DESCRIPTION: Scarce trade card for the Boston, Massachusetts firm of Samuel Thaxter and Son. Samuel Thaxter was an importer and manufacturer of nautical and optical instruments. Thaxter was the publisher of Eldridge's charts and coast pilots, and an agent for U.S. Coast Survey charts and books. During this period, they operated from a store at 125 State Street, Boston.
Samuel Thaxter and Sons sold sextants, charts, compasses, binnacles, levels, and other nautical items that occasionally are found on the antiques market today.
Absence of red overprinting of a new address at bottom of card suggests a date between 1880 and 1900. Verso carries the following historical information about the firms' genesis:
One Hundred Years Under One Sign
(From the Boston Evening Transcript, February 2d 1873.)
In 1779 William Williams carried on the Nautical-Instrument business in King, now State Street, having as a sign an image called "Admiral Vernon". In 1794 Samuel Thaxter, who married his niece, succeeded him and carried on the business in his own name thirty years. Then, taking his son a partner, the style of the firm was changed to S. THAXTER & SON, under which name it has continued the last fifty-one years at 125 State Street, corner Broad Street. Samuel Thaxter Cushing, grandson of S. Thaxter has been connected with the business thirty-eight years, and for the last thirty-three years, the only surviving partner. For all that time the "Admiral" with his quadrant has stood guard and stands guard now, on State Street, fit prototype of the smart little image displayed by Walter's uncle as chronicled in "Dombey & Son".
PUBLICATION DATE: 1890
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: N/A
CONDITION: Very Good.
On card stock. Slight darkening at left.
COLORING:
ENGRAVER:
SIZE: 5
" x
3 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 0
PRICE: $325
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* Next Shipping Date is May 14, 2024
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