Every body uses Scull's champion coffee [graphic].
Title
Every body uses Scull's champion coffee
Description
Racist trade card promoting William S. Scull & Company’s Champion Coffee and depicting a caricature of an African American man riding a mule while carrying bags of Scull’s coffee. The barefooted man is portrayed with exaggerated features and is attired in a brimmed hat, a polka-dotted, long-sleeved shirt, and plaid pants. He carries large sacks labeled, "Scull’s Champion," underneath each arm as he rides on a mule. In the right perched on a tree, a black crow says to the man, "Every body uses Scull’s Champion Coffee." An owl on another branch of the tree says, "So they do." The man turns his head back towards the birds and remarks in the vernacular, "who said da dont." Joab Scull founded the business which imported, packaged, and distributed tea and coffee in 1831. His son William S. Scull was in charge of the business under the name William S. Scull & Company from 1858 until his death in 1916. They had a large warehouse and mill at Front and Federal Streets, Camden, N.J. William C. Scull succeeded the Company, which changed its name to the Boscul Coffee Company in 1947. R.C. Williams & Co. then acquired the business in 1959., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of the advertised business., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: Reason’s why you should use Scull’s Champion Coffee. It is roasted by a new and improved process by which the strength is increased and aroma saved. It is packed hot from the cylinders, in one pound air-tight paper sacks, keeping it free from dust and dampness. It is giving universal satisfaction, and where-ever introduced wins for itself a place among the staple articles of trade. It is warranted full weight, uniform in quality, delicious in flavor, always fresh, always reliable. It is not ground, but the finest grade of Coffee cleaned of all impurities, scientifically roasted and packed hot, in the grain, thereby preserving the full flavor of the berry. It has become the leading Coffee in the country, because it is the best and therefore the cheapest. It is sure to please you. Ask you grocer for it. W.S. Scull & Co., Mills and Warehouse, Camden, N.J., Office, 33 South Front Street, Philadelphia., Distributor’s imprint printed on verso: F.G. Stuart & Co., 144 South 4th St., Phila., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - W.S. Scull & Co. [P.2017.95.185]
We never fade!! J. & P. Coats best six cord 200 yds 50 [graphic].
Title
We never fade!! J. & P. Coats best six cord 200 yds 50
Description
Racist trade card promoting J.&. P. Coats thread and depicting a caricature of an African American boy sitting on an oversized spool of thread in a field. Shows the boy seated and with his legs straddling a giant spool of black thread labeled, "J&P Coats best six cord 200 yds 50." He says “we never fade!!” and points his finger at the sun, which has a face and a concerned expression with a downward turned mouth. The boy is barefoot and attired in a white collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows; a multi-colored tie and belt; and red pants rolled up to the knees. In the foreground, two black crows look at the thread. A house is visible in the right background. Brothers James Coats, Jr. (1803-1845) and Peter Coats (1808-1890) established the firm J.&P. Coats, a thread manufactory. Their brother Thomas Coats (1809-1883) joined the firm soon after. By 1840, three quarters of the British company’s business was with the United States. In 1896, the firm merged with thread manufacturer Clark & Co. and formed J. & P. Coats, Ltd. In 2015, the firm was renamed, “Coats Group.”, Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: Fast Black Spool Cotton. Does it wear? Does it wash? When a textile fabric must be dyed a pure, rich, deep black, the question that presents itself to the dyer is: “Will these goods be washed in ordinary soap and water, or will they be dipped in some powerful acid, like aquafortis, sulphuric, or muriatic acid?” It they must withstand every-day wear and tear; he will not be so foolish as to fix his black by aid of powerful acids, but will treat the goods mildly, and thus secure superior strength and endurance. In like manner, a druggist will not put a rubber stopper in a bottle filled with sugar and water; he will naturally use an ordinary cork, and save the rubber for resisting violent acids. It is well to look with suspicion on all Acid Tests applied to Spool Cotton. To resist acids, the dyer must use acids at peril of rotting the thread. Intelligent people do not wash their clothes in acid baths. J. & P. Coats’ Black will hold its color as long as any fabric on which it can be used., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - J. & P. Coats [P.2017.95.89]