[Rising Sun Stove Polish by Morse Bros. trade cards]
Title
[Rising Sun Stove Polish by Morse Bros. trade cards]
Description
Series of illustrated trade cards depicting two cause and effect scenarios entitled "The story of a foolish man" and "The story of a wise man". In the four panels of "The story of a foolish man," a businessman buys an imitation stove polish from an "unprincipaled dealer" and as a result, suffers a cranky maid, dirty stove and late meals, which forces him to lose money and business. In the four panels of "The story of a wise man," a businessman purchases Rising Sun Stove Polish from a "respectable store" and as a result, enjoys a happy home, which allows him to tend to his business and eventually become a wealthy and well-respected Congressman. One print [1975.F.722] also depicts a package of Rising Sun Stove Polish on the verso and the other [1975.F.725] includes a bird's eye view of Morse Bros. manufactory in Canton, Massachusetts., Title supplied by cataloger., Advertising text printed on versos promotes Rising Sun Stove Polish created by Morse Bros. of Canton, Massachusetts. Cautions viewer to avoid imitations., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Rising [1975.F.722 & 1975.F.725]
No dinner? [graphic].
Title
No dinner?
Description
Racist trade card illustration promoting Rising Sun Stove Polish and depicting two domestic scenes with an African American husband and wife. The first scene shows the woman berating the man for buying an ineffective brand of stove polish and lunging toward him with the stick of polish in her left hand. The woman is attired in a blue and white headwrap, a red and white checkered scarf, a yellow and red patterned dress, a blue and white apron, and black shoes. The grey-haired man is attired in a blue and white top hat, a red long sleeved shirt, blue overalls, and black shoes. In the right is a bare wooden table and in the left is a dull black stove on top of which is a plain kettle. Visible beside the woman is a saucer and a brush. In the second scene, the man peeks his head from behind the door to the home and the woman faces and welcomes him with open arms. The woman is attired in a yellow and red headwrap; a blue, red, and white scarf; a red, white, and black patterned dress; a white and blue apron; and black shoes. The man is attired in a white and blue top hat. A cat with gray and black fur slinks behidn the woman. In the right is a wooden chair and a table with a red and white tablecloth, food, and utensils. In the left is a polished black stove, on top of whic sits a golden steaming kettle. Rising Sun Stove Polish Company was founded in Canton, Massachusetts by Elijah Morse in 1864., Title from item., Date inferred from content and genre of print., Advertising text printed on recto: Look yere, old man! What kind o' stove blacking you call dat? Ise been rubbin' on dat stove all mornin' an it don't gib it a polish worf a cent. You jest git de Rising Sun Stove Polish right away, or dar'l be trouble. You think I got time to 'speriment with such mud? Come in, Ephraim! Ise not mad with you dis time, case yer sent me de genuine Rising Sun Stoe Blacking; an' it shines de stove in good shape. An' here's yer dinner all ready. Somethin' agin yer? No, deed I haven't: yer tink ise an anjul to get along without good Stove Polish?, Advertising text printed on verso: An Acrostic. Royally the Rising Sun, In the east on fiery oar, Strong his daily course to run, Is with welcomes hailed afar. Nature in his radiance bright, Glowingly her form arrays; Sings her songs of sweet delight, Unisonant in his praise. Nations dwelling far and near See with joy his golden beams, Throwing back dark night, appear, Over plains and hills and sreams. Vividly his beams suggest Every bright and cheerful thing; Perfect, of its kind the best, One, the Polish that I sing. Lo! afar you find it famed, It the praise of all hath won; So, this Polish has been named, Happily, The Rising Sun., Advertising text printed on verso on right side is partially obscured., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1885]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Morse [P.2017.95.134]
A tale of the Rising Sun stove polish. [graphic].
Title
A tale of the Rising Sun stove polish
Description
Racist trade card circular advertising Rising Sun Stove Polish. Depicts four scenes in which a white woman, identified as Mrs. Smith, buys cheap ineffective stove polish from a "crafty shopkeeper" and proceeds to purchase the more effective Rising Sun Stove Polish. In the background of the scenes in Mrs. Smith's kitchen is her African American housekeeper, Dinah. Also depicted in the scenes are Mrs. Smith's friend Mrs. Jenkins, her husband Mr. Smith, and a small white dog. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jenkins are attired in elaborate and colorful dresses, hats, and hair pieces. In the scene titled "The wretched household," Dinah frowns and is attired" in a yellow dress with the sleeves rolled, a white apron, yellow shoes, white socks, and a yellow headwrap. She holds a brush in her left hand. In the scene titled "The happy home," Dinah smiles and is attired in a blue and white dress with a yellow skirt visible beneath it, black flat shoes, and a red and white cap. She holds a brush in her left hand and raises it triumphantly. In both scenes, she is depicted with exaggerated features. Rising Sun Stove Polish Company was founded in Canton, Massachusetts by Elijah Morse in 1864., Title from item., Text printed on recto: The crafty shopkeeper. "It's just as good!" the shopman - he was a vile deceiver. And Mrs. Smith, unused to guile, alas, was a believer. And on the rascal's oily words and lying tongue depended, and bought the swindling compound that the shopman recommended. The wretched household. Next day wise Mrs. Jenkins called on Mrs. Smith, her neighbor, and found the house all upside down, herself distraught with labor: the fire unkindled in the stove, and Dinah vainly trying to black the stove with that vile stuff her mistress had been buying. The dinner not commenced to get, and Mr. Smith expected, each moment home - no wonder that his wife appeared djected. Wise Mrs. Jenkins gazed in tears upon the scene - said she - "For all your troubles, dear, I know a sovereign remedy.", Text printed on verso: The beautiful chromo. Wise Mrs. Jenkins and her friend a little ramble took, and at a splendid chromo in a window took a look. Said Mrs. Jenkins (verbum sap), "'twill all your cares abolish, if you will use the best of all - the Rising Sun Stove Polish." The happy home. "Home, home, sweet home," entranced we gaze upon the peaceful scene, a happy home where everything is quiet and serene. Within the polished stove the fire is burning bright, and on old Dinah's face appears a smile of a calm delight. Kind reader, heed the moral taught, and then our story's done - no stove polish is "just as good" as is the Rising Sun., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1885]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Rising Sun [P.2017.95.149]