This is my favorite stamp, probably because it has that same "Arts and Crafts" hand-lettering my grandfather's parents' wedding book had tooled into its leather cover. I respect local persons who resist the "big boys" of development in a productive way.
Jacob Brosch was from Martinez, unlike F.E. Nelson. I wonder what Brosch thought of Nelson given his 3 repeated stamps abut the "FE Nelson" stamp, the middle Brosch stamp being upside down so as to appeal to walkers in both directions. Brosch could have also subcontracted for Nelson as Nelson was working with famous architects on huge projects in 1918. The Martinez 1912 directory lists Brosch as a "brklyr"/bricklayer living at 607 Green. This makes sense in light of sidewalk stamps as there are many stone-like brick step entry ways built in Grandview.
The December 10, 1907 Town Trustees minutes stated that the
Town Marshall is to notify "J. Brosch" and others to connect their property on
Block 31 to the sewer. Block 31, according to the 1849 Town of Martinez map available at the
CCC Clerk Recorder's office, is comprised of the intersections of Castro, Green, Alhambra (Smith), and Ward. This means
that either Green street addresses were shifted down a block at some point, or Brosch moved from the 700 block of Green to the 600
between 1907 and 1912. The former explanation would make sense in light of what I believe to be the oldest sidewalk in Martinez.
Brosch, like Nelson, extended his sidewalks up to homes' entry way steps. I wonder how many Brosch stamps have been worn away,
especially given that Brosch
layed his stamp in the rectangle border square next to the curb. The triplet set and the one worn curb side Jacob Brosch stamp are
the only evidence found to date of this man's sidewalks. Jacob Brosch's sidewalks have larger grains and grosser scoring than Nelson's.
By 1925, the Martinez City Directory does not list a Jacob Brosch. I looked up Jacob's birth and death certificates, and none exist. May his 4 remaining stamps outlive me.
