Livermore and Knight

Providence, Rhode Island

Publishers of Extraordinary Advertising Postcards

Starting in the Early Pioneer period (from the early 1890's), this firm created some of the most innovative and creative Advertising Postcards ever printed. Their early postcards from 1892 to 1898 (numbers 1 - 188) were always done in color and were single cards with add-on hidden pouches or designed bags that contained a printed advertising message. The address side of the card always contained a related line drawing in the stamp box area. Apparently, these cards were sold by salesmen who helped write the copy to be included. We find many examples of their single cards with different messages from advertisers in several different cities and states.

After the close of the Classic Pioneer period (1898) they added flourishes and developed extraordinary Advertising cards that were masterpieces. They frequently printed large oversized postcards and often used unusual die-cut add-ons. Their last cards in the period 1901 - 1910 were further changed into fold over cards with printed messages on the inside. The genius of these cards is the rare touch of inspired graphics melded with great punch lines.

Their cards are usually found with both a copyright date and a number. Some inconsistencies in order have been observed. A representative checklist of Livermore and Knight Postcards, with Market Values follows:

Pioneer Period

# 35 Mail Box on street pole "Pull Up U.S. Mail." 1893 @ $60

# 42 Indian Teepee @ $50

# 73 Indian Papoose @ $50

# 95 Mail Box on Coast with caption, Will passing ships please forward letters. 1895 @ $80

# 120 Donkey with large reed basket on back ( (1895) Standard sized postcard (common) @ $30

# 135 Treasure chest in cave inscribed Captn Kydde. 1896 @ $140

# 138 Box trap with sign, Pull him out by his tail. 1896 @ $100

# 143 Oriental man walking on beach with Sandwich Sign and umbrella. 1896 @ $105

# 150 Xmas Pudding on plate. 1896 @ $130

# 155 Man with hat. Fold out card with hair. @ $130

# 161 Rear view of Farmer in rough Brown pants and Straw Hat. 1897 (common) @ $40

# 167 Boy in loose green or brown pants. 1897 @ $

No # Yellow Kid with backpack on bike with saying,” Hully Gee, going to the races.” 1897 rare

# 173 Letter carrier with mail bag. 1898 @ $85

# 176 Purple eggplant with seeds inside. 1898 @ $90

# 185 "The old oaken bucket - Pull it up." with string. 1898 @ $120

# 186 Beach umbrella at beach with extended hand. "If you are curious take her hand." @ $100

# 187 Three ducks on water with saying, The one that is tail up, has hold of a good thing pull him out. 1898 @ $130

# 188 Chicken with worm. Sun add-on. "Take time by the forelock." 1898 @ $11

After July 1, 1898

#215 Back of woman with petticoat that unfolds into message. 1899 @ $60

#221 Large Bell in tower. "It hath a tongue and thou cans't make it speak." 1899 @ $90

#218 Man with spoon and open mouth "The proof of the pudding is in the eating - Try It." @ $120

#245 Black bell ringer wearing coat. 1899 @ $110

#262 Black man talking to black woman over fence. "NO MA'AM, I AINT SEEN NO STRAY ROOSTER OVER HEAH." With feather and message under jacket. @ $160

#265 A consignment for you in this Cargo1901 @ $225

#266 Woman with paper skirt diving into water. 1900 @ $130

#268 Butterfly with add-on wing. 1900 @ $140

#299 There's a nigger in the woodpile. Pull him out." 1902 @ $250

#307 Bulldog with rolled paper in mouth. "A Message for you." 1903 @ $160

#308 Oversized folded card with water mill that revolves. 1905 @ $175

#313 Oversized burning Candle in holder. "Keep it Burning." 1902 @ $150

#320 Oversized Organ Grinder with large portable organ on stick. 1906 @ $220

#323 Native on beach with huge boiling pot. "There is something good in the pot." No date. @ $100

#325 Boy with man touching axe edge for sharpness behind sharpening stone, with movable sandpaper wheel. 1901 @ $210

#327 Fisherman smoking pipe wearing yellow raincoat. 1902 @ $110

#333 Uncle Sam with hands in Pockets@ $125

#351 Oversized Large Hand holding small bird with feather and message.

"A bird in the hand is worth Two in the bush." 1901. @ $200

#353 Oversized Clock at 12 PM "THE OLD YEAR OUT and inside, THE NEW YEAR IN " with large lighted candle 1901. @ $300

#354 G.W. with his axe cutting into cherry tree. " A FEW TRUTHS." 1903 @ $160

#395 Huge oversized Rooster. Folded card. 1901 @ $250

#422 Getting Next (Boy and Sunbonnet Girl Kissing @ $100

#462 Oversized front of Steam locomotive on track with die cut top. Remarkable double pivot semaphore that signals stop when card is opened. Mailed 1905 @ $450

#571 A Line For You with string and a large black paper fish hook. 1903 @ $150

#631 Black cat with die-cut ears at top and tail tied with string to firecrackers on oversized card. "A TALE OF THE 4TH." 1908 @ $250

#689 Oversized man with glasses waving finger. "THINK IT OVER." No date @ $150

#711 Man reading newspaper. "SIT UP." No date @ $50

#713 Axe with initials G.W. in stump of cherry tree. "EVIDENCE" 1909 @ $120

#721 Bulldog holding material from man's right pants leg. 1910 Folded card. @ $110

#747 Barefoot man holding closed umbrella and suitcase sitting in carrier moving from ship to ship. "A GOOD LINE." @ $90

#768 Frog jumping for red cloth on hook. Folded card. 1911 @ $80

#841 Two men in front of a recessed fireplace. 1910 @ $80