BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY.
Black and greyscale detailed illustration of Jim Key with handler, Doc Key and a cash register.
Made by The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, N.J. U.S.A. Patented July 17 1894 April 14th 1896, July 21st, 1986
The Beautiful Jim Key was a traveling act. He was owned and trained by Dr. William Key, a slave-born self trained veterinarian. The horse was credited with abilities to read, write, spell, do math, tell time, sort mail, use a cash register and a telephone, recite Bible passages and engage in political debate. He was known as "The Marvel Of The Twentieth Century" and "The Greatest Crowd Drawer In America."
Jim Key was so popular that he still has fans today: http://www.beautifuljimkey.com/history.htm
SOURCE: Hake's Americana and Collectibles. (2011, February 2). I HAVE SEEN BEAUTIFUL JIM KEY. Retrieved from http://www.hakes.com/item.asp?AuctionItemID=62201.