Rare 1882 Post-Civil War W.BOELL LITHOGRAPH "MRS POTTS SAD IRON WALK" Trade Card

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This auction is for one authentic, and wonderfully rare, "Mrs. Pott's Sad-Iron Walk" lithographed trade card from 1882. Printed by the firm of W. Boell, (from offices located at 505 Market Street, Philadelphia), which was known for large lithograph prints of city scenes and Civil War events, including the famous U.S. Grant print, they were commissioned early by their neighbor, the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, makers of the Pott's Patent Sad Iron. The advertiser on the obverse and reverse sides, was Mrs. Mary Potts, who patented her interchangable sad iron in 1871. Her very successful factory was also located in Philadelphia, and advertised early with Boell. As sad iron sales increased other printing firms were engaged. Many tens of thousands of cards, in dozens of different styles, were made by the competing printers, but this particularly charming image is especially scarce, as it shows Mary Potts in comic form winning the race. Boell Lithograph was soon replaced by Mayer, and other competitors, as Boell preferred the large print market. Originally collected by a Victorian child, for a personal scrapbook well over a century ago, this example rates a "Very Good " to "Fine" Condition. Light pastel fawn coloring and detail on the obverse. One small crinkle seam on left edge and one corner flake above it. Off center obverse. read more

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