Sunday, July 1, 2012

Object of the Day: A Trade Card for a Molasses Faucet

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I admit, I don’t often worry about the location of my molasses. However, it was a big concern for our Nineteenth Century ancestors. So much so, in fact, that they needed special tools to keep their molasses under control.

This Victorian trade card advertises such a tool. So, get out your big ol’ wooden drum of molasses and let’s see what we can do here.

The front of the card shows double comic illustration of a mustachioed gent who is worried about his molasses. He says in the first frame:

My Goodness! Where is my
Molasses by this time –


And, in the second frame, he has gone into his storage room to discover that his precious molasses is…

On the Floor!!



What a pickle.

Well, let’s see what the back says:



->>: ENTERPRISE :<<- 

Improved Patent Suction and Force 

Measuring * Faucet, 

TINNED 

WARRANTED to meas- 
ure correctly and draw 
a gallon of molasses in 
winter in one minute. 
The only Measuring Faucet 
ever invented which has stood 
the test, having had its durabil- 
ity and econmy proven by years of experience. 
No grocer can afford to be without it. 

Advantages Over the Old Style Molasses Gate.

1st.—IT SAVES TIME, as it draws molasses 
winter and summer, directly into a jug or bottle, 
without the use of a funnel. 

2nd.—IT IS CLEANER, as it dispenses with 
the use of measures, and is, consequently, free from 
flies and dirt. 

Each Faucet is WARRANTED to measure ac- 
cording to United States Standard. 

It is known to be a common fact that many 
measures in use, whether stamped or otherwise, 
are incorrect, and our Faucet will not agree with 
such measures. A gallon measure should contain 
eight (8) pounds, five and one-third (5 1/3) ounces of 
water. Our Faucet will invariably be found correct 
when this test is made. 

PRICE. -- $3.00 

================= 

FOR SALE BY THE HARDWARE TRADE. 

---------------------------- 

->--| Send for Catalogue |--<- 

---------------------------- 

ENTERPRISE M’F’G CO. OF PA., 

Third and Dauphin Streets, Philadelphia  



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