Buek, Gustav H.

Gustav H. Buek (August 20 1850 – February 8, 1927) was an American lithographer of German descent active in the latter part of the 19th century. Buek was born in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Brooklyn, New York as an infant, where he lived the rest of his life. He apprenticed with Hatch and Company, Lithographers of New York. After his apprenticeship, in 1866, he took work with Donaldson Brothers, for whom he headed their art department. In 1881, partnering with F. H. Linder, he founded the firm of Buek and Linder with an office at 65 Warren Street, New York. Linder retired in 1884, after which Buek changed the name to G. H. Buek and Company and took on a new partner, Léon Marié. They also moved to more spacious office at 146-150 Center Street. In 1891, G. H. Buek and Company they merged with the American Lithograph Company. He is credited with being the first to introduce facsimile watercolor work to commercial lithography. Buek was a member of New York City's Salmagundi Club. At the time of his death, Buek was also the president of the Alco-Gravure Company, which printed gravure sections for twenty-seven newspapers across the United States. After suffering from poor health for several years, Buek journeyed to New Mexico with his wife and a nurse in the hope that climate would improve his condition. Unfortunately, his condition did not improve and he died in Albuquerque. Buek was also a noted art connoisseur and philanthropist. His 'remarkable collection' included paintings, china, and glassware. Buek married his wife Louise Valentine in 1873 and they were married for fifty-four years.