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Rare circa-1900 mechanical advertising trade card and miniature booklet produced for D. M. Osborne & Co. of Auburn, New York, manufacturers of agricultural and harvesting machinery.
This unusually elaborate chromolithographed advertising piece features an international Paris scene on the exterior. When opened, it reveals “The Door to Success”—four illustrated barn-style doors printed in English, German, French and Russian. The doors open to reveal colorful miniature booklet pages featuring various Osborne farm implements in operation.
Illustrated machinery includes Osborne Columbia mowers, reapers and binders, an all-steel rake, six-fork tedder, Columbia spring-tooth harrow and other horse-drawn agricultural equipment. The reverse features detailed illustrations of the company’s main Auburn factory, rolling mill, malleable works, and twine and rope mill.
Marked:
D. M. Osborne & Co., Auburn, N.Y., U.S.A.
European Headquarters, London
Paris Headquarters, 38 Rue de Flandre
Gies & Co., Buffalo, N.Y.
The Paris imagery and company history suggest that this piece was issued around the time of the 1900 Paris Exposition, where D. M. Osborne & Co. exhibited agricultural machinery.
Condition is good antique condition for its approximately 125-year age. The mechanical doors and miniature booklet pages appear present and functional. Visible age toning, edge and corner wear, surface marks, fold creasing and minor handling wear are present. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
A scarce and visually impressive piece of Victorian-era agricultural, industrial, World’s Fair and American advertising ephemera.
