Engravings

For many decades, eye-catching black and white engravings were placed throughout a catalog, portraying beautiful flowers and prizeworthy vegetables.  Interestingly, many of the engravings were identical across companies.  They could be purchased inexpensively from catalogs issued by reputable engravers, such as Albert Blanc, who had a near monopoly on the trade.  “A. Blanc, Phila.” appears on engravings made by him; there are examples of his work throughout the exhibit.  Metal engraving plates are on display in the Andersen Horticultural Library.