Salesman's sample
Object/Artifact
A large wooden box which contains an elaboratedly framed photographic portrait of a man with a white beard. The portrait was a sample of how the J.A. Shepard Portrait Copying House in Chicago could enlarge and enhance a photo with crayons. The sample includes a photocopied price sheet and sales information. There is also a small original photo of the bearded man for comparison.
The flat box is hinged with a padded, upholstered lid to better showcase and protect the sample. At some point, somebody added a clear plastic cover, held on with glue, tacks and white velcro. The box has a locking latch and a brutal metal caring handle.
A court case and a newspaper article (below) indicate J.A. Shepard was in business from at least 1889 to 1891.
2020.12.01
Example of early photographic products. $1 was worth about $32 in 1890.
Objects: historical artifacts
Voss, Mary
1889 - 1901
28 in
25 in
4 in
On top of shelving units
Good
Status: OK Status By: Mary Voss Status Date: 2020-04-20
It seems J.A. Shepard was plagued by shady sales representatives: https://cite.case.law/pa/143/642/ City of Titusville v. Brennan, 143 Pa. 642 (1891) Oct. 5, 1891 · Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · No. 121 143 Pa. 642 CITY OF TITUSVILLE v. J. W. BRENNAN
04/20/2020
08/23/2022