Larkin Company Trade Catalog, "The Larkin Plan Factory-to-Family, Catalog No. 78," Fall and Winter 1917-1918
Add to SetSummary
John D. Larkin established a soap manufacturing company in 1875. He hired his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, as a salesman. Hubbard developed "The Larkin Idea," a plan that sold goods directly to consumers through mail-order catalogs and offered incentivizing giveaways. It was a success. By the early 1900s, Larkin's catalogs contained pages of products and even more pages of premiums from which customers could choose.
John D. Larkin established a soap manufacturing company in 1875. He hired his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, as a salesman. Hubbard developed "The Larkin Idea," a plan that sold goods directly to consumers through mail-order catalogs and offered incentivizing giveaways. It was a success. By the early 1900s, Larkin's catalogs contained pages of products and even more pages of premiums from which customers could choose.
Artifact
Trade catalog
Date Made
circa 1917
Subject Date
1917-1918
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, New York, Buffalo
Creator Notes
Published by the Larkin Company of Buffalo, New York. Cover art by Alexander O. Levy.
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
87.3.53.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Ink
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Bookbinding (Process)
Printing (Process)
Color
Multicolored
Dimensions
Height: 11 in
Width: 8.125 in
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.