The First Appearance of DROWNE'S WOODEN IMAGE by NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, and a SUPERB POLYCHROME LITHOGRAPHIC FRONTISPIECE by PINKERTON, WAGNER & McGUIGAN in GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK, July 1844.

The first appearance of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Drowne's Wooden Image", which was later published in his collection of stories "Mosses From an Old Manse". In an August 1844 letter to James Russell Lowell, Edgar Allan Poe writes: "Do you ever see Mr. Hawthorne? He is a man of rare genius. A day or two since I met with a sketch by him called 'Browne's Wooden Image' - delicious. The leading idea, however, is suggested by Michael Angelo's couplet...."

Referred to as the "Cradle of Liberty", Faneuil Hall in Boston hosted many important meetings before the Revolution. Rebuilt in 1762, a third story was added by Charles Bulfinch in 1805 and a weathervane subsequently adorned its steeple. Considered one of the most noted steeple adornment in Boston, this weathervane with its grasshopper sculpture, was inspired by the character of Shem Drowne, the protagonist of Hawthorne's "Browne's Wooden Image".

Early experimenters in the field of lithography, James McGuigan with Edward J. Pinkerton and Thomas Wagner formed the firm of Pinkerton, Wagner & McGuigan to produce book and periodical illustrations. From their 100 Chestnut Street location, they produced plates for "Godey's Magazine" and the "Guide to Laurel Hill Cemetery, Near Philadelphia" among others. Their experiments in the art of lithography led to their being awarded the silver medal for "polychromic lithography" at the 1844 Franklin Institute Exhibition of American Manufacturers.