1894 - Mystery of the Huntington Seed Co. Catalogs

When I looked at my first Huntington catalogs in the Biodiversity Heritage Library I got the impression they didn't like color!  Drab, or very conservatively colored, catalogs from 1895 through 1899 were so unexpected given the other seedsmen were reveling in chromoliths.

But, it turned out the Biodiversity Heritage Library simply had an incomplete selection.  The Smithsonian Institute had a jolly colorful one.  Here are a few covers and backs of catalogs.
I think I am doing this overview in lieu of having any information about the men who ran the business!

So, first the nice colorful Smithsonian catalog from 1894.  Following are many drab little poor relatives. 

What happened after 1894!!??

Here they come.  What a let down....

1895

No back cover.

1896

back

1896

I like this cover.  The page design gives it energy.

1897

This is fuddy-duddy, but a sprightly paper color.

Note the transition to Huntington & Page!  Mr. Page continues to be the secretary of the company.

1899

I looked to see if the building was still there, but no. 
There are a few that look remarkably like it down the street, but this building is gone.

Crazy perspective in this cut, but I am a sucker for any proudly presented building engraving.  Do you see how the horses are smaller than the men further away?

1900

1900

Oh, yuck.

 Better...

1893 - The Huntington Seed Co., Indianapolis

The Huntington Seed Co. is something of a mystery to me.  

I can't find much information on any of these Huntingtons, their community involvement, or even obituaries.  That sort of thing usually pops up if you just keep rephrasing queries...but it didn't. 

The following article I did find gives a good outline of their business without saying much.

They bought a great proportion of their seeds, but their catalogs seem to say they raise some of their own and the illustration on their invoices shows a farm.











Their catalogs always lead with strategies to engage the buyer, such as free books with purchase, and this contest below.

Love their  invoice design though! 

This following piece was in Indianapolis Illustrated : the capital city of Indiana : its growth, resources, commerce, manufacturing interests, financial institutions, and prospects, also sketches of the leading business concerns which contribute to the city's progress and prosperity : a complete history of the city from foundation to the present time

F. C. Huntington & Co.  

   Indianapolis stands second to no city in the union as regards great establishments devoted to the staple branches of trade. In many lines she leads, and notably so in that of the trade in choice garden and farm seeds, bulbs, etc., for in this department no house has achieved a more enviable reputation than that of Messrs F. C. Huntington & Co., 66 East Washington street. 

The business was founded in 1880 by Mr. J. F. Mendenhall at 78 and 80 East Market street. A flourishing trade was developed with growing connections and in August 1886 the business was purchased by Messrs. F. C. and J. T. Huntington.   
Under the existing style and title of F. C. Huntington & Co. the officers are as follows F. P. Huntington president, J. T. Huntington treasurer, T. V. Page, secretary.  

(So where is F. C. in the company?? From The Huntington Family in America, 1915, I found his name, Forest Conwell Huntington, born March 25, 1866, and it said he was a seedsman.  Now if he is the same F. C., he was 20 when he bought Mendenhall's seed business.  That makes me think J. T. was older. )

These gentlemen brought to bear special qualifications for carrying on the business including a wide range of practical experience thorough knowledge of the wants of the trade and ample energy and enterprise to push their goods all over the United States. 

On January 1, 1893 they removed from East Market street to their present desirable premises, 66 East Washington street, 22 x 196 feet in dimensions, and comprising two floors and basement.  Here they carry full lines of garden and farm seeds flower seeds imported bulbs and plants also the highest grade of commercial fertilizers.  

They are large growers of garden and farm seeds and secure special high-class seed all strictly fresh, free from impurities and warranted to produce heavily and give entire satisfaction. They are notably progressive and enterprising and each year bring out new and desirable varieties of vegetables which give an increased return to the grower. 

They are direct importers of the rarest foreign bulbs and seeds from Holland, Germany, France and Spain. Every year a member of the firm goes to Europe to make purchases and personally selects from the stocks of the leading growers of Europe.  Besides seeds and bulbs the firm carry a complete line of garden lawn and greenhouse implements, garden and farm tools, poultry supplies, cattle and horse foods, while they make a specialty of the most reliable fertilizers.

Their trade extends all over the United States and a staff of sixteen clerks and salesmen are kept busy in the establishment, while several men are required on the road. The Messrs. Huntington are natives of Indianapolis, universally popular and respected, and are active members of the board of trade and the Odd Fellows Order.  Theirs is one of the leading seed warehouses in theUnited States and has developed its immense trade and influential connections strictly on the basis of merit.  Purchases of seeds here invariably giving entire satisfaction. Those desirous of making selections should send for their handsome illustrated descriptive catalogue which gives full details of all the new varieties with a great deal of additional instructive matter.