Click on images to enlarge
Palmer Cox Brownies
Nip442
The Albrecht Bros. Started their saloon business in Seattle sometime in 1899 at that time they were
located at 1424 First Avenue, they remained at this location into the year 1906. Then after buying David
Winchills saloon located at 122 Second street, they remained here into the year 1910. Thus dating these
122 Second Street address nippers 1906-1910. In later years the business was moved around to several
locations under Albrecht & Thorpe through the year 1913. They were no longer listed after 1913.
Nip644
Palmer Cox, the writer and illustrator of the Brownie stories, was born in Granby, Quebec on April 28,
1840. The area was populated by many Scottish people whose folklore would later influence his stories.
As a child he showed an interest in drawing and poetry.
Graduating from the Granby Academy in 1858, he moved south finding work finishing the woodwork used
in the interior of railroad cars. Later he and his brother Edwin worked as barn framers in Ontario. It is
said that Cox drew pictures on barn timbers during rest periods.
Heading west, he walked across the Isthmus of Panama en route arriving in Oakland, California in
January 1863. He stayed in California for about 13 years, becoming a United States citizen. After a period
building steamboats and railroad cars he moved to San Francisco, a literary center even then. He
entered into the city’s literary life contributing to several periodicals and in 1874 published his first book
Squibs of California, or Everyday Life. The book, based on his diary, contained stories, sketches and
poems. It was almost 500 pages and contained 183 illustrations.
In 1875 he relocated to New York in search of a literary career. After initial difficulties he became the
chief artist for Uncle Sam: The American Journal of Wit and Humor. Between 1875 and 1878 he published
three books, all written in verse and illustrated, and by the early 1880’s was writing for Wide Awake, a
children’s magazine. His work began to appear regularly in Harper’s Young People and St. Nickolas, an
important children’s periodical. Children’s literature seemed to be Cox’s calling.
The first Brownie story to appear in St. Nicholas was The Brownie’s Ride in February 1883. Twenty four
Brownie stories appeared between 1883 and 1887. In 1887 they were collected and published as The
Brownies, Their Book. Palmer Cox was 47 years old when this first Brownie book was published. In 1890
a second series of twelve stories from St. Nicholas were combined with twelve others and published as
Another Brownie Book. Cox began writing for the Ladies Home Journal and produced a series called The
Brownies Through the Year. In 1893 these were collected into a third book, The Brownies at Home. The
Brownie stories were light-hearted and fun for their readers. The Brownies engaged in activities
children could relate to and the stories often included current events. In all, twelve* Brownie books
were written.
By 1905 Cox had returned to Granby, Quebec living in a turreted house he had planned. The house was
called Brownie Castle and was said to be based on a castle he saw while traveling in the British Isles. He
died at Brownie Castle on July 24, 1924. His tombstone reads:
IN CREATING THE BROWNIES
HE BESTOWED A PRICELESS
HERITAGE ON CHILDHOOD.
THEY were called "Brownies" on account of their color, which was said to be brown owing to their
constant exposure to all kinds of weather, and also because they had brown hair, something which was
not common in the country where the "Brownie" was located, as the people generally had red or black
hair. There are different stories about the origin of the name. One is that during the time the
Covenanters in Scotland were persecuted because they were said to teach a false and pernicious
doctrine, many of them were forced to conceal themselves in caves and secret places, and food was
carried to them by friends. One band of Covenanters was led by a little hunchback named Brown, who
being small and active could slip out at night with some of the lads and bring in the provisions left by
friends in secret places. They dressed themselves in a fantastic manner, and if seen in the dusk of the
evening they would be taken for fairies. Those who knew the truth named Brown and his band the
"Brownies." This is very plausible, but we have too high an opinion of the "Brownies" to believe that
they took their name from a mortal. We are inclined to believe that the well-deserving hunchback took
his name from the "Brownies," instead of the "Brownies" deriving their name from him. Besides the
story does not reach back far enough.
THE "Brownies" were an ancient and well-organized band long before there was a Covenanter to flee to
caves and caverns. Indeed, from what can be gathered from the writings of ancient authors, one is led
to believe the "Brownie" idea is a very old one. It is fair to presume that the "Brownies" enjoyed their
nightly pranks, or skipped over the dewy heather to aid deserving peasants even before the red-haired
Dane crossed the border to be Caledonia's unwelcome guest. Every family seems to have been haunted
by a spirit they called "Brownie" which did different sorts of work, and they in return gave him offerings
of the various products of the place. The "Brownie" idea was woven into the affairs of everyday life. In
fact it seemed to be part of their religion, and a large part at that. When they churned their milk, or
brewed, they poured some milk or wort through a hole in a flat, thin stone called "Brownie's stone." In
other cases they poured the offerings in the corner of the room, believing that good would surely come
to their homes if "the Brownies" were remembered. On out of the way islands, where the people could
neither read nor write, and were wholly ignorant of what was going on in other parts of the country, so
much so that they looked upon a person that could understand black marks on paper as a supernatural
being, the "Brownie" was regarded as their helper.
The poet Milton had doubtless one of these "Brownies" in his mind when he penned the lines in
"L'Allegro" to the "lubber fiend," who drudged and sweat
"To earn his cream-bowl duly set."
But, strange to say, he was not as complimentary as the untarnished reputation of the "Brownies" might
lead one to expect. In some villages, near their chapel, they had a large flat stone called "Brownie’s
stone," upon which the ancient inhabitants offered a cow’s milk every Sunday to secure the good-will of
the "Brownies." That the "Brownies were good eaters, and could out-do the cat in their love for cream,
is well proven in many places.
IT may be gratifying to some to know that even kings have not thought it beneath their dignity to dip the
royal pen in the "Brownies" behalf. King James in his "Demonology" says:" The spirit called 'Brownie'
appeared like a man and haunted divers houses without doing any evil, but doing as it were necessary
turns up and down the house, yet some were so blinded as to believe that their house was all the
sonsier, as they called it, that such spirits resorted there." Other writers say that the "Brownie" was a
sturdy fairy, who, if he was fed well and treated kindly would do, as the people said, a great deal of work.
He is said to have been obliging, and used to come into houses by night, and for a dish of cream
perform lustily any piece of work that might remain to be done.
The superstitious inhabitants had absolute faith in the "Brownies" wisdom or judgment. The "Brownie"
spirit was said to reach over the table and make a mark where his favorite was to sit at a game if he
wished to win, and this "tip" from the "Brownie" was never disregarded by the player.
THE seeker after facts concerning the origin of the "Brownies" will find it difficult to gather them in. He
may visit the largest libraries in the land and turn the leaves of old volumes that have been neglected
for centuries, and fail to find more than that at one time in the long long ago, the "Brownie" was a power
in the land that no well-regulated family could fail to do without. One thing is certain, however, the more
we learn about the "Brownies" the more we like them. Theirs is a genealogy that one can trace back
through the dusty centuries of the past without finding one blot on their scutcheon, or discovering that
they descended from a race of robbers or evil doers. It is indeed refreshing to learn that at a time when
the age was so dark that even Christianity could scarcely send a ray of light through it, and when every
man's hand seemed to be against his brother, when poachers, moss-troopers and plundering men of
might were denuding the land, the "Brownies" through rain and shine were found at their post every
night, aiding the distressed, picking up the work that weary hands let fall, and in many ways winning the
love and respect of the people.
Nip442
The Albrecht Bros. Started their saloon business in Seattle sometime in 1899 at that time they were
located at 1424 First Avenue, they remained at this location into the year 1906. Then after buying David
Winchills saloon located at 122 Second street, they remained here into the year 1910. Thus dating these
122 Second Street address nippers 1906-1910. In later years the business was moved around to several
locations under Albrecht & Thorpe through the year 1913. They were no longer listed after 1913.
Nip644
Palmer Cox, the writer and illustrator of the Brownie stories, was born in Granby, Quebec on April 28,
1840. The area was populated by many Scottish people whose folklore would later influence his stories.
As a child he showed an interest in drawing and poetry.
Graduating from the Granby Academy in 1858, he moved south finding work finishing the woodwork used
in the interior of railroad cars. Later he and his brother Edwin worked as barn framers in Ontario. It is
said that Cox drew pictures on barn timbers during rest periods.
Heading west, he walked across the Isthmus of Panama en route arriving in Oakland, California in
January 1863. He stayed in California for about 13 years, becoming a United States citizen. After a period
building steamboats and railroad cars he moved to San Francisco, a literary center even then. He
entered into the city’s literary life contributing to several periodicals and in 1874 published his first book
Squibs of California, or Everyday Life. The book, based on his diary, contained stories, sketches and
poems. It was almost 500 pages and contained 183 illustrations.
In 1875 he relocated to New York in search of a literary career. After initial difficulties he became the
chief artist for Uncle Sam: The American Journal of Wit and Humor. Between 1875 and 1878 he published
three books, all written in verse and illustrated, and by the early 1880’s was writing for Wide Awake, a
children’s magazine. His work began to appear regularly in Harper’s Young People and St. Nickolas, an
important children’s periodical. Children’s literature seemed to be Cox’s calling.
The first Brownie story to appear in St. Nicholas was The Brownie’s Ride in February 1883. Twenty four
Brownie stories appeared between 1883 and 1887. In 1887 they were collected and published as The
Brownies, Their Book. Palmer Cox was 47 years old when this first Brownie book was published. In 1890
a second series of twelve stories from St. Nicholas were combined with twelve others and published as
Another Brownie Book. Cox began writing for the Ladies Home Journal and produced a series called The
Brownies Through the Year. In 1893 these were collected into a third book, The Brownies at Home. The
Brownie stories were light-hearted and fun for their readers. The Brownies engaged in activities
children could relate to and the stories often included current events. In all, twelve* Brownie books
were written.
By 1905 Cox had returned to Granby, Quebec living in a turreted house he had planned. The house was
called Brownie Castle and was said to be based on a castle he saw while traveling in the British Isles. He
died at Brownie Castle on July 24, 1924. His tombstone reads:
IN CREATING THE BROWNIES
HE BESTOWED A PRICELESS
HERITAGE ON CHILDHOOD.
THEY were called "Brownies" on account of their color, which was said to be brown owing to their
constant exposure to all kinds of weather, and also because they had brown hair, something which was
not common in the country where the "Brownie" was located, as the people generally had red or black
hair. There are different stories about the origin of the name. One is that during the time the
Covenanters in Scotland were persecuted because they were said to teach a false and pernicious
doctrine, many of them were forced to conceal themselves in caves and secret places, and food was
carried to them by friends. One band of Covenanters was led by a little hunchback named Brown, who
being small and active could slip out at night with some of the lads and bring in the provisions left by
friends in secret places. They dressed themselves in a fantastic manner, and if seen in the dusk of the
evening they would be taken for fairies. Those who knew the truth named Brown and his band the
"Brownies." This is very plausible, but we have too high an opinion of the "Brownies" to believe that
they took their name from a mortal. We are inclined to believe that the well-deserving hunchback took
his name from the "Brownies," instead of the "Brownies" deriving their name from him. Besides the
story does not reach back far enough.
THE "Brownies" were an ancient and well-organized band long before there was a Covenanter to flee to
caves and caverns. Indeed, from what can be gathered from the writings of ancient authors, one is led
to believe the "Brownie" idea is a very old one. It is fair to presume that the "Brownies" enjoyed their
nightly pranks, or skipped over the dewy heather to aid deserving peasants even before the red-haired
Dane crossed the border to be Caledonia's unwelcome guest. Every family seems to have been haunted
by a spirit they called "Brownie" which did different sorts of work, and they in return gave him offerings
of the various products of the place. The "Brownie" idea was woven into the affairs of everyday life. In
fact it seemed to be part of their religion, and a large part at that. When they churned their milk, or
brewed, they poured some milk or wort through a hole in a flat, thin stone called "Brownie's stone." In
other cases they poured the offerings in the corner of the room, believing that good would surely come
to their homes if "the Brownies" were remembered. On out of the way islands, where the people could
neither read nor write, and were wholly ignorant of what was going on in other parts of the country, so
much so that they looked upon a person that could understand black marks on paper as a supernatural
being, the "Brownie" was regarded as their helper.
The poet Milton had doubtless one of these "Brownies" in his mind when he penned the lines in
"L'Allegro" to the "lubber fiend," who drudged and sweat
"To earn his cream-bowl duly set."
But, strange to say, he was not as complimentary as the untarnished reputation of the "Brownies" might
lead one to expect. In some villages, near their chapel, they had a large flat stone called "Brownie’s
stone," upon which the ancient inhabitants offered a cow’s milk every Sunday to secure the good-will of
the "Brownies." That the "Brownies were good eaters, and could out-do the cat in their love for cream,
is well proven in many places.
IT may be gratifying to some to know that even kings have not thought it beneath their dignity to dip the
royal pen in the "Brownies" behalf. King James in his "Demonology" says:" The spirit called 'Brownie'
appeared like a man and haunted divers houses without doing any evil, but doing as it were necessary
turns up and down the house, yet some were so blinded as to believe that their house was all the
sonsier, as they called it, that such spirits resorted there." Other writers say that the "Brownie" was a
sturdy fairy, who, if he was fed well and treated kindly would do, as the people said, a great deal of work.
He is said to have been obliging, and used to come into houses by night, and for a dish of cream
perform lustily any piece of work that might remain to be done.
The superstitious inhabitants had absolute faith in the "Brownies" wisdom or judgment. The "Brownie"
spirit was said to reach over the table and make a mark where his favorite was to sit at a game if he
wished to win, and this "tip" from the "Brownie" was never disregarded by the player.
THE seeker after facts concerning the origin of the "Brownies" will find it difficult to gather them in. He
may visit the largest libraries in the land and turn the leaves of old volumes that have been neglected
for centuries, and fail to find more than that at one time in the long long ago, the "Brownie" was a power
in the land that no well-regulated family could fail to do without. One thing is certain, however, the more
we learn about the "Brownies" the more we like them. Theirs is a genealogy that one can trace back
through the dusty centuries of the past without finding one blot on their scutcheon, or discovering that
they descended from a race of robbers or evil doers. It is indeed refreshing to learn that at a time when
the age was so dark that even Christianity could scarcely send a ray of light through it, and when every
man's hand seemed to be against his brother, when poachers, moss-troopers and plundering men of
might were denuding the land, the "Brownies" through rain and shine were found at their post every
night, aiding the distressed, picking up the work that weary hands let fall, and in many ways winning the
love and respect of the people.
