Martin Wagner and Company Collection
Scope and Contents
All sheets deal with the product Sun-Light Oil. The M. (Martin) Wagner and Company was located in Marshall, Michigan. The sheets include testimonials and contracts for agents to sell the product. One sheet is an "Agent's Letter, contract and Agreement for A Family Right" charging $2.00 for a family right. Another sheet is a letter and contract agreement for an "Agency on Commission" and another one which is an "Agency on Salary," requesting seventy-five family rights and other related items. The fourth small sheet is a letter by M. Wagner and Company providing some general information. The larger sheet includes testimonials on the product along with general information about the product.
Dates
- Creation: approximately 1870
Creator
- M. Wagner & Co. (Marshall, Mich.) (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
Martin Wagner he lived in Marshall, Michigan, in 1870. He was 24 years old at the time. According to the 1870 U.S. Census he was manufacturing oil. In addition there were two advertisements in the Jackson Citizen newspaper on in April of 1870 and the other in August of 1871 both soliciting agents for the M. Wagner and Company not just for the Sun-Light Oil but also for other "wonderful inventions." The county histories were consulted with no results for a Martin or M.V. Wagner. In the 1880 U.S. Census there is a M.V. Wagner in Marshall involved in some way with Voltic Bell. It could be the same person however the age and state of birth are off a little.
Extent
.05 Cubic Feet (1 folder containing 5 sheets) ; 8" x 9 1/2"
Language of Materials
English
Physical Description
The collection amounts to .05 cubic feet and is composed of five sheets, four of which are 8 ½" x 4 ½" and one larger sheet 8" x 9 ½". They are black print on cream-colored light weight paper and with a different type face on each sheet. The sheets, for the most part, are in good condition although the larger one has been folded and taped. There are tape marks in four areas and any wear on this sheet are long the folds. Some of the type on some of the sheets also has faded.
Subject
- M. Wagner & Co. (Marshall, Mich.) (Organization)
- Title
- Martin Wagner and Company Collection Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lynn Houghton
- Date
- 2011-03-28
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu