Boston Loan Co. Advertising Checkerboard1896–191218 1/2 x18 1/2"Reverse painting, foil, mother-of-pearl chips on glassGift of Susan and Laurence Lerner2009.13.430tinsel painting1549804355Artist unidentifiedToys and GamesHartfordHartfordUnited StatesConnecticutPaintingsHartfordBoston Loan Co. Located on 32 Asylum St, Hartford, CT
Nathan Rosenthal who fouded the business continues as head- They moved to 759 Main St. Feb 27, 1916. See Hartford Courant Feb, 27, 1916. Nathan Rosenthal company owner dies at 62 in July 1931. He was a philanthropist but also sued to recover funds.
For a similar example see Skinner Feb 17, 2008 lot 282
Because of its glowing surface, tinsel painting was appealing for advertising purposes, and gameboards were effective items for promoting a business.
Nathan Rosenthal was the founder of the Boston Loan Company, which, for eighteen years, was located at 32 Asylum Street in Hartford before the business moved to 759 Main Street. He placed many ads for the company in the Hartford Courant. The business offered cash for diamonds, jewelry, and watches, among other items, and claimed all business was strictly confidential, with a private entrance for women. It is not surprising that Rosenthal would order at least one memento of his business, perhaps when he formed the company in 1901.
An almost identical checkerboard with gold foil and mother-of-pearl advertising "Lothrups, Farnham & Co, shoes, clothing, rochester, dover" probably was created by the same maker. Lothrops, Farnham & Co. was a department store in Dover, New Hampshire, established in 1883.
Lee Kogan, "Boston Loan Co. Advertising Checkerboard," FOILED: Tinsel Painting in America (New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2013), 78
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org18961912 2009 13 43 Boston Loan Co. Located on 32 Asylum St, Hartford, CT
Nathan Rosenthal who fouded the business continues as head- They moved to 759 Main St. Feb 27, 1916. See Hartford Courant Feb, 27, 1916. Nathan Rosenthal company owner dies at 62 in July 1931. He was a philanthropist but also sued to recover funds.
For a similar example see Skinner Feb 17, 2008 lot 282
Because of its glowing surface, tinsel painting was appealing for advertising purposes, and gameboards were effective items for promoting a business.
Nathan Rosenthal was the founder of the Boston Loan Company, which, for eighteen years, was located at 32 Asylum Street in Hartford before the business moved to 759 Main Street. He placed many ads for the company in the Hartford Courant. The business offered cash for diamonds, jewelry, and watches, among other items, and claimed all business was strictly confidential, with a private entrance for women. It is not surprising that Rosenthal would order at least one memento of his business, perhaps when he formed the company in 1901.
An almost identical checkerboard with gold foil and mother-of-pearl advertising "Lothrups, Farnham & Co, shoes, clothing, rochester, dover" probably was created by the same maker. Lothrops, Farnham & Co. was a department store in Dover, New Hampshire, established in 1883.
Lee Kogan, "Boston Loan Co. Advertising Checkerboard," FOILED: Tinsel Painting in America (New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2013), 78
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org