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This is an exceptionally interesting illustrated trade catalog/supplement produced by Lord & Burnham Co., the prominent American greenhouse and conservatory manufacturer.
Based on the contents and dated references within the publication, this supplement appears to date to approximately 1913.
The booklet documents Lord & Burnham's large commercial iron-frame greenhouse systems and contains numerous period photographs of actual greenhouse installations, testimonials from commercial growers, and descriptions of greenhouse construction and operation.
An especially useful dating reference appears in the section for Malcolm Franklin's Crystal Palace, Yardley, Pennsylvania, which states:
“In the Spring of 1912 you built for me at Green Plain Rose Farm, Yardley…”
Another section discusses a large greenhouse constructed for Mr. McAlpine in 1911.
The front cover reads:
Lord and Burnham Co's
Sectional Iron Frame Commercial Greenhouses
BIG HOUSE SUPPLEMENT
Locations listed on the cover include New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Rochester and Toronto, Canada.
The introductory page explains that this publication was issued as a supplement to Lord & Burnham's previous commercial catalog, because rapid changes in construction of the company's new large/wide commercial houses had made portions of the earlier catalog outdated.
Important: The first numbered page in this booklet is page 25. Based upon the introductory explanation and its identification as the “Big House Supplement,” the pagination appears to continue material associated with the preceding commercial catalog rather than necessarily indicating that pages 1–24 were removed from this copy. Please review the photographs and make your own determination regarding completeness.
The publication includes period photographs and information relating to commercial greenhouse installations and growers, including the William Sim Range at Cliftondale, Massachusetts; McAlpine's large rose-growing operation at Exeter, New Hampshire; Malcolm Franklin's Green Plain Rose Farm at Yardley, Pennsylvania; and other major commercial greenhouse installations.
The booklet also identifies Lord & Burnham's factories at Irvington, New York and Des Plaines, Illinois, along with its sales offices.
One page is marked:
“Prepared by Tuthill Ad. Agency, 1133 Broadway, New York.”
Original green printed wrappers with decorative lettering and original three-fastener binding.
This is an original period publication, not a reproduction.
Condition: Antique used condition with age-related wear. Cover has edge and corner wear, small losses, creasing/scuffing and other signs of age. Interior pages show age, handling and edge wear. Binding remains together as shown. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition and contents. No attempt has been made to clean, repair or restore the publication.
An unusual surviving piece of early American commercial greenhouse, horticultural, architectural and industrial history, with excellent period photographic documentation of Lord & Burnham greenhouse installations.
Sold exactly as pictured.
