Edmund Dexter’s Residence: A Lithograph by Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co.

Edmund Dexter' s Residence A Lithograph by Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co. Collections Essay T he first quarter of the twentieth century saw the loss of many fine homes along East Fourth Street in Cincinnati. One such home was the residence of Edmund Dexter located at the northeast corner of Edmund Dexter,Sr., ca. 1858. CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER, CINCINNATIHISTORICALSOCIETY LIBRARY Fourth and Broadway,which fell to the wreckers in 1913. Fortunately,a beautiful color lithograph exists of the residence in the History Collections at Cincinnati Museum Center. The lithograph depicts the Dexter home in a romantic setting with thin white clouds and sunlit trees,and fashionably dressed men and women promenading along the street. A carriage has stopped in front of the home,and either a servant or Mr. Dexter himself stands at the front door ready to greet the visitor. Taken as a whole, the scene gives a peaceful and elegant impression of the affluent society that resided in this part of town during the midnineteenth century. Entitled Edmund Dexter' s Residence, the lithograph was produced by the firm of Ehrgott,Forbriger & Co. around 1860. Peter Ehrgott and Adolph Forbriger were German immigrants who started their namesake company in 1856. Ehrgott brought an expertise in lithography to the firm,while Forbriger was an accomplished artist whose earlier work had been published by noted Cincinnati lithographer Otto Onken. By 1859 the firm had garnered the attention of Charles Cist who used four Ehrgott and Forbriger lithographs in his Sketches and Statistics ofCincinnati. In addition, Cist recommended these gentlemen outright in his book: " those who may require lithographic work cannot do better than give them a trial. They guarantee their work to be equal to · any executed in the country,and at the most reasonable cost. They are experienced workmen, and strive to excel in their department ." 1 Originally known as Ehrgott & Forbriger,Lithographers, the firm began using the name Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co. in the early 18605, and it continued in use until 1869 when Forbriger died. Ehrgott then took Adolph Krebs into partnership,and the firm became Ehrgott & Krebs. In 60 OHIO VALLEY HISTORY t r ' C d'.... n, 1859), 302 62 OHIO VALLEY HISTORY ...