Antique Alfred Wright Perfumer Chromolithograph Featuring the American Beauty Rose in Original Gold Frame 21.5″ x 14 5/8″

MEASUREMENTS: Overall: 21.5″ x 14 5/8″ — Visible print area: 15.25″ x 9 1/8″

CONDITION: Very good antique condition; glass is intact; wooden backing is in three pieces; frame has several nicks and touchups.

SHIPPING: $14.99 flat rate shipping for street addresses within contiguous United States.

HISTORY (from online sources): Alfred Wright’s American Beauty fragrance was introduced in 1899, eight years after Wright’s death.  Wright was born in 1830, at Avon, New York. At age 20, he entered the hardware business in Rochester, NY. Around 1864, he and his brother traveled to California and established a proprietary medicine business in San Francisco.  Alfred later returned to Rochester and went into the perfume business. Interestingly, this was about the same time that the Colgate company began to turn itself into a perfumery. The original Alfred Wright Perfumery was located on State Street. Later, Wright moved his business to the corner of Willowbank and Troup Streets.  It has been said that “the later establishment has a reputation as one of the most perfect in the country.”  Wright was credited with being among the first employers to give workers time off on Saturday so that they could spend it with their families.  Alfred Wright died in 1891, after a long illness. The business was carried on for a number of years after his death. 

The “American Beauty” rose is a deep pink to crimson rose cultivar bred by Henri Ledechaux in France in 1875, originally named “Madame Ferdinand Jamin.”  The rose was brought to the United States by George Valentine Nash the same year and introduced as a new rose cultivar named “American Beauty” by Bancroft and Field Bros. in 1886.  In 1888, Bassett & Washburn [Bassett ran a newspaper and a printing house and raised roses as a hobby; Washburn was his son-in-law) first introduced the rose to other florists for purchase.  It became a famous greenhouse variety and was the best-selling rose cultivar in the US until the 1920s.  Due to its high price per stem (at least $2 per stem right from its launch in 1886) and its popularity, the cultivar was called the million-dollar rose.  Its popularity remained focused on the US, while it is only rarely cultivated in other countries.

A WORD ABOUT VINTAGE: Our inventory consists of vintage or antique items which are more than 20 years old, usually used or pre-owned, unless marked “new old stock.”  As such, there may be signs of wear and age, which we will disclose to the best of our ability.  Nevertheless, we encourage you to carefully read the description and view the photos, especially when purchasing a gift.  All items ship with tracking and insurance, and although we do not accept returns, we will offer a refund in case of breakage or damage during transit, upon receipt of sufficient proof. 

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