21" X 24 1/2" Linen Broadside. The Yankee Horse Rake! Made By Chas. G. Allen & Co., Barre, Mass

CHAS G. ALLEN & C0.

Publication: Chas G Allen & Co, nd (ca1875), Barre, Mass

First edition. 21" x 24 1/2" linen broadside promoting The Yankee Horse Rake, developed in 1873, and manufacturing began in April, 1874, with the first lot being 200 rakes. Charles G. Allen was born in 1833, and raised in Barre, Mass. He became an educator teaching in several school districts of Barre and surrounding towns. Later he attended Harvard Medical School and soon after began his practice in Barre. At the outset of the Civil War, he enlisted in Company F, 53rd Regiment - Massachusetts Volunteers. He served his term and then re-enlisted in the 34th Massachusetts Infantry as assistant surgeon. After the war, with his health compromised, he returned to Barre and bought a farm, never practicing medicine again. In 1873, he developed The Yankee Horse Rake and went into full production in 1874. The Allen Company remains in business today, still located in Barre, MA, and in a plant located on a 30 acre site. They no longer manufacture farm equipment. The broadside features a horse-drawn hay rake with the following commentary: "LOOK AT IT - The teeth run level with the ground. The head balances the teeth, No scratching. No thrashing back after dumping. Spring seat. Shafts attached near the wheels. For descriptive circulars, write us or our agents. J. D. S. Packer, Mt. Holly, VT." Linen light soiled, else a very good copy and suitable for framing.

Inventory Number: 33122