The Union Lawn Tent / The Union Clothes Dryer

Boston: By the authors, 1873. Very good. Leaflet, folded to form pp. [4]; 5 3/4 x 4 1/2; illustrated with wood engravings; minor wear and creasing; in very good or better condition.Patented by one W. W. Whitcomb, the tent and the dryer were sold by Rufus Mitchell Yale (1822 - 1899) was a military officer, prominent Boston businessman, and a preeminent manufacturer of sails, banners, flags, awnings, and tents, and agent for the New England States for the tent and the dryer. The leaflet described the advantages of the two products and their superiority over other similar inventions, including the ability to fold the tent and store it in a 1 x 1 x 6 ft. box for easy transportation. Despite the superlatives, a curious little note at the bottom of pp. 3 announced: "The proprietor wishes to dispose of the right for New England to control Clothes Dryer, and of the other states, both the Tent and the Dryer. Address the Patentee at Boston." Perhaps, the inventions were not quite as magical, as they were portrayed to be...