Drawing

Joseph Francis

One cigar box top illustration of "Joseph Francis" of Boston who was the "Founder of the U.S. Life Saving Service." The drawing was done in watercolor on a thin sheet of white art board by the Calvert Lithographing Company of Detroit. It shows a head and shoulders image of an older man who is wearing a white shirt, dark blue bow tie, and a dark blue suit coat. A maritime scene in the background shows a lifeboat headed out to sea from a rocky shoreline to save passengers and crew from a foundering ship. Red printed text above the image reads "Joseph Francis." A small red shield and gold-colored eagle emblem is shown at the lower edge of the image along with laurel leaves, and a decorative pale red scroll with text that reads "Founder of the U.S. Life Saving Service." The artist's name or marks are not visible. A white label on the verso has black printed text that reads "This sketch has been made on Order No. C4032. It is our property and must not be exhibited to our competitors nor be used in any way without our consent. The Calvert Lithographing Co., 'The Model Shop' Detroit, Michigan." A black ink stamp has text that reads "Art Gallery of Windsor, 16." The drawing is mounted in a tan matte board frame.