Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1833
Victoria regia or the Great Waterlily
William Sharp, 1803-1875, is credited with introducing color lithography to America in 1840. He purchased property on Dexter Street (then named Howard Street) in Washington Village, Dorchester, in 1849. Washington Village was part of Dorchester until 1855 when it was annexed to the City and became part of South Boston. So Dorchester will claim Sharp as a resident.
William Sharp was the printer of The Fruits of America by Charles Mason Hovey published in Boston by Little and Brown and Hove, 1851-1856. This is the first high-quality chromolithographic book published in America. Its ninety-six plates contain subtle gradations in tone and complex overprinting that were the equal of the best work being done England at that time. He was the printer for the book Victoria Regia; or The Great Waterlily of America by John Allen Foote published in Boston by Dutton and Wentworth in 1854.
_____
The Dorchester Illustration of the Day (DIOTD) is sent weekdays. If you receive this e-mail by mistake, please reply to be taken off the e-mail list. If you know others who would like to receive the daily e-mail, please encourage them to join the group by going to http://groups.google.com/group/dorchester-historical-society. You may contact Earl Taylor at ERMMWWT@aol.com
If you value receiving the DIOTD, please express your appreciation by making a donation to the Dorchester Historical Society, either by regular mail at 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125, or through the website at www.DorchesterHistoricalSociety.org