Louis Prang 1824-1909) whose firm created and sold this image, was known as "the Father of the American Christmas Card" and was a pioneer in the mid- to the late-1800's American printing technologies. He perfected chromolithography which allowed the use of 32 colors in a single image. With the advent of much higher quality printing, he began publishing reproductions of famous paintings. The printing break-through was mostly reflected in his first line of Christmas cards, published in 1875. They were immediately famous and sold for up to $1.25 per card.

He was keenly interested in the teaching of art and produced three instructional books which had a significant effect on the teaching of art throughout the United States. He later created the Prang Educational Company to publish drawing books for schools.

Nine years after Prang's death in 1909, the American Crayon Company acquired the rights to Prang's art materials products. American Crayon merged with the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company in 1957, which today is known as Dixon Ticonderoga - the famous makers of the # 2 pencil.

Medium : 1 print : chromolithograph

Created/Published : L. Prang & Co., 1894

Creator : Artist not attributed

Housed in the Prints & Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

Availability: Usually ships in one to two weeks

Product #: cph3g06417