Owen Carrollson

George R. Brill and His Ginks Postcards

George Brill’s father, William Henry Brill came to America as a nineteen-year-old from Darmstadt, Germany. He met his wife, Elizabeth Holstien shortly after he enrolled for university classes and married her in 1865 after his return to Pennsylvania from service in the Union Army. William’s and Lizzie’s first son was born August 27, 1867, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They named him George Reiter Brill. Young George showed an early proclivity for art and eagerly accepted an invitation to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He completed several courses of study there and moved on to Spring Garden Institute to refine his skills as an illustrator and painter in many media. He once said, that without [Thomas] Eakins, [Thomas] Anschutz, and [Josep] Cusachs (his teachers) he would be drawing “dime-comics” in Sunday newspapers.” Like his father, George met his wife during his time at the Pennsylvania Academy. He married Susannah Brown in 1898. They settled with Susannah’s father Levi on 17^th Street in Philadelphia. He was a member of the fellowship of Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. One of his most notable credits comes from his authorship of Rhymes of the Golden Age. Brill was one of the better-known American illustrators in the early 20^th century. His drawings were often featured in major northeastern newspapers, especially in New York and Philadelphia. He was best known for his poster art, and his creative drive; often finishing assignments in hours. His hand was most frequently recognized when crime, wickedness, and politics were the topics, but he demonstrated equal skills when working in lay-out and display advertising and other mundane matters. He also had a softer side when his gentle and heart-warming illustrations brought his books Andy and the Ignoramus and Bobby Bumpkin to life. His best-selling A Book of Child Verse endured into its 14^th printing. And, he was an accomplished song writer, including the children’s song Bringing in the Hay. During Brill’s Philadelphia years he was a member of the Art Club of Philadelphia and the Sketch Club. He maintained a studio (often crowded with admirers and students), at 1520 Chestnut Street. The only narrative available went into great detail about Brill’s summertime art school on the beaches of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. Early each spring George and Susannah would pack their belongings and crates filled with art supplies and move to Monument Beach, Massachusetts. Participants in Brill’s summer programs would register – at times – two years in advance. George died at Monument Beach on March 6, 1918. *   *   * Frankly, fact is the preferred source of information used at Postcard History, but there are occasions when supposition is the only link between truth and fiction. The story of George R. Brill and his “Gink” postcards and his relationship with the manufacturer of his postcards boils down to proximity. The Rose Company of Philadelphia was a very short-lived (only one- or two-year span) operation, yet the company created hundreds of postcard designs that are still quite collectable. To mention only a few, they specialized in historic and holiday cards, but also actresses, patriotic, and comics. Among the comic cards are George R. Brill’s “Ginks.” *   *   * The George R. Brill Ginks^© Postcards (the following list of titles are the sixteen known cards)

A home run for this Gink

All the Ginks are doin’ it

Back to the mines for this Gink

I wish this boat upon the sea is bringing only you to me. Your Gink

I’m on my way – Your Gink

I’m the Gink

wot reads your writin’

I’m the Gink

wot you owes a letter 2

Love thirty for this Gink

I’m the Gink what wants to know why you ain’t wrote?

I’m the lonesome Gink all right

I’m wot you call a Discouraged Gink

O, the sky blue sea is the life for me. – Your Gink

This Gink is having

the time of his life

This is the life – Your Gink

This place is full of Ginks

Time Drags without you.

Your Gink

*   *   * ATTENTION COLLECTORS: Click here for a printable, illustrated checklist.