Leaflets of Memory Illuminated Gift Book for 1854 Thomas Sinclair Vignette Title

Leaflets of Memory: An Illuminated Annual for 1854. Philadelphia: Published by E. H. Butler & Co., 1854. Complete eleven plates including vignette title page. Original decorated leather binding measures 9.5 x 6.25", 8vo. In good condition. Boards normally scuffed at edges and worn/bumped at corners. Hinges creased with rubbing; front hinge beginning to crack at tail of spine. Gilt lettering and deco normally rubbed on spine, but overall attractive and legible. All edges of text-block gilt. Gift inscription, in ink, found on front end-page. Front end-page exhibits small chip at fore-edge. Normal toning and age-staining through text-block, mostly around plates. Binding intact. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. Thomas S. Sinclair (c. 1805 - 1881) was an American lithographer. Born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, Sinclair studied lithography in Edinburgh and other European cities before moving to the United States sometime before 1833. He was established in Philadelphia by 1833, when he drew a dancing scene for the firm of Kennedy and Lucas, which went out of business that same year. In 1838, Sinclair acquired the press of John Collins and opened his own lithography firm. He was among the first lithographers in Philadelphia to experiment with color lithography, beginning in 1843. By 1848, his skills ad advanced to such a degree that he won a silver medal for color lithography at the Franklin Institute's exhibition. Sinclair's brother, William B. Sinclair, joined the firm in 1854, and from that year until 1859 the establishment was known as Thomas Sinclair and Company. His son joined the company at one point also, and then the firm's name changed to Thomas Sinclair and Son. Sinclair died in Philadelphia in 1881. Chromolithograph vignette title page by Thomas Sinclair. COLI1854AJKB - 01/26 - HK3134.…