Entitled: "Maule's seed catalogue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania." William Henry Maule (April 14, 1828 - April 3, 1902) was an American businessman. He took over the operation of the lumber company started by his father and uncle and expanded into the seed business in 1877 originally catering to market gardeners and farmers who supplied local consumers with their fresh vegetables. With the help of his son, the company grew into a prominent mail-order business. Historical seed catalogs provide a variety of insights into the history of horticulture, agriculture, gardening, advertising, seed companies, and the mail order business. Seed trade catalogs even contain windows into the history of graphic design and social history by showing the changing interests and desires of the gardener and farmer. Not only do the seed catalogs reveal new varieties and when they were introduced, but many also include brief advice on how and where to plant the seeds, lawn care, and occasionally a history of certain plant varieties.
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Album / Science Source / Biodiversity Heritage Library