Details
Contributor Clay & Richmond, printer.
Title "Creme" oat meal toilet soap. [graphic]
Publisher Buffalo, N.Y. : J. D. Larkin & Co. , (Buffalo, N.Y.: Clay & Richmond)
Publisher N.Y. Buffalo. 1881
Date 1881
Physical Description 7 prints : chromolithographs ; sheets 14 x 9 cm (5.25 x 3.25 in.)
Description Incomplete series of trade cards, including duplicate and variant imagery with the same series number, to promote "Crème" toilet soap manufactured by J.D. Larkin & Co. Depicts racist, anthropomorphic chimpanzee figures in social situations and leisure and cultural activities.
Series no. I (variant 1) depicts a man and woman as well-dressed anthropomorphized chimpanzees greeting each other. In the left, the man attired in a black top hat, blue jacket, and checkered yellow pants, nods his head to the left and holds up his walking stick. In the right, the woman, her back to the viewer, is attired in a yellow bonnet adorned with flowers and a ribbon, and a long-sleeved green dress with a pink belt at the waist and a bow at the bustle. She lifts up her skirt and exposes her slip. Series no. I (variant 2) depicts an anthropomorphized chimpanzee as a man artist. He rests back on his chair, and holds a palette in one hand, and a paint brush in the other. He sits in front of an easel and canvas. He is attired in a green-colored smock shirt with collar and buttons, yellow pants, and brown laced shoes. His eyelids droop down and his mouth is slightly ajar.
Series no. II depicts an anthropomorphized chimpanzee as a man hunter. He stands in front of a section of tall grass and holds a clutch of birds in his left hand and a shot gun under his right arm. He is attired in a hunting cap, red jacket, tan pants, and black high boots. Leather straps are criss-crossed over his chest. Series no. III depicts an anthropomorphized chimpanzee as a man fishing at a dock. The man hangs his legs over a pier and holds a pole into the water. A basket of fish lays beside him. He wears a wide-brimmed hat, a brown jacket with the collar turned up, and blue checkered pants. The backs of two other anglers are visible in the left background. Series no. IV (2 copies) depicts anthropomorphized chimpanzees as a man and woman couple on promenade. The woman, in the left, is attired in a yellow bonnet, a yellow, three-quarter length sleeved dress with ruffling down the front and ruching on the skirt, and white gloves. She holds a fan by her left cheek, looks to her left, and lifts up the skirt of her dress and shows the edge of her slip. To the right, the man smiles and looks over her shoulder. He is attired in a bowler, red jacket, and grey-striped pants and holds a walking stick up under his arm.
Series no. VI depicts anthropomorphized chimpanzees as a man and woman couple getting married by a clergyman. The couple, their backs to the viewer, stand to the left of the clergyman attired in his ceremonial robes. The man wears a suit with a long jacket. The woman wears a white wedding dress with a veil adorned with floral ornaments. The dress is composed with ruched sleeves, and adorned with pink bows and ribbons. The figures all have solemn expressions. J.D. Larkin & Co. was founded in 1875. By 1881 the soap company included over 100 factory workers and sustained specialized departments for advertising and shipping, as well as solicited to door-to-door private residences in addition to shopkeepers. Trade cards with the company logo were included with each box of soap. By 1885 the firm only directly sold their products to residential customers and was known for their premiums. The company was sold in 1941 and continued as a mail-order business until 1962.
Notes Title from items.
Date, publisher, and manufacturer (printer) from copyright statements on prints: Copyright J.D. Larkin & Co., Buffalo, N.Y. 1881 and Copyright Clay & Richmond, Buffalo, N.Y. 1881.
Majority of prints (P.2020.3.1-4&7) distributed by J.D. Larkin & Co.
P.2020.3.5&6 distributed by the People’s Manufacturing Co.
Prints include the company logo “J.D. L. & Co., Buffalo, N.Y.” in two designs; one in cursive and the other as a monogram with a central block letter.
Includes series numbers: I. (2 variant images); II.; III.; V. (2 copies, same image); and VI.
Five of the prints contain variant advertising text on verso. All texts include statement: To Card Collectors.- There are six different designs in this set. We will mail the complete set to any address, on receipt of 3 c./three cent stamp.
RVCDC
Description reviewed 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Subject J.D. Larkin & Co.
African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Animals in human situations.
Artists.
Chimpanzees.
Clergymen.
Clothing & dress.
Cosmetics industry -- New York -- Buffalo.
Couples.
Fishing.
Hunters.
Racism in popular culture.
Salutations.
Weddings.
Genre Trade cards -- 1880-1890.
Chromolithographs -- 1880-1890.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| trade cards - Larkin [P.2020.3.1-7]
Accession number P.2020.3.1
P.2020.3.2
P.2020.3.3
P.2020.3.4
P.2020.3.5
P.2020.3.6
P.2020.3.7