1863 Hanks Chromolithograph Temperance Broadside - Black Valley Railroad

This is without a doubt the most beautiful and remarkable variants on 'Black Valley Rail Road' temperance allegory. This chromolithograph broadside was issued in 1863 on behalf of Stedman Wright Hanks, an ardent Cambridge, Massachusetts temperance advocate. Central to the image is a great demonic train, headed for the dark and dreadful Black Valley. Some escape to 'Temperance Land' on the coach while others party in the saloon car. Below the central image is an explanation of the image, with illustrations of stomachs at various stages on the allegorical voyage.

The Black Valley Allegory

The image presents an allegory of life centered on a train voyage from 'Temperance Land' a 'region of churches and fountains' to the 'Black Valley,' a dark place with volcanoes reminiscent of hell. Temperance Land appears in the background to the left, while Black Valley features prominently at the right. Surrounding the image, the various stops, between 'Sippington' and the ultimate destination, 'Destruction' are noted. Each 'stop' is underscored with a Biblical reference. The centerpiece of the image is a stop Drunkard's Curve. Here the train appears central with its engine a distillery fueled by alcohol. It has a dragon nose and a serpent is coiled around the furnace, which spews evil looking arrows. Daemons drive the train while, one car back, a saloon car hosts a lively party. In the foreground, a stagecoach bound for 'Temperance Land' saves those who are lucky or smart enough to disembark, while an ambulance carries others away. The contrast between the 'old' and 'slow' Temperance Land stagecoach and the 'fast' and 'central' train, between the 'tried and true' and modern technology (at the time) should also be noted.

Period Praise

This image is derived from a book published by the author Stedman Wright Hanks, that was much acclaimed by temperance advocates,

Probably the most successful temperance lecture in the country is the picture of the Black Valley Railroad. Not a few young men who have been coquetting with the intoxicating cup have shuddered and drawn back as they looked upon this representation of the drunkard’s course. . . If a copy of it had a place in every household, it would do much to keep young men from the first step in the drunkard’s career. ('Free Press'. Northampton, MA, page 219)

Hanks appears to have licensed or simply given his image away, as there are several variations issued by different printers.

Chromolithography

Chromolithography is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired effect. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic effects. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it emerged as the dominate method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda imagery.

Publication History and Census

The 'Black Valley Railroad' theme was used extensively in 19th century temperance propaganda. Most can be traced to the Temperance Alliance and Stedman Wright Hanks, who developed the 'Black Valley' allegory. While we have not been able trace another exact example of this broadside, we have identified others that employ similar imagery, including one in the collections of Princeton University. The present view was issued by New England Steam Printing, based at 34 Chauncy Street, Boston. We are aware of no other examples.