[Rarebooks] FS: 1870 Aquarium Promo Piece in the new Bookin'

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

An item from our new Bookin'! catalog =>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/Bookin-5.pdf>
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Handbill for J.W. Fiske Cast Iron Aquariums.

New York; J.W. Fiske: no date, but probably early 1870s.

An interesting handbill promoting the Fiske line of cast-iron Aquaria for
the high-class Victorian household. The Fiske company was an important and
prolific New York-based seller of cast iron and zinc weathervanes,
fountains, statuary, lawn and garden ornaments and, apparently, aquariums
as well. Many a town square north of the Mason-Dixon line is embellished
with a cast-zinc Civil War memorial statue or fountain made by Fiske.
Founded in Boston in 1862, the company developed, adapted, or outright
stole a wide variety of Victorian naturalistic and revival designs and
Classical themes for its products, which were manufactured to order by
other companies and marketed and sold by Fiske in a series of increasingly
grandiose catalogs.

This is not one of those, but a mere simple sheet, almost Shaker- esque in
its simplicity and economy. The front illustrates and promotes Fiske
aquariums, while the back extols the virtues of aquariums which, with
their sister terrariums, were becoming increasingly popular in Victorian
society, and gives a brief explanation of how easy they are to maintain.
"An Aquarium is not only an ornament, but is instructive and interesting.
It is particularly adapted for the Sitting room, Library and Dining Room,
and many times has been introduced into the sick-room, giving pleasure and
enjoyment; also to children who delight in watching the motion of the fish
and growth of the plants".

8.5"x11", single sheet. Folded, minor soil. [39694] $200

PICTURES =>
This item & pictures from it are in our new Bookin'! catalog =>
<http://www.joslinhall.com/Bookin-5.pdf>

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