[Color broadside – Chocolate]; Rey, John B

Chocolate, No. 2. Manufactured by John B. Rey, 33 Burling Slip, New York.

New York: John B. Rey, [1840s-50s].

Broadside (16.5 x 22.3 cm.), printed one side only with split fountain (roller rainbow). Illustrated. Date range from the range of listings in directories, etc. We would be tempted to call this a trade card, but for the thin stock it is printed on, more fit to be pasted up than handed out. Described as a "manufacturer of cordials, bitters, essences, syrups, rock candy, sweatmeats, brandy, fruits, sweet, plain and fancy chocolate, prepared cocoa, cocoa paste, vermicelli, maccaroni, catsups, sauces, extracts, etc., John B. Rey was located at 31 & 33 Burling Slip" (Doggett's New-York City Directory for 1848-49, page 340; earlier listings were just "33 Burling Slip"). At the time of the Directory's publication, seven chocolate makers were listed. John B. Rey's operation was taking advantage of the rapid industrialization of the chocolate making process, as this card depicts two pieces of large machinery - a melangeur (right) and a cacao press - that would have been driven by steam (notice the belt drives in the image. Burling Slip was just north of South Street and the South Street Seaport with its famous fish market. Although the printer is not credited, this is a noteworthy piece of promotional printing, as it displays the split fountain or rainbow roller process of printing multiple colors simultaneously, in this case a mirrored red, green, and blue. A few light creases from folding; some light soiling or foxing. Still, near very good, and very handsome. Rare. Unrecorded. [OCLC records no copies].

Price: $500.00