This uncommon vintage 1916 stone lithograph seedless grapefruit crate label depicts a Native American warrior in ceremonial attire complete with a feather headdress. He is helping a belle (princess) down from a rocky hilltop. Behind them is an expansive Southern California orange orchard planted with neat rows of citrus trees leading off toward foothills and distant snowcapped mountains. The label is framed with a simple motif that suggests Native American art. The yellow orb variety of the Sunkist grapefruit logo is prominently displayed. Native Americans and scenes of Native American life were often portrayed in American art during the 1800s. Charles Bird King, George Catlin, and Karl Bodmer painted numerous realistic portraits of Native Americans in the first half of the century, which were exhibited and published in book form. Later in the century, a more stereotyped image developed, made famous by the popularity of dime novels with garish cover illustrations, and by the traveling Wild West shows of Buffalo Bill Cody. Publicity accompanying these shows usually depicted Plains Native Americans, often on horseback, wearing feathered war bonnets, beads, and colorful blankets. These stylized representations, on millions of posters and advertisements promoting the Buffalo Bill shows, served as the model for most Native Americans depicted on citrus box labels. While the scenes and costumes were not especially true to life, the treatment was usually dignified, showing Native Americans in scenes ranging from mountain lakes to inhospitable deserts. This label is vintage (intended to be pasted on a wooden crate, but never used) – not a copy, not computer-printed, and is in mint / pristine condition – remarkable for an 108-year-old label! The label is old stock, originally from a warehouse find.
