Lewis Lice and Fly Destroyer Company Old Mail Shows Interesting Trademark Logo

Trade Mark log for Lewis Lice and
Fly Destroyer Company
Entered in the U.S. Patent Office June 9, 1913

Postal Ephemera

Agricultural Ephemera

Maine and Massachusetts Business History

This blog post article by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.


If you are interested in ephemera and postal items in particular, you will have particular elements that will peek your interest while browsing antique stores, thrift shops and online sites that sell such items.  It was the image on this particular item, though not a postcard, that first caught my attention.

The Trade Mark logo with a framed photo inset bordered with a cow head, horse head and chicken actually makes me smile because for some unknown reason that without doubt made good sense at the time now in the 21st century I think has humor.

George W. Lewis and Son
Lewis Lice and Fly Destroyer
George W. Lewis and Son was a successful business operating in Westboro, Massachusetts, which on June 9, 1913 filed this Trade Mark with the U.S. Patent Office for the Lewis Lice and Fly Destroyer Company. LINK

The logo image makes sense, since we get an immediate visual picture of what animals will benefit from this particular product that kills lice and flies, and more. The portrait of George Lewis and his signature lends authenticity and recognition of a man who stands behind his product.

Postal History from 1913

We might question, however, how a product patented in 1913, the same as the postmark year on the envelope, can have experienced 12 years of wonderful success as stated, but perhaps Mr. Lewis was just a little slow in registering the product he had been selling for quite some time.

Opposite the above claim we read that the product is perfectly harmless, no dangerous effects if the animals lick it, which animals will do.  Was this claim true?  According to the Annual Report of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station in a general statement for this and similar products,  LINK

"They are very much alike and depend upon a mixture of vegetable oils, hydrocarbons from petroleum, crude petroleum and coal tar derivatives for their repelling power."

A Lewis Company ad in the Marion Star, Marion, Ohio, June 21, 1913, promises a money back guarantee if not satisfied along with the following: 

"We guarantee that this Lice and Fly Destroyer will kill flies on cows and keep them off all day; cure barn itch and cure cattle lice.  Also body lice on poultry and mites in poultry house.  When used as directed.  If not return empty can and get money back.  You Dairymen—come in and let us tell you how a can or two of this Fly Killer will increase your herds flow of milk during the summer.  It’s sold quart, half gallons and gallons."

Ammi Whitney and Hosea Kendall formed their partnership in 1858, and had run successful agricultural business in Portland, Maine for over fifty years at the time this envelope was posted in 1913.  LINK 1.     LINK 2.

Ammi Whitney
Hosea Kendall
My research turned up very little on Mr. Kendall, but I found some interested information on Ammi Whitney of which I offer a portion here along with a link to the source.

Ammi Whitney (1833- ) was an infant of six weeks when his parents removed to Falmouth. He remained on the farm until twenty years of age, in the mean time acquiring a fair education in the common schools of the town. He then went to Boston and entered the employ of the old firm of Parker & White, dealers in seeds and other agricultural goods. He spent nearly six years in this employment, returning to Portland in 1858, and forming a partnership with Hosea Kendall in the same kind of business.

Essentially a self-made man, he has attained prosperity by the exercise of natural business talent, a conservative judgment, and a scrupulous probity in business as well as in all other relations. LINK.

Though I cannot say for certain, it is my thought that George Lewis would have paid to have his product advertised on Kendall and Whitney stationery--a good marketing tool for all and revenue for Mr. Kendall and Mr. Whitney.  

Postal Marks

Regarding the stamp, postmarks and postal killer, there is nothing unique or special about them. There are two postmarks, one at point of sending and on the envelope back side one at point of receiving.  The blue date stamp on the front most likely was stamped upon J.L. Chick receiving his mail, which is a common office method of documentation.

Source: Portsmouth Herald, Portsmouth NH, 15 January 1951

Joshua L. Chick

Chick Farm

Wells is about 33 miles south of Portland, and the location of Chick Farm run by the Chick Family. Joshua Chick, or J.L. Chick as addressed, was the proprietor of a agricultural or general store, depending upon what information you look at.  It seems that Joshua L. Chick never married and was at some point a municipal officer of his city in the capacity of Justice.  He lived 78 years, which was a good, long life in the first half of the 20th century. LINK.