This is the real deal.
Reproductions of this adorable and very rare Diamond Dyes advertising sign have been
produced over and over, but this is the authentic, bevel-edged tin over cardboard
sign; “A Busy Day in Dollville”, circa
1911.
The original has a black border and
measures 11 ½ by 17 inches. In addition to the 1911 copyright date, it is also
well marked as being manufactured by American Art Works of Coshochton, Ohio,
one of the premier makers of tin signs and trays during the first decades of
the 20th century.
The artist is Bessie Pease Gutmann, who was born in
Philadelphia in 1876, (1876-1960), studied art at several schools as a young
woman and was an independent commercial artist.
Gutmann & Gutmann, a company that produced art prints hired her in
1903 and three years later, Bessie married Hellmuth Guttman, her boss. They had three children who often were used
as her models in her illustrations. She
was a working mother long before working mothers were commonplace.
Bessie Pease Gutmann illustrated 22 magazine covers between the years 1906-1920. She illustrated books and created innumerable art prints. As far as research indicates, there is only one self-framed tin advertising sign that bears her work, and that is "A Busy Day in Dollville".
This exceptional and charming piece of advertising
history is available at Vintage Gal Antiques.
Please call or email to obtain the price.
