Petals of the Past: Rediscovering 1930s Lily Ads
Recently I was exploring an old barn and came across dozens of old home and garden magazines. These antique magazines were a treasure trove for old flower bulb ads. Here are a few of my favorites-
FROM ‘House and Garden’- January 1930
‘Burpee’s Regal Lilies’
3 Bulbs for 25 c
(Value 25c each)
One of the easiest grown and most beautiful Lilies. Flowers are fragrant, pure white, often suffused pink. Grows 3 to 6 ft. high. Blooms July. Lives for years. Special Offer, smallblooming-size bulbs (4 to 5 in. cir.) post- paid:
3 Bulbs for only 25c
7 Bulbs for only 50c
15 Bulbs for only $1.00
All Guaranteed Bulbs
Burpee’s Catalog FREE
W. ATLEE BURPEE CO.
251 Burpee Building, Philadelphia
from ‘bETTER HOMES AND GARDENS’ January 1937
“Regal lIlies
Pure white petals, golden yellow throat, deep red-stained outside. EASY TO GROW. LAST FOR YEARS!
Stately cluster of magnificent blossoms all during June and July make this fine Chinese lily closely resemble the Easter lily. Grow easily with little attention, and last for years. Hardy.
LIMITED SUPPLY- ORDER NOW!
Here is a full $3.00 value for only $1.00- 10 choicest, largest blooming-size bulbs, actually 5” to 6” around, all guaranteed to bloom, sent post-paid for $1.00. But order at once before our supply is exhausted!
Write for new Garden Beauty Book, 80 pages of interesting garden novelties, old time favorites, and packed with money-saving bargains for you! A copy sent FREE, write at once!
R.M Kellogg Co
Box 959, Three Rivers, Mich.
10 LARGEST BLOOMING SIZE BULBS
POST PAID IF YOU ORDER NOW! $1
Kelloggs for Quality”
from better homes and gardens- september 1937
“pfeiffer gold medal lilies
Get acquinted bargain- Blue Ribbon Pfeiffer garden lilies- northern grown, extra hardy. 6 varieties- Regal, Tennifolium, Umbellatum, Henryi, Formosanum and Riger sent postpaid for $1.00. Also beautiful, new catalog telling about FREE GIFT offer. Write today. THE PFEIFFER NURSERY, BOX B50, WINON, MINN.
6 For $1. POST PAID”
from better homes and gardens- september 1937
“LILIES
Madonna Lily- lovely, pure white, scented. Blooms in June, 10 to 15 to stalk. Bulbs 3 for 45c, 8 for $1.00 postpaid.
Coral Lily- bright coral red. Blooms in July, clusters up to fifteen. Very graceful. Blooming size bulbs 3 for 35c, 10 for $1.00 postpaid. Order now.
FREE- with each $2.00 order for bove lilies we will include a bulb for the famous Regal Lily worth 25c. Write for Isbell’s illustrated Fall Bulb Catalog- filled with exceptional values! ISBELL SEED CO., 359 Mechanic St., Jackson, Mich.”
From Better Homes & Gardens - September 1936
Burpee’s Regal Lilies Ad from Better Homes and Gardens 1936
“Burpee’s regal lilies
3 Bulbs for 25c (Value 25c each) 7 Bulbs for 50c; 15 Bulbs for $1.00; 100 Bulbs for $6.50. All postpaid. Bulb Catalog FREE. All the best Bulbs for Fall planting. Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, etc.
W ATLEE BURPEE CO. 283 Burpee Bldg. Philadelphia”
What do you think about these old lily bulb ads? Let us know in the comments below!
-Karissa
