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Moses Annenberg "Wisconsin" Spoon, 1915

Moses Annenberg "Wisconsin" Spoon, 1915

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Description
Moses Annenburg left Prussia to immigrate to America in 1885. In 1913, he asked his wife, Sadie, "What is the one thing you're always running out of?" "Teaspoons" she replied. This remark was the inspiration for the wildly popular souvenir promotion campaign across America. He developed a subscription circulation promotion idea which was literally worth its weight in gold. The simple idea was to offer limited edition collectible "state" teaspoons redeemable only through a coupon published in his newspaper. Several million spoons representing the then 48 states and Canadian provinces were sold on the North American continent and by 1917 he was a millionaire.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
spoon
date made
1915
place made
United States
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
silver (overall color)
Measurements
overall: 6 in x 1 1/4 in x 1 in; 15.24 cm x 3.175 cm x 2.54 cm
ID Number
2018.0047.01
catalog number
2018.0047.01
accession number
2018.0047
See more items in
Work and Industry: Retail and Marketing
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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