Checkerboard

February 2024

• Fabulous Key Ring Branding
• 2024 AAAA Convention Highlights
• Indoor Antique Advertising Show Coming this Spring
• Keeping History Alive: Coleman's Drug Store
• Wanted Items

Editor’s Comment: Two articles on key rings in recent months – is it too much? The author of this article says John Powell’s piece in the November Checkerboard inspired him to write this article – but there are big differences, with this piece concentrating on inventor Arthur H. Merrill and his hugely successful branding of a novel key ring and other items. This Editor's opinion is that it is not too much so we will forge ahead and present this article with new information and new photos.

The internet auction ad said:

SIGNED Patented 1908 Margolla Tea Advertising

Metal Tea Bag Clip UNUSUAL RARE

At first glance it appears to be an apt description. Margolla Tea was at its peak, a very popular black Ceylon tea distributed by the L.D. Margolis Company of Boston. The embossed Margolla Tea has fine red paint on the stamped lettering, along with intricately embossed design flourishes. A quality branding or advertising item and obviously some sort of very small clipping device. (Image below)

But one side of the center piece is marked in tiny type: PAT. DEC. 1, 1908 … and the truth comes out. Patent No. 905,731 issued that date is a “key carrying device” invented by Arthur H. Merrill of Hartford, Connecticut. (Image below)

“This invention relates to a key-carrying device” designed “to maintain the keys supported thereby separated; for example there may be one key such as a house door key separated from the remaining keys, by virtue of which this particular key can readily be reached,” Merrill said in his patent application.

The 2 1/4-inch long device, with 1-inch rectangular center for scroll designs or branding, is all metal and can be squeezed apart for insertion of keys, the big loop end for the previously mentioned house key, and a key chain for other keys. (Over the years many holders lost their chains, which are easily removed.)

There are two holder models, one with a ½-inch wide sleeve and the other with a 3/8-inch wide sleeve. All are marked on one side of the sleeve in tiny type: PAT DEC. 1, 1908. (Image below)

Merrill was a real estate investor in Long Island when, in the 1870s, he expanded his business to Connecticut, ending up in Hartford in 1886. At one time he was considered one of the wealthiest landlords in Hartford, where he lived the rest of his life.

He died in 1927 at the age of 76. His obituary in the Hartford Courant said an illness of several months resulted in his death and described him as a “well known manufacturer of advertising novelties.”

Over the years, he was awarded at least 11 different patents, ranging from a cigar cutter to a water cooler.

He launched the Individual Key Ring Company on Garden Street in Hartford in 1909. The key holder was offered to sales agents for single sales and to companies for advertising branding by the gross.

Newspaper advertisements at the time, including the Philadelphia Inquirer on June 26, 1909, appealed to sales agents, saying “Sample Mailed on Receipt of 10c.”

Those single sale models have a scroll design on the front and back and it is interesting to note that the same model was offered in gold and silver. Company stationary in the 1920s touted the holder, saying: MADE OF STEEL, NICKLE PLATED, and in a blurb: These Key Rings made in Solid Gold and Sterling Silver can be obtained of Chas. Keller Co., 72-73 Nassau St., New York, as we have granted them the sole right to manufacture them of these two metals. No price was given.

There is no way to determine the number of companies that purchased the branded models by the hundreds, but two firms, Darling and Swift, ironically related, stand out. Darling & Company was formed in Chicago in the 1890s as a partnership with the Swift meatpacking business.

In a three-year study – actually a collecting spree -- of internet auction sales, DARLING’S FERTILIZERS or DARLING’S POULTRY FEEDS totaled 22 while the Swift’s Chicago World’s Fair giveaways totaled 41.

These are marked on the top: SOUVENIER OF VISIT TO HOME OF SWIFT’S and then BROOKFIELD SAUSAGE, PREMIER FRANKFURTS, SLIVERLEAF LARD, PREMIUM HAM or PREMIUM BACON.

Other models dropped the SOUVENIER tag and were marked: SWIFT’S BROOKFIELD BUTTER EGGS & CHEESE, all marked on the bottom 1933 or 1934 CENTURY OF PROGRESS. (Image below)

The branding ranged from financial institutions (THE CLEVELAND TRUST CO.) to fraternity lodges (symbols of Freemasonry and Moose Lodge). Other branding included small plaques mounted on the sleeve including advertising for toilet tanks, oleomargarine, “please return to” lost keys, and GLOBE meats. (Images below)

The range of branding is staggering. Other examples, some shortened for space, include: 

• ANDREW RUSSELL FOR STATE AUDITOR (He won and served in Illinois from 1917 through 1925)
• CORNELL WOOD BOARD
• ASHLAND 63rd STATE BANK CHICAGO
• ALTOONA ELECTRICAL CO. 114-12 ST.
• BOSCH-PEATS WALL PAPERS
• COLUMBUS OLEOMARGARINE THE CAPITOL CITY PRODUCTS
• CORNELL WOOD BOARD WALLS AND CEILINGS
• DR. DINGWELL LIMITED JEWELERS WINNEPEG
• E. A. BURKE & CO., INVESTMENT BANKER
• FABRIC FIRE HOSE CO. NEW YORK
• 50c REWARD IF FOUND & RETURNED TO CONREY-DAVIS MFG. CO.
• FINDER RETURN TO SANDAHL CIGAR CO. GREAT FALLS, MONT.
• GOOD CLOTHES MADE TO ORDER M. BORN & CO.
• HOTEL IROQUOIS, BUFFALO, N.Y.
• HOTEL SEVIER STAG WILMINGTON, DE.
• LIBBY’S
• JOHN C. CHAMBERS BELT DRESSING
• LELAND PARKER HOTEL EUROPEAN MINOT N.D.
• MARGOLLA TEA
• Masonic symbol square
• MASS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
• MUTUAL BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE CO. OF NEWARK, N.J.
• NYE JENKS & CO. GRAIN MINNEAPOLIS
• PANAMA 1915
• PLANKINTON’ GLOBE QUALITY PRODUCTS
• PLEASE RETURN TO FIRST NATIONAL BANK VAULTS DETROIT
• PROTEX SHIRT COVERS
• RAY H. BENNETT LUMBER CO. INC. NORTH TONAWANDA N.Y.
• RETURN TO HUDSON AND THOMSON INSURANCE
• RETURN TO OAK PARK TRUST & SAVINGS BANK OAK PARK, ILLINOIS
• REWARD RETURN TO HAZLETON MACHINERY AND SUPPLY CO. HAZLETON, PA.
• SHEET METAL AND SUPPLY CO. LANCASTER, PA.
• SWIFT’S BROOKFIELD BUTTER EGGS & CHEESE
• SIDE WEIGHT HORSE SHOE CO. HARTFORD, CONN.
• SWIFT’S PREMIUM HAM
• TAGGANT BAKING COMPANY, INDIANAPOLIS
• THE AMERICAN DRUGGIST FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY CINCINNATI, O.
• THE CLEVELAND TRUST CO
• THE MURRAY CO. BOSTON FRUITS & SYRUPS
• THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY I AM INSURED
• VITRO NO TROUBLE (toilet tank)
• WALK-OVER BOOT SHOP PORTLAND

Merrill also had an earlier key ring/letter opener patent, which he said had “a wire loop flattened on its sides to receive an advertisement.” Its most novel feature was a flat metal arm used to separate a special key from the others, which when swung open “may be utilized for a variety of purposes, for instance, in severing paper or other material.” (Image below)

Very few of these rings survive today. One of those that does is marked on one side: AETNA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY HARTFORD, CONN. and on the other side: LIFE ACCIDENT HEALTH AND LIABILITY INSURANCE. (Image below)

From the Collection of John Powell

In addition to key rings, Merrill patented in 1913 what he called an “Article of Adornment,” a sheet metal bottle cap lifter and combo tool. (Image below)

“This invention relates to an article of adornment, and the same can be advantageously employed in a variety of ways; for example as a watch fob, a locket, a pendent, or something of a similar nature,” Merrill said in his patent application.

The 2 ½-inch device has two parts, a backside with opener, screw driver and a square hole “which is adapted to receive the valve-stem ordinarily present on an automobile gas tank.”

The second part is round, held by a pin and able to swing open to allow use of the tools, or swing closed to hide, or adorn the combo tool.

The swing top was designed for branding. The top, the patent said, has “a circular opening (as shown in the drawing) to removably receive some suitable ornamental member such for instance as the disk which may bear on its face a photograph of a presidential candidate or any other picture or any suitable matter.” One example was branded: DRINK “GOLD TOP” BOTTLED BEER. (Image below)

From the Collection of John Stanley

Merrill also secured a bottle opener patent in 1912 for a “compound tool” or combination bottle opener, screw driver and “square hole” wrench which can be “conveniently carried in the pocket.” (Image below)

It is not known if this exact opener made it to market, but in a strange twist, part of it did. Merrill put the drop down opener on top of his 1913 patent and offered it for branding. (Image below)

Apparently to cover all bases, Merrill marked the back of the device: PATENTED OCT. 8, 12 OCT. 7, 13. (Image below)

From the Collection of John Stanley

The AAAA Convention will take place from Wednesday evening, July17 to Saturday morning, July 20, 2024. We will return to the Embassy Suites in Dublin (Columbus), Ohio, the site of three successful AAAA conventions. The convention registration fee is $95 per person, which will include all fun convention activities, one buffet lunch, one banquet dinner, made-to-order breakfast buffet for hotel guests each day, a hotel reception for hotel guests each evening with light snacks and up to two beverages (including beer/wine/cocktails), and a light offsite lunch (sandwiches) one day.

As always, planned activities will keep you busy the entire time, including two seminars, room sales, membership meeting, meals, raffles, and a visit to the outstanding Stacy Wills Collection, which will include a complementary light meal (sandwiches). Adding to the fun, we will also be joined once again by our old friends from the Graniteware collectors group and Treasures for Little Children. Members of the National Barber Shop & Shaving Collectibles Association are also expected to join us again this year.

Click here for the complete schedule of convention activities.

Jack Dixey, noted authority on political memorabilia, will deliver a presentation on “Political Advertising through the Years”. He is the organizer and host of the annual convention for American Political Items Collectors (APIC), otherwise known as the “Big Show”. He has collected political memorabilia since he was 13. He has over a half a century of time involved in collecting political memorabilia and has been an active member of the American Political Item Collectors since 1968.

Also, Scott Kinzie and Jerry Avery, nationally recognized experts on Pepsi-Cola collectibles will conduct a seminar entitled “Brad’s Drink”. Scott and Jerry are your go-to experts for all things Pepsi. Scott is the President of the Pepsi-Cola Collector's Club, and has vast knowledge of Pepsi-Cola memorabilia, spanning the entire history of the brand and its additional products. Jerry sits on the Executive Board of the Pepsi-Cola Collector's Club. Jerry brings a wealth of information on Caleb Bradham and his pharmacies prior to Pepsi-Cola's invention. Scott and Jerry will be presenting an unforgettable journey through the world of Pepsi-Cola.

Convention Registration

To register online for the convention, click the green button below. The registration deadline is June 18.

For those without internet access, click the blue button below:

Hotel Reservations

Hotel reservations MUST be made directly with the Embassy Suites Dublin, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

To make an online hotel reservation, click the red button below.

Or you can call the Embassy Suites Dublin at 614-790-9000 (local number) or 800-220-9219 (Central Reservations) and mention our Group Name, “Antique Advertising Association of America”, Group Code: 91V to receive the discounted room rate.

The discounted hotel room rate is $139 per night for a room with one king bed or two double beds, plus tax. Free parking and Wi-Fi in your room are included. The deadline for making a reservation with the AAAA discount is June 18, 2024. Please be advised that rooms are likely to sell out well before that date.

Questions? Contact John DeVolder, Convention Co-Coordinator, at [email protected] or call/text 585-697-4047.

Watch for important additional information about the AAAA Convention in upcoming issues of our newsletters! Learn more about what makes the Embassy Suites the PERFECT location for our Convention. Become more familiar with the other national collector clubs that will collaborate with us and contribute to the success of our event. Find out about the exciting local attractions for antique collectors and history buffs that will add to your enjoyment--including the nearby antique mall that is generally regarded as the BEST in the US! And more!

The Indoor Antique Advertising Show will make its next appearance from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the Champions Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

This eagerly awaited annual show has enjoyed growing popularity each year. The building will be filled with all manner of desirable, high quality antique advertising. If the past holds true, high quality signage will take center stage.

According to show Promoter/Owner, Damon Grainger, "The show will be a full house for the third year in a row. We have 50 first-time vendors again this round. It seems our reputation gets better and better. The vendors have been holding back the best of the best for this sale. We really look forward to this upcoming Show and know that many others are chomping at the bit as well.

For further information, go to www.iaashow.com or call Damon at 248-910-6765.

In the town of Stanford, Kentucky, Coleman's Drug Store has been serving the local community and Lincoln County since 1881. That represents four generations of faithful commitment. This establishment is very proud of its history and even maintains an old fashioned soda fountain and deli.

Featured in the article is a gallery of photos related to both the past and present of this charming pharmacy. For more information, you are encouraged to go to www.colemansdrugstore.com.

In this column are those sought-after items of desire that seem to be elusive. If you know where any of these items can be acquired or if you have one available, please click the link to reply directly to the seeker. To place a listing in this column, click here. There is no fee for AAAA members. Up to three listings per member are permitted.

"You Pay" Spinners Wanted. Colorful, early, tin litho only. Also known as "Who Pays" Spinners, "Your Turn" Spinners, etc. Used in drinking establishments to determine who pays for the next round. Please contact [email protected].

In search of Raven's Horse, Cattle & Poultry Food poster. Last sold Showtime Auction, April 2013. Dimensions: 13 1/2 x 21 1/2. Motivated buyer. Please call Ken Opengart at 256-520-5211 or email at [email protected]. To see a photo of the poster, click here.

US cigarette boxes, packs and wrappers from 1870-1935 wanted. Please text or email any you might have available for sale. Jon Canfield, [email protected], 917-841-0275.

Pre-1885 advertising items related to barbed wire and farm fences. I am interested in primary material. Let me know if you have any items including illustrated catalogs, wire company published newspapers, illustrated postal covers and letterheads, flyers, signs, salesman samples, patent models or anything else related to my specific wants. Larry W. Love, [email protected], 214-497-6787

Bulldog tobacco oval-top tin. Convention Hall coffee tin (Ridenour-Baker Kansas City) any variation. Big Horn 1 lb or 3 lb coffee tin. scros[email protected]

Philip Morris Tin & Porcelain Advertising Signs, thermometers, door push signs. Excellent to mint condition preferred. Daryl Crawford (804) 721-7294 or email [email protected]

Justrite Pet Foods. The Justrite Company General Office was located in Milwaukee WI. A National Account. Advertising, displays, signs, tins, boxes all with logo on it. Most would come from the 1930s through 1950s. Thanks for the help… Gordon Addington. To reply, click here.

Old Topper Brewery Calendar of the late 1940s featuring a pin up artist nude in large format wanted. Always seeking any Rochester Brewery memorabilia. John DeVolder 585-697-4047 or [email protected].

"Jenny" Genesee Brewing Company's girl of the 1950s. Seeking cardboard point of sale-and other items that feature Jenny, who had a ten-year run from 1953 to 1963. Also interested in any cardboard point of sale items from the 1930s through the 1950s from any of the Rochester Breweries. John DeVolder 585-697-4047 or [email protected].

Coca-Cola 24" button porcelain sign with bottle in center. Want several in as close to mint condition as possible. Call 336-970-9867.

Books on Oil & Gas Collectibles. Also looking for books on signs. Call 336-970-9867.

Yellow Kid wanted: 50 year collector looking for the unusual. Reply to: [email protected].

Pedal Cars: Photos, postcards, calendars, catalogs and advertising related to pedal cars. To reply, click here.

Beer cans, soda cans, beer and soda tin-over-cardboard signs, cork-backed bottle caps, key-wind coffee cans, quart oil cans. Please email Jeff Lebo at [email protected].

Pedal car related items. To reply, click here.

Matchbook holders. To know what these are, see my articles in Checkerboard

for Nov. 2020 and May 2021. I will consider all items, in any material from plastic to gold, and not necessarily with advertising. Email Andy at [email protected].

Cigarette Packs. Advanced collector looking to purchase vintage packs. Please contact Dheeraj by email: [email protected].

Donald Duck Goyer Coffee Cans; One pound can & 3 oz sample size in good condition with lids. Please send email with photos & prices to [email protected].

Morimura Brothers (Japanese import company operating in NYC from 1880-1941) advertising items wanted: trade cards, pamphlets, catalog pages, salesman sample pages, porcelain items with advertising. To reply email at [email protected].

DeLaval Items and Farm Advertising Signs. Always looking for top quality and unique items. Contact Gregg Hillyer at [email protected].

Antique advertising pertaining to country store or drug store products or places. Especially those showing women or girls with the product or location shown. I would consider any  antique advertising (paper, cardboard & metal signs). Quality a plus! Dale Peterson at [email protected].

Unusual one pound peanut butter tins. Tin litho or paper label. To reply, click here.

Marshmallow Tins. Smaller than 5 Pound Size. To reply, click here.

American Cookie, Biscuit and Cracker Tins and Boxes. To reply, click here. 

Banjo related advertising wanted Pre-1940s. Long time collector buying banjo company signage, catalogs, billheads, periodicals, minstrel banjo items such as posters, broadsides, sheet music (pre-1870s) with illustrated banjo covers, early photographs showing banjo players (pre-1915). My main collecting interest is in 19th century material. To reply, click here.

"Antique American Medicine Bottles" by M. Knapp... soft cover book with price guide. Printed in 2012. [email protected] or 781-248-8620. Also, see my other want ad for Clarke’s ephemera and bottles.

Looking for 3 Vintage Tins. American Eagle "Oriental Mixture" tobacco (dimensions approx. 6.5" long, 2.75" wide, 1.5" tall); 1 Gal. Indian Head Hydraulic Brake Fluid; and Packham´s Caramel Toffee. Any offer is welcome and any condition considered. To reply, click here.

Morton Salt, older items, and also Pacific Coast Borax, especially a crate or box. Email [email protected] or call Peggy Dailey 612-522-9211.

Comic Book-Related Advertising Items: Must be from before 1980. To reply, click here.

Clarke’s Vegetable Sherry Wine Bitters, Sharon, MA & Rockland, ME: All sizes, variants, smooth/pontil base. Especially need labeled Clarke’s any size! Also, any Clarke’s ephemera…trade cards, almanacs, newspaper ads, etc. Charlie Martin Jr., 781-248-8620. Email: [email protected].

George Petty: Advanced collector looking for unique or rare items. Photo’s, store displays and non paper items. NO Esquire pages. Pete Perrault. To reply, click here or call (502) 290-7661.

Ice Cream Advertising: Mr. Ice Cream desires better graphic ice cream advertising including: postcards (Advertising and RPPC), trade cards, letterheads, billheads, booklets, poster stamps, blotters, magic lantern slides, pinbacks, watchfobs, and pocket mirrors. Allan Mellis, 1115 West Montana St. Chicago, Illinois 60614-2220. [email protected] To reply, click here.

Stock food, poultry food, veterinary advertising wanted. Posters, medicine packages, give-aways. Email [email protected] or call (256) 520-5211.

Singer Sewhandy Model 20. Green-regular paint, not hammertone. To reply, click here.

National Biscuit Company, Nabisco, Uneeda Biscuit, Uneeda Bakers, Muth Bakery, NBC Bread toys, signage, tins, containers, displays, historical items. Please Email [email protected] or call (937) 205-2232.

Early Cigarette Rolling Papers: Pre-1940s - American, Zig Zag, Braunstein Freres, Bambino, and Ottoman papers wanted. To reply, click here.

Antique/Collectible Banking and Financial System "Giveaway" and advertising items. Specifically from Pennsylvania. Alarm devices and such. To reply, click here.

VITAMINS advertising, displays, signs, bottles, and anything related: Hadacol is an example. Most would come from the 1930s thru the 1970s. Also anything related to cod-liver oil and WEIGHT-LOSS, REDUCING, ANTI-FAT, and OBESITY ITEMS. To reply, click here.

Early tin signs lithographed by Tuchfarber, Wells and Hope, Worcester Sign Company, Sentenne and Green, etc. I can pay more for good condition, but would be interested in any condition. Don Lurito [email protected] also in the directory. To reply, click here.

Dwinell-Wright Co. Royal Ground Spice Cardboard Spice Boxes. One side displays horizontally. Approximately 3.75" by 2.25". Any type of spice is OK. To reply, click here.

ENSIGN Perfect and ENSIGN Perfection vertical pocket tobacco tins to enhance my collection. Feel free to contact me at 614-888-4619 or [email protected] to see if you can help fill the voids.

Edmands Coffee Company, Edmands Tea Company, 1776 Coffee, American Beauty Tea, Japan Tea, Devonshire Tea, (imported by Edmands, Boston/Chicago): Any items such as tins, signs, paper, or anything else related to the Edmands family of companies in Boston is desired. To reply, click here.

The AAAA Checkerboard is a monthly e-newsletter that is made available to all AAAA members at no cost. The mission of the Checkerboard is to increase knowledge about antique and collectible advertising among AAAA members. The Checkerboard also provides news and updates about AAAA. It is produced each month with the exception of the four months per year when the award-winning PastTimes print newsletter is published. Paul Lefkovitz ([email protected]) serves as the Editor of the AAAA Checkerboard. Copyright 2024, Antique Advertising Association of America.