Half-framed halved and whole Pecans lithograph. Major-Owens c1912

by Schutt-Blackburn, Ellen Isham

Major, Burkett, Warrick, Havens and Owens Pecans half-framed.Original colour-printed lithograph by Ellen Isham Schutt-Blackburn (1873-1955), published in New York in 1906 by A. Hoen & Company Lithographers, for the Yearbook of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. E.I. Schutt was a principal artist for the Division of Pomology from 1904 to 1914. Most of the accomplished botanical artists were women as art was considered acceptable as a female pursuit, and government illustrator was one of the few employments available to women artists.

Before the widespread use of photography, artists were employed to create watercolours of new agricultural crops. Between 1897 and 1920 Yearbooks were published to illustrate the wide range of produce in the United States. As they were published essentially to promote the growing of fruit and vegetables in the United States, there was not an enormous circulation, so these beautiful illustrations are rarely seen today.

In fine condition, 225 x 145mm (8 7/8 x 5 3/4 inches). This lithograph is half-framed with antique-white conservation ragmat (too large for scanner - similar in style to 'Half-framed Crocker Pear' above.) The mounted lithograph is covered with cellophane for presentation and protection until framed. Window size is 210 x 130mm (8 1/4 x 5 inches). External measurement for frame window is 335 x 255mm (13 1/4 x 10 inches).