This Spring issue of the NARM
Quarterly features floral artwork from
the late 1800's and early 1900's.
While on the hunt for flowers to
showcase on the cover we were
surprised to discover the hidden
treasures in the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and Smithsonian online
archives. Pages and pages of
beautifully designed floral and
vegetable scenes were created in the
late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries by countess unsung artists
for mail order seed and garden
calendars, catalogs and packages. In
the words of the Smithsonian archives:
"The real gems of the collection date
from 1830 to the 1930's and are both
beautiful and important publications
that document the history of the seed
and agricultural implement business
and provide insight into the history of
botany and plant research in the United
States, through the introduction of
plant varieties. Seed trade catalogs are
also a window into the evolution of
graphic arts in advertising and the
changing fashions in flowers and
vegetables.”
Front and back cover: Salzer John A., Seed Co. 1896. Catalogue of Plants and Seeds no. Spring 1896 (Damaged), Spring 1897, Spring 1898, Spring 1899, La Crosse WI. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Libraries library.si.edu
Dreer’s ‘Gold Medal’ Collection of Old Fashioned Hardy Flowers, Dreer’s Garden Calendar 1902. Henry A, Dreer, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Courtesy of ther U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library archive.org
Not only a wealth of visual delights, but historically significant and easily accessible to anyone, these beautiful plates also represent the treasures available in each of our NARM member institutions. NARM reciprocal benefits are a passport to discovery with countless exhibitions available across North America! We hope that when you prepare for spring break and summer vacations you will take some time to visit our participating institutions and discover some treasures of your own on your travels!
Virginia Phillippi
Executive Director
View the Smithsonian image library collection of seed and nursery catalogs at
library.si.edu/image-gallery
View more Dreer's calendars and catalogs at archive.org