he introduction of color
lithography into the United States in 1840 began a
revolution in graphic design. Before lithography, color
illustrations were expensive and uncommon because they
had to be produced by hand one at a time. Lithography
allowed production of multiple copies of complex,
multi-colored images. By the 1880s, inexpensive color
prints had flooded American homes, businesses and public
spaces and changed our visual expectations forever.
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image for larger version
Color lithograph, ca.
1876
Printed by Clay and Co. (Buffalo and Chicago)
for C.H. & L.J. McCormick (Chicago)
22.25" x 28"
he introduction of color
lithography into the United States in 1840 began a
revolution in graphic design. Before lithography, color
illustrations were expensive and uncommon because they
had to be produced by hand one at a time. Lithography
allowed production of multiple copies of complex,
multi-colored images. By the 1880s, inexpensive color
prints had flooded American homes, businesses and public
spaces and changed our visual expectations forever.