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J. H. Richards’ New Oil Compound, a Beautiful Jet-Black Polish[.] Quick and Clean.

New York: J. H. Richards, ca 1870. Lith. of Major & Knapp, 71 Broadway. Chromolithograph, 12.375” 9.375” plus margins.

A most animated and colorful advertising print for shoe polish manufactured by J.H. Richards of New York, featuring an African American man in the stereotypical role of the bootblack, who nevertheless comes through as a handsome and compelling figure, exuding vitality.

In his prominent placement, jaunty pose, bright red shirt sleeves, and blue vest with gold polka dots, he stands in sharp contrast to the more quietly dressed figures around him— a boy admiring his reflection in a highly polished boot, a cat frightened at its reflection on another boot, and two women in the background, apparently looking on in general admiration. The phrase “ A Beautiful Jet-Black Polish” on the left seems to apply as much to the shoeshine man as the polish.

Joseph F. Knapp (ca. 1830–1889) and Henry Major were important New York lithographers over the course of their fifty years of work. After the establishment of Sarony & Major in 1846 by Napoleon Sarony (1821–1896) and fellow lithographer Henry B. Major—both of whom worked for Nathaniel Currier—Joseph F. Knapp became a partner and the firm name changed to Sarony, Major & Knapp. During this time Henry B. Major was succeeded by Richard C. Major (apparently his son). The company grew quickly in the late-1850s; in 1859, their business operated forty lithographic presses. Sarony left the firm in 1863 to pursue a career in photography. Now known as Major & Knapp, the company continued to expand, but endured a temporary setback caused by a devastating fire in 1885. In 1888, Richard Major retired and the company became Knapp & Co. In 1891, Joseph Knapp helped found the American Lithographic Co. From the 1840s to the early 1870s, Major & Knapp was the largest U.S. producer of colored sheet music covers. The firm also produced illustrations for the tobacco industry, advertising trade cards, historical prints, advertising posters, and illustrations for government publications, including the lithographs for the official report on Commodore Perry’s 1855 Japan Expedition.

REFERENCES: Last, Jay. The Color Explosion, pp. 132-134.

CONDITION: Very good, small spot on umbrella just below the C and H in Richards.

Item #6041

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