Dating to approximately 1910, this large and expertly rendered gouache painting was likely used as magazine advertising art for Kodak Cameras in American weekly magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post. This bears a Forbes Litho Company of Boston ad agency verso label and bears the name of “Thompson” on the back of the illustration board, the artist is unidentified at this point. Titled “Vacation Requirement” this is great early 20th century advertising Americana treasure with a stylish Edwardian attired family cooling off at the beach.

Above: View before framing

Above: “Vacation Requirement” title seen in margin before framing

Above: Verso view before framing

Above: Verso label

Above: Verso notations and name of “Thompson” (likely artist’s name)

The painting is matted behind glass in a museum quality, hand carved, basswood frame manufactured by Thanhardt-Burger in LaPorte, Indiana. Thanhardt-Burger purchased Newcomb-Macklin in 1979 and is now part of the legacy of the oldest continuously-run frame-making company in the United States.