Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Object of the Day, Caption Contest: The Wayside Sketcher

Click on image to go by the Wayside.



Here’s another instance of an advertiser using a stick trade card which only barely relates to the product being sold.

I’d say this one is quite old, probably about 1860 judging by the printing and the cardstock. Though the location of the concern is not listed, I’m fairly certain it comes from the north-eastern United States.

The card advertises for:

W.H. Watson, Manager for 
BARNARD, GALLUP & CO., 
ONE PRICE CLOTHIERS, 
A Fresh Supply of Men’s and Boy’s 
CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS and FURNISHINGS 
Constantly on hand at Lowest Prices. 


One price clothier, huh? Was it like a Victorian dollar store?

Nevertheless, that all makes perfect sense. But…high above the over-printing we have the lithograph that Mr. Watson selected. It’s “The Wayside Sketcher.” Okay. What has that to do with one price clothing? He’s got a hat. He’s got clothes on. He has “furnishings.” I suppose that’s it. So, let’s have a caption contest. What’s he sketching? Why is he under an umbrella? What’s going on with his hair? Answers in the comments, please.


18 comments:

April said...

He knew the boys would never believe he saw Geena May's ankle unless he showed them a picture.

Joseph Crisalli said...

He was later arrested.

Sam P said...

They may have mocked his clown feet and the fact that he was only an outline but Louis would get his revenge.

Joseph Crisalli said...

A man of no substance, Louis.

Matt said...

I think he's a cousin to that cupid from the other day.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Cupid got all the color.

Carolyn said...

Frank Baum's salad days.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Hold the dressing.

Darcy said...

One price clothing, one price clothing , what should I sketch?
Oh,good, there's sweet Alice, back from the Sheep Day Festival. I bet she's wearing one price clothing .
What's that she's got hidden in her bouquet ?
Oh no, she works for Bo Peep.
It's a good thing my parasol has a knife in the handle.

Gene said...

Even amateur magicians have hobbies.

Joseph Crisalli said...

True.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Darcy wins! I like the idea of there being a knife in his parasol handle and there being some sort of mob Battle Royale about the commence.

Angelo said...

Looks like Michael jackson.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Vaguely.

Barb said...

He's writing Thriller.

Joseph Crisalli said...

That would explain some things.

Dashwood said...

Poor guy. He couldn't even get respect in his own day. It appears that our boy is really Wilfred H. Matson with an "M" who was a musical instrument manager and then store manager for Barnard, Gallup and Co. in Pownal, Vermont. He was also listed as having become a Justice of the Peace in 1881. So besides being depicted as a dweeb of the first order on a card, they also got the name wrong. He also seemed to be quite small or sold a line of giant umbrellas. I'll bet he's drawing a picture of the printer with a knife in his head.

Joseph Crisalli said...

Thanks for the added information! That explains why I found nothing on him.