Marvelous antique advertising chromolithograph portrait of a charming young girl that until recently hung in an old country store in Vermont. This image was used to advertise a variety of products, it is similar to what we call a ’stock image’ today. I have seen this particular lovely girl advertising Hamilton Watches, Country Club Beer, Schell’s Beer, and Heil’s Extra Beer. Can you imagine what would ensue if children were used to advertise alcohol today? Perhaps that’s why the shop owner who had this sign hanging for so many years trimmed off the advertising borders.

CONDITION is good with expected dings, pings, rust, and minor scratches. The most prominent ding shows best in the photograph taken in raking light, please look at the pics carefully. There are three small hanging holes punched at the top, and the printer’s mark and Copyright date of 1904 appear at the bottom of the oval along with the title “A Lady of Quality.” Measures 14” x 11”

Every child knows how much fun it is to play dress-up, and this little girl is clearly enjoying the game. Wearing a simple shift which she holds up as if it were a gown made of the finest silk, she has donned an elaborate bonnet dripping with blue dyed ostrich plumes, an extravagant grownup chapeau. In her other hand she holds a red and a white rose. In Floriography, the Victorian language of flowers which was an integral part of the cultural milieu of the time, a red rose symbolizes ‘love’ and ‘respect’ while a white rose means ‘innocence,’ ‘secrecy,’ and thus conveys the message ‘I am worthy.’ Red and white roses together signify ‘unity’ and were sometimes used as the flower emblem of England. Taken as a whole, these subliminal messages of their day convey to the public that the product was a good one to be loved, admired, trusted (and purchased of course).

This lovely piece of original American advertising art is ready to grace your home. Enjoy!

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I have two of these lovely tin chromolith pieces. If you’d like to take a look at the other, search for item RL-1219 in my shop “Oh Art and Antiques LLC”