Early American Wallpaper

Thomas Hurley, distributed by
Messrs. Virchaux & Co.
[Wallpaper design, composed of arch and trees]
Color block print from wood engraving, ca. 1816
Prints & Photographs Division
Copyright deposit (146.10)
Digital ID# ppmsca-09892

The distribution rights for this wallpaper design copyrighted by Thomas Hurley was obtained by the Philadelphia firm of Messrs. Virchaux & Co. Philadelphia had become the center of wallpaper production in the United States by the end of the eighteenth century, although French influence continued to dominate the design of domestic papers. Subjects ranged from commemorative and panoramic scenes to designs drawn from architecture and nature, like this design of an arch with trees.