Artist/Maker

Henkel, Solomon

Place Made

Date Made

1825-1835

Medium

wood –ink –paper

Dimensions

Print (A) HOA: 13 1/2″; WOA: 8″
Woodblock (B) HOA: 10″; WOA: 6″

Accession Number

5550.3a-b

Description

This woodblock was used to print the accompanying portrait of a schoolboy. He holds a quill pen in one hand and has a book tucked under his arm. This illustration may have been intended to accompany a text, though this particular copy shows no evidence of having been bound.

The Henkel Press was founded in 1806 by Ambrose Henkel (1786-1870) and his brother Solomon Henkel (1777-1847). The press is best known for publishing German-language religious literature. The press also produced more mundane graphic materials for the people of the Shenandoah Valley.

RELATED OBJECTS: MESDA has a large collection of Henkel Press material (acc 5550). Among this material are woodblocks, books, prints, and manuscript material. MESDA also has a New Market fancy-painted chair owned by press co-founder Solomon Henkel (acc. 5838)

DESCRIPTION: Woodblock (B) and print (A) in black ink on paper of a man holding a feather pen in one hand and a book in the other with bushes in the background.

Artist Biography

LABEL NOTES: Solomon Henkel (1777-1847) established himself as pharmacist in New Market, V.A. in 1798. Solomon, his father Paul, and two of his brothers, Ambrose and Andrew founded New Market Press on September 20, 1806. Ambrose Henkel (1786-1870) received printing training from J.P. Starck and Daniel P. Lange in Hanover, Pa. He was a printer until 1824 when he entered the Lutheran ministry in 1823. Only 3 German children’s books were printed in New Market after 1823 and 2 of these were produced by a new generation of Henkels. The last New Market imprint was in 1854.

Credit Line

MESDA Purchase Fund