Antique C. 1830s Rare Osborne’s American Water Colours Set from DB Smith

Antique C. 1830s Rare Osborne’s American Water Colours Set from DB Smith

As shown. See all photos. Bottom of box indicates 1841, having belonged to my great great great great grandmother in MASS.

C. 1830s Osborne Superfine travel set—sometimes called a "toy set" due to the diminuative size of the paint cakes. Osborne was one of the few 19th century American makers of artists paint, earning renown for especially vivid colors believed by artists to be equal or better to any made in Europe. Early on—1820s–40s—Osborne paint boxes were carried by Smith & Hodgson druggists (which later became the Bullock & Crenshaw''s Drug and chemical store) in Philadelphia, which dates this set to that period. Dry paint cakes retain their embossed images—a variety of seashells on their faces, and the Osborne name on the reverse. Also included in the box is a glass tube open at the ends, which I believe is a period water dropper or broken paint brush with wood handle.

Box measures 5" x 2 1/4" x 3/4" and is in excellent condition. A few of the cakes are in the wrong spots.