Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
‘Compliments of Scarbrough & Hicks’
Rockdale Reporter - September 14, 2011
‘Old Rockdale’ promotional art found in pages
When Rockdale-area resident William Zientek opened up his old book “South by Southeast”
he was pleased to find it was autographed by co-author Walter Cronkite, the legendary
newsman.
Then he got a bigger surprise. Pressed between the oversized pages were two “framing-
quality” raised letter color prints from Rockdale’s distant past.
The well-preserved prints bore the inscription “Compliments of Scarbrough & Hicks,
Rockdale, Texas.” Scarbrough & Hicks was Rockdale’s showcase business in the early part
of the 20th Century.
It burned in a landmark fire Sept. 3, 1935, which claimed the lives of two Rockdale
volunteer firefighters.
The prints were apparently given away as promotional items to Scarbrough & Hicks
customers. That’s quite a gift, considering the era and the amount of work which would
have gone into color reproductions of that quality and scale.
Artist was Frances Brundage (1854-1937), whose work ranged from postcards and
valentines to children’s classics like “Little Women” and “Heidi.” Art was her life and
family. She was taught by her father, Rembrandt Lockwood, and she married the artist
William Tyson Brundage.
Her work is still considered highly collectable.
All credit for this article goes to
The Rockdale Reporter
The Rockdale Reporter
Popular Victorian Era artist Frances Brundage (1854-1937) was renowned for her images of attractive and endearing children. This print, apparently given away to customers by Scarbrough & Hicks of Rockdale, was one of two found in an art book.
At right “Christmas 1889” print by artist Frances Brundage.
At left: marker at city library, site of Scarbrough & Hicks, commemorates J. W. Hooper and Wilbur Williams, firefighters who died there Sept. 3, 1935.
.