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Cigar Label: American Lithographic Company (ALCO)

Cigar Label American Lithographic Company ALCO - Flor de Scotia William D. Castro Tobacco Factory

Flor de Scotia (William D. Castro Tobacco Factory)

Cigar Label: Flor de Scotia is an original chromolithograph printed on wove paper and with full margins, as published around 1905 by the American Lithographic Company in New York for the William D. Castro Tobacco Factory, a cigar manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois. The American Lithographic Company (ALCO), was a consolidation of several companies acquired by the Knapp Company in 1892. Knapp was once partnered with the lithographic firm of Napoleon Sarony. Flor de Scotia depicts a portrait of Queen Mary of Scotland. This is a fine, original example of early 20th century American tobacco advertising and the chromolithographic art created by this firm.
 
Title: Flor de Scotia (William D. Castro Tobacco Factory)
Printer: American Lithographic Co., N. Y. (ALCO)
Registered: Trademark Registered by W. D. Castro
Date: c. 1905
Medium: Original Chromolithograph
Source: American Advertising Cigar Label (Trimming)
Note: Cigar Labels, American Tobacco Advertising Art: From approximately 1880 to 1930, cigar manufacturers were one of the most competitive and clearly the most lucrative of the American businesses. They were quick to recognize the vast potential of creating colorful and eye-catching images to represent their product. Because of this commercial rivalry, it was not unusual for a major cigar company to spend thousands of dollars in designing its labels. The result was that the greatest achievements in chromolithographic art were produced specifically for these companies. Such is the case for this original example entitled, "Flor de Scotia" created by (ALCO), the American Lithographic Company in New York around 1905 for the William D. Castro Tobacco Factory, a cigar manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois. We can ascertain from the Milwaukee Journal May 29, 1935 advertisement that the brand was popular and thus was still being sold in 1935, the advertisement reads; "Tampa Quality Hand Made Cigars, Of fine selected tobacco, Made in Tampa Florida. Choice of Perfecto, or Breva shapes, Flor de Scotia or Nimbus Brands..."
  The image on this original chromolithograph depicts a portrait of Queen Mary of Scots (1542-1587), Mary Stuart, daughter of King James V, King of Scotland. Mary was the Catholic queen of Scotland, claimant to the English throne. The portrait is placed within an oval framed setting decorated with a royal crown at the top. To the left of the portrait, the artist depicts a woman in red wearing an armour and holding a shield, most likely representing the symbol of war or strength. To the right of Queen Mary, there is an angel wearing a long yellow robe holding a manuscript. She must represent knowledge or wisdom. And finally, the artist has placed a musical instrument, roses and a sword beneath Queen Mary's portrait. The printing for this original chromolithograph includes, embossing, which lends a three dimensional quality to the label, bronzing and no less than five color stones were added. It is a striking example of complex printmaking techniques by the American Lithographic Company (ALCO) and American tobacco advertising art from the early 20th century.
  Sarony and Major, Sarony & Company: Born of English parents in Quebec City, Napoleon Sarony (Quebec, 1821 - New York, 1896), learned lithography from his father and emigrated to New York in 1836. There, he worked as an apprentice for several lithographers, including Nathaniel Currier. Sarony then opened a lithographic business in partnership with Henry B. Major. The company went through a number of confusing overlapping alterations in names and partnerships. It was called 'Sarony and Major' (c. 1846 - 1857). Then Sarony's company bore the title, 'Sarony & Company' (c. 1853-1857).
  Sarony, Major & Knapp, The Knapp Co. and the Joseph P. Knapp Co.: During the mid 1850's, Joseph Fairchild Knapp (1832-1891), entered the firm and the name of the company was expanded to, 'Sarony, Major & Knapp' (c 1855 - c. 1864). Napoleon Sarony left the partnership around 1864 to pursue a new career in photography, many will recognize his name as he rose to become one of America's most famous pioneers in this field. After Sarony's departure, the company took on the name of, Major & Knapp around 1864, and by 1888 it became known as The Knapp Company. Around 1890, Joseph Palmer Knapp (1864-1951), purchased the company from his father and shortly after renamed it, the 'Joseph P. Knapp Co.'. Later, the company would assume the title of the 'American Lithographic Company', and from 1892 to 1929, it became one of the largest lithographic firms in North America.
 

Note: When Joseph P. Knapp’s company became the art publishing branch of the 'American Lithographic Company' (ALCO), they continued producing great works of art under various Knapp names. The Knapp firms were the advertising specialty printers of calendars and promotional items. Starting around 1900, the printing history of the Knapp firm becomes a bit more confusing as the various Knapp firms taking credit for the printed material are numerous and the dates sometimes overlap. The following includes a list of the lithographic Knapp firms recorded on various prints from 1864 to 1929.

Major & Knapp Engr. & Mf'g & Lith. Co., N.Y.
Major & Knapp Co., N.Y.
Major Knapp & Co. 56 & 58 Park Place, N.Y.
Major, Knapp & Co., N.Y.
The Major & Knapp Lith. Co. N.Y
Knapp & Co., N.Y.
Knapp & Co., Lith., N.Y
Knapp & Co., Lithographers and Printers, Park Place, N.Y.
The Knapp Co., N.Y.
The Knapp Co., Lith. N.Y
Joseph P. Knapp Litho. N.Y.
Knapp Co., Inc., N.Y.
The Knapp Co., Inc., N.Y.
American Lithographic Co., N.Y. (ALCO)

  The American Lithographic (ALCO) 1892-1929: In 1892, the financial Commercial Chronicle and Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, a weekly Newspaper reported the consolidation of business interests under the title of the "American Lithographic Co.," purchased by the Knapp Company, New York. The firms that were integrated into this merger were all competing for the cigar label and advertising industry at the time. This merger included, George S. Harris & Sons, Philadelphia, Harris founded the cigar label lithographic company in 1847; Heppenheimer's and Sons, one of the nation's most important cigar label printers (1851-1892), founded by Frederick Heppenheimer, the Donaldson Brothers Co., NY, the Giles Company, Eddy & Calaus, Witsch & Schmitt, and Schumacher & Ettinger. The President of the new company would become Mr. P. Knapp. The American Lithographic Company printed and published everything from advertising art to fine art prints such as, cigar labels, trade cards, world war one posters and works of art dealing with many other subjects. "Flor de Scotia" is a fine example of the cigar label art created by ALCO during this period for the William D. Castro Tobacco Factory. Around 1928, the firm was purchased by the United States Printing & Lithographic Company. In 1929, the Consolidated Litho Company took over their label producing division.
  Important American publishing and printing firms that produced original lithographs and chromolithographs during the 19th and early 20th centuries include, Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York, the American Lithographic Company (ALCO), New York, Currier & Ives, New York, John Winsch, New York True & Company, Augusta, Maine, Opeyfuss & Sachs, New York, H. Hallett & Co., Portland, Maine, Frank Leslie's, Illustrated Newspaper, New York, A. Hoen & Company, Richmond, Virginia, Calvert Lithographic Company in Detroit, Michigan, Louis Prang & Company, The Century Company, New York, Hallen & Weiner, NY, and others.
  These American Companies printed and published everything from advertising posters, trade cards, post cards, labels, maps and sheet music to fine art prints. They produced monochrome and hand-colored lithographs as well as chromolithographic prints dealing with Victorian genre, topographical views, seascapes, political subjects, still life images of flowers and fruit, depictions of children and beautiful women, animals and birds. These works of art are surely a mirror into our past.
  Chromolithography -- printing images by using a series of carefully registered tint stones -- became the most popular method for publishing everything from fine art and posters to post cards and advertisements during the latter half of the nineteenth century and into the early 20th century. Further, expensive steps were added during the 'golden' age of the cigar label. Brass embossing dies were often engraved into the paper, lending a three dimensional quality to the label. As well, a bronze powder was applied like ink and burnished with brushes to create areas of gold. This was called, 'bronzing'. As antique art, advertisements such as this original example entitled, Flor de Scotia represent the epitome of complex printmaking techniques and artistry.
  One of the major factors that led to the downfall of this unique art during the 1920's was the far less costly advances of photomechanical methods which made this original and complex form of art all but obsolete.
Size: 4 1/4 X 4 1/4 (Label Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width)
  Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Condition: Printed on early 20th century wove paper and with full margins as published on the above date. This is a beautifully printed impression and in superb condition throughout. "Flor de Scotia" is a striking example of the original lithographic art created by the American Lithographic Company, New York for the William D. Castro Tobacco Factory.
Price: Sold - The price is no longer available.
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Original Chromolithograph Cigar Label by the American Lithographic Company (ALCO).

Flor de Scotia William D. Castro Tobacco Factory by by the American Lithographic Company also known as ALCO
Flor de Scotia (William D. Castro Tobacco Factory)

View Other Original Chromolithographic Cigar Labels in our gallery (Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com).

Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com - Late 19th & Early 20th Century Cigar Labels
# Image Title Medium Date Notes -
01- Africora - Cigar Label Africora (Mi Fama por el Orbe, H Cy Ca): Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c.1905 Woman draped in exotic Indian dress emerging from a tropical setting  
02- Alcazar - Cigar Label Alcazar (M&N Cigar Mfgrs Inc., Cleveland, Ohio): Cigar Label, Consolidated Litho. Corp., New York Original Chromolithograph 1926 Famous trotter, and the harness racer, Alcazar, facing left, includes a view of the race track Sold
03- Brick House - Cigar Label Brick House Selected Tabaccos (M&N Cigar Mfgrs Inc., Cleveland, Ohio): Cigar Label, Consolidated Lithographing Corporation, Brooklyn, NY Original Chromolithograph c. 1926-1930 Tobacco plantation in the mountains, a red brick house, a woman, and a donkey.  
04.- Chicago Hand Made - Cigar Label Chicago Hand Made, Mild Havana Blend: Cigar Label, Schlegel Litho Company, New York Original Chromolithograph 1920 View of the Chicago skyline from across the bay Sold
05- Christy Girl - Cigar Label Christy Girl, Registered by Lee Heine: Cigar Label, Schlegel Litho Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 - 1900 Portrait of a woman in red based upon a Howard Chandler Christy design  
06- Clipper - Cigar Label Clipper: Cigar Label, 19th Century American Tobacco Advertising, Charles Odence Company, Boston, Massachusetts Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 The Clipper is a multiple-masted sailing ship generally used by merchants due to their high speed Sold
07- Compliments of the Season - Cigar Label Compliments of the Season, The Old Old Greeting Kind & True: Cigar Label, Julius Bien Company, New York Original Chromolithograph 1911 Christmas, floral arrangement with traditional poinsettias and bells.  
08- Coqueta - Cigar Label Coqueta (American Tobacco Advertising Art): Cigar Label, American Lithographic Company New York Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 Portrait of a woman, French style, period of Marie Antoinette.  
09- Edmund Halley - Cigar Label Edmund Halley (James W. Smith Cigar Co., U.S.A): Cigar Label, Benjamin J. Kane, Co., Philadelphia, PA Original Chromolithograph c. 1910 Portrait of Edmund Halley, the first to calculate the orbit of a comet, "Halley's Comet".  
10- El Gaurdo - Cigar Label El Gaurdo (Title and Design Registered): Cigar Label, D. S. Erb & Co., Boyertown, Pennsylvania Original Chromolithograph c. 1910 English bulldog on duty, beside him is a cigar box with a similar label, a picture within a picture Sold
11- Elsie - Cigar Label Elsie: Cigar Label, Henry B. Grauley, State House Cigar Mfg. Co., Philadelphia, PA Original Chromolithograph c. 1885 Little girl poking her head out of a brick wall opening  
12- Epco - Cigar Label Epco (Title & Design Owned by E.P.C. Co.): Cigar Label, East Prospect Cigar Company, Pennsylvania Original Chromolithograph c. 1930 Woman dressed in ancient Egyptian attire holding a harp, seascape and sailboat in the distance.  
13- Flor de Scotia - Cigar Label Flor de Scotia (William D. Castro Tobacco Factory): Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c.1905 Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots Sold
14- Grey Horse - Cigar Label Grey Horse (Portrait of General James Outram): Cigar Label, F. M. Howell Company, Elmira, New York Original Chromolithograph 1890 Statue of General James Outram, 1st Baronet mounted on his horse. Sold
15- La Tonelda - Cigar Label La Tonelda, No 577 Copyright in the US Patent Office: Cigar Label, Julius Bien Company, New York Original Chromolithograph 1911 Portrait, young woman in an oval frame and gold coin decorations  
16- Marina - Cigar Label Marina (Petitos): Cigar Label, 19th Century Dutch Tobacco Advertising Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 Portrait of a woman wearing a blue sailing shirt holding a boat paddle.  
17- - Mariner (Uit de Beste Soorten Tabak Gefabriceerd): Cigar Label, 19th Century Dutch Tobacco Advertising Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 Sailor seated on cargo at a dock (Manufactured using the Best Types of Tobacco) Sold
18- - Meisterschaft (Championship 'Rowing Competition'): Cigar Label, German Tobacco Advertising Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 - 1920 Man wearing an old fashion red swimsuit rowing his boat in a competition. Sold
19- Mexican Princess - Cigar Label Mexican Princess (Manufactured by Oaxaca Association, Chicago, Illinois): Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c.1905 Portrait of a Mexican Woman dressed in ornate Native costume  
20- Motorist Cigar Label AAA Motorist, Chicago-Capital-City (Havana Cigars - Chicago AAA Capitol): Cigar Label, F. C. Lundquist Maker Printed by Harry Erickson, Chicago, Illinois Original Chromolithograph 1922 Mercury ablaze at the wheel of a Motor vehicle  
21- Our Bird - Cigar Label Our Bird (Charles Lindbergh's Plane, Spirit of St. Louis): Cigar Label, Early 20th Century American Advertising Original Chromolithograph 1930's Image of Lindbergh's monoplane lane printed in blue and red tones  
22- Peter Manning - Cigar Label Peter Manning, Champion Trotter (Owned by Hanover Shoe Farms): Cigar Label, Early 20th Century American Tobacco Advertising Original Chromolithograph 1922 Head study of the horse Peter Manning, includes a view of the race track. Sold
23- Strawberry - Cigar Label Strawberry (Entered According to the Act of Congress, by Fred Wambach, Washington): Cigar Label, Fred Wambach Tobacco Company Original Chromolithograph 1874 Fantastic mouse drawn carriage loaded with a giant strawberry  
24- Swan - Cigar Label Swan: Cigar Label, Early 20th Century Tobacco Advertising Original Chromolithograph c. 1925 White Swan in blue water and view of a Tropical Island  
25- The Signal Perfecto - Cigar Label The Signal Perfecto (John T. Stier & Son, Louisville, Kentucky): Cigar Label (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c. 1905-1915 Victorian woman dressed in gray, waving her handkerchief and leaning against a parasol.  
26- Two Friends - Cigar Label Two Friends (Title and Design Registered): Cigar Label, 19th Century American Tobacco Advertising Original Chromolithograph c. 1890 Seated Victorian Woman shaking the paw of a Saint Bernard  
27- White Cat - Cigar Label White Cat (Standard Quality): Consolidated Lithographing Corporation, Brooklyn, NY Original Chromolithograph c. 1930 Furry white cat perched on a giant cigar  

View Original works of art associated with the Sarony Lithographic Firm.

Sarony & Co., Sarony, Major & Knapp, Knapp Company & the American Lithographic Company
# Image Title Medium Date Notes -
01- Africora - Cigar Label Africora, Mi Fama por el Orbe, H Cy Ca: Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph 1905 American Lithographic Co., N.Y  
02.- Bivouac January 28 by John Tidbal Bivouac, January 28 by John Tidball, printed by Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York  
03.- Canadian River near Camp 38 by Heinrich Balduin Mollhausen Canadian River near Camp 38 by Heinrich Balduin Mollhausen, printed by Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York  
04.- Chimney Peak From The Colorado River by John J. Young Chimney Peak From The Colorado River by John J. Young, printed by Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York  
05.- Coqueta - Cigar Label Coqueta: Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c. 1895 American Lithographic Co., N.Y  
06.- Fairbank's Fairy Calendar 1901 ALCO American Lithographic Company New York Fairbank's Fairy Calendar 1901, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph 1901 American Lithographic Co., N.Y Sold
07.- Flor de Scotia - Cigar Label Flor de Scotia, William D. Castro Tobacco Factory: Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c.1905 American Lithographic Co., N.Y Sold
08.- Mexican Princess - Cigar Label Mexican Princess, Crown imported and Manufactured by Oaxaca Association, Chicago, Illinois, Buena Vista, Mexico: Cigar Label, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c.1905 American Lithographic Co., N.Y  
09.- Peaks of the Sierra Blanca by Richard Kern Peaks of the Sierra Blanca (From near Fort Massachusetts) by Richard Kern, printed by Sarony, & Co., New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York  
10.- Palouse Falls by John Mix Stanley Peluse Falls by John Mix Stanley, Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York Sold
11.- Rio Colorado near the Mohave Villages by John Young and H. B. Mollhausen Rio Colorado near the Mojave Villages (Mohave Villages) by John J. Young & H. B. Mollhausen, printed by Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York  
12.- The Signal Perfecto - Cigar Label The Signal Perfecto, John T. Stier & Son, Louisville, Kentucky, (ALCO) American Lithographic Company, New York Original Chromolithograph c. 1905-1915 American Lithographic Co., N.Y  
13.- Trade Card by The Major and Knapp Lith. Company New York Advertiser Lautz Brothers and Company New York Trade Card by The Major & Knapp Lith. Co. N.Y. (Advertiser: Lautz Brothers & Company, New York) Original Chromolithograph c. 1885 The Major & Knapp Lith. Co. N.Y.  
14.- Trade Card by The Knapp Company New York for the Woolson Spice Company Trade Card by The Knapp Co., Lith., N.Y (Advertiser: Woolson Spice Company, Toledo, Ohio) Original Chromolithograph c. 1890 - 1895 The Knapp Co., Lith., N.Y  
15- Trade Card Advertiser: Woolson Spice Company Toledo Ohio Hit the Bull's Eye by The Knapp Co. Lith. New York Trade Card (Advertiser: Woolson Spice Company, Toledo, Ohio), Shooting Arrow! by The Knapp Co., New York Original Chromolithograph 1893 The Knapp Co., Lith., N.Y  
16- Valley of La Cuesta Rio Pecos by Heinrich Mollhausen Valley of La Cuesta, Rio Pecos by Heinrich Balduin Mollhausen, printed by A. Hoen & Company, Baltimore Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1853 - 1855 Sarony, Major & Knapp, New York  
17- View of Hong-Kong From East Point by Wilhelm Heine and Eliphalet Brown Jr. View of Hong-Kong From East Point by Wilhelm Heine and Eliphalet Brown Jr., Sarony & Co., New York Original Lithograph with Tint Stone 1856 Sarony & Co., New York Sold

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