Can anyone identify the artist that drew "Aspirine, Usine de Rhone,"
circa 1900 that is in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of
Art, and can a copy of the print be purchased?

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Request for Question Clarification by kutsavi-ga on 04 Dec 2002 07:54 PST

Greetings Fraher, 

I believe that there were probably many different prints made with the
term "Aspirine, Usine de Rhone," as they were advertising posters from
a pharmacuetical company.  Could you supply a little more information
on the content of the print, and also verify that it is in a
collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art?  I searched through
their entire site and the connected libraries in the Philadelphia area
and came up with nothing.

I did, on the other hand, come up with the following information on
one particular Aspirine du Rhone poster, a copy of which may be
available.  On the off chance this is the one you saw, I am waiting to
hear back on availability.

Kutsavi

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Request for Question Clarification by kutsavi-ga on 04 Dec 2002 07:57 PST

Ok, forgot to paste in the found information.  As a side note, this
description gives authorship/artist credit to the "Société Chimique
des Usines du Rhône," which leads me to believe that an actual artist
will be quite difficult to tace down:

1 print : lithograph, printed in colours 
Lettering "En boite de 100 comprimés. Grippe, rhumatismes, migraines,
névralgies. Aspirine Usines du Rhône ..."
Summary "Usines du Rhône" appears to be an abbreviation of Société
Chimique des Usines du Rhône, incorporated in 1895. In 1928 it merged
with Poulenc Frères to form the company which in 1961 was renamed
Rhône-Poulenc SA and in 1999 merged with Hoechst AG to form Aventis
 Shows a box containing tubes of aspirin tablets, and tablets from an
opened tube. To the box is affixed a stamp printed "Vente au prix
marqué obligatoire", to forbid discounting of the price. The stamp
served as a seal and was torn when the box was opened. The indications
and name of manufacturer are printed on the box, with logo possibly
reading UPR, in which the P may mean that the print should be dated
after the merger with Poulenc in 1928. Each tablet is stamped "0.50
[i.e. grammes] Aspirine UR"
Note Copy 1 Size: sheet 61.2 x 41 cm., mount 73.5 x 52.8 cm. 
Author, etc. Société Chimique des Usines du Rhône.

Hi fraher,

While searching for the print, "Aspirine, Usines du Rhone", I emailed
the 'Philadelphia Museum of Art' and inquired about this lithograph
that is in their collection. Following, is the reply I received from
the Rights and Reproductions Department of the Museum:

"We do in fact own this work. It is a color lithograph that was done
by Maurice Cliot, and is dated c. 1910.  For future reference, the
accession number is 1981-114-1. You may rent a color transparency for
a three
month period at $125 or purchase a black and white photograph for $15.
Also, reproduction fees vary according to specific use, print run,
whether the image is used in the interior or on the cover, and color
or black and white usage..."

The message goes on to say that if you are interested, to contact the
Museum and provide your information along with your mailing address
and they will happily assist you.
 
The email address is : photoservices@philamuseum.org
Website: http://www.philamuseum.org/

*************************
Keywords used: 
"Philadelphia Museum of Art"
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Philadelphia+Museum+of+Art%22

"Aspirine, Usines du Rhone"
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Aspirine%2C+Usines+du+Rhone%22

I hope you found this helpful. If you have any clarifications, please
don't hesitate to ask before rating.
Regards,
rainbow~

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Clarification of Answer by rainbow-ga on 04 Dec 2002 11:51 PST

While posting the answer to your question, I received another reply
from the Departmental Administrator - "Prints, Drawings, and
Photographs" of the 'Philadelphia Museum of Art'. Here is the message
I received:

"This is in response to the question you asked the Philadelphia Museum
of Art; here follows the correct title, and information for the object
you inquired about.
Aspirine - Usines De Rhone 
Maurice Cliot, French, active early 20th century 
c. 1910 
Color lithograph 
H: 1480cm  W: 1560cm 
Made in: France 
Philadelphia Museum of Art:  The William H. Helfand Collection, 1981 
Accession number:  1981-114-1
This information is coming to you from the Print Department. To find
out if a reproduction of this print is available, please contact our
Museum Store either through the website or by calling (215) 684-7960. 
For an 8x10" black and white photograph of the object please contact
our Rights and Reproductions Department at (215) 684-7907.  You should
use the accession number to help identify the object when calling."

Best of luck,
rainbow~

I have contacted the museum, and am awaiting a reply.

To supplement rainbow-ga's correct answer, here is the information I received:

"Aspirine - Usines De Rhone 
Maurice Cliot, French, active early 20th century 
c. 1910 
Color lithograph 
H: 1480cm  W: 1560cm 
Made in: France 
Philadelphia Museum of Art:  The William H. Helfand Collection, 1981 
Accession number:  1981-114-1

This information is coming to you from the Print Department.  To find 
out if a reproduction of this print is available, please contact our Museum 
Store either through the website or by calling (215) 684-7960.  For an 8x10" 
black and white photograph of the object please contact our Rights and
Reproductions Department at (215) 684-7907.  You should use the 
accession number to help identify the object when calling."

I just saw the comment posted by justaskscott. We seem to have
received the same email. Sorry for the double post :)