W. H. Rease, Lithographic Artist, No. 17 South Fifth St., Philadelphia. (Philadelphia: W. H. Rease, ca. 1850).   Courtesy of Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.

 

William H. Rease (ca. 1818-1893), was the most prolific mid-19th-century lithographer of Philadelphia advertising prints. He was the sole proprietor of his firm between 1844 and about 1853, when he partnered briefly with Francis H. Schell (ca. 1831-1909) until about 1855. He maintained brief partnerships periodically, including a map-mounting business with Henry Scattergood (b. ca. 1822). He remained in the trade until about 1873 and worked as an artist until his death, according to his obituary.

 

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