In the literary world, a palimpsest refers to “a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.” Meanwhile, in the art world, a pentimento means “a visible trace of earlier painting beneath a layer or layers of paint on a canvas.” So, the latter is what we have here on Broadway in Williamsburg, just around the corner from the well-preserved Nutrine ad on Hewes Street.
Two ads for virtually the same businesses can be seen here. I honestly can’t tell which painted ad is older. One reads…
Supplies Plumbers Tinsmiths Steam and Gas Fitters Factories Breweries Etc
and the other…
McElraevy & Hauck Co.
Supplies for
Plumbers
Steam Fitters
Factories
Pipe Cut To Sketch
According to ancient ad expert the Indispensable Walter Grutchfield, whose research is second to none, John McElraevy (1855-1939) and George W. Hauck (1860-1930) founded their company McElraevy and Hauck in 1904, which was located here a good 74 years until relocating to Hicksville from 1978 to 1985.
My feeling is that both painted ads refer to McElraevy and Hauck, since it in this location, or nearby, for over seven decades. Faded paint on a wall is all that remains, and while our children and grandchildren carry on for us if we are lucky enough, a few flecks of paint suffice for a lot of former companies.
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4/27/23