Chocolate No. 2. Manufactured by John B. Rey 33 Burling Slip New York
18408144New York: John B. Rey 1840. Broadside 16.5 x 22.3 cm. printed one side only with split fountain roller rainbow. Illustrated. Date range from the range of listings in directories etc. We would be tempted to call this a trade card but for the thin stock it is printed on more fit to be pasted up than handed out. Described as a "manufacturer of cordials bitters essences syrups rock candy sweetmeats brandy fruits sweet plain and fancy chocolate prepared cocoa cocoa paste vermicelli maccaroni catsups sauces extracts etc. John B. Rey was located at 31 & 33 Burling Slip" Doggett's New-York City Directory for 1848-49 page 340; earlier listings were just "33 Burling Slip". At the time of the Directory's publication seven chocolate makers were listed. John B. Rey's operation was taking advantage of the rapid industrialization of the chocolate making process as this card depicts two pieces of large machinery - a melangeur right and a cacao press - that would have been driven by steam notice the belt drives in the image. Burling Slip was just north of South Street and the South Street Seaport with its famous fish market. Although the printer is not credited this is a noteworthy piece of promotional printing as it displays the split fountain or rainbow roller process of printing multiple colors simultaneously in this case a mirrored red green and blue. A few light creases from folding; some light soiling or foxing. Still near very good and very handsome. Rare. Unrecorded. OCLC records no copies. John B. Rey unknown
