Capitol Brewing Co.
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Northampton, PA
Reno Brewing Co.
Reno, NV
Philadelphia Beer Drivers Union
Philadelphia, PA
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Winona, MN
Stock
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The 'Stock' Exchange
American Art Works No. 117 "At Your Service"
American Art Works No. 117 "At Your Service"
Date: 1911 - 1913
Size: 13"
Style: Pie
Scarcity: Uncommon
Value: $$$ to $$$$
Condition & Brewer Dependent
Size: 13"
Style: Pie
Scarcity: Uncommon
Value: $$$ to $$$$
Condition & Brewer Dependent
Confirmed Brewer used Stock Trays
Non-Beer Related & Non-Tray Uses
General
No. 117 is one of two designs to carry the title “At Your Service” (the other being No. 140), both of which feature dogs and horses, the two animals that appear most frequently in Meek and American Art Works designs. As mentioned in relation to earlier designs, the horse was an important element in a still largely rural America in the late 19th and early 20th century. Dogs also had provided a utilitarian function, but by the late 19th century had started to be viewed by the middle class as pets for companionship without a need for a utilitarian function. This era gave rise to Kennel Clubs in Europe and America.
The Reverend John Russell was a 19th century parson with a passion for fox hunting, for which he developed a well-known strain of fox hunting terriers. From this strain was developed the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier. The smaller, longer-bodied, shorter-legged Jack Russell Terrier was used almost exclusively to hunt vermin and bolt rabbits. The Parson Russell Terrier included in this design was originally bred for fox hunting but surprisingly didn’t become a recognized breed by the Kennel Club in its native United Kingdom until 2016. Because the proponents of this breed were so determined to maintain the breed’s hunting capability, they opposed recognition by all-breed kennel clubs for many years, on the theory that such recognition would lead to degradation of the breed.
No. 117 is one of two designs to carry the title “At Your Service” (the other being No. 140), both of which feature dogs and horses, the two animals that appear most frequently in Meek and American Art Works designs. As mentioned in relation to earlier designs, the horse was an important element in a still largely rural America in the late 19th and early 20th century. Dogs also had provided a utilitarian function, but by the late 19th century had started to be viewed by the middle class as pets for companionship without a need for a utilitarian function. This era gave rise to Kennel Clubs in Europe and America.
The Reverend John Russell was a 19th century parson with a passion for fox hunting, for which he developed a well-known strain of fox hunting terriers. From this strain was developed the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier. The smaller, longer-bodied, shorter-legged Jack Russell Terrier was used almost exclusively to hunt vermin and bolt rabbits. The Parson Russell Terrier included in this design was originally bred for fox hunting but surprisingly didn’t become a recognized breed by the Kennel Club in its native United Kingdom until 2016. Because the proponents of this breed were so determined to maintain the breed’s hunting capability, they opposed recognition by all-breed kennel clubs for many years, on the theory that such recognition would lead to degradation of the breed.
Click the Picture to Return to Meek & Beach Stock Catalog Page
Henry Stull's "Irish Setter Head"
Parson John 'Jack' Russell
Jack Russell Terrier
This design is signed by Henry Stull; as previously mentioned in the profile for “Colin” (No. 88) he was as one of two major nineteenth-century painters of thoroughbred racehorses in America. He also occasionally painted dogs. He began the study of horse anatomy at a veterinary college. With his flattering horse portraits, highly accurate in musculature, he also attracted the attention of other wealthy, powerful horse owners, who became his patrons and clients including William Whitney, Pierre Lorillard, Leonard Jerome, and several men who owned Kentucky Derby winners---H.K. Knapp (Yankee Notions, 1913) and John Madden (Plaudit, 1898). Another client was Samuel Riddle, owner of Man o' War. From 1879 to 1912, Stull painted horses in nearly every year, of which more than 110 survive. In addition, Stull provided the design for No. 100, Good Morning, also featuring horses and Parson or Jack Russell terriers.
Adolph Sahling Workbooks
Sahling does not have an entry in his workbook for this design.
Size, Shape and Advertising Placement
Known tray examples are concave pies with black rims and gold advertising text. The Philadelphia Beer Drivers Union No. 132 example carries a union logo on its face in gold and the Reno Brewing example has a subtle “Royal” (for their Royal Lager) imprinted on the middle stair in the image. The fact that more of the known examples than not have text or logos printed on the face of the design is unusual for this stage in the AAW catalog.
Hager & Price
Hager has this design in his date table as being introduced in 1911 and he includes it in his catalog but does not discuss it in the main article. Aside from stock samples, all examples we have seen have been by brewers or bottlers with the exception of Belle of Dauphin whiskey. Prices for those with advertising tend to be strong three figures with at least one example reaching four figures for a near pristine version. Stock samples tend toward high double figures.
Adolph Sahling Workbooks
Sahling does not have an entry in his workbook for this design.
Size, Shape and Advertising Placement
Known tray examples are concave pies with black rims and gold advertising text. The Philadelphia Beer Drivers Union No. 132 example carries a union logo on its face in gold and the Reno Brewing example has a subtle “Royal” (for their Royal Lager) imprinted on the middle stair in the image. The fact that more of the known examples than not have text or logos printed on the face of the design is unusual for this stage in the AAW catalog.
Hager & Price
Hager has this design in his date table as being introduced in 1911 and he includes it in his catalog but does not discuss it in the main article. Aside from stock samples, all examples we have seen have been by brewers or bottlers with the exception of Belle of Dauphin whiskey. Prices for those with advertising tend to be strong three figures with at least one example reaching four figures for a near pristine version. Stock samples tend toward high double figures.
