signed first edition Paperback
1890 · 45 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn New York
by (Americana - Ephemera - Engineering)
45 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn New York: Empire Well Drilling Company, 1890. A serio-comic 'story' advertising broadside castigating less-than-sanitary conditions to be found down the old well on the farm and the solution to the problem, provided by this Brooklyn well drilling company; "A supply of good pure water guaranteed or no pay."; with two illustrations, depicting the events in the story, signed in the plate 'Ferguson'; the story with no relation to the Samuel Woodworth poem, although it is referred to in the text in a rather sarcastic manner, "...(Woodworth was) likely away from home when they cleaned out the well from which he was accustomed to draw the "emblem of truth;" had he been at home he would have had a glimpse of truth itself, and perhaps written a poem on "The Family Rat and Vermin Trap."; no date, circa 1890; printed in about 1/2 dozen typefaces, a good example of late 19th century job printing advertising work; approx. 9 1/2" x 12" size; little chipping to edges, splitting on old fold line, pencil calculations on back, notes; in very good condition. . First Edition. Not Bound. Very Good. (Inventory #: 22395)