The Ledger Polka, 1849 (litho)

This lithograph is the cover illustration to the sheet music "The Ledger Polka," composed by James Bellak and dedicated to the readers of the Public Ledger, a Philadelphia daily newspaper. The print shows a group of comically-portrayed men dressed in top hats and suits surrounding a man reading the Public Ledger. The group stands on the corner in front of the office of the newspaper. In the doorway of the newspaper office are two gentlemen, probably the proprietors of the newspaper (William Swaim and Arunah S. Abell), who look on contentedly. The printer of this lithograph, Thomas S. Sinclair (circa 1805-81)