Examples of historic scenic art from the Scenery Collection stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.
The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.
Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.
Harry J. Buhler was a scenic artist who worked at Sosman & Landis during the nineteenth-century, c. 1883 – 1891. The first mention that I have located of Buhler representing the firm was from 1883. That year he painted and installed scenery at the Myers Opera House in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Buhler arrived in Janesville in October, with the “Janesville Daily Gazette” announcing “New Scenery at Myers Opera House.” On October 23, 1883, the newspaper reported, “Mr. H. J. Buhler, of Sosman & Landis scenic studio, Chicago, arrived in the city yesterday afternoon to begin the work of painting the scenery for Myers Opera House…There has been great improvement made of late in stage decorations, and standing at the front of artists in this line are Sosman & Landis. They have within the past year or so painted scenery for many of the largest theaters in the west” (page 4). Of the Sosman & Landis scenic artist, the article continued,” Mr. Buhler, who has been commissioned to do the work, is an artist of rare skill in the line. The decorations in many of the principal opera houses in the west are by his brush. He thoroughly understands the tendency of modern art as applied to the scenic department and will do some excellent work. It will take him about two weeks to complete the work and will be engaged both day and night.”
A page from a nineteenth-century Sosman & Landis catalogue.
On Nov. 12, 1883, the “Janesville Daily Gazette” described his work in detail, reporting,
“Mr. H. J. Buhler, from the scenic studio of Sosman & Landis, Chicago, who has been engaged in painting new scenery for Myers opera house for more than two weeks past, will finish the work on Wednesday of this week. To-morrow evening Mr. Buhler will arrange different stage settings which will show the general characters of the work done by him. This will be done for the accommodation of the press of the city.
“Among the pieces executed by Mr. Buhler are two tormentor doors and two tormentor wings, and a grand drapery border 12 feet wide and 25 feet long. The scenes include a kitchen set, a plain chamber set, a prison set, and a handsome box parlor set of modern Eastlake ebony comprising two pairs of flats and four wings, and borders to match. It is one of the finest sets to be found in any theater or opera house in this state, and is beautifully decorated with bric-a-brac armor, plaques, and so on. There is also a Louis 14th gothic set which is also very beautiful. The landscape paintings embrace a country landscape; a dark wood scene; a rocky pass taken from the Yellowstone park; a garden set, including a garden backing, a set house, vases, and balustrade. There is also an ancient scene taken from Strasburg, and is, in all respects, a very effective scene. One of the finest scenes among the large collection which ornaments the stage of the opera house, is an ocean set, which is a splendid piece of marine painting.
“Very many of these sets and scenes will be used for the first time on Thursday night when Miss Anna Dickinson will produce Anne Boleyn. Mr. Buhler has kindly consented to remain here that night and arrange the scenery for the play. A new drop curtain, a very elegant one, costing not less than $200, has been ordered by Mr. Myers, and will be painted in Chicago. There is now four times more scenery in Myers opera house than ever before, and aside from the quantity, in artistic merit it is not excelled by that of any other opera house in Wisconsin. New gas-burner lights have also been put in above the stage, and also new rope which will greatly facilitate the changing of the scenery during the presentation of the play.
“Messrs. Sosman & Landis have a wide reputation as scenic painters, and have decorated many of the leading theaters and opera houses in the west; and they have served Mr. Myers well and have done the public a good service, by sending Mr. Buhler here to furnish the opera house with new scenery. He is a thorough artist, and having made scenery a specialty for years, he was in every particular fully competent for the task. He is a rapid workman and a genius in his line. The public will be surprised on Thursday evening to learn the great quantity of fine scenery he has turned out in so short a time. Every single piece is a credit to the artist, and a great advantage to the open house” (page 4).
On November 14, 1883, the “Janesville Daily Gazette” included another lengthy article describing each of the scene painted by Buhler. Of the scenic artist the article praised,
“Mr. Buhler has added considerable to his already wide reputation as an artist by the excellent work he has done for Mr. Myers. Messrs. Sosman & Landis are to be thanked for delegating Mr. Buhler to do the work, and the theatregoers of Janesville are under deep obligations to Mr. Myers for his enterprise in having the work done. We wish to state in connection with this notice of the new scenery that Mr. Buhler prepared the stage settings for Anna Dickinson’s first performance of Hamlet in New York, and for his skill and taste in doing the work he was highly complimented by that distinguished lady.”
Buhler’s first name varies in newspaper articles and other historical records over the years. Buhler was identified as H. J. Buhler, J. Harry Buhler, Harry Buhler and Henry Buhler; they were all the same individual.
Buhler was born in 1853, the second child of recently-arrived German immigrants Wilhelm Bühler (1818- ?)and Carolina Lorey (1830-1907). His parents were married in Speyer, Bayern, Germany, on August 28, 1845, and emigrated separately to the United States between, 1848 and 1849. Wilhelm arrived in Feb. 5, 1848 in New York Harbor, with Carolina and their daughter Anna F. (b. 1847) following in 1849.
Harry was born in New York City before the family continued on west. As the country expanded westward, new construction provided ample opportunity for employment. Little is known of Buhler’s early training, or exactly how he was introduced to the theatre trade. However, in 1870, the Federal Census places Henry J. Buhler in Little Rock, Arkansas. At eighteen years old, he had already painting a variety of projects in the area, living with another artist, Arthur W. Drewry, at a boarding house. Like most itinerant artists at the time, he completed a variety of painting projects that included sign painting, carriage painting and easel art exhibits. He soon partnered with another scenic artist named “Akin” to paint an advertisement drop for Little Rock’s theater hall. The two placed an advertisement in the “Arkansas Daily Gazette” on Nov. 4, 1870: “MERCHANTS TAKE NOTICE – That there are only a few card spaces left on the curtain painted for the theatre hall. All wishing a card should apply, signed Buhler & Akin” (, page 4).
By 1872, Buhler moved to Memphis, Tennessee. That spring he became the stage manager for the newly formed Memphis Amateur Dramatic Company. This meant that he was responsible for all of the backstage duties and all scenic contributions for various productions. By the fall he was painting at both the Memphis Theatre and Olympic Theatre in Memphis. At the Olympic Theatre, he was listed as “H. J. Buhler, Esq.” Buhler’s transformation scenes for “The Black Crook” received favorable reviews in the “Public Ledger” on October 17, 1872 (page 2). He also worked at the Memphis Theatre, first touched up the well-known drop curtain entitled the “Voyage of Life.” He was then engaged as an assistant to scenic artist Adam Walthew. Walthew became a well-known artist in both New York and Detroit, who passed away in 1886.
In 1879, Buhler was still painting the Memphis Theatre and was credited for providing the new drop curtain, replacing the one he previously touched up. On April 18, 1879, he “Memphis Evening Herald” reported, “New and elegant drop-curtain by Buhler. Magnificent new scenery and appointments, properties, flags, etc., etc., painted expressly for this opera [H. M. S. Pinafore] by Buhler” (18 April 1879, page 4).
Although, Buhler was living in Memphis, he was still traveling as an itinerant scenic artist and completing projects across the country. Work brought him to Illinois by 1878. That year Buhler was working at the opera house in Paxton, Illinois, and was credited with nursing the Flack family back to health after a disastrous incident. At the time, he was identified as “the scenic painter at the theatre” (The Weekly Standard, Paxton, Illinois, 5 Oct. 1878, page 3).
At the same time that Sosman & Landis were starting up their scenic studio in Chicago, Buhler got married. On July 12, 1879, “The Memphis Herald” announced “Last night Mr. Henry J. Buhler, the well-known scenic artist was married to Miss Alice C. Garrett, daughter of S. S. Garrett. The wedding took place at the residence of Capt. Garrett. 382 Vance street, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. S. Landrum.” The 1880 census records that Harry and Carry were living with the in-laws – Sirus and Sarah Garrett. At the time, Buhler was listed as an artist and Garrett at a boat inspector. The couple soon moved and were living in Chicago by the early 1880s, living at 295 Wabash. In 1885, Buhler was also listed in the Scene Painters Show (see past post 13: https://drypigment.net2017/06/29/tales-from-a-scenic-artist-and-scholar-acquiring-the-fort-scott-scenery-collection-for-the-minnesota-masonic-heritage-center-part-131/). This was an event that solidified the network of many Midwestern scenic artists, particularly those working for Sosman & Landis.
In 1887, Buhler joined the Order of Chosen Friend (a fraternal benefit order), and was active as a trustee for the Apollo Council No. 29 in Chicago. In 1888, Buhler was also listed in the “Minneapolis Directory” working at the Pence Opera House and boarding at 224 Hennepin Ave.
His permanent residence was in Chicago at this time, where he and Carrie began a family, celebrating the birth of two children in: Blanch W. Buhler (b. Sept 1888) and Edgar Garrett Buhler (b. Sept. 1, 1892).
By the 1890s, Buhler continued to filter in and out of the Sosman & Landis studio, working on a variety of projects for them throughout the region. Thomas G. Moses later mentioned working with Buhler on the Temple Theatre in Duluth, Minnesota, for Sosman & Landis in 1891. Moses, Buhler and Joe Hart were credited for their scenic contributions in the “Duluth Evening Herald” on July 11, 1891. In 1892, Buhler was mention in the “Chicago Sunday Tribune” article “Paint Mimic Scenes, Men Who Have Found Fame in the Wing and Drop Curtains” – “H. J. Buhler is another artist whose interiors are excellent examples of careful drawing, in which projection and shadow are most skillfully handled.”(Dec 18, 1892, page 41). Like other Sosman & Landis artists, he sporadically left to form a partnership; work was quite plentiful.
In 1897, Buhler was working with A. L. Lamphear at Havlin’s Theatre. However, he was also painting with artist Henry Asper, Buhler and Asper delivered ceremonial scenery for the Knights of Khorassan at the Al Hathim Masonic Temple (Inter Ocean, 24 Oct. 1897, page 16). Everything was going quite well when tragedy struck.
At the end of 1898 Buhler lost all of his business supplies in a fire at the Lincoln Theatre on North Clark Street. Previously known as the Windsor, it was renamed the Lincoln after it was partially destroyed by another fire and rebuilt a decade earlier. On Dec. 6, 1898. The “Chicago Tribune” reported, “H. J. Buhler, the scene painter, had his collection of models and a library destroyed, with no insurance.” This suggests that Buhler ‘s own scenic studio was at the Lincoln Theatre. Interestingly, the 1898 Chicago City Directory listed the Buhler family as residing at 636 North Clark Street in Chicago in 1898; they were still residing there at the time in 1900.
The 1900 Federal Census listed the Buhler household as including Harry, his wife and two children as well as his Mother, Caroline Buhler (1830-1907), and sister, Annie Chapman. Hermania Atwood, aged 33 yrs. old, was also living there and listed as a “daughter” – his sister though. I have yet to find anything about the passing of his father beyond the fact that he mother and Anna previously resided in Portland, Oregon.
Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide of 1899 listed Buhler as the scenic artist who delivered stock scenery to Chicago’s Alhambra Theatre, New Lincoln Theatre and New Lyric Theatre. In addition to working for other studios, Buhler established at least three partnerships throughout the duration of his career: Buhler & Mann with William Fletcher Mann (1851-1926); Buhler & Peltz with Herman Peltz, Sr. (1869-1908); and Buhler, Peltz & Carsen with Robert Carsen (1876-1958).
By the turn of the twentieth century, Buhler partnered with William Fletcher Mann with the two delivering scenery for several productions between 1904 and 1907. In 1906, however, Buhler was identified as a scenic artist at the Criterion Theatre in Chicago. At the Criterion he worked directly for scenic designer Lincoln J. Carter. Carter’s models translated to the stage by master machinist Herman Peltz and scenic artist Buhler. Buhler continues to work with both Peltz and Mann for the next few years, but struggles with his health. He moved south to Arizona for health reasons in 1907.
By 1909, Buhler and Peltz begin to work with Robert P. Carsen, establishing the Buhler, Peltz and Carsen Studio in Chicago. They continued to work with Mann, although Mann transitioned to a producer.
In 1910, the Buhlers are still living in Chicago, and then them seem to disappear. For whatever reason, I can find no mention of Harry, Carry or their son after 1910.
Examples of historic scenic art from the Scenery Collection stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.
The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.
Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.
Sosman & Landis Scene Painting Studio was founded by Joseph S. Sosman and Perry Landis in Chicago by 1879. Prior to establishing a permanent home studio, the two traveled the country as itinerant scenic artists. After setting up their establishment on S. Clark Street in the Windy City, Sosman & Landis began an aggressive marketing campaign, advertising mail order scenery. They posted advertisements in various cities and stated that they would ship scenery anywhere in the country. For this business model to succeed, they needed to employ other individuals who would travel as company representatives; the two founders could not be in all places at once. That is where Perry’s younger brother Frank fits into the history.
Picture of Frank Landis posted at ancestry.com
In 1879 Frank was representing the firm in Kansas. He may have worked longer for the company, had he not settled down and began working for their father as a jeweler in Rushville, Indiana. It has taken me thirty years to track down the Landis family history. Without online research tools available at my fingertips, it would be nigh be impossible to piece this particular family tale together. Here is a brief summary of the family history that places Perry and Frank in within the family.
Frank and Perry were two of twelve children born to Henry H. Landis (1809-1893) and Catherine Johnston Landis (1817-1902). The couple was married on Oct. 6, 1831, in Franklin, Indiana. You can trace the Landis family’s movement by the birth locale of each child; it is still a bit confusing as they did not settle in any one place for long but shifted between Ohio and Iowa. In no particular order, their homes included: Franklin, Ohio; Clifty, Ohio; Rushville, Indiana, Steady Run, Iowa, Steady Run, Iowa; and Fairfield, Iowa.
Map to show distances between Steady Run and Fairfield, Iowa, to Connersville, Indiana.
In the decade following the Civil War, the children scattered like seeds in the wind, establishing homes across the country, including in Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, California and Oregon. By the 1890s, the majority of the family gathered in Chicago and became quite successful.
The twelve Landis children included: Mary (1833-1860, born in Indiana), John A. (1835-1915, born in Xenia, Ohio), David J. (1839-1863, born in Ohio), Jacob H. (1841-1911, born in Ohio), Joseph (1844-1936, born in Fairfield, Iowa), Infant daughter (1846-1846, no information beyond the dates), Julia Ann (1847-1847, no information beyond dates), Perry (1848-1905, born in Clifty, Indiana), James Henry (1851-1860, born in Indiana), Edgar (1852-1914, born in Indiana), Franklin (1856-1923, born in Fairfield, Iowa), Charles (1858-1923, born in Iowa).
When the eldest daughter, Mary, came of age, the Landis family was living Steady Run, Iowa. She married Robert Marshall and continued to live on a farm in Steady Run with her husband. She died only five years later in 1861. Mary was the fourth of the twelve children to pass away by this time, with her older brother David dying from injuries sustained during the Civil War in 1863. Five of the Landis boys joined the Union Army between 1862 and 1864. Edgar, Frank and Charles were too young to serve during the war.
John Landis was the first to enlist at the age of 27 on June 6, 1862. He was a Captain in the 1st Calvalry, Co. D in the 18th Regiment, Iowa Infantry. John received a Captains commission after capturing a Rebel flag during the Battle of Blackwater in Missouri. He was wounded severely in Springfield, Missouri, on Jan. 8, 1863, and was mustered out on Feb. 28, 1863. John moved west and spent the remainder of his life in Oregon.
David also was injured during battle in Springfield, Missouri, and died from complications after returning home. He was 24 yrs. old and living in Martinsburg, Iowa, when he enlisted with the Union Army on Aug. 15, 1862. David was mustered out on August 23, 1862, as a Private in the 18th Regiment, Iowa Infantry. He was injured in battle on Jan. 8, 1863, and severely wounded on May 8, 1863. After being discharged, he returned home and passed away by the end of the year from complications.
Perry Landis enlisted in the Union Army in Layfayette, Indiana and was mustered August 12, 1863. He mustered out a second time out on March 1, 1864. Landis served as a private in Co. F of the 166th Regiment, Indiana Infantry. His future business partner, Joseph S Sosman, enlisted on May 8, 1864, and served as a private in Company C of the 149th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, for 100 days.
Jacob Landis enlisted on May 14, 1864, and was mustered out that same day as a private with Company K of the 131st Infantry, Ohio. He was mustered out a second time on Aug. 25, 1864, Camp Chase, Ohio. After the war, Jacob returned to work on the family farm before marrying and moving west to California.
Joseph Landis registered for military service along with his brothers David and Jacob in in Steady Run, Iowa. However, I have yet to locate any specifics about his military service. The same is true for Joseph Landis.
Before the Civil War began, the Landis family was living in Steady Run, Iowa. Steady Run is due north of Fairfield, Iowa. After the war, the family had moved back to Indiana and were living in Connersville. The 1870 Federal Census still listed the family living on a farm and selling produce throughout the region. That year Perry was also living in Connersville with his family. On September 21, 1870, The Connersville Examiner listed Perry Landis in the “Fruits” section as selling the “best and greatest variety of grapes.” It was this trade that he continued when headed west to Denver by 1871.
Frank also made the newspaper a few times selling produce, finding tarantula spiders in with banana shipments, and so forth. By 1877 the Landis family moved a few miles west to Rushville, Indiana. That year, Frank began courting his future wife in Liberty, Indiana. Liberty was 28 miles due east of Rushville, with Connersville being half-way between the two. After one visit to Liberty, the “Rushville Weekly Republican” republished an announcement that originally appeared in the “Liberty Herald.” On May 17, 1877, the “Liberty Herald” announced, “Frank Landis, of Rushville, spent the Sabbath in town. Cause – female attraction.” Nothing quite like nineteenth-century social media where everyone knew your business and all of your comings and goings.
1879 is the year that changes everything for Frank. He does not work for Sosman & Landis long; life changes and he changed professions. Frank married Emeline “Emma” Danser of Liberty on January 1, 1880. Instead of moving to Chicago, he takes over command of his father’s jewelry business.
The jewelry store surprised me, as up until this point the Landis family were farmers and sold produce; or so I thought. Sometime between 1870 and 1879, Henry H. Landis began operating a jewelry store in Rushville. Even at the time of his passing in 1893 (Chicago), he was listed as a silversmith. Previous to this point, Henry H. Landis was consistently listed as a farmer. In 1880, the jewelry and watch establishment formerly known as H. H. Landis & Son, became Landis and Danser. I think the original “son” in H. H. Landis & Son was Frank’s old brother Joseph or Jacob. Joseph moved to Liberty in the post-war years and became engaged in the jewelry business there. He remained in the area until the 1890s when he moved to Chicago and began working with Perry Landis and Joe Sosman, establishing the American Reflector and Light Co. Frank, Joseph, Charles, Perry and their parents were all living in Chicago by the 1890s. However, Jacob also worked as a silversmith and jeweler in California, first living in Paskenta, California (1880) and later in Red Bluff, California.
As for Frank and the jewelry business… in 1880 he became the new owner of his father’s jewelry store, although his father stayed on to continued watch repair. Immediately after marrying Emma Danser, Frank partnered with his new brother-in-law, Leander “Lee” Danser. H. H. Landis & Son. Became Landis & Danser; Henry H. Landis sold his portion of the business to Lee. In 1880, Emma and Frank celebrate the birth of a son – Hugh H. Danser. Emma became gravely ill and died soon after their first anniversary. Frank remarried by 1882, and his second wife was Tillie Winship. Frank married Miss Mathilda “Tillie” Winship on Oct. 3, 1882.
Emma Landis’ gravestone
Until marrying Frank, Tillie took care of her father, Jabez L. Winship, a retired farmer in the area. At the time, Jabez was sixty-five years old and had buried three wives. Tillie was the youngest of his children. I think Frank was Tillie’s escape from spending the remainder of her father’s life in servitude. When Jabez passed away in 1884, his will was very specific that his youngest daughter was to receive nothing, writing, “Jabez L. Winship divides his estate between his 4 adult children: Susan Loag of Wabash County, IN; Jesse Winship, Joseph S. Winship and Benjamin Winship of Rush county. I have given to my youngest daughter Tillie Landis, formerly Tillie Winship, her full share of my estate. It is my express will that she have no more of my estate.”
Jabez specifying that Tillie had already received her inheritance.
By 1885, Frank, Tillie and Hugh were living in Little Walnut, Kansas, where Frank is listed as a front agent. They don’t stay in Kansas for long, and soon move to Chicago. In 1887, Frank became involved in real estate, and that is was he made a fortune. All of the Landis brothers do extremely well in the beginning.
Frank and Joseph end up moving to Oak Park; this is also where Thomas G. Moses lives until his passing in 1934. In 1908 the “Oak Park Directory” listed Franklin Landis as a broker in the real estate industry. At this same time, Joseph is still running the American Reflector & Lighting Co. with Sosman. The two brothers end up living on South Oak Park, at 215 and 221
Frank Landis passed away on Dec. 27, 1923 in Oak Park, Illinois at the age of 67. He was buried in the family plot in Rushville,
His passing was announced in the Rushville newspaper:
“Franklin Landis Succumbs
Former Rushville Jewelry Dealer Expires in Oak Park, Chicago. Franklin Landis, of Oak Park, Chicago, uncle of Mrs. Jeanette Carr and Mrs. Frank Reynolds, of this city, died at six o’clock this morning following a short illness. He was a former resident of this city, having been engaged in the jewelry business with his father Henry H. Landis, at the place where the Abercrombie Jewelry store is not located. The deceased was a brother of Charles Landis, who died November 23, at his home in Lagrange, Ill. He is also survived by his wife, who was formerly Miss Mathilda Winship. No definite word has been received here of the funeral arrangements, but it is believed that the body will be brought here for burial.”
More information was provided after Frank’s funeral:
“Franklin Landis.
Funeral services for the late Franklin Landis were conducted last Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at his residence, 215 South Oak Park avenue, Rev. R. E. Vale officiating. Burial was at Rushville, Ind. Mr. Landis suffered a stroke of paralyses in March, 1918, while he partially recovered and sought relief in warm climates, he never fully regained his health. About two weeks ago he was subjected to a complication which his weak heart was unable to withstand. His condition was aggravated by grief over the death of his youngest brother a month previous. Mr. Landis was born in Fairfield, Iowa, in 1856 and came to Chicago in 1888, He was a land broker, his judgement being taken as authoritative and sound. As recently as last April he made a trip to inspect some large holdings and it was on that trip that he suffered a complete breakdown. Mr. and Mrs. Landis moved to Oak Park in 1903. Mr Landis was fond of nature and especially flowers. Besides Mrs. Landis, one brother, Joseph Landis, 221 south Pak Park avenue, survives.
Tillie went on to live until 1948, remaining a very wealthy woman. Upon her passing she donated $1,000 to the cemetery so that her grave would always be tended. On Feb 26, 1948, the “Rushville Republican” reported, “$1,000 Bequest Given Cemetery…The East Hill Cemetery Association was included in the bequest of $1,000, in the estate of Tillie J. Landis, former resident, who died Feb 6 in Oak Park, Ill…The estate was reported to be quite large. The $1,000 granted to the local cemetery is to be in trust in perpetuity, and the earnings to be used in keeping in good condition the lots and monument thereon in which are interred the remains of her husband. Also included in the will is the sum of $500 to Ruby Riley Dixon, a former resident, who also is given two fur coats of the deceased. The will distributed large sums of money, jewelry and real estate to several persons in the Chicago area.”
The Landis family plotTillie Landis’ gravestoneFranklin Landis’ tombstone
Examples of historic scenic art from the Scenery Collection stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.
The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.
Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.
Today’s post was to be about Frank Landis, Perry Landis’ younger brother. He was the first individual to represent Sosman & Landis beyond the two founders. However, you need a little backstory first to see where he fits into the picture, or nothing else about the studio history and staff will make sense.
On June 27, 1891, “The Dramatic Mirror” published an interview with Perry Landis of the Sosman & Landis Scene Painting Studio. The article described the first meeting between Joseph S. Sosman and Perry Landis: “Thirteen years ago Perry Landis was twenty-nine years of age, and in that happy condition known as ‘out of a job.’ With the exception of a few stray dollars in his pocket, Mr. Landis was practically on his uppers when he met Mr. Sosman in Ohio by accident. Mr. Sosman was a year older than himself, and the two young men became friendly and finally chummed it” (page 8).
This story is a little suspect, as it places the year of their meeting in 1878. That may have been the year they decided to open a scenic studio in Chicago, but it was not the year they met nor the first year they began working together. By 1876 the two were traveling companions and crisscrossing the country. In fact, twice that year they visited Landis’ former hometown in Fairfield, Iowa. On June 11, 1876, the “Fairfield Ledger” reported “Perry Landis and J. S. Sosman spent a few days in the city last week.”
The Landis family traveled quite a bit during the 1860s and 1870s. The patriarch, Henry H. Landis, hauled his family back and forth between Indiana and Iowa a few times. Both of Landis’ younger brothers were born in Iowa. In fact, Frank Landis was born in Fairfield, Iowa. By 1871 Perry Landis moved west to Colorado. He lived in Denver between 1872 and 1875, frequently returning to Fairfield to visit friends. He even submitted articles to the “Fairfield Ledger” about the history of Denver and nearby sites. It was likely on one of his return trips to Fairfield in 1875 that he met Sosman. In 1875, Sosman was working in Fairfield, painting scenery for Semon’s Opera House. It is important to understand that 1875 was only two years after Sosman began his career as scenic artist. His first theatre job was in the spring of 1873 when he assisted T. B. Harrison, an itinerant artist from Chicago. Harrison and Sosman painted scenery for the new Chandler’s Opera House in Macomb, Illinois. On April 17, 1873, the Macomb Journal reported that young “Joe” Sosman was assisting T. B. Harrison, of Chicago. Sosman was hired to mix paints and assist with various aspects of the painting process. Hehad some experience with basic painting, doing a little work as a sign painter. In 1873 Sosman was 28 years old, had served in the Union army during the Civil War, and moved from Chillicothe, Ohio, to Macomb, Illinois. He was unusually old to become a scenic art assistant. Most successful scenic artists began their careers by16 years old, if not earlier. That being said, there is no doubt that he was a gifted artist. Unfortunately, his lack of early training at an academy or in the theater would always put him at odds with artists who were trained at an early age. As I look at the success of Sosman & Landis, I cannot help but wonder if their rise to the top stemmed from the fact that scenic art remained a business for both men and not a passion.
On October 14, 1875, the “Fairfield Ledger”described Sosman’s work at Semon’s Opera House. The article reported, “The scenery was painted by Mr. J. S. Sosman, of McComb, Ills. [sic.], and bears evidence of the work of a master painter, and a man skilled in his profession.” After a lengthy description of Sosman’s scenic contributions, the article concluded “The painting is a great credit to the artist and all pronounce Mr. Sosman a painter of ability.”
Until the two established their first studio in Chicago, they were constantly on the road, with both men painting. Sosman always led the artistic end of the business and was listed as the senior partner for the firm. Landis also assisted with the art end in the beginning, but soon focused on sales. On February 6, 1878, the “WilmingtonJournal” published an article from the “LebabonGazette.” The article reported, “Messrs W. H. Rannells, Robert McMillan and Perry Landis were here [in Lebanon] from Wilmington, on Wednesday last, for the purpose of looking through the new hall. Mr. Landis is a scenic artist of rare accomplishments and is engaged at present in ornamenting the hall at Wilmington. These gentlemen expressed themselves well pleased with the grand outside, and exterior arrangments of our hall.” Rannells and McMillan were local Wilmington businessmen; Landis was the itinerant artist. This newspaper announcement suggests that Sosman & Landis had enough work at this time that they needed to work on separate locations.
Interestingly, after a decade with the firm, Landis’ role with was defined in an 1891 article for the “New York Dramatic Mirror.” The article reported:
“Landis did not know anything about the painting part, but he took charge of the business while Sosman wielded the brushes. Perhaps there were never two partners who worked so many years in such harmony.”
What remains curious is why public records continued to list Landis’ occupation as a scenic artist. Even his obituary credited Landis an artist. On Dec. 13, 1905, the “Newark Advocate” announced:
“WELL KNOWN ARTIST.
Perry Landis Junior Member of Chicago Firm, Dies After Three Years’ Illness.
Chicago, Dec. 13. – Perry Landis, well-known artist and clubman, died at his home in Evanston following an illness of more than three years’ duration. Mr. Landis, who was born in Clifty, Ind., 55 years ago, was a junior member of the firm of Sosman & Landis, and was well known among artists all over the United States.”
And yet, on Dec. 16, 1905, the “Evanston Press” announced, “Mr. Landis was not an artist, as has been stated elsewhere, but was a member of the firm Sosman & Landis, which owned and controlled a scenic studio on Clinton Street, Chicago.” This is odd, especially since the Evanston City Directory had repeatedly listed Landis’ occupation as a scenic artist. It made me wonder if this correction came from the Landis family, particularly the businessmen. It is possible that the role of “businessman” may have carried much more importance than that of “artist.”
Regardless of Landis’ artistic abilities, he eventually became responsible for company sales and other administrative tasks. He was the consummate salesman and networker that helped make the firm a success. His previous employment as a news agent worked well with the firm’s aggressive marketing campaign. Throughout the 1880s, Landis traveled from town to town, securing one contract after another. Sosman followed Landis, close on his heels with an assistant, completing each job. Just as Sosman needed help with painting, Landis needed help with sales. In fact, the first sales assistant was hired before the first scenic art assistant. Frank Landis was working for the firm as a salesman by 1879. Thomas G. Moses was hired to assist Sosman on various painting projects in 1880. Soon, there were two crews of salesmen and scenic artists; they continued to multiply. The staff increased throughout the remainder of the nineteenth-century.
In 1879, Sosman and Landis selected Chicago for their permanent offices and studio. They rented space at 277 and 279 South Clark Street by May, likely seeing the rental advertisement in the “Chicago Tribune” that month. Here was the ad in the rental section:
“TO RENT. The large store No. 279 South Clark-st. , northeast corner Van Buren; has been a Clothing Store for 15 years. Apply to Isaac Marks, 277 So. Clark.”
By May 17, 1879, Sosman & Landis published their first advertisement in the “Chicago Tribune” with the new address. Their listing advertised:
“Scenery for Halls – and elegant landscape drop curtain – only $30; a parlor scene, $18; wood scene, $18; street scene, $18; kitchen scene, $15; prison scene, $15, all new and first-class, suitable for small halls or amateur societies. Can be shipped to any part of the country. SOSMAN & LANDIS, 277 and 279 South Clark -st., Chicago.”
This advertisement was the beginning of an aggressive marketing plan. They immediately began painting and shipping scenery throughout the country. To make this work, they needed to rapidly market a product and get a salesman on the road. This is where Frank Landis comes into the picture. On August 16, 1879. The “Atchison Daily Patriot” reported, “Frank Landis, representing the firm of Sosman & Landis, is in Atchison [Kansas]” (page 4). Frank was covering the western region while his older brother focused on the easter region.
Examples of historic scenic art from the Scenery Collection stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University.
The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.
Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.
It has taken me four years to explore the life and times of Thomas G. Moses from 1856 to 1924. There is one whole decade to go until his passing in 1934. Moses started his art career in 1873, so I have covered fifty-one-years’ worth of scenic art projects, significant events, and interesting personalities.
My initial plan was to have my daily posts result in three books: The Life and Times of Thomas G. Moses; the History of the Sosman & Landis Scenic Studios, and Scenic Art in America, 1880-1920. The first book was to tell the complete story of Thomas G. Moses’ career from 1873 to 1934. By the time I reached 1900, however, I realized that the story would have to be told as a trilogy, broken down into three separate time spans: 1873-1904, 1904-1923, and 1924-1934.
I then recognized that my story about Moses really had to start with the establishment of Sosman & Landis. I started writing about the firm and got quite far in my manuscript, with only last section to go. The final part of my book included brief biographies of Sosman & Landis scenic artists, stage mechanics, and other employees. I have identified over fifty individuals who passed through the Sosman & Landis doors between 1879 and 1924. As with every personal project, however, the time I set aside to work on my book evaporated as my business workload increased.
Illustration in the 1894 Sosman & Landis catalogue. From the author’s collection.
Starting tomorrow, I take a two month break from my current storyline and return to the history of Sosman and Landis. I will post a brief biography for each of the studio staff that I have identified to date.
What makes the establishment and success of Sosman & Landis so unique is its founders. Neither Sosman, nor Landis, came from a theatre lineage. They did not grow up working at an opera house or touring with a production company. They did not spend their youths as apprentices to scenic artists or decorative painters. Each man grew up in a small midwestern town, starting out in another profession before selecting a theatre career.
Sosman and Landis met in 1875 and the two immediately became friends and traveling companions. Their working partnership began as “Sosman and Landis, scenic artists.” It was not until 1879 that they settled in Chicago and officially established “Sosman & Landis Scene Painting Studio.” Thomas G. Moses was the first scenic artist who joined their firm in 1880, shortly following the addition of one salesman. From June 1881 to July 1882, Sosman & Landis delivered scenery to seventy-four theaters, opera houses and music halls in nineteen states and three territories.
An 1889 Sosman & Landis catalogue advertised that the firm had installed scenery in more than 2000 opera houses and halls nationwide. This number increased to 4,000 by 1894 and 6,000 by 1901. In 1902, Sosman & Landis not only supplied scenery to stages in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but also to other countries. At their peak, they employed a staff of sixty-five at the main studio and a staff of twelve in the annex studio. So far, I have a list of fifty-one individuals who worked on their staff. Starting tomorrow, I am going to slowly work my way through that list.
Examples of historic scenic art from the Scenery Collection stored in the Arts Annex of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University. The Scenic Collection includes elements from the settings of 90 operas, with approximately 900 backdrops and borders and more than 2200 framed scenic units. The stage settings illustrate an exceptional range of production styles between 1889 and 1932. In addition to the scenery there are 3 dimensional units including furniture and properties. Furthermore, the collection is supported by an extraordinary archive of production notebooks, property lists, inventories, expense records, performance time sheets, correspondence, original photographs of the sets, selected costumes, and opera stars of the period, ground plans and blueprints, painters elevations and renderings, original costume and set design drawings, and 120 exquisitely painted and detailed ¼” scale maquettes of the settings.
Unfortunately, some of the scenery has been damaged since initial documentation. The roof leaks and flooding is a problem due to non-working sump pumps.
In 1924, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Met Fulton at Denver and were soon on our way to San Jose. Arriving in San Francisco, we soon reached the 3rd Street Station just in time to catch a train for San Jose…It took us eight days to close a $7,000.00 contract.” Moses was working with Fitch Fulton to land Scottish Rite contracts in 1924. In addition to San Jose, California, their projects included Scottish Rite scenery for Fort Scott, Kansas and Pasadena, California.
Ground breaking for the Scottish Rite building in San Jose, California.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the San Jose Scottish Rite was announced in the “Salina Daily Index” on Feb. 20, 1924. The article reported, “Work on Scottish Rite Temple Progressing Rapidly.” The construction went quicker than the contract negotiations. Like most Scottish Rites at this time, discussions were drawn out until the last possible moment. This never worked well for either the scenic studio or client. In the end it everything was rushed through, greatly taking its toll on the artists and installers.
In 1925 that Moses recorded, “We finally received out contract back from San Jose after they had it a month, which settled the matter of our going there immediately after we completed Pasadena.” The San Jose Scottish Rite was scheduled to open at the beginning of May.
The San Jose Scottish Rite.
That spring, Moses wrote, “I started for San Jose on March 27th and found Naile had everything in good shape. Fulton and I got busy immediately, got a good start and pounded away pretty steadily until April 18th”. It was at this point that Moses’ health troubles came to a climax and he was rushed to hospital by Dr. Moore and Fitch Fulton. He wrote, “All through my illness, I had to keep work going and had to ask the Madam to see that the salaries were paid and the work at the Consistory did not stop. It was opened on time and we were through on April 27th, a few days before my second operation.” Moses’ second operation was on May 1, 1925, with him recovering at the hospital all month. He was not released until May 30.
The San JoseScottish Rite.
The San Jose Scottish Rite Temple opened on May 8, 1925. On May 10, 1925, the “Oakland Tribune” announced, “Masons Dedicate San Jose Home.” The article reported, “Formal dedication of the new $450,000 San Jose Scottish Rite Temple was made last evening with Sovereign Grand Commander J. H. Cowles, highest ranking Mason in the United States, as guest of honor. The dedication ceremony followed a banquet in honor of Cowles and Sovereign Grand Inspector W. P. Filmer. Scottish Rite Masons and their ladies only were in attendance, and the big new temple at Third and St. James streets was packed to capacity for the rites.”
By 1926, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “During this year, I have had the opportunity to paint several large canvases to be presented to Masonic Temples and school boards. I presented one large canvas to the San Jose Consistory.” He also presented paintings to the Tacoma Scottish Rite, the Board of Education at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Saint Francis Academy of Joliet.” His paintings included the inscription “Compliments of Sosman & Landis.” Of his gifts to various clients, Moses wrote, “While these are all in the line of business, it gives me the opportunity of painting them.”
