2008.55.1
Description
- Media Type
- Image
- Item Type
- Images, Electronic
- Description
- - rectangular wooden advertising thermometer with slightly arched top and molded edges, painted off-white. Above the central thermometer mercury tube is the wording: "BIDWELL/GRAIN SEPARATORS/BEAN THRESHERS/ENGINES." in black, below mercury tube is a depiction of a threshing machine below which is written: "R.WATT MACHINE WORKS/LIMITED, RIDGETOWN-ONT."
- at the very bottom of the thermometer is the maker's information: "Marshall Mfg. Co., Siler Springs, N.Y."
- R.Watt Machine Works Ltd was an agricultural implement manufacturer in Ridgetown. Its original premises was located on Ebenezer Street on the north side of the road just east of Erie Street. Later on, the works was relocated to Erie St N. R. Watt purchased patent rights from the US firm Bidwell to produce the Bidwell-designed threshing machines. One such machine, in restored condition, is known. This thermometer is a merchandising/advertising piece that may have been given or sold to customers and other businesses to promote the Watt firm. Wooden advertising thermometers are rare and when found usually have their paint in very poor condition, often from having been used out doors. This item is in exceptional condition making it rare and it is presently the only known example promoting this significant local firm. It was purchased by the donor at the auction sale of a prominent advertising memorabilia collector in Simcoe Ontario, 2008.
Chatham Kent Museum
Out in the Open exhibition
VS 090 - Date of Publication
- 2018
- Collection
- Chatham Kent Museum
- Copyright Statement
- Copyright status unknown. Responsibility for determining the copyright status and any use rests exclusively with the user.
- Location of Original
- Chatham Kent Museum
Out in the Open exhibition
VS 090 - Terms of Use
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- Contact
- Chatham-Kent MuseumEmail:ckcccmuseum@chatham-kent.ca
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