Name/Title
Towel, Wallhanging: Tavern Proverbs U245, BlueDescription
A two-color silkscreen print on natural linen depicting maxims related to drink from Poor Richard’s Almanac by Benjamin Franklin.
The text-heavy composition is designed to resemble old newspaper advertising as well as advertising bills posted in public squares. The print contains nine sayings from Poor Richard’s Almanac, with illustrations to reinforce the sayings.
The antique glass bottles represented can be seen in other Wert designs featuring bottles and glass. Images of a bread loaf, a cut of meat, a cleaver and a cider keg can be seen on tiles bearing Poor Richard’s maxims.
This print appears in the brochures “Country Prints by Robert Darr Wert and Neighbors”, c.1963 and c.1966; see images. It was produced in two colorways, blue and red; this example is in blue.
This is one of over sixty designs sold by Country Prints to Stevens Linen Associates of Dudley, Massachusetts, in January 1969. From that point onward, the designs were produced by Stevens with all reference to Robert Darr Wert and Country Prints removed. Many of these designs continued to be produced by Stevens throughout the 1970’s and some into the 1980’s.
In a memo from Fritz Kaufhold (Country Prints’ business manager) to Bob MacKay (Stonelea Mills/Stevens Linen Associates) dated February 12, 1969, Fritz notes this design is was an average seller at the time.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
1962Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
This print was noted in a 1964 column in the Greenfield Reporter, “Wandering With Walt”. See Archive, Editorial: 1964.4.18.
The top edge is hemmed to receive a dowel rod for hanging; the bottom edge is hemmed and the sides are selvedges.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“wert by hand FROM “POOR RICHARD’S” OR BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S ALMANAC design © 1962 COUNTRY Prints”, across lower margin.Dimensions
Height
30-1/2 inWidth
17 inMaterial
Unbleached Linen, Textile Ink
