PARSONS, C[harles].

An early work by a master of the genre a fine example, with wide margins, of this beautiful chromolithograph.

Before serving as the art director for Harper's Weekly and Magazine from 1863 to 1889 and as such being instrumental in the development of the art of American illustration, Charles Parsons (1821-1910) apprenticed at 15 to the New York lithographic studio of George Endicott (1802-1848). Through Endicott's studio he worked directly for the famous firm of Currier & Ives, and deserves credit for many of the best marine lithographs ever produced. Before he left for Harper's he was made a full partner and it was undoubtedly his marines which earned him the position and drew the most public attention. He chose to revisit nautical subjects when he returned to watercolours and lithography in retirement from Harper's.
Parsons was an associate member of the National Academy of Design and a member of the New Watercolor Society.

The United State Mail Steamer Fulton, commanded by James A. Wotton, travelled in the 1850s and 1860s across the Atlantic Ocean, from Le Havre to New York through Southampton to deliver passengers and mails to the United States Quartermaster. Numerous reports about her voyages were published in The New York Times in the 1860s. An advertisement from the 15th March 1856 quoted the price of passage for First Cabin at 130 and for Second Cabin at 75.