90: A VERY RARE JOHN DEERE SADDLERY KANSAS CITY TRADE CARD

As the original John Deere company, and the John Deere family grew, they expanded into many enterprises far beyond plows and implements. One of these was, ''Harness, Saddles, Collars etc.'' as described here on this rare advertising piece of which no other example can be found in auction records, or elsewhere.

The John Deere firm had branches and factories in most major cities. This card advertises the Kansas City branch and the John Deere Plow Co. saddlery, perhaps a precursor to the Velie Saddle Company also of Kansas City.

In 1892, John Deere's grandson Stephen Velie Jr, came to Kansas City to learn the farm equipment sales business. By 1904 he'd risen to the position vice president and branch manager for the KC operation. During his time in Kansas City, he also purchased the Buford and George Manufacturing Company and converted it into the Velie Saddlery Company, eventually one of the largest harness manufacturing establishments in the United States. It may be that this very rare piece of advertising printed by the Union Bank Note Company of Kansas City, with its interesting graphic of a buck deer in harness, bridges a period between Deere Saddlery and the prolific Velie Saddlery Company of Kansas City, Missouri.
Measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches.
Very good, clean (noting a few very small bits of very faint foxing), intact, no other visible stain, no damage, repair, punctures or tears.
Provenance: John Royle Trust and Living Estate, Independence, Missouri.
$50 - $500