About These Illustrations

Published in 1882 by George H. Adams & Sons in New York,

these illustrations originated from a folio book designed to highlight “cutting edge” advancements of the late 19th century American Industrial Age.

The book itself was unusually large, measuring 25 inches tall, 18 inches wide and weighing some 40 pounds. It contained over 500 pages of images and descriptions on the latest equipment, machinery, factories, colleges, breweries, and consumer goods. Written in Victorian English, the author relays unique stories for each innovation and the entrepreneurs behind them.

These prints relay intricate and sometimes surprising details of a bygone era. Science and technology were becoming mainstream yet their application was still far from perfect. They give us a unique glimpse into America’s Industrial Revolution which is both fascinating and foreign, and sometimes humorous. They are indeed depictions of American life that were once modern.