One roller printing machine could print as much yardage as twenty hand-block printers. The early machines could print only one color, but designs were often enhanced with additional colors added by block printing or by penciling (hand-painting). As roller printing became more sophisticated, printers experimented with new techniques, such as gradually shading the colors on the roller in order to achieve a “rainbow” effect. These color gradations—sometimes also called “ombre” or “fondu” prints—were particularly popular in the second quarter of the 19th century.

Pattern: 
Delectable Mountains
Maker: 
Maker unknown
1830
1850
Possibly made in
New England
United States
92
87.5
IQM, Ardis and Robert James Collection
1997.007.0173.1