Braeunlich, Gustav

Gustav Braeunlich (May 17, 1837 - January 15, 1923) was a German-Russian artist, lithographer, and engraver active in New York during the middle to late 19th century. Braeunlich was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and was of German-Saxon-Russian descent. His father was a Bishop in the Russian Orthodox Church. As a young man he served in the Russian army and saw action in the Crimean War. Census records suggest Braeunlich immigrated to the United States in 1860, settling in Brooklyn and studying art at Cooper Union, where he won several awards. It is not clear when he partnered with his younger cousin, Herman Braeunlich, to establish the engraving and lithographing firm G. Braeunlich and Co., but it was active from at least the 1862. The firm had multiple offices. The first may have been at 85 White Street, Brooklyn. In 1877 he was based at 58 Maiden Lane, Manhattan, where he shared the premises with cousin Herman Braeunlich (November 11, 1843 - August 3, 1916) and relative William Brauenlich. The firm relocated to 39 West Broadway in 1880. During his most active period Braeunlich engraved maps for John B Holmes, Tobacco Revenue stamps for the U.S. Treasury Department, and presidential campaign materials for Samuel Tilden. Braeunlich and his family, including Herman, lived in the same residence at 250 East 73rd at 3rd Ave, Brooklyn. Their name alternatively appears as 'Braunlich' and 'Breunlich'. After Gustav retired Herman maintained the business until at least 1910 from 86th Fulton Street, Manhattan. Gustav was the nephew of an important Brooklyn physician of the same name.