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 Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these catalogs.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
Download in Text, PDF, Single Page JPG, TORRENT from Archive.org
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.
* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!