Archive.org has a host of old seed catalogs (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these catalogs. I’ll be sharing more catalogs as I find them in the coming weeks. –Douglas

Historical Seed Catalogs: A few choice seeds and plants worthy of general culture (1898) – 31 in a series

The image is an old advertisement for "A Few Seeds and Plants," dated 1898. The advertisement features a black and white illustration of a girl and a boy in a garden setting. The girl, dressed in a long dress, stands on the left, holding a plant, while the boy, in a light-colored outfit, sits on the ground, also holding a plant. Behind them is a large ornate pot with the year "1898" inscribed on it, filled with various plants. The text "A Few Choice Seeds and Plants Worthy of General Culture" is prominently displayed in the center. At the bottom, the name "JNO. D. IMLAY" is printed, along with the address "No. 54 N. 5th St. Zanesville, O." A stamp from the "Department of Agriculture, Division of Botany" is visible at the top right corner. The overall style is reminiscent of late 19th-century advertising, with ornate typography and detailed illustrations. Provided by @altbot, generated privately and locally using Ovis2-8BHistorical Seed Catalogs: A few choice seeds and plants worthy of general culture (1898) - 31 in a series

Historical Seed Catalogs: A few choice seeds and plants worthy of general culture (1898) - 31 in a seriesHistorical Seed Catalogs: A few choice seeds and plants worthy of general culture (1898) - 31 in a series

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This yearly opportunity of .greeting you is a sincere pleasure— a pleasure which grows as the number of our patrons increases. We feel that this greeting is received by you in the same spirit that it is given, and that our earnest efforts to maintain the “good will” of our customers have not been in vain.

We rely upon the confidence which our customers place in us as a basis for the continuance of our dealings and the development of our trade.

There is no business which depends so much on reputation as the Seed Business, for the reason that no disappointment is so great as that resulting from the sale of poor seeds.

With these points in view we make it our foremost principle to sell nothing but the best stocks procurable, and nothing testifies so directly to the fact that our efforts are appreciated, as the thrifty and substantial growth of our business.

This Catalogue is presented to you as a personal solicitor of trade, and as our representative, it portrays accurately the vast assortment of goods which we have to offer.

We have made it attractive, not by an elaborate display of colors, but by concise descriptions, true engravings and interestingly low prices,. which will appeal to all buyers. These prices are so low as to compete with many poor goods that are being imposed upon the growers of this section..
Respectfully,

January 20, 1898.

JNO. D. IMLAY.

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