Berlin and Jones

Berlin and Jones was an artistic partnership or commercial printing entity known to be active around 1860. The firm specialized in the creation of printed ephemeral material, specifically intricate nineteenth-century sentimental Valentines.

Documentation indicates that eleven examples of Berlin and Jones prints are represented in major institutional collections. These works consistently center on romantic themes, frequently employing popular Victorian motifs of the period, including stylized hearts, couples in pastoral settings, and classical putti figures. Documented titles include Untitled Valentine (Country Couples), Untitled Valentine (Cupid and Butterflies), Untitled Valentine (Reclining Couple with Putti), and two distinct printings of Untitled Valentine (Three Hearts).

The work of Berlin and Jones is preserved in significant American institutions, establishing their place in the history of commercial printmaking. Several of these historical pieces are held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As works of this vintage often fall into the public domain, these examples of Berlin and Jones prints are frequently sought by researchers and made available as high-quality prints for study and preservation.