Tanglefoot 1897

General:

    This advertisement was obviously directed at the druggists or other sellers, rather than the buyers.

Front:

    The image on front depicts a woman battling a horde of flies that are landing all over the dinner table while the husband is coming through the door with a box of tanglefoot under his arm.  The caption reads: "Tanglefoot ends her misery."

Back:

    The text on back reads: "Perfection is the aim.  1897.  Tanglefoot, still further improved.  Border, stronger and more pliable.  Sticky, more sticky and enduring.  Design, new and prettier.  Price, lower.  Profit, larger."
     "Tanglefoot will please your customers better than ever; try to sell every one of them a BOX of it; they will use it more liberally, get the best results and you can make 100 PER CENT on the sale."
     "Show it in actual use, while it is catching your flies, it will make profitable sales."
     "The use of TANGLEFOOT is steadily and rapidly increasing, it is fast becoming an absolute necessity, as the dangerous nature of flies is being better realized; to say nothing of the comfort derived."
     "It will pay you to recommend the TANGLEFOOT HOLDER, as your customers will use the paper more liberally, on account of the greater convenience."
     "TANGLEFOOT IS WORTHY OF SPECIAL PUSH."
     "The HOLDERS continue in cases of 50 for 75 cents."
     "TANGLEFOOT is packed as usual, 25 double sheets in a box, 10 boxes in a case."
     "Price for 1897.  30 Cents per Box.  $2.55 per Case.  In the United States East of the Rocky Mountains.  Melze, Smart & Co., Saginaw, Mich."

David A. Rider
Associate Professor of Entomology
North Dakota State University
202 Hultz Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
E-Mail: David.Rider@ndsu.edu

 
Published by the Department of Entomology 

Prospective students may schedule a visit by calling 1-800-488-NDSU.