Lot 92

Stupendous cabinet card of a smiling young boy artfully posed and holding the hand of a life size “Brownie.” These characters were the creation of Canadian illustrator Palmer Cox in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1883. In 1893, a book entitled The Brownies at Home had them traveling in the US.
George Eastman appropriated the Brownie name for his camera in 1900 and started using these whimsical creatures to advertise his camera since his claim was that it was so simple to operate even a child could do it. There is no evidence that Eastman ever asked Cox for his permission.
We’ve seen this particular Brownie before in advertisements and we assume this was a store or studio model that was used for salerooms. The young boy has long locks and wears a fabulous sweater and killer knee-high leather boots. He could be a model or possibly the photographer’s son. The bug-eyed policeman is the largest example of a Brownie that we have ever seen in a cabinet card. This special piece is in excellent minus condition with a hint of wear. Identified to Eberhardt Rommel, Central Park Studio, NY. In a nod to the theme he advertises on the back, “Instantaneous Portraits of Children a Successful Specialty.”

Opening bid: $180