Contributor |
Shirk, Jacob G., distributor. |
|
Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., printer. |
Title |
Bloch. Bros. West Virgina mail pouch tobacco. I tell you breddern, it pays you to read erbout W.V.A Mail Pouch terbacker on
de oder side dis yer card [graphic].
|
Publisher |
Baltimore : Guggenheimer, Weil & Co |
Publisher |
M.D. Baltimore. 1880 |
Date |
[ca. 1880] |
Physical Description |
1 print : chromolithograph ; sheet 14 x 9 cm (5.5 x 3.25 in.) |
Description |
Trade card promoting the Bloch Brothers' chewing tobacco. Depicts a racist caricature of an older African American man tobacco
peddler portrayed with exaggerated features and selling his product in a clumsy manner on a stage. He looks flabbergasted,
stands behind a small table with two leaves drawn open, and holds a green umbrella over his head with his right hand. He holds
the top of the table with his other hand while a pitcher, cup of water, and a lit candle in a candlestick fall off of the
table or fly in the air. An illustrated package of "Bloch Brothers' Mail Pouch Tobacco" falls toward the audience. On the
stagefloor in front of the table is a brown bottle with a lit candle, a hurricane lantern, a candle in a candlestick, and
a brimmed hat. Behind the salesman in the right is an open bag with a boot and clothes spilling out. A clock hangs on the
back wall. In the foreground, the backs of four men’s heads in the audience are visible. The white-haired salesman is attired
in a red, plaid suit; a red tie waving in the air; white collared shirt; black boots; and spectacles. Brothers Aaron and Samuel
Bloch founded the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1879 by manufacturing cigars. They created
Mail Pouch chewing tobacco by flavoring and packaging leftover cigar clippings. Bloch Brothers was sold in 1969 to the General
Cigar and Tobacco Company, which became a division of Culbro in 1978. The Company was acquired by the Helme Tobacco Company
in 1983 and later changed its name to Swisher International. Swisher continues to produce Mail Pouch tobacco into the 21st
century.
|
Notes |
Title from item. |
|
Date inferred from the history of the advertised business and the attire of figures depicted. |
|
Distributor's imprint stamped on verso: Jacob G. Shirk, 886 N. Christian St., Lancaster, PA. |
|
Stamp partially visible on recto: Note: [?] Jacob Shirk, [308?] N. Christian Street. |
|
Advertising text printed on verso: To consumers of smoking and chewing tobacco: There has for years been a demand for a superior
smoking tobacco, something cheap and meritorious, reverse from most brands, which are only manufactured for the profits derived
by the manufacturer and the dealer, with no satisfaction to the consumer. It is a reform in Tobaccos, no stems to smoke nor
mysterious compounds to chew. The qualities that recommend "Mail Pouch" Tobacco strongest as an article of merit, are:-- 1st.
That it is a combination of Long Cut manipulated Virginia, Kentucky, Connecticut and Pennsylvania Leaf, by our own and original
process, which makes it a cool smoke and a lasting chew. 2nd. In cheap tobaccos the smoker has been so long dosed with doctored,
perfumed stuff, flattened stems mixed in with common Tobacco, to get something free from noxious flavorings and adulterations,
is a result that must be appreciated. 3d. We claim that it is, without exception, the best and cheapest Tobacco ever offered
to the consumer. The popularity of the W. Va. Mail Pouch Smoking and Chewing Tobacco is sufficient recommendation. It has
attained its success and demand on its merits and sterling worth, it therefore has many imitators, but no equal. Bloch Bros.,
M'f'rs, Wheeling, W.Va.
|
|
Gift of David Doret. |
Subject |
Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company. |
|
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Audiences. |
|
Candles. |
|
Candlesticks. |
|
Clumsiness. |
|
Older people. |
|
Peddlers. |
|
Pitchers. |
|
Racism in popular culture. |
|
Selling. |
|
Smokeless tobacco. |
|
Stages (Platforms). |
|
Tables. |
|
Tobacco industry -- West Virginia -- Wheeling. |
Genre |
Chromolithographs -- 1870-1880. |
|
Trade cards -- 1870-1880. |
Associated name |
Shirk, Jacob G., distributor. |
Printer |
Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., printer. |
Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Goldman Trade Card Collection - Bloch [P.2017.95.15] |
Accession number |
P.2017.95.15 |