Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Jerome Rice. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Jerome Rice. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

I Think Rice is Nice; the Jerome B. Rice Seed Company History

This illustration of the rich land of Washington County, New York goes a long way towards explaining why seedsmen, like the Rice family, were attracted to the Cambridge area. This is a brief post to outline the family business growth.

History of Washington Co., New York

There were many Rice men involved in the establishment of the business later known as Jerome B. Rice Seed Company.  

A Rice cousin,  Roswell Rice had a business which started in 1832.  I don't know anything about that one. 
There was also R. Niles Rice who started small in 1834, traveling around in a wagon selling seeds. He built up his trade until in 1844 or 1845  when he settled in Cambridge, New York. At the same time he increased his business by buying out cousin Roswell's business and also another seedhouse owned by the Crosby family who had been in business since 1816.  

In 1841 Niles Rice had a son Jerome, who joined the company in 1865.  Jerome Bonaparte Rice was on the scene! 

 So..."In 1865, Mr Niles Rice associated his son, Jerome B. Rice, with him in the management of the business, which now extends through all the New England, Middle, and many of the Southern States. A large number of men and women are employed, and the arrangements for the distribution of the seeds are in strong contrast with the humble beginning forty years ago, some of the wagons used costing more than five hundred dollars, and other things are, in the same proportion, more complete and extensive. Besides the seeds grown at home, the Messrs. Rice have a large farm in Illinois where many tons of vegetable seeds are grown annually. The firm has originated several choice vegetables, among them tomatoes, and Rice’s ” Perfection” sweet corn, which is reputed the ne plus ultra of that vegetable."  

History of Washington Co., New York

business.  While I miss the retail catalog art, the Jerome B. Rice Seed Company was an important player in the seed world, and his advertising posters make up for my lack of visuals (almost).




In 1939 the Jerome B. Rice Seed Company was purchased by Associated Seed Growers, Inc, Asgrow, causing great nervousness among the people of Cambridge, many who worked at Rice or in some way benefited by the company's presence. Three years later you can read how it all worked out for the town.  Here is a story in the 1942 Washington County Post.  It is good news I have to add, although people are wondering how the war will change things.



Thursday, November 16, 2017

1880's - Jerome B. Rice's Little Jokes


Why is she dropping a good squash from her window?



Jerome B. Rice's cards were the most amusing around!  If you skim older posts you will find more smiles (as well as information about an interesting man and the history of the family business).

Link:


Monday, July 14, 2014

What's With Stumpy Moustachioed Dudes and Cabbages?

Stumpy, pipe smoking, wheelbarrow pushing man with giant cabbage.  Johnson and Stokes

Doesn't it look like Jerome Rice's cabbage hugging fellow changed his shoes and hat and took on a moonlighting job for Johnson & Stokes!  They even both smoke pipes!

Rice's cabbage hugging mascot
1880

Friday, July 11, 2014

Jerome B. Rice Seeds - "Why Some Succeed While Others Fail"




Rice was a fantastic advertising strategist and aggressive seedsman interested in growing and selling an excellent product.  The other day I posted some of his nutty trade cards and I'll do more soon!  Today is an introduction to the man.

First - I finally found what the B. stands for :-)








 - New York State Men Biographic Studies and Character Portraits, 1910
1902- Minneapolis (I left in Allen's caricature.)

A bit clearer...



Hidden TreasuresOr Why Some Succeed While Others Fail -  1887





 
This is the Detroit waterfront.  

You can't miss his sign with one story high letters!













Tuesday, July 8, 2014

A Fun Connection Between Two Seed Companies


This easygoing couple is happy to see a 250 pound Livingston's Perfection tomato balanced on the their bed's footboard, even before their first coffee!

The Livingston tomatoes were famous for being the best of the new hybrids. Their seeds were sold by many companies.  The Perfection was introduced in 1880.  Livingston had developed it to fill the need for a "good shipper".

Jerome B. Rice & Company is my favorites for goofy vegetable people trade cards. I'll be exploring his company and his advertising more in the future.



 Why would the artist make a grumpy pea couple?    And the cucumber man looks totally disillusioned.  The celery lady at least dully interested in something to the right!



Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Happy Image 10: Sunday Drive

Jerome B. Rice's Seed Company has the most fantastic trade cards.  Much better than any others. But other than that I had not found much.  Then this appeared at auction (not ebay for once...)!
I find it charming, and, of course, happy...saved from being vapidly sweet by the touring car, the city folks and the aggressively colored beautiful vegies around the basket.