Classifieds first appeared in the pages of the Boston News-Letter circa 1704. Residents of the city would place ads for sought items, lost things, found objects, for sale properties, services. A good majority of early classified ads ran on the barter system rather than monetary compensation. From Boston, the idea of classifieds spread like, well, a paper fire.
While this form of marketing clearly became an enduring form for present times, it also provides a beautiful time capsule for future generations, showcasing the needs, wants and desires of the time.
Researcher Sara Bader authored a book Strange Red Cow: and Other Curious Classified Ads from the Past wherein she explores some revealing, peculiar antique classifieds.
In an interview on NPR, Bader revealed some of her favorite advertising oddities unearthed in her archival exploration.
Here’s an example from Bader’s book illustrating the bartering that occurred in early classifieds:
Dated September 2, 1948 from The Levittown Tribune:
‘ Will swap my .410 shotgun with box of buck shells for picnic table or lawn chair. Call Hicksville 5-4631. ‘
A strange, but practical trade.
Personals were also something created long before the Internet Missed Connection sites. Apparently back then, personals were… well, slightly more personal:
`Mae Minnie: Farewell, cruel girl. If not drafted, I will go as a substitute. Your scorn is harder and more pitiless to me than any Southern bullet could possibly be. John number one(ph).’
Harsh, Mae Minnie. And immortalized in microfiched classifieds for all of eternity.
The ad that inspired Bader to pen such a fascinating novel was, obviously enough, about a Strange Red Cow.
`Came to my plantation in Springfield Township, Philadelphia County, near Flourtown, the 26th of March, 1776, a strange red cow. The owner may have her again on proving its property and paying charges. Philip Miller.’
Hopefully Mr. Miller and his estranged strange red cow reunited post-ad.
To read the full interview Bader gave on NPR take a peek here.
The tradition of classifieds thrives even today, accessible now in new mediums. The Thrifty Nickel Want Ads website provides a quick, easy and efficient classifieds service for its clients. It also establishes a gigantic base of potential purveyors for client’s wares– The ENTIRE Internet!
With the advent of websites like the American Classifieds OurThriftyNickel.com, advertising has never been more easy or accessible.
Head over there, if only for anthropological research. See a cross-section of businesses and wares in the Permian Basin community! Trucks to Antiques! Health Care to Welding, all manner and breadth of services are covered through the Thrifty Nickel online!
If you happen to prefer a more traditional method of advertising, American Classifieds also prints their want ads, a la 1704.
You can mail your ad into, or go visit:
2611 N. Golder, Odessa TX, 79761
or phone:
Odessa Office: (432)333-4184
Midland Office: (432)580-7777
Classifieds make the world go round!
*title image from http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com