscribed on side of block., Image of an old man, seated, talking to a boy and a girl. Outdoor scene, with a house in the background. The old man is holding a cane, and there is a hat next to him., Illustration appears in The thunder-storm (Philadelphia, between 1857 and 1870?), p. 34. This title was listed in American Sunday-School Union catalogues from Jan. 1857 to at least 1870; it was not listed in 1893. Caption of illustration -- "Here is a piece of cake for you.", “N.J. Wemmer. 5 Pear St. Phila.” -- Back of block. Nelson J. Wemmer is listed (as an artist) at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1848 to 1856.
Block numbered in two places: 6322., Image of a crowd gathered to observe a woman held with her feet in the stocks; she holds a child whose face is buried in her lap., “N.J. Wemmer. 215 Pear St. Phila.” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., “Am.S.S.U” – Back of block in three places., Illustration appears in Child's world, v. 4 no. 17 (Sept., 1865), p. 1.
John Jesse Barker, an English artist, lithographer, and drawing teacher born ca. 1785, was active ca. 1815-1860 in Philadelphia and New Brunswick, N.J. He delineated the drawing for the novel lithograph "Horizontarium" published by R. H. Hobson (147 Chestnut) in 1832 that depicts the Bank of Philadelphia.
Date
b. ca. 1785
Location
Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
