1930s Archive of a New Jersey Poultry Breeder

Item Details

A substantial collection of correspondence and ephemera (newsletters, advertisements, certificates, etc.) relating to the business of George W. Pearson, a Trenton, New Jersey-based breeder of Cornish Bantam chickens. Includes approximately 95 letters written to Pearson from across the United States between 1932 and 1935 from potential and existing customers, other breeders, and poultry-related organizations such as clubs, shows, and periodical publishers.  Subject matter includes inquiries about available stock, orders, show reports, breed standards, inquiries about best practices for breeding, and more. One writer says he has a ten-year old boy he wants to interest in chickens "to keep him off the streets, etc.," and suggests that "a good way would be to get him say a trio of Dark Cornish Bantams." Another complains that "the cock bird you sold me has not fertilized an egg so far....He seems perfectly well but is not interested in reproduction." There are many letterheads included documenting the businesses of other breeders and related organizations. Also included in the archive are ca. 25 items from the American Bantam Association, including newsletters, show announcements, and handouts from a "Bantam Culture Course"; a large (12" 20") photograph of the exhibitors' banquet at the 1935 New York Poultry Show; numerous certificates for awards received by Pearson's chickens and by Pearson himself; several postal cards; items relating the shipment of poultry; a program for the 1933 All American Bantam Show; half-tone photographic images of two of Pearsons prize-winning birds; an incubator catalogue; an advertisement and order form for Buckeye Hatching Trays, and miscellaneous other items of ephemera. The photograph has been folded and has several large vertical creases. Otherwise, the material is in very good condition.