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Follow this thread as I explore the @NKSeeds brand, one of the oldest brands in America!
It's origin begins in 1884 when Jesse Northrup and Charles Braslan choose Minneapolis as the home of their new seed business.
This is the cover from their first catalog in 1885.
It's origin begins in 1884 when Jesse Northrup and Charles Braslan choose Minneapolis as the home of their new seed business.
This is the cover from their first catalog in 1885.
After bankruptcy, fire and a difficult ag economy, Col. W. S. King (right) partnered with Northrup to start anew as Northrup, King & Co. It took four years to get afloat again with King serving as treasurer.
Their retail store was at the corner of First St. and Hennepin Ave.
Their retail store was at the corner of First St. and Hennepin Ave.
"Northern grown seeds being more winter hardy..."
I studied agronomy, not marketing. I believe this claim to be a bit of a stretch but I can see how it might bolster gardeners' confidence in the product. The polar bear is a powerful symbol in this marketing strategy.
I studied agronomy, not marketing. I believe this claim to be a bit of a stretch but I can see how it might bolster gardeners' confidence in the product. The polar bear is a powerful symbol in this marketing strategy.
From 1906. By today's standards, his desk is the equivalent of at least a dozen opened Excel files and 212 unopened emails. Two phones - well, he was important and busy!
THE GOLDEN AGE of the CATALOG.
As mentioned earlier, "Northern Grown" is a key part of their marketing message. For several years it is front and center of their catalogs.
1892 features this young lady holding a Margaret Carnation.
As mentioned earlier, "Northern Grown" is a key part of their marketing message. For several years it is front and center of their catalogs.
1892 features this young lady holding a Margaret Carnation.
Even today catalogs are important. (I worked for a seed company that tried to go all digital. It lasted a year. 
)
Catalogs of yesteryear are works of art. Few folks use lithography anymore but it created some stunningly beautiful pieces. Is there one hanging on your wall?
)Catalogs of yesteryear are works of art. Few folks use lithography anymore but it created some stunningly beautiful pieces. Is there one hanging on your wall?
A beautiful lithograph cover from 1894.
This one illustrates that a kiss was the price for finding a red ear of corn at the "Husking Bee."
The original artwork for these lithographs (as well as those from other seed companies) are rare.
This one illustrates that a kiss was the price for finding a red ear of corn at the "Husking Bee."
The original artwork for these lithographs (as well as those from other seed companies) are rare.
MINNESOTA KING CORN.
They claim this is earliest maturing half dent corn known to man.
Yield? The agronomist in me sees the 10 rows around and the claim of 120 baskets per acre and wonders...
What's the test weight?
They claim this is earliest maturing half dent corn known to man.
Yield? The agronomist in me sees the 10 rows around and the claim of 120 baskets per acre and wonders...
What's the test weight?
A shift in marketing - away from the docile things in life to the adventurous.
This 1895 cover is by the famous cowboy artist C. M. Russell. Here's more on his career:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Marion_Russell
This 1895 cover is by the famous cowboy artist C. M. Russell. Here's more on his career:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Marion_Russell
52 TONS PER ACRE SILAGE.
Adjusting to a standard 35% silage moisture was probably not a thing in the late 1800s.
Impressive tonnage.
Impressive illustration.
Adjusting to a standard 35% silage moisture was probably not a thing in the late 1800s.
Impressive tonnage.
Impressive illustration.
As Northrup King in 1909, the 25th anniversary catalog features one of their seed brands and this statement of importance to buyers:
"There is no business in the world in which knowledge and experience on the part of the seller mean so much to the buyer as in the seed business."
"There is no business in the world in which knowledge and experience on the part of the seller mean so much to the buyer as in the seed business."
Even in the early 1900s, there was price differentiation in branding. Notice that Viking brand seeds are "lowest in price, consistent with dependable quality."
(Mentioned here,too, is Northrup King's hybrid seed corn brand, Kingscrost.)
(Mentioned here,too, is Northrup King's hybrid seed corn brand, Kingscrost.)
The gentleman with the white beard appeared often in Northrup King catalogs and on early Kingscrost Hybrid Seed Corn bags. (It's reported that he bears a strong resemblance to their first researcher, A. K. Bush.)
And, yes, that's an interesting name for a sweet corn variety.
And, yes, that's an interesting name for a sweet corn variety.
Starting a trend in 1915 that continues to this day, Northrup King sales reps were provided a truck, catalogs and an endless supply of hats to give to customers.
(I made that part up about hats.
)
(I made that part up about hats.
)
The new Northrup King plant location in 1917 (1500 Jackson St., N.E.). A 10-acre facility that could handle 53 rail cars on its siding and loading docks at one time, reportedly, the most in the Twin Cities.
From 1857 during the early years. Modern hybrids are sooooo boring compared to these!
The 1926 Northrup King sales force. Fifty salesmen with nearly as many different hats.
