Agricultural equipment catalogs collection.

The Agricultural Equipment Catalogs collection consists of approximately 3,500 agricultural machinery sales catalogs, promotional brochures, price lists, owner’s manuals, and illustrated parts lists dating from the late 19th century through the 1940s. The major emphasis lies in tractors and thresher...

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Bibliographic Details
Language:English
Subjects:
Deere & Company > Catalogs.
International Harvester Company > Catalogs.
Avery Company > Catalogs.
J.I. Case Threshing Machine Company > Catalogs.
J.I. Case Company > Catalogs.
Nichols & Shepard Company > Catalogs.
Oliver Farm Equipment Company > Catalogs.
Caterpillar Tractor Company > Catalogs.
Farm equipment > 19th century > Sources.
Farm equipment > 20th century > Sources.
Agricultural machinery > 19th century > Sources.
Agricultural machinery > 20th century > Sources.
Farm tractors > 19th century > Sources.
Farm tractors > 20th century > Sources.
Threshing machines > 19th century > Sources.
Threshing machines > 20th century > Sources.
Trade catalogs.
Handbooks and manuals.
Brochures.
Genre:
Catalogs.
Sources.
Trade catalogs.
Handbooks and manuals.
Brochures.
Online Access:
View the inventory of the collection
Local Note:
MSU: The material is stored offsite in Remote Storage. Please contact Special Collections 3 working days in advance if you wish to use it.
Physical Description:15 boxes (14.3 linear ft.)
Format: Kit
Description
Summary:
The Agricultural Equipment Catalogs collection consists of approximately 3,500 agricultural machinery sales catalogs, promotional brochures, price lists, owner’s manuals, and illustrated parts lists dating from the late 19th century through the 1940s. The major emphasis lies in tractors and threshers, but the entire range of farm equipment can be found in these catalogs, representing some 150 different manufacturers and suppliers—primarily Midwestern firms, with a limited representation of Canadian companies other international companies. Substantial materials come from cities in which the foremost farm equipment companies (Caterpillar, John Deere, Case, International Harvester and Minneapolis Moline) were located—Peoria and Moline, Illinois; Racine, Wisconsin; Chicago and Minneapolis. Also represented are important companies at La Porte, Indiana (Advance-Rumely) and Battle Creek, Michigan (Nichols and Shepherd) that ultimately evolved into Allis Chalmers and Oliver, respectively. The most generously represented firms are John Deere (296 pieces), International Harvester (160), Avery Ross Machinery Co. (103), J. I. Case (121), Caterpillar (138), Nichols and Shepherd/Oliver (103), and Huber Manufacturing of Marion, Ohio (85).
Call Number:MSS 495
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Cite As:
Item, Folder number and/or title, Box number, Agricultural Equipment Catalogs collection, MSS 495, Special Collections, MSU Libraries, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Source of Acquisition:
Immediate source of acquisition unknown. Collection acquired from a private donor in the 1980s, with additional purchases and donations ongoing.
Biographical Sketch:
The collection provides a fascinating illustrated panorama of the history of agricultural machinery from the heyday of the steam engine through the development of the gasoline-powered tractor. It supplies primary data for the scholar exploring aspects of the history of agricultural technology and invaluable illustrations and parts lists for the restorer of antique equipment.
Cumulative Indexes:
Finding aid online: http://as.lib.msu.edu/repositories/2/resources/1953