Images(7)

Painting

Object number2014.94.1

Artist Robert Qualters (born 1934)

Date1984

MediumPaper/Paint/Wood/Plastic/Graphite/Adhesive/Adhesive tape/Crayon

Credit LineGift of Connie Cantor

DescriptionMixed-media painting on paper featuring scenes related to the Pittsburgh-based Morris Paper Company.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 37 x 48.875 x 0.063 in. (94 x 124.1 x 0.2 cm)
Signed"R.Q. '84" in the bottom right corner.
InscriptionsIn the bottom right corner is the artist signature "R.Q. '84" and a painted dedication "for JIM BALTER".

The top left scene features text to the left of the two figures "MORRIS / BALTER'S / father had a / butcher shop / in Pittsburgh's / Hill district. / YOUNG MORRIS, / WORKING AFTER SCHOOL, / WOULD TAKE HIS FATHER'S / HORSE AND BUGGY TO A / CORDAGE AND PAPER COMPANY / ON THE NORTHSIDE AND PICK UP BUTCHER PAPER, TWINE, SALES BOOKS, / AND OTHER PAPER PRODUCTS FOR THE SHOP. / OTHER LOCAL MERCHANTS BEGAN / TO ASK HIM TO GET PAPER SUPPLIES / FOR THEM, TOO. This was the / beginning; soon Morris was in / the paper business. FOUNDED 1926 / HE AND BEATRICE (BOBBY) BALTER WORKED / HARD; BY THE LATE 1940'S THE COMPANY / HAD THE LARGEST PAPER WAREHOUSE / BETWEEN NEW YORK AND CHICAGO."; to the right of the illustration of Beatrice Balter is text "BOBBY".

The top center scene has "MORRIS PAPER CO." featured on signs on the top of the building; a "HAMMERMILL PAPERS" semi-truck is parked at the side of the building and text below the scene reads "MORRIS, WHICH BECAME A DIVISION OF THE HAMMERMILL PAPER COMPANY IN / 1977, is the largest, and certainly the most Diversified Paper and packaging distributor / IN THIS AREA."

The scene at the top right features an image of a man standing on a roof with text below "JAMES BALTER, MORRIS AND BEATRICE'S SON, WHO WORKED IN / ALL PHASES OF THE BUSINESS, FROM LOADING TRUCKS TO / SALES MANAGER, BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY IN 1971."

The center left scene features an image of a delivery truck with text on the truck side panels "PHONE / FISK / 3242 / MORRIS PAPER CORPORATION/ ARSENAL - TERMINAL / PITTSBURGH." Above the truck scene is text "GENERAL LINE INDUSTRIAL / RETAIL PACKAGING ind EQUIPMENT / PRINTING PAPERS IRON CITY WIPING CO." To the right of this text is a small scene of a brick wall with text "BLOWHORN" above a pointing hand and text to the right of the hand "Sign / from / corner of / building / 1951."
The center scene features text at center right "SUPERMARKET / FOOD TRAYS / YELLOW FOR / CHICKEN". In the bottom left corner is an inset scene with text "We['re] / glad / you're / here" with caption text surrounding the scene "IRON / CITY / WIPING / CO., / a divis- / ion of / MORRIS, / SELLS / MACHINES / AND SUPPLIES / FOR CLEAN- / ING AND JANITORIAL / SERVICES. / About 40% of the business is direct shipment in large orders; / THE OTHER 60% IS HANDLED IN THE STRIP DISTRICT AND JOHNSTOWN WAREHOUSES."

The center right scene features a delivery truck with "MORRIS / PAPER COMPANY" on the top front of the truck "MORRIS" backwards on the front below the windshield, "471-2500" on the door panel, and "MORRIS / PAPER COMPANY / 21ST ST PITTSBURGH / PACKAGING PAPERS PLASTICS [illegible]" on the side panel. Above the scene is text "RETAIL PACKAGING, PRINTING PAPERS, PLASTIC & / OTHER MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIAL USE, PRODUCTS FOR HOSPITALS, / SUPERMARKETS, BAKERIES, INSTITUTIONS; TOWELS, FILM, TAPE, FOOD / TRAYS, and even THE INNER COMPONENTS USED IN DISPOSABLE / BABY DIAPERS." To the left of this text is additional text "a huge / VARIETY / OF MATERIALS / and / SERVICES". To the right of the right center scene is additional text "THE / DIAPERS / ARE / DISPOS- / ABLE, / NOT / THE BABY."

The bottom left scene features signage on the building side "MORRIS PAPER CO / JOHNSTOWN BRANCH" and additional text "LEHIGH / VALLEY"; additional text above the scene "THE JOHNSTOWN WAREHOUSE WAS / A BREWERY, AND A MEAT PACKING PLANT."

The bottom right scene features text inside the scene "FROM / MORRIS PAPER CO. / MANUFACTURING DIVISION / 120 UNION ST. / BRIDGEVILLE, PA." and text above the scene "THE THERMOFORMING / MACHI- / INE, / at / BRIDGE-VILLE / reusable / THERMO (and) / VACUUM / FORMED / PACK- / AGING."
Historical NotesPainting commissioned by the Balter family of the Morris Paper Company from prominent local artist Robert Qualters. Morris Balter founded Morris Paper Company in August of 1928, after working for many years in the paper business with his father, Reuben Balter. He operated the business alone until the 1940s when his son, James Balter, joined him as partner. For the length of his career, Morris Balter acted as the company's president while James held office as secretary and treasurer. The business was incorporated in 1948. Morris Paper Company primarily sold paper, twines, packaging materials, and various paper products to industrial and retail businesses. The company operated from a two-acre location at 21st Street and Penn Avenue in the Strip District. By 1970, Morris Paper Company had purchased two other distributors, the J. C. Kaplan Company and Interstate Cordage and Paper Company, and was considered the largest paper distributor in the northeast. The business was purchased by Hammermill Paper Company in 1977. Circa 1953, the company was located in Pittsburgh's Strip District at 21st Street and the Allegheny Valley Railroad. The building has since been demolished. The building had previously been occupied by the Kroger Company, a grocery store chain with headquarters in Ohio. The company also had locations in Johnstown, PA ,and Bridgeville, PA.

Related person Beatrice Balter

Related person Morris Balter

Related person James Stone Balter

Related institution Hammermill Paper Company

Related institution Iron City Wiping Company

Related institution Morris Paper Company

Related institution J. C. Kaplan Company

Related institution Interstate Cordage and Paper Company

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