1889
IT HAPPENED IN…1889
The Oklahoma land rush contributed to a
development boom in Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, and other prairie
areas.
Heavy rains burst the earthworks South Fork Dam
above Johnstown, Pennsylvania, sending a 30 foot high wall of water
over the town, killing over two thousand people.
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and
Washington were admitted as states.
The I. M. Singer Company marketed its first
electric sewing machines.
Coin-operated telephones became common in
railroad depots, hotels, and restaurants.
Medium-sized towns typically had one or two dozen telephones
in public locations.
The Otis Company installed the first electric
elevator.
The Eiffel Tower opened in Paris, France.
It was the world’s tallest structure at the time.
The
Ladies’ Home Journal started publishing articles on civic
affairs, and crusading against social ills, demonstrating a widening
of women’s interests.
Mark Twain published
A Connecticut Yankee In King
Arthur’s Court.
The Coca-Cola
Company was incorporated as the Pemberton Medicine Company.
The Coca-Cola logo was printed for the first time in the
Atlanta Journal.
The Wall
Street Journal began publication in New York City.
Trade cards reached the height of their
popularity with advertisers and the public.
Electric lighting was installed in the White
House. Staff members
had to turn them on because President Harrison was afraid to touch
the switches.
1,377 U.S. soft drink bottling plants were in
operation. Per capita
consumption was 9.9 bottles.
In
early 1889 Hires ceased distributing
Happy Hours in Fairy Land
giveaway booklets and began offering at least four different editions of a 20 page
Happy Hours in Picture Land
booklet. This first example
featured "The Three Little Pigs" nursery rhyme:
(Figure
1889-01, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, back and front covers)
(Figure
1889-01, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, inside front cover and first
page)
The front cover artwork for a second example was revised and the contents changed to a "Baby's Book" featuring the alphabet with accompanying images. The back cover advertisement promoted the Canisteo Weekly Times, a Steuben County, New York newspaper published from 1889-1892. Note the tag line added to the bottom of the Mellin's Food advertisement inside the back cover referencing the 1884 World's Exposition held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, back and front covers)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, inside front cover and
page 1)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 2 and 3)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 4 and 5)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 6 and 7)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 8 and 9)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 10 and 11)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 12 and 13)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 14 and 15)
(Figure
1889-01.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, pages 16 and inside back
cover)
This third example was produced for distribution by B. F. Brown & Company, a Boston, Massachusetts manufacturer of boots and shoes for women and children. The inside front cover included a small Hires advertisement and the booklet contained a "Jack In The Box" nursery rhyme.
(Figure
1889-02, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, back and front covers)
(Figure
1889-02, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, inside front cover and
page 1)
A fourth example contained two nursery rhymes, "Mary And Her Lamb," and "A Moony Old Cat." The inside front cover included a full page Hires advertisement.
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, back and front covers)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land, inside front cover and
page 1)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 2 and 3)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 4 and 5)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 6 and 7)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 8 and 9)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 10 and 11)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 12 and 13)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 14 and 15)
(Figure
1889-02.5, Happy
Hours In Picture Land,
pages 16 and inside back cover)
Increasingly seeking ways to promote Hires’ Improved Root Beer, Charles Hires decided the upcoming March 4, 1889 inauguration of Benjamin Harrison as U.S. President provided an excellent advertising opportunity. Consequently he placed newspaper notices announcing a contest with a total of $200.00 in cash prizes for those who could correctly predict the individuals Harrison would select as his cabinet officers. Everyone who entered the contest, whether their answers were correct or not, was promised a “Patent Erasable Memorandum Tablet” and a “Picture Card” by return mail. All submissions were required to include “three 2-cent stamps,” which were no doubt used by Hires to mail the tablets and trade cards to contest entrants.
(Figure 1889-03, newspaper contest notice)
On February 25, 1889, Hires’ Improved Root Beer
Extract was awarded a Gold Seal Prize at the Retail Grocers’,
Manufacturers’ and Pure Food Exposition held in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. The diploma
presented noted Hires Extract’s “Purity, Superiority and Delicacy of
Flavor.” This was the first
of many awards bestowed on Hires’ Root Beer over the years.
To commemorate this significant award, Hires produced two page,
double-sided flyers depicting the diploma, full page advertisements (in
both English and German), and a page of customer and retailer
testimonials.
(Figure 1889-04, double-sided
flyer, page 1, 9.25” x 6.0”)
(Figure 1889-04, double-sided
flyer, page 2, 9.25” x 6.0”)
(Figure 1889-04, double-sided
flyer, page 3, 9.25” x 6.0”)
(Figure 1889-04, double-sided
flyer, page 4, 9.25” x 6.0”)
The
double-sided flyer’s artwork was reused for a wood-framed print of the
two men trying and liking Hires’ Improved Root Beer.
This item was produced by Burk & McFetridge, a Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania firm specializing in lithographed trade cards,
advertisements, book illustrations, pamphlets, and calendars.
(Figure 1889-05, wood-framed
print, 13.5” x 16.5”)
Hires also distributed a different version of the
double-sided flyer, with a larger-sized Diploma, plus black-and-white
cover art featuring an elderly couple reading the instructions for
making Hires’ Improved Root Beer.
(Figure 1889-06, double-sided
flyer, page 1)
A full color print of the cover art used for the
second double-sided flyer was also produced and distributed.
(Figure 1889-07, color print,
18.0” x 19.0”)
An
1889 Hires wall calendar marked another change in marketing approach
with artwork featuring an attractive young woman.
(Figure 1889-08, paper 1889
wall calendar, Hires Family Archives)
Hires placed a half page advertisement in the Saturday, June 15, 1889 issue of The Times newspaper in Philadelphia. The top two-thirds of the ad copy extolled the many virtues of Hires' Improved Root Beer, including numerous glowing testimonials from satisfied storekeepers who were selling Hires' Extract. Of particular interest, however, were the two separate panels filling the bottom one-third of the half page.
The lower right hand panel featured the illustrated "SPECIAL NOTICE TO THE DRUG AND SODA WATER TRADE." Note the suggestion "Storekeepers and country merchants can make money by making it (Hires' Improved Root Beer) up in a keg or bottling it and selling it at 5 cents a glass...To those who do not make their own Syrups a Syrup of our Root Beer, ready for use in the Fountain, will be furnished in gallon jars at $1 per jar at our store, 117 Arch Street."
Given that Hires was selling fountain syrup and also encouraging the bottling of Hires Root Beer by storekeepers capable of doing so, it isn't all that surprising that the lower left hand panel of the half page advertisement included this announcement:
Although several sources claim Hires didn't start bottling Hires' Root Beer until 1893, he was definitely doing so at least as early as mid-1889. The 1893 start date is yet another myth! Hires owned and operated the "Crystal Bottling Company" at his 117 Arch Street location in Philadelphia. He distributed cases of quart and pint bottles thru the ten outlets listed at the bottom of the advertising copy.
(Figure 1889-08.5, The
Times, Philadelphia, June 15, 1889, page 6)
A mid-year 1889 Hires’ giveaway item was a
pocket-sized, bound memo pad that incorporated a July 1889 – June 1890
calendar. Miss Anna S.
Beard used this example June 26, 1889 to document the expenses incurred
for her graduation dress and pictures.
(Figure 1889-09, memo pad,
front cover, 4.25” x 2.375”)
(Figure 1889-09, memo pad page
and inside back cover)
The carton for this circa 1889 package of Hires’
Improved Root Beer states “Full Directions Inside” in both English and
German:
(Figure 1889-10, Hires’
Improved Root Beer carton)
Dovetailed wooden cases with lids measuring 5.5” x 5.5" x 7.0” were used for
shipping one dozen packages of Hires' Improved Root Beer (Liquid).
This version lists HIRES' IMPROVED ROOT BEER in all capital letters.
(Figure 1889-11, liquid wooden shipping case)
This version lists Hires' Improved Root
Beer in upper and lower case letters.
(Figure 1889-11, liquid wooden shipping case, front panel)
Here's a view with the lid partially opened.
(Figure 1889-11, liquid wooden shipping case)
Dovetailed wooden cases measuring 13.75” long x 6.125" wide x 5.0” tall were used for
shipping one dozen packages of Hires’ Improved Root Beer (Dry).
(Figure 1889-11.5, dry wooden shipping case, front)
(Figure 1889-11.5, dry wooden shipping case, lid)
(Figure 1889-11.5, dry wooden shipping case, back)
(Figure 1889-11.5, dry wooden shipping case, end)
Hires patented this wooden whistle August 20, 1889.
Not missing a marketing opportunity, all four long sides of the
whistle contain advertising copy.
The Chicago World’s Fair full page article in the June 14, 1893
Public Ledger newspaper
specified “This year the firm is giving away about 200,000 small wooden
whistles, with the inscription ‘We blow for Hires’ Rootbeer.’”
(Figure 1889-12, wooden
whistle, 3.5” x 1.25” x .5”)
During 1889 Hires purchased a large supply of
specially designed trade cards from the J. Ottmann Lithographing Company
in New York City. Ottmann
was located in the historic Puck
building in New York City.
Ottmann and the Donaldson Brothers were the largest trade card producers
in the United States during the 1880s and 1890s.
This card pictures a mother and daughter deciding “What shall we
drink?” The advertising
message on the back of the card was pre-printed and the retailer’s name
and location subsequently added at the request of the merchant.
(Figure 1889-13, “What shall
we drink?” trade card, front, 5.75” x 3.75”)
(Figure 1889-13, “What shall
we drink? trade card, back, personalized)
In 1889 Hires expanded his product line to
include “Hires’ Cough Cure.”
The carton labeling indicates this medicine was “For all Diseases
of the Lungs, Throat and Chest, Coughs, Colds, Hoarseness, Pneumonia,
Bronchitis, Asthma, Catarrh, Sore Throat, and for the relief of
Consumptives.” He also
emphasized it was “MADE FROM BALSAM, ROOTS AND BARKS.
PERFECTLY PURE. No
Opium, or other poisonous drugs in any form.”
(Figure 1889-14, Hires’ Cough
Cure carton)
Magazine advertisements for Hires’ Cough Cure were
even more descriptive, billing it as “THE KING OF COUGH MEDICINES.”
Note also the manufacturer is listed as “The Charles E. Hires
Company,” rather than simply “Charles E. Hires.”
(Figure 1889-15, Hires’ Cough
Cure magazine advertisement)
Hires also promoted Hires’ Cough Cure by creating and
distributing giveaway items, such as this bookmarker.
This embossed example is printed on both sides:
(Figure 1889-16, Hires’ Cough
Cure bookmarker, front and back, 5.0” x 2.5”)
In addition to bottles of Hires' Cough Cure, they also marketed Hires' Cough Candy Tablets in tins measuring 2.5" x 1.5" x .5" and selling for 5¢ each. This example shows the effects of age after 130+ years.
(Figure 1889-16.5, Hires’ Cough
Candy Tablets tin, top)
The top reads:
Hires'
COUGH CANDY TABLETS
MADE FROM OUR CELEBRATED COUGH CURE
WHICH IS SO EFFECTUAL IN MOST CASES OF A SEVERE NATURE OF COUGHS, COLDS, BRONCHIAL AFFECTIONS, ASTHMA, CROUP, AND WHOOPING COUGH, THIS CANDY IS MERELY FOR THE RELIEF OF COUGH, THROAT OR LUNG AFFECTIONS.
MANUFACTURED ONLY BY
THE CHARLES E. HIRES CO.
PHILA., U.S.A.
(Figure 1889-16.5, Hires’ Cough
Candy Tablets tin, front)
The front reads:
SUPERIOR TO ANY IN THE MARKET.
(Figure 1889-16.5, Hires’ Cough
Candy Tablets tin, bottom)
The bottom reads:
THE BEST AND CHEAPEST
Compounded from White Pine Balsam, Barks and Herbs.
It instantly relieves dry hacking (?) Coughs. Dissolves and loosens the mucus. Soothing and healing. Clergymen, Singers, Actors and Public Speakers will find it invaluable in clearing and strengthening the voice.
DIRECTIONS. TAKE ONE PIECE AT A TIME, LETTING IT DISSOLVE SLOWLY IN THE MOUTH. IT IS PERFECTLY HARMLESS AND CAN BE EATEN FREELY.
This log cabin cardboard cutout was copyrighted in
1889 by J. B. Morris & Co., printers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The back of the cabin and one side of the roof advertise Hires’
Cough Cure, while the other side of the roof advertises Hires’ Root
Beer.
(Figure 1889-17, cardboard,
log cabin cutout, 9.0” x 6.0”)
This cardboard Christmas 1889 cutout includes Santa
preparing to go down the chimney with a bag of toys.
Hires’ Root Beer, Cough Cure, and Cough Candy advertisements were
included.
(Figure 1889-18, cardboard
Christmas cutout, 7.0” x 10.0”)
Charles E. Hires Company sales for 1889 were listed
as 578,048 bottles.