Augustus Kollner was born in Germany in 1813, and at the age of 16 began to study painting and lithography in Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.  In 1839, he emigrated from Germany to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, where he became a famed lithographer, engraver, and watercolor landscape painter.  In Philadelphia, Kollner produced children’s books, maps, and Civil War sketches.

In the late 1840s, Kollner began to travel all over the United States, making watercolor paintings of American scenes.  He is best known for the 54 views he painted of American cities, which were lithographed and published by Goupil, Vibert, and Company in Paris between 1845 and 1851. The printing for these views, by Deroy and Cattier, was done in Paris, as well. These lithographs are known for their high printing quality and delicate hand coloring.