The USG Mixed Car Service (Stationary)

Minneapolis, MN: United States Gypsum Company, 1930. First Edition. Near fine. Stationary, n. d. (ca 1930); 11 x 8 1/2; single sheet, unused; large illustration and diagram to upper half of recto; slight age-toning to margins, else very minor wear; in very good to near fine condition.An unusual advertising piece, it highlighted one of the United States Gypsum Company's proprietary services and modes of distribution. At the end of the 19th century, with gypsum (soft sulfate mineral, widely used as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, drywall, etc.) plentiful, cheap, and easy to employ - many companies jumped on the bandwagon of manufacturing it, resulting in consistently plummeting prices. In 1901, as a result, 30 gypsum and plaster businesses joined together to form the United States Gypsum Company (USG). Through calculated product diversification and diffusion of manufacturing facilities it would be one of few businesses to operate profitably every year during the Great Depression. The current stationary advertised the USG mixed car service - a method of delivering a variety of products with minimum freight charges by using a specific order of loading them in a single railroad car. The detailed diagram illustrated the sequence of arranging sheetrock, rocklath, Red Top Patching Plaster, cement, Plastint Colored Finish, etc.to be transported in a safe and efficient way.