01069.xml Northrup King Co.: An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by David B. Peterson Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul, MN.

Manuscripts Collection

 Finding aid encoded by David B. Peterson October 2012 Finding aid written in English. OVERVIEW Minnesota Historical Society Northrup King Co. Company records. 1884-1997 (bulk 1910-1979). Materials in English. Advertising materials and public relations department files, printed newsletters and related materials, price lists, photographs, motion picture films, phonograph records, and audio tapes related to a Minneapolis-based company engaged in the wholesale seed and livestock feed business. 67.5 cubic feet (59 boxes and 8 oversize folders). See Detailed Description for shelf locations. CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Business enterprises -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis. Feeds. Field crops -- Seeds. Flowers -- Seeds. Gardening. Seed industry and trade -- Minnesota -- Minneapolis. Vegetables -- Seeds. Persons: Card, Clellan. Organizations: Northrup King Co. -- History. Document Types: Advertising. Audio tapes. Motion pictures. Phonograph records. Photographs. Price lists. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Northrup King Co. Company records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 13,627; 14,254; 16,685

 Processing Information:

Processed by: John M. Wickre, 1987.

Additions by: David B. Peterson, December 1990 and October 2012.

Catalog ID number: 001735144

 RELATED MATERIAL

Annual reports (1969-1975) and company magazines are in the Minnesota Historical Society serials collection.

Product catalogs are in the Minnesota Historical Society book collection.

Seed bags and other artifacts are in the Minnesota Historical Society museum collections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 145.F.2.10F1Historical files: Histories: One Hundred Years of Trust, 1984.

Centennial book.

 Miscellaneous histories, 1909-1959. Historical background files: Northrup, Braslan & Co., 1884-1886. Northrup, Braslan & Goodwin Co., 1886-1894. Northrup, Braslan, Goodwin Co., 1894-1896. Northrup, King & Co, 1896-1970s? Northrup King Co., 1980s? 145.F.2.11B2General, 1980s-1997.

Includes history compilations.

Office directory, undated.

Directory of Northrup King plant locations and main staff.

75th Anniversary files, 1959. Northrup King Shield logo files, 1960s. Centennial celebration, 1983-1985. 3 folders. Slides, 1909-1997.

Gathered for centennial celebration.

Administrative records: Financial reports, 1963-1977.

Includes reports to stockholders, profit reports, and financial research studies.

Sales reports, 1947, 1950s-1970s. 2 folders. Stock prospectus, 1968.

240,000 shares of common stock being offered to the public.

 Subject files: Clippings, circa 1900-1970s. 5 folders. Company picnics, 1919-1972. Corn seed, undated and circa 1900-1950s. Farm products sales programs, 1961-1964. Flowers, undated. Garden vegetables, circa 1920s-1975. Gardening Guide, 1973-1975. The Good Seed movie script, 1960. Lawn products, circa 1959-1979. 5 folders. Massie, Charles C. 145.F.2.12F3Packet seed and Punch 'n Gro files, circa 1920s-1970s. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights, 1911-1973. Salesman's price book, circa 1949-1950s. Seed buyers' procedures, circa 1945. Sorghum sales manuals, circa 1958-1960. 2 folders. Stanton (Minn.) Research Center, 1984. Tokyo Seed Show, 1965. Victory Gardens, circa 1941-1945. Wholesale garden seed price lists, 1930-1942. Wholesale growers catalog, 1971. 145.F.3.3B8Alfalfa, 1915-1970s. Alfalfa Analyst, 1978.

Includes slides.

Clippings and articles, 1904-1984. Clovers, 1960s. Corn, 1930-1970s. Correspondence, 1955-1970. Employee information, 1950s-1990s.

Brochures, forms, and information for employees.

Novartis Seeds, 1997. Order forms, 1950s.

For seeds and flower packets.

Pasture mixtures, undated. Silo guards, 1973. The Story of the Seed Tag, undated. Sunflowers, 1970s-1980s. Turf grasses, 1980-1981. 145.F.2.13B4Advertising and marketing: Advertisements: 1886-1940, 145.F.2.14F5 1941-1961. 145.F.3.1B6 1962-1980. 145.F.3.2F7Pamphlets and direct mail, 1902-1963.

Most of the material dates from the 1930s to 1963.

 145.F.3.3B8Pamphlets and direct mail, 1964-1980. 17 folders. Marketing surveys, miscellaneous products, 1953-1966. 8 folders. Design information, packaging, circa 1974-1975. 5 folders. 145.F.3.4F9Advertising correspondence and miscellaneous papers, 1919-1940. 12 folders. Dealer programs: Alfalfa, 1953-1963. Corn, undated and 1941-1949, 1959. 4 folders. Feed, 1934-1947. 2 folders. Farm seed, 1961-1977. 4 folders. Garden seed, 1935, 1956. 2 folders. Lawn products, 1941-1967. 3 folders. Packet seed, 1966. Hybrid sorghum, 1969-1970. 2 folders. 145.F.3.7B12Advertising program budget files, 1949-1969. 145.F.3.8F13Advertising promotions: DuPuit alfalfa, 1955. Hybrid sorghum, 1956, 1960-1979. 2 folders. Mohammed columns, 1958-1962. Noculized alfalfa seed, 1958, 1961-1963. 2 folders. NK visitors souvenir packet, 1959. Bright Eyes Phlox, 1961. Paintbrush Zinnia, undated. Polynesian Zinnia, 1962. Bouquet of Blue, 1963. Frank Todd corn [salesman], 1963. Pink Julep bachelor's buttons, 1964. Queen for a Day television program, 1964. Trudan I sudangrass, 1966. Promotion proposals, 1971-1975. Recipe pads, soups, salads, and vegetables, 1973. 2 folders. Family Circle magazine, 1974, 1979. 2 ring binders. Chronological file set, 1970s-1982. 10 folders.

Includes advertisements, brochures, and other printed materials (as organized by Northrup King).

145.F.3.9B14Honorary or leadership advertisements: A-J.

Advertisements honoring various agronomists, plant geneticists, etc.

 145.F.3.10F15Honorary or leadership advertisements: L-Z. 145.F.3.11B16Marketing planning meetings, 1955-1975. 145.F.3.12F17Radio and television advertisements, movies, etc., circa 1947-1975. 145.F.3.6F11Advertising: General, 1916-[1960s].

Posters and signs promoting Northrup King products for the company generally as well as for dealers selling Northrup King products.

142.C.3.530Miscellaneous oversize advertisements: 1908-1949. 142.C.3.631 1950s 142.C.3.732 1960s. 142.C.3.833 1970-1977. Advertising: General,undated and 1944-1995.1 oversize folder and 2 rolled items.

Posters promoting Northrup King products, a centennial calendar (1984), and a poster created for the company's centennial (1984).

[0.4 cubic feet empty, double-oversize]

 +1632Feed advertising materials, circa 1920s-1940s.10 items.

Includes items related to Sterling brand poultry, hog, and dairy cow feeds. Most items date from the 1920s.

 +1633Farm seed advertising materials, undated and circa 1920s-1970s.10 items.

Includes items related to Sterling brand seeds and to sorghum.

 +1634Corn seed advertising materials, circa 1930s-1970s.16 items.

Includes items related to Kingscrost and Wheatland brand hybrid corn.

 +1635Alfalfa seed advertising materials, circa 1950s-1970s.12 items. +1636Garden vegetable seed advertising materials, circa 1920s-1960s.14 items. +1637Flower seed advertising materials, circa 1950s-1970s.6 items.

Includes an L. W. Duke print, signed but not numbered, showing greenhouses and flower plots among rural fields, 1970s?

 +1638Lawn productsd advertising materials, circa 1950s-1970s.16 items.

Includes advertisements for seed, fertilizer, and weed killers.

 +1631Management and salesmen's materials, 1934-circa 1970s.6 items.

Includes golden annviersary leaflet with photographs of managing and operating staff and sales representatives, 1934.

 145.F.3.6F11Seed packet display options, 1950s.

Catalog of seed displays in stores.

Articles: Honorary Feature Series, 1956-1977. Leadership ads, 1960s. Exhibits/Presentations: Alfalfa Seeds, [1983]. Spredor 2 Alfalfa, 1981. Promotions: 919 Alfalfa Introduction, 1955. 145.F.3.5B10Printed newsletters: Sterling broadcaster, 1925-1928. Miscellaneous newsletters, 1941-1980. 3 folders. Crop news, 1966-1970. National news, 1969. Sales log, 1950-1951, 1957-1964. 9 folders. Seed bag reader surveys, 1957-1970. Pacific Division seed bag, 1946-1949. 4 folders. Salesmen's files. Salesmen's dinners, 1910-1948. Salesmen's manual, 1918. General information for salesmen, 1922. Salesmen's calling cards, circa 1920s. Sales conference programs, 1953-1975. 4 folders. 145.F.3.6F11Publications:

Includes newsletters, brochures, informational packets, and general documentation produced by Northrup King.

Background and general company information, 1945-[1980s]. Crop News, undated and 1966. Crop and seed guides, undated, 1970s-1980s. Farming today, 1986-1987. Illustrated Minneapolis, [1900s].

A book and fold out map published by O. Bergland documenting the Minneapolis area "compliments of Northrup, King, and Co."

 Letters of a country merchant to his traveling son, undated. NK news, 1960s. Processor news, 1965. Profitmaker, 1984. The sales log, 1952.

Sales staff news letter.

 Seed news, 1964-1974. Seed service: A Northrup King bulletin, undated, 1951. A series of apoloques from Mohammed for modern seedsmen, undated. 145.F.3.8F13Useful Farm Information brochure, [1950s-1970s].

16 editions.

 Westland pasture journal, 1950-1957. Westland pastures/Northland pastures, 1948-[1960s]. 145.F.3.6F11Employee activities: Kingscourt, 1947-1982. 5 folders.

Honoring 25-year employees.

 Kingsmen organization, 1947-1978. 9 folders and 1 volume.

For office men and foremen.

145.F.3.13B18National Corn Growers Association. winners, circa 1968-1973. Carload sorghum contest, 1969. NK retirees files, circa 1950s-1970s.

Photos, printed items, and miscellany; includes:Ken Christensen, Maurice Keating, C.C. Massie, James B. Massie, and Gordon 0. Newton.

 145.F.3.14F19Price lists: Wholesale price lists: Feed carlots, 1927-1937.

[0.6 cubic feet empty, legal sized]

 145.F.4.1B20Wholesale price lists: Feed carlots, 1919, 1924-1946. 145.F.4.2F21Wholesale price lists: Farm seed, 1931-1982. 36 envelopes. Price lists, 1916-1980s. 2 folders.

[0.3 cubic feet empty, legal sized]

 145.F.4.3B22Price pages: Garden seed price pages, 1915-1947. 145.F.4.4F23Garden seed price pages, 1948-1967. 145.F.4.5B24Farm seed price pages: 1932-1940. 145.F.4.6F25 1941-1945. 145.F.4.7B26 1946-1953. 145.F.4.8F27 1953-1956, 145.F.4.9B28 1956-1964. 145.F.4.10F29 1965-1973. 142.C.3.530Miscellaneous oversize materials. 142.C.4.134Miscellaneous products.2 folders.

Includes calendars from 1920s.

 Clellan Card items, circa 1940s. Garden vegetables.3 folders.

Includes advertising posters for vegetable and flower seeds, 1930s.

 Flowers.2 folders. Lawn products. Oversize photograph: Unidentified threshing scene, circa 1900.

Photograph is rolled and torn; handle with extreme care.

[0.5 cubic feet empty, double-oversize]

 142.C.4.235Field crops files: Alfalfa. Miscellaneous forage crops. Corn. Poultry, hay and dairy cow feed. Sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat. Miscellaneous field crops. 142.C.4.336Clippings, circa 1900-1970s. Seed promotions, circa 1900-1970s. 142.C.4.437Master lists of packets and cartons, 1938-1947, 1956. 142.C.4.538Wholesale price lists: farm seed, 1919-1930. 142.C.4.639Advertisement proof scrapbooks, circa 1960s-1970s. 144.C.7.6F40Oversize materials.

Includes scrapbook of vegetable and flower seed packages, as seen in Minnesota Collects.

 144.C.7.7B41Oversize materials. 144.C.7.8F42Oversize materials.

Advertisements, oversize photographs, and miscellaneous items.

 145.F.4.11B43Miscellaneous printeds. 145.F.2.12F44Miscellaneous small printeds.

Mostly advertising material.

 145.F.4.13B45Photographs: Building and construction scenes.undated and 1917.

Includes building exterior and interior scenes; construction progress photographs for the company headquarters building, 1917; and miscellaneous photographs.

 145.F.4.14F46 Centennial book and miscellaneous photographs, 1938-1980. 7 folders.

Includes miscellaneous photographs, 1950s-1980; color transparencies for the company's centennial book (from originals dating back to 1884; and a Corn volume (field and other scenes), 1938-1939.

 145.F.5.1B47Miscellaneous, including photographs of salesmen and packet seed displays, circa 1900-1950s? 11 folders.

[0.6 cubic feet empty, letter sized]

 145.F.5.2F48Seed Bag photographs, 1943-1953. 16 folders.

[0.4 cubic feet empty, letter sized]

 145.F.5.3B49Seed bag photographs, 1954-1960. 145.F.5.4F50Seed bag photographs, 1961-1974. 21 folders. Historical images, 1900s-1960s. Demo plots, 1980s. Northrup King facilities, 1980s.

Tours and inspections of facilities includes Arrecifes (April 1989), Fort Saskatchewan (1980s), Tangent (February 1988), and unknown locations.

Slides, 1961-[1990s].

Includes images of corn (1961), lawn turf plots (1964), Woodland Research Farm (1965), and an facility opening in Illinois ([1980s-1990s]).

[0.2 cubic feet empty, letter sized]

 142.C.4.134Jesse E. Northrup portrait, [1910-1920]. [Charles E. Braslan?] portrait, [1910-1920].

Identified on one Northrup King list as possibly Preston King.

 Northrup King Minneapolis headquarters, [1970s-1980s].

[0.5 cubic feet empty, double-oversize]

 145.F.5.5B51Miscellaneous slides. 145.F.5.6F52Motion picture films: Brady.1 film reel; 16 mm. Corn: Miscellaneous, circa 1930s-circa 1965. 20 film reels; 16 mm. Feed - Turkeys.1 film reel; 16 mm. Krillium.1 film reel; 16 mm. Lawn products.1969, 1978. 4 film reels; 16mm. NK picnics, 1960, 1963. 2 film reels; 8mm. Packet seed films, 1946-1947. 2 film reels; 8 mm. Research spots, 1962. 1 film reel; 8 mm. Sunflowers, 1978. 1 film reel; 8 mm. Today television show film featuring Mark Blair and Barbara Walters.1 film reel; 16 mm. Wheat, 1969. 1 film reel; 16 mm. 145.F.5.7B53Go with the winners. 1 master and 1 user film reel; 16 mm. Corn, undated and 1968-1974. 11 film reels; 16 mm.

[0.5 cubic feet empty]

 145.F.5.8F54The commercial.1 film reel; 16 mm. Lawn products, 1972-1976. 2 film reels; 16 mm. Minneapolis Aquatennial, 1941. 1 film reel; 16 mm. Minneapolis: Sailing on Lake Calhoun; rodeo; 1941 aqua follies; early airplanes.1 film reel; 16 mm. Minneapolis Aquatennial; St. Paul [Winter?] Carnival; flowers.1 film reel; 16 mm. Farm seed: First aid to agriculture: Part 1,circa 1960.1 master and 1 user film reel; 16 mm. Part 2, circa 1960.1 master and 1 user film reel; 16 mm. How seeds germinate. Sorghum field/Shots and men.1 film reel; 16 mm. Seed corn secrets.1 film reel; 16 mm. Siete cerros wheat, 1968. 1 film reel; 16 mm. Water sports, undated.1 film reel; 16 mm. Industry on parade. 1 master and 1 user film reel; 16 mm.

[0.4 cubic feet empty]

 145.F.5.9B55 Reid Ray commercials:

 Woman in garden.1 film reel; 35 mm. Woman in window.1 film reel; 35 mm. Small girl in window. 1 film reel; 35 mm. 10 second TV spots. 1 master and 1 user film reel; 35 mm. NK commercials, Fall 1974. 1 master and 1 user flm reel; 16 mm. Keeping farming profitable.1 film reel; 16 mm. Packet seed assortment.1 film reel; 16 mm. The Trudan [Sudan grass?] family story, 1967. 1 film reel; 16 mm.

[0.25 cubic feet empty]

 145.F.5.10F56Corn television commercials, 1972-1973. 1 film reel; 16 mm. Feed (pigs, cows, sheep).1 film reel; 16 mm. Sorghum television spots.1 film reel; 16 mm. Sorghum and corn television spots.1 film reel; 16 mm.

Release prints.

 [unidentified films.]1 film reel; 35 mm.

[0.3 cubic feet empty]

 144.C.8.1B57NK historical footage.2 film reels; 16 mm. Historical films, General Mills and Sperry Feeds.1 film reel; 16 mm. Sound recordings: 1919 Alfalfa.1 sound disc. Corn.2 sound discs. Interviews and miscellany, 1941, 1950s. 4 sound discs. Lawn products.4 sound discs. Songs for a Mediterranean moon, 1969. 1 sound disc.

NK marigold variety.

 Trudan commercials and public service interviews, circa 1966. 2 sound discs. 145.F.5.11B58Alfalfa, 1954-1959, 1970-1973. 12 sound tape reels.

Includes Noculized; Midwest, intermountain, and Pacific divisions.

 Corn, 1951-1959, 1971-1974, 1980?. 7 sound tape reels and 2 sound cassettes. Lawn products.8 sound tape reels and 1 sound cassette. Sorghum, 1969-1975. 6 sound tape reels. Sunflowers, 1976. 4 sound tape reels. 145.F.5.12F59Miscellany, 1950s-1970s. 31 sound tape reels and 16 sound cassettes.

Includes farm seed, packet seed, Punch 'N Gro, NK sales and dealers meetings, NK executives' speeches, Ken Erickson tapes (some interviews with Minnesota farmers), and a 4-reel BBD& O interview about women's gardening interests, New York City vicinity, 1968.