Biography"Major book and print publishing firm founded by George Virtue (1794-1868) in the 1820s; in 1848 acquired 'The Art Union' which became 'The Art Journal' (1839-1912; for a run of impressions in series order from this journal for 1844 to 1870 see 1872,1012.1792 to 2491 supplemented by 1872,1012.6068 to 6331); 1855 James Sprent Virtue (1829-1892) took over his father's business (he had been working in the New York branch since 1848) and initiated the series of prints after great 'galleries' of pictures including the Royal Collection, Vernon Collection and the Turner Collection. In 1862 another business was opened at 1 Amen Corner, under the name of Virtue Brothers & Company. In 1865, a younger brother, William Alexander Virtue, became a partner in the family's City Road and Ivy Lane businesses. The brothers were also proprietors of Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co." British Museum. Retrieved 10 July 2018. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?bioId=93980