1883 Advertising Booklet
ISMACS News
No. 92
April 2008
Martin Gregory came across this White Sewing Machine Co. advertising booklet dated 1883 recently. Pink cover and 14 pages of doggerel with a charming little woodcut for each verse.
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Our hero was an artisan, Who toiled from morn to e'en, Until on day, he met a man Who sold the WHITE machine. |
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This man, the best of clothes he wore And had a lofty mien, Ten thousand he had sold and more Light running WHITE machine. |
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Then straightway went this artisan To all his friends of means, But found, as soon as he'd began, They all had WHITE machines. |
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Undaunted still he boldly planned, His eyes bore darkened gleams, He said "I seek some foreign land That ain't got WHITE machines." |
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"'Tis a most visionary plan", Said all, "tho' well he means, To be a visionary man And sell the WHITE machines." |
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But steadfast was this artisan, And wiry, spry, and lean, So off he went, his only plan, To sell the WHITE machine. |
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He travelled long and very far, He braved the wildest scenes, From Labrador to Zanzibar He took his WHITE machines. |
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He never flinched, though oft assailed, Nor sought his life to screen, When savage man attacked he failed To sell a WHITE machine. |
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In many lands he showed his wares In towns, and valleys green, And taught folk how to "sew their tears" By using WHITE's machine. The Hottentot now sports a hat, The Indian brave is seen In pantaloons, and red cravat, Made on a WHITE machine. The Turk now wears a coat and vest, In gorgeous garb are seen, The heathen "John" and all the rest Who bought the WHITE machine. |
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In India and Afghanistan, The Republic Argentine, Australia, Java and Hindustan, He sold the WHITE machine. |
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Among them all a wondrous change This artisan has wrought, And, yet it is not very strange, For WHITE machines they bought. |
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The artisan still wanders wide (Ten years here intervene) The people run from every side To buy his WHITE machine. |