Burpee, W. Atlee, & Company LeafletsW. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets, 1899-1915 Ms.2022.010Kiana Wilkerson, Graduate AssistantSpecial Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

2022 (CC0 1.0)

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)560 Drillfield DriveNewman Library, Virginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia 24061Business Number: 540-231-6308specref@vt.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-10-29 07:14:17 -0400.Description is written in: English, Latin script. Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets W. Atlee Burpee Company Ms.2022.010 0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder 1899-1915 This collection contains numerous leaflets from the W. Atlee Burpee & Company from 1899-1915. The leaflets discuss planting, seed growing, and other agriculture strategies, and other gardening strageties for American garderners, farmers, and planters. The materials in this collection are in English. Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

 Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

 Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets, 1899-1915, Ms2022-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

 Source of Acquisition

This collection was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2012.

 Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets was completed in April 2022.

 Administrative History

Washington Atlee Burpee (1858-1915) left medical school in 1876 to establish his own company that specializes in seeds. He created the W. Atlee Burpee & Company (also W. Atlee Burpee Company or "Burpee"), which introduced new, improved seeds for different produce, such as a new cabbage, carrot, lima bean, celery, and others. He first marketed "Iceberg" lettuce in 1894 and started a plant catalogue for farmers in need of seeds. Burpee researched and breeded different vegetables for America's climate and gardens. He passed away in 1915, leaving the company to his son David Burpee.

David continued his father's legacy and started to breed different hybrids of flowers. He ended up creating one of the first-ever White Marigold in 1975. He still researched and breeded different vegatables, creating new variations for tomatoes and cucumbers.

George Ball of George J. Ball, Inc., bought Burpee in 1991, becoming its president, and the company continues to be an innovating force for different types of vegtables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Sources:

Burpee, "Company History", https://www.burpee.com/company-history, accessed April 2022. Smithsonian National Postal Museum, "W. Atlee Burpee Company", America's Mailing Industry virtual exhibit, https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/america%E2%80%99s-mailing-industry-industry-segments-catalogs-and-the-mail-order-industry/w-atlee, accessed April 2022.

Scope and Content

This collections contains over 20 paper leaflets from the W. Atlee Burpee & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1899 to 1915. Each leaflet discusses a variety of gardening tips, different plants and seeds history, and other planting strategies. Some leaflets include outside help and notes from other gardeners, researchers, and companies about planting.

 Related Materials

VT Special Collections and University Archives has several publications from W. Atlee Burpee & Company in the Rare Book Collection, which can be requested online via the library catalog.

 Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

 Agriculture Culinary pamphlets History of Food and Drink The Best Seeds that Grow Leaflet18991Roots for Stock and Winter Market Leaflet19001Salads and Garnishes: Their Use and Cultivation Leaflet19011Culinary Herbs: Their Uses and Cultivation Leaflet19021Remedies for Insect Pests in Vegetables and Flower Gardens and Conservatories Leaflet19111Directions for Preparing and Seeding a Lawn Leaflet19041How to Make an Asparagus Bed Leaflet19041New of Little Known Forage Crops Leaflet19041How to Grow Cucumbers, Squashes, and Pumpkins Leaflet19081Melons for All Leaflet19071The "Home Hamper" Leaflet19071Horse-Radish, Rhubarb, and Spinach Leaflet19071How to grow Beans Leaflet19081How to Grow Tomatoes Leaflet19081How to Grow Nasturtiums Leaflet19141Onions From Seed Leaflet19081How to Grow Garden or Culinary Peas Leaflet19081How to Grow the Finest Asters Leaflet1908, 19141Early Vegetables Plants for the Garden or Field Leaflet19091How to Grow Fine Celery in the Home Garden Leaflet19091How to Grow Flowers in the House Leaflet19101The Success of Two Missouri Boys Leaflet19111Manures Leaflet19101The Spencer Type of Sweat Peas Leaflet19141How to grow Potatoes Leaflet19121How to grow Sweet Peas Leaflet19121Cabbage and Cauliflower Leaflet19131Suggestions on Seed Sowing Leaflet19151"The Plain Truth" is our Aim! Leaflet19151Checker Slipundated1