Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets, 1899-1915, Ms2022-010, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

This collection was acquired by Special Collections and University Archives prior to 2012.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets was completed in April 2022.

Administrative History

Washington Atlee Burpee (1858-1915) left medical school in 1876 to establish his own company that specializes in seeds. He created the W. Atlee Burpee & Company (also W. Atlee Burpee Company or "Burpee"), which introduced new, improved seeds for different produce, such as a new cabbage, carrot, lima bean, celery, and others. He first marketed "Iceberg" lettuce in 1894 and started a plant catalogue for farmers in need of seeds. Burpee researched and breeded different vegetables for America's climate and gardens. He passed away in 1915, leaving the company to his son David Burpee.

David continued his father's legacy and started to breed different hybrids of flowers. He ended up creating one of the first-ever White Marigold in 1975. He still researched and breeded different vegatables, creating new variations for tomatoes and cucumbers.

George Ball of George J. Ball, Inc., bought Burpee in 1991, becoming its president, and the company continues to be an innovating force for different types of vegtables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Sources:

Scope and Content

This collections contains over 20 paper leaflets from the W. Atlee Burpee & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1899 to 1915. Each leaflet discusses a variety of gardening tips, different plants and seeds history, and other planting strategies. Some leaflets include outside help and notes from other gardeners, researchers, and companies about planting.

Related Material

VT Special Collections and University Archives has several publications from W. Atlee Burpee & Company in the Rare Book Collection, which can be requested online via the library catalog .

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Agriculture
• Culinary pamphlets
• History of Food and Drink

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the W. Atlee Burpee & Company Leaflets by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).