An invitation to settle in New England.
Buy Homes of J.W. Wilbur Co.
$650
In stock
Description
Buy Homes of J.W. Wilbur Co. is a striking turn-of-the-century real estate poster advertising urban developments in rural New England. It constitutes a piece of early American print advertising.
Created around 1900 by the Calhoun Print Company of Hartford, Connecticut, this large, color-printed broadside features a lovely scene with a New England town nestled in a picturesque valley, complete with factories, church steeples, and elegant domed buildings. In the foreground, stakes mark out potential building sites, inviting viewers to imagine their future homes in this prosperous setting. These new plots are connected to the town using cable cars, shown heading both ways down the road.
The advertisement is a testament to the commercially oriented American mindset. It represents the pioneering efforts of Jacob W. Wilbur, a Boston-based real estate developer, who was among the first to offer small homes to working-class families on installment plans. This initiative was revolutionary at the time, giving many the opportunity to own their homes and establish roots in burgeoning communities.
The broadside’s vivid depiction, framed by a delicate, scrolled, and floral border, captures the optimism of the era and the promise of growth and stability that Wilbur’s developments offered. Despite minor wear, the print remains in very good condition, making it a valuable addition to any Americana or folk art collection.
Cartographer(s):
The Calhoun Print Company, based in Hartford, Connecticut, was a prominent printing firm known for its high-quality woodcut and lithographic prints in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Specializing in large, color-printed posters and broadsides, the company gained recognition for its ability to produce visually striking and graphically appealing advertisements, maps, and artistic prints. The Calhoun Print Company was particularly noted for its use of the woodcut process in creating large pictorial posters, an uncommon technique at the time, which set their work apart in the print industry.
Their work often featured intricate designs and vibrant colors, showcasing the artistic capabilities of the time while serving as effective marketing tools for various businesses, including real estate developers and local industries. The company’s prints have since become highly regarded for their craftsmanship and historical significance, reflecting the visual and cultural trends of the era in which they were produced.
Condition Description
Scattered wear and repairs. Overall very good.
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