Circa 1883 – Pioneer illustrated international postcard advertising wheat, oats, peas, and lilies sent from Vermont to Spandau, Germany
Charlotte, Vermont: Circa 1883. Post Card. This large (7” x 4”) inch early private mailing card was sent at the 1-cent printed matter rate by the Pringle & Horsford Nursery in Charlotte, Vermont to a potential customer in Spandau, Germany. Obliteration postmark with a circular Spandau receiving handstamp. In nice shape with a little edgewear and light soiling.
The card features illustrations of some of the nursery’s “Choice Novelties for the Garden or Field.”
An illustration of the head of a Barley stem stretches across the top of the front panel, and a smaller image of North American Lilies is in the lower left corner.
The rear panel contains an illustration of the head of a wheat stem across the top and illustrations of “Market Garden Peas” and a farmer supporting a large shock of “American Triumph Oats.”
The advertising text reads in part:
“The undersigned wish to call your attention that they are engaged in the production (by hybridization) and sale of Choice Novelties for the Garden or Field.
“Many of the standard vegetables and field seeds now offered by our American seedsmen had their origin with them. They are also prepared to supply all the North American perennial plants which are desirable for cultivation packed in such a manner as to survive, if necessary, a journey of several months. . ..”
. Very good. Item #010769In 1883, Frederick Hinsdale Horsford and Cyrus G. Pringle went into the nursery business in Charlotte, Vermont after traveling throughout North America collecting plants. Horsford was an avid hybridizer and in addition to food crops he became internationally renowned for the variety of lilies he created. The business also offered trees, shrubs, vines, evergreens, and roses. Products were shipped all over the world. The firm, now Horsford Nursery, is still in operation today, although it no longer sells through mail order.
Congress approved a request from Postmaster General John Creswell to print and issue one-cent postal cards in June of 1872. The law also allowed for the mailing of privately printed postcards, known today as “pioneer” cards,
.Price: $150.00