Isaac S. Clough collection, 1856-1883

Summary

Creator:

Clough, Isaac S.

Abstract:

This collection is comprised largely of advertising broadsides and broadsheets relating to Isaac S. Clough's work as an inventor and manufacturer, his work with a wholesale and retail store, and his work as a salesman and patentee between 1856-1883 in New York and Philadelphia. Among others, Clough's inventions include fly, mosquito, cockroach, and mouse traps; illuminated lanterns; combination knife-fork-spoon style cutlery; firecracker guns; automaton jig dancers; cane seats; shoe blacking; boot jacks; and other "Housekeeping articles and Yankee notions."

Extent:

39 items

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by Meg Bossio, March 2024

Background

Scope and Content:

This collection is comprised largely of advertising broadsides and broadsheets relating to Isaac S. Clough's work as an inventor and manufacturer, his work with a wholesale and retail store, and his work as a salesman and patentee between 1856-1883 in New York and Philadelphia.

Clough's inventions include fly, mosquito, cockroach, and mouse traps; illuminated lanterns; pastry board attachments; combination knife-fork-spoon style cutlery; firecracker guns; automaton jig dancers (being caricatures of African American dancers); cane seats; shoe blacking; boot jacks; and other "Housekeeping articles and Yankee notions." Also present are a small handful of receipts dating from around 1861 to 1872, one letter to Clough, one typed poem/jingle about his fly trap, several product labels, and a number of business cards and price lists printed on cards.

Biographical / Historical:

No biographical information is available for this finding aid.

Acquisition Information:

2023. M-8034 .

Arrangement:

The collection is loosely arranged by document type.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Subjects

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Subjects:

Advertising--New York State--New York--History--19th century.
Advertising--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia-- History--19th century.
Insect trapping--Equipment and supplies.
Inventions.
Inventors--United States--History--19th century.
Patents.
African American dancers--Caricatures and cartoons.
Insect traps.
Inventions.
Lanterns.
Mousetraps.
Patents.
Robots.
Shovels.

Formats:

Advertisements.
Broadsides (notices)
Business cards.
Circulars (fliers)
Identification labels.
Poetry.
Posters.
Printed ephemera.
Receipts (financial records)