- Also known as
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Ackermann
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primary name: Ackermann, Rudolph
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other name: Ackermann & Co
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other name: Ackermann's Lithographic Press
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other name: Ackermann, Arthur
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other name: Arthur Ackermann & Son
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other name: R Ackermann & Co
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other name: R Ackermann Junr.
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other name: R. Ackermann's Lithographic Office
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other name: Repository of Arts
- Details
- individual; publisher/printer; printmaker; British; German; Male
- Other dates
- 1792-1992 (the Ackermann business under various names)
- Address
- 96 Strand, London (1795-1806; 1827-56, as The Repository of Arts, in 1832 and in 1834 as Messrs Ackermann & Co, in 1836 as Ackermann & Co.) on the corner of Beaufort Buildings (see trade card Banks 100.19)
101 Strand, London (1797-1825; called from 1798 The Repository of Arts) (nb this operated simultaneously with 96 Strand, as did some of the later addresses); also under this address Ackermann's Lithographic Press (in 1817)
220 Strand, London (1803)
191 Regent Street, London (from 1825, in 1835; R. Ackermann Junior's Eclipse Sporting Gallery in 1831)
106 Strand, London (1855-61)
157a New Bond Street (20th century)
3 Old Bond Street (20th century)
33 Old Bond Street (1991)
Wissembourg, as Imagerie alsacienne (successor of the business of F C Wentzel; Ackermann also succeeded C Burckardt in Wissembourg)
- Biography
- Lithographer, publisher. Rudolph Ackermann, born in Saxony; to London 1787; 1792, set up in business as a coachmaker at 7 Little Russell Street, Covent Garden, having already published the first of many books of carriage designs; 1796, moved to 96 Strand where he ran a drawing school for ten years, publishing drawing books; 1797, to 101 Strand (known, from 1798, as "The Repository of Arts") where he sold old master paintings and artists' supplies as well as prints (see 1871,1209.5668 for an advertisement). 220 Strand given as his address in a print published 1803. "The Microcosm of London" (1808-10) and the monthly "Repository of Arts" (1809-29) established his reputation for fine colour plate books. 1809 naturalised. 1816, began to publish lithographs. Always maintained links with Germany, and in the 1820s also opened outlets in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru. 1832, handed over to his second son George (q.v.) and his younger brothers who traded as Ackermann & Co.at 106 The Strand until 1861 (although the brothers' partnership dissolved in 1855); the print business which Ackermann had established for his eldest son Rudolph at 191 Regent Street (later in Bond Street) survived as Arthur Ackermann & Son. In the 1930s it opened branches in America, eg at 408 South Michigan Avenue Chicago. In 1991 the firm closed, and re-opened again in 1992 as Arthur Ackermann and Peter Johnson Ltd.
This entry is used for the firm at all periods.
For one of Ackermann's trade cards see 2011,7084.72
View of shop: Part 19 of Tallis's London Street Views 1838-40 shows Ackerman & Co. Repository of Arts to Her Majesty at no. 96 on the south side of the Strand, on the eastern corner of Beaufort Buildings.
Trade cards in Heal Collection. Heal,89.1 advertises "R. Ackermann, Manufacturer of Superfine Water Colours To His Majesty." Heal,100.1 advertises "Ackermann's Library for Works of Art." Heal's annotations on mount: "Cunningham's 'London' p:675 say that Rudolph Ackermann's print shop at No.101 Strand was the first shop to be lighted by gas in the year 1810. J. Ashton's 'The Dawn of the 19th Century' p:206 says: 'It is generally thought that Ackermann's Repository in The Strand was the first shop in London lit with gas in 1810, but there is an earlier notice of it being so used: - 'The shop of Lardner & Co, corner of Albany in Piccadilly is illuminated every evening with carbonated hydrogen gas...' (Morning Post 15 June 1805). London Directory 1808 gives Edward Lardner, apothecary - No.56, Piccadilly." Heal,100.2 advertises "R. Ackermann, Publisher, Printseller and Colour Manufacturer. No.101, Strand, London." Heal's annotations on mount include suggesting comparing "various other cards of the Ackermann firm in A.H. collection." Heal,100.3, Banks,100.29 and D,2.3410 advertise "R. Ackermann Printseller and Draftsman at his Repository of Arts 101 Strand. Prints, Transparencies, Medallions, Borders, Drawing Books, & Caricatures published Weekly. Drawings of all descriptions & requisites for Drawing: Prints &c. Fram'd, Glazed & Varnish'd, Pasteboard Shapes and Ornaments, Tunbridge Ware, Gold-Paper, Gold and White Embossed Ornaments and Figures. Drawings let out to Copy by Subscription; as also Caricatures for the Evening." Heal's annotations on mount as above. Heal,100.4 and Banks,100.25 advertise "R. Ackermann's Establishment for the Sale of Sporting Prints, Drawings & Paintings, 191, Regent Street, London." Heal's annotations on mount similar to above. Heal,100.5 advertises "Ackermann & Co. 96, Strand, Publishers, Book and Printsellers, Manufacturers of Superfine Water-Colours. And Prepared Genuine Cumberland Pencils. Every requisite connected with The Fine Arts. Plain & Fancy Stationery. Books elegantly bound. Framing in gold or fancy wood. Miniature frames of every description. Engraving in all its branches. Lithography executed and the materials supplied. Oil-Colours, Canvas and Varnishes." Heal,100.6 advertises "R. & A. Ackermann's Establishment for the Sale of Sporting Prints, Drawings & Paintings, 191, Regent Street, London." Heal's annotations on mount similar to above. Heal,100.7 is a view of "Ackermann's Repository of the Arts, 101 Strand." Heal's annotations on mount similar to above. Heal,100.8 advertises "R. Ackermann Junr. Book & Printseller and Manufacturer of Superfine Water-Colours to his Majesty, 191, Regent Street, London." Heal's annotations on mount include: "A similar card of R. Ackermann in A.H. collection with address No.101, Strand." Heal.100.8+ advertises "R. Ackermann Book & Printseller and Manufacturer of Superfine Water-Colours to her Majesty, 191, Regent Street, London. A large assortment of Coloured & White Rice Paper." Heal,100.9 advertises ""R. Ackermann Junr. Book & Printseller and Manufacturer of Superfine Water-Colours to his Majesty, 191, Regent Street, London. A large assortment of Coloured & White Rice Paper." Heal's annotations on mount: "See also Trade-card of R. Ackermann's Repository at 101 Strand." Trade card in Banks Collection (Banks,100.24) advertises "Repository of Arts, No.101, Strand, London. R. Ackermann has constantly on Sale a great variety of beautiful Tunbridge Ware highly Varnished & ornamented with handsome Medallions in Work Tables compleat [sic], Writing desks do. [ditto] Tea Chests do. Colour boxes do.Netting Boxes do. Work Boxes & Baskets of various sizes & Shapes, Writing Boxes, &c. &c. likewise every Requisite for Drawing and Fancy Work." Banks,100.26 advertises "R. Ackermann Repository of Arts. 96 Strand." Banks (D,2.3386) advertises "R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts. The Diletanti and Lovers of the Fine Arts are most respectfully informed that R. Ackermann has after frequent solicitations, reopened his Circulating Port-folios consisting of the choicest Drawings & Prints, on the following terms... Printed particulars may be had at the Repository, 101 Strand. R. Ackermann begs leave to recommend his Superfine Water Colours, being prepared under his immediate inspection... All requisites for Drawing. The greatest Variety of Fancy Articles; Gold, Silver, Fancy and Coloured Paper; Borders, Embossed, Gold, White and Black Ornaments; upwards of 150 Sheets of different Medallions, in Colours, plain or in Bronze, mostly engraved after Burney and Westall, from Heathen Mythology; Greek, Roman, and Modern History; allegorical and emblematical Figures; Drawing-Books & Rudiments by the first Masters...Transparencies of all sizes; large Prints of all descriptions, framed and glazed or in Sheets; Caricatures... Tunbridge Ware...Boxes, Baskets, Flower and Watch Stands...[etc, etc.]." Banks (D,2.3387) is a trade card in the form of a long poem advertising "R. Ackermann With all the respect that's attached to his station, Begs leave to trasmit his new Card thro [sic] the nation, A mode which he yearly conceives is his duty, To circles of Taste and high regions of Beauty... From his stores of rich Fancy, he sends something new, Rich Drawings from Nature, as oft he supplies, to assist the young Artist, who's willing to rise, Beside his Port-folios, with subjects replete o'en the best we can meet... [etc, etc.]" Banks (D,2.3390) is another trade card in the form of of a poem. It begins "O Love! eternal good, to Thee we owe The finest forms that on the Canvas glow, From Thee! the Sculptor caught Perfections fire... Industry follow'd kindly led by Time, Till Theory gave spirit to Design...[etc, etc]. R. Ackermann, Print-Seller." D,2.3391 advertises "Ackermann. Draftsman, Printseller and Water-Colour Manufacturer. Repository of Arts. No.101 Strand, London. Medallions, Transparencies, Borders, Drawing-Books & Caricatures Published Weekly. Gold & Fancy Papers, Tunbridge Ware, Drawing Materials, Wholesale, Retail & for Exportation." D,2.3394 is a bill-head stating "Bought of R. Ackermann, Draftsman and Printseller... New Transparencies, Medallions, Borders, Drawing-books, & Caricatures every Week." The bill is dated "London 1801." Banks (D,2.3411) advertises "Wove Writing & Drawing Papers of the finest Qualities. R. Ackermann Printseller and Draftsman at his Repository of Arts 101 Strand. London. Prints, Transparencies, Medallions, Borders, Drawing Books, & Caricatures published Weekly. Drawings of all descriptions & requisites for Drawing: Prints &c. Fram'd, Glazed & Varnish'd, Pasteboard Shapes and Ornaments, Tunbridge Ware, Gold-Paper, Gold and White Embossed Ornaments and Figures." D,2.3412 is similar to D,2.3411, with the addition of "Drawings let out to Copy by Subscription; as also Caricatures for the Evening." Banks (D,2.3415) advertises "R. Ackermann, Printseller, Draughtsman, & Colour Manufacturer, 101 Strand. London. Fancy & Drawing Materials, Wholesale and Retail." Identical cards Banks (D,2.3444 & D,2.3446) advertise "R. Ackermann, Printseller & Draftsman, No.96 Strand. Corner of Beaufort Buildings." D,2.3445, D,2.3447 & D,2.3449 are similar to D,2.3444 & D,2.3446, but give the address as No.101, Strand. D,2.3447 includes "Wove Vellum Drawing & Writing Papers of the finest Fabrick [sic] & Qualities." D,2.3451 advertises "R. Ackermann Repository of Arts. No.101, Strand, London." D,2.3470 advertises "Repository of Arts...R. Ackermann...His stock is continually supplied with the finest Engravings, by the most celebrated Artists. Subjects for Furniture, Rudiments for Drawing, Transparencies, Medallions for Decorations, embossed Figures and Ornaments, in gold and white, and other colours...and every other Article requisite for Drawing and Painting, are constantly kept in the greatest variety... Pictures, Prints, Drawings, Boxes, &c. &c. varnished and polished in the neatest manner. R. Ackermann's Superfine Water Colours... Among the variety of Prints lately published, are the following: An allegorical Portrait of her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales. The Guardian Angel. The Battle of Copenhagen, and the Passage of the Sound... [followed by a lengthy list of prints]. And the greatest variety of Caricatures; As also folios of ditto, lent for the evening." D,2.3471 and D,2.3837 are identical trade cards in the form of a mock bank-note which advertises "Promise to Pay on Demand the Sum of One Hundred Pounds, more or less for any fine Drawings, or Execute Orders for Prints, Drawings, Ornaments, &c. & deliver them with Expedition to any part of the World for Value received. To the Nobility, Gentry & Artists of England. By the Publics most Obedt. Servt. R. Ackermann. London, the 1 of Jan. 1803..." D,2.3472 is an extensive trade card advertising R. Ackermann's "Evening Seminary or Drawing Academy...", and "Plan of R. Ackermann's Circulating Port-Folio, containing a very extensive variety of Drawings and Prints, in Various Branches; as, also, Drawing Books of all Kinds..." D,2.3476 is another extensive trade card advertising R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts and "The choicest Collection of both large and small English and Foreign Prints..." D,2.3477 advertises "..Repository of Arts, No.101, Strand, London. R. Ackermann, Draftsman, Printseller and Publisher...Begs Leave to recommend...His Superfine Water Colours... Every Requisite for Drawing... [etc. etc.]"
- Bibliography
- ODNB
John Ford, 'Ackermann 1783-1983, the business of art', London 1983
Lugt 2186
Catalogues survive for 1802, 1805, 1815,1817. 1830 as well as many smaller flyers
http://www.npg.org.uk/live/artistsupp_a.asp
T. Devonshire Jones, 'Ackerman's "Repository" 1809-28', British Art Journal, XI, no. 1, 69-74
