Smith Manufacturing Company "Great Western" - farm equipment line Chicago, IL |
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The Smith Manure Spreader Company of Chicago began operations in 1890 by its founder Frank Smith. Their first piece of farm machinery was the “Great Western” endless apron manure spreader. Their solid oak design was unusual for the times in that the front axle could be turned much tighter without tipping. They expanded their equipment line in late 1904 to offer cream separators and renamed their company Smith Manufacturing Company. They soon added 2 cycle gasoline engines and litter carriers. Litter carriers carried barn manure in a small metal tub supported by a track hanging from the barn ceiling. These carriers could more easily and quickly remove animal waste outside of the barn than a man with a pitchfork and a wheelbarrow. The Smith Mfg. Co combined all four of these farm equipment pieces and marketed them collectively as the “Great Western” line. The company held many patents for their equipment. The distinctive oval brass tag for the cream separator, which lists the patent numbers covering both USA as well as Canada, lists dates from 1905 and 1906. Many of these brass tags have survived not being sold as scrap during WWII, unlike the remainder of the heavy metal casted cream separator. They sometimes show up in antique stores as mementoes of the past. I think the Smith Mfg. Co was very clever in regards to their marketing; they produced a multitude of full color lithographed promotional items throughout their years of production. One piece that stands out is a full color tin lithographed sign which very vividly highlights the four main pieces that made up their “Great Western” line in action. They also produced oversized brochures, which included great full color lithographs. These distinctive advertisement pieces have become highly collectable for their exceptional graphics by a wide range of collectors. |
Early Tin Advertisement Sign |
"Great Western" Line: |
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Contact: Jeff J. Marshall |
email: marshallJJ@juno.com |