MISCELLANY - Numbered
(incl. BIRDS)
Size:
3" x 5" or 5" x 3"
Date: Undated
Lithographer: Unidentified
This is a series of 50 cards, numbered from 51 through 100 on the back of each card in the lower left corner.
The front of each card in this group is a multi-colored illustration, in either a vertical (mostly) or horizontal format, depicting one of a wide assortment of subjects. The first 19 cards (numbers 51 through 69) feature birds. On the remaining cards (numbers 70 through 100), similar subjects are generally found on two or more consecutively numbered cards. These include portraits of children holding flowers, women doing chores, children playing in snow, street urchins, girls with pets and toys, stagecoaches, sailors, etc.
The back of each card consists of one of two styles, printed in black. Some show a detailed engraving of the Arbuckle factory buildings and docks, in a horizontal format, while others contain only the standard "Four Points" sales pitch, in a vertical format, explaining the virtues of Arbuckles' Ariosa Coffee. (See examples.) As far as I know, any given card number may be found with one or the other of these styles, but not both.
This group of cards appears to be a hodgepodge of stock illustrations which Arbuckles' adapted for their own use. While a few of them include what appears to be an artist's name or a simple humorous title, none of them bear copyright dates or the name of the lithographer. Several of these illustrations may also be found on trade cards for other products or companies, with the birds often being found as one component of a more elaborate design.
Disclaimer: Although Arbuckles' didn't name the birds shown on these cards, with some assistance I've been able to identify most of them, at least in general terms. However, I'm not terribly knowledgeable in this area and my identifications may not all be completely accurate. Corrections and additions would be welcome.
CLICK ON ANY THUMBNAIL TO VIEW FULL SIZE CARD
#51 |
#52 |
#53 |
#54 |
#55 |
#56 |
#57 |
#58 |
#59 |
#60 |
#61 |
#62 |
#63 |
#64 |
#65 |
#66 |
#67 |
#68 |
#69 |
#70 |
#71 |
#72 |
#73 |
#74 |
#75 |
#76 |
#77 |
#78 |
#79 |
#80 |
#81 |
#82 |
#83 |
#84 |
#85 |
#86 |
#87 |
#88 |
#89 |
#90 |
#91 |
#92 |
#93 |
#94 |
#95 |
#96 |
#97 |
#98 |
#99 |
#100 |
