MISCELLANY - Unnumbered
Size: (approx.) 3" x 5" or 5" x 3"
Date: Undated (but most likely
issued in late 1888 or early 1889)
Lithographer (where identified):
Geo. S. Harris & Sons
This series of 100 cards
comprises a very eclectic assortment of subjects and was probably
issued and distributed at the same time as the two Satire series. I
believe that this is the set referred to on the back of some of the
Arbuckles' "Counter" cards
as the Artistic series. It's also sometimes referred to as the "General
Subjects" or "General Interest" series.
The front of each card in this
group is a multi-colored illustration, in either a vertical (57) or
horizontal (43) format, depicting one of a wide assortment of subjects.
There are usually three or more similar-looking cards in any given
category. These subjects include animals, military uniforms, little
girls in portrait-type poses, courtship scenes, religious themes,
English scenes, etc. I've tried to group cards by subject (my own
designations) in the thumbnails below.
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.) All cards are known to
exist with both style backs.
This group of cards appears to be
a hodgepodge of stock illustrations that Arbuckles' simply issued with
their own standard advertising applied to the back. None of them bear
copyright markings. Several of these illustrations may also be found in
the Miscellany - Numbered
series and on trade cards for other products or companies. Many
of
them were also used on greeting cards produced by Raphael Tuck &
Sons. Some of those designs, such as the three "Angels", are known to
have originated with Tuck, but I don't know if all of them did or if
they simply had a common source. Around 1888 or so, Tuck also produced
folios of "Studies" which included the designs from the "Fruit"
grouping and the named countries from the "Women" grouping. Many years
later, probably in the early 1900s, Tuck used several of the designs on
post cards. All four
Donkeys cards were issued by Arbuckles' in a slightly different size
and format, as well. Those cards are shown in the Short Sets group.
CLICK ON ANY THUMBNAIL TO VIEW
FULL SIZE CARD
(Please
note: The page navigation within this series does not follow
exactly the thumbnail sequence shown below, although the card groupings
are in the same order.)
| FRUIT |
|
HIGH-WHEEL BICYCLES |
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 |
 |
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