"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Cream of Wheat advertising illustration" Lot no. 506
By Edward V. Brewer (American 1883-1971)
1914 (Estimated)
40.00" x 28.00"
Oil on Canvas
Signed Lower Right
SOLD
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Cream of Wheat advertising illustration, 1914
This piece was created for the imaginative Cream of Wheat advertising campaign, and this image appeared as a full page advertisement in hundreds of American magazines. The Cream of Wheat campaign, featuring the iconic African-American chef, Rastus, was rich with Victorian and Black Americana iconography, and this is a first-rate example from the series. A printed tear sheet is included in this lot.
Explore related art collections: Cream of Wheat / Advertisements / Humor / Children / 1910s / Men / Winter / Food / $5,000 - $20,000
See all original artwork by Edward V. Brewer
ABOUT THE ARTIST
EDWARD BREWER of St. Paul was Minnesota's answer to famed illustrator Norman Rockwell. From 1911 until 1926 Brewer created the enormously popular fullpage Cream of Wheat advertisements that appeared monthly in dozens of national magazines. The folksy ads for the Minneapolis company have become collector's items. And Brewer's reputation as an illustrator has been given a fresh coat of polish.
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http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/47/v47i01p002-015.pdf
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/47/v47i01p002-015.pdf