ANTIQUE GLASS ADVERTISING PAPERWEIGHT 1900s MR BOWERS GROCER PUPPY MUZZLED
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4032303 | Subject/Theme: GIVE-AWAY GROCERY STORE 1900'S |
| Color: Clear | Original/Reproduction: Antique Original |
| UPC: Does not apply |
THIS ANTIQUE PAPERWEIGHT IS MADE OF A VERY HEAVY CLEAR GLASS, WITH THE ADVERTISING LOGO OF "YOU WON'T GET BIT IF YOU BUY OF MR. BOWERS" AND FEATURES A SMALL PUPPY WITH A RATHER LARGE MUZZLE ON HIS NOSE.
IN RESEARCHING, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS LOGO WAS THE THEME OF MR. DUKE CAYCE BOWERS, WHO WAS BORN IN MOBILE, ALABAMA - HERE'S A BIT ABOUT HIM AND WILL LEAD UP TO THE LOGO FEATURED ON THIS ANTIQUE PAPERWEIGHT......
Duke Cayce Bowers was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1874..., the son of Calvin Thomas Bowers and Ida C. Cayce. His mother died when he was four and his father died in 1895. By 1900 Duke is living with Enis and Lydia Bowers (aunt and uncle) in Hickman, Kentucky, working as a Grocer. In 1900 he married Ethel C. Gibbs of Weakley County, Kentucky.
Bowers had been a grocer in Hickman but the business failed and by his reasoning it was because of "the system", where owners purchased their products on credit, sold the products on credit, and provided free delivery. To offset the "deadbeats" in this system, prices were raised to cover all loses. Thus in Bowers opinion everyone was a loser. The Bowers moved to Memphis in 1903. Memphis at the time was a thriving southern city and was growing tremendously. It was perfect for Duke Bowser because it was the largest city in the Mid-South.
For a grocery business to succeed, Bowers felt that if he paid manufacturers in cash for their products, sold the items for cash only and without free delivery, he would simply have to add a meager 12 1/2% mark up - which to him was a "reasonable amount." Everyone said he was crazy, but he was anxious to expand and test his theory. Memphis was the perfect testing grounds for Bowers theory where he would: Do business strictly on a cash basis, giving absolutely no one credit. Not sell alcohol or tobacco. Make no deliveries of goods. Make an average of 12 1/2% gross profit above the costs of the goods. To practice these principles, he rented a small store at Polk and McKinley streets and spent $800 on stock. He and Ethel lived at the back of the store. And he began a strong advertising campaign. The "all cash" appeal worked and the store was a big success.
"You won't get bit if you buy of Mr. Bowers" Duke Bowers originated the company's trademark - a little muzzled dog in a circle--not sure of the original dog breed. He also trademarked the popular company slogan. During the peak years of Mr. Bowers Stores, the Bowers name became a household word.Bowers said "Everybody will be convinced that it pays to advertise. I believe that the fruits of advertising yield so abundantly that it doesn't cost me a penny." And he was so satisfied with the results that he ran extensive ad campaigns in the Memphis newspapers, increasing his budget each year.
The success of Store #1 led to the opening 6 months later of Store #2. By 1905, there were 9 stores listed in the Memphis Directories. (Daughter Ida May Bowers was also born in 1905). In 1907, there were 21 stores and in 1909, there were 27. In 1914, there were 39. The first stores were called "Little Grocery Stores" . By 1907 they were all called "Mr. Bowers Store" - and with a trademark secondary name "Temples of Economy". "Mr. Bowers" had become a highly respected businessman and wealthy citizen. His stores were considered the cleanest groceries in Memphis and his clerks the most courteous and patient.
Around 1913 Duke Bowers health had failed. He was forced to turn the management of his stores over to a firm that expanded them even more. Duke and Ethel left Memphis and moved to Dresden, Tennessee, 90 miles to the northeast. The management team eventually sold out to Kroger in 1928. There were 114 stores at the time.
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT - THE MEANING OF A LITTLE MUZZLED PUPPY AND MR. BOWERS!
IF YOU COLLECT ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE PAPERWEIGHTS, ADVERTISING MEMORABILIA OR PERHAPS THINGS WITH DOGS AND PUPPIES ON THEM, THIS PIECE WILL FIT RIGHT IN WITH YOUR COLLECTION!
LOVE TO SELL INTERNATIONAL AND ALWAYS COMBINE ANY OF MY AUCTIONS FOR POSTAL SAVINGS.
IN RESEARCHING, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS LOGO WAS THE THEME OF MR. DUKE CAYCE BOWERS, WHO WAS BORN IN MOBILE, ALABAMA - HERE'S A BIT ABOUT HIM AND WILL LEAD UP TO THE LOGO FEATURED ON THIS ANTIQUE PAPERWEIGHT......
Duke Cayce Bowers was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1874..., the son of Calvin Thomas Bowers and Ida C. Cayce. His mother died when he was four and his father died in 1895. By 1900 Duke is living with Enis and Lydia Bowers (aunt and uncle) in Hickman, Kentucky, working as a Grocer. In 1900 he married Ethel C. Gibbs of Weakley County, Kentucky.
Bowers had been a grocer in Hickman but the business failed and by his reasoning it was because of "the system", where owners purchased their products on credit, sold the products on credit, and provided free delivery. To offset the "deadbeats" in this system, prices were raised to cover all loses. Thus in Bowers opinion everyone was a loser. The Bowers moved to Memphis in 1903. Memphis at the time was a thriving southern city and was growing tremendously. It was perfect for Duke Bowser because it was the largest city in the Mid-South.
For a grocery business to succeed, Bowers felt that if he paid manufacturers in cash for their products, sold the items for cash only and without free delivery, he would simply have to add a meager 12 1/2% mark up - which to him was a "reasonable amount." Everyone said he was crazy, but he was anxious to expand and test his theory. Memphis was the perfect testing grounds for Bowers theory where he would: Do business strictly on a cash basis, giving absolutely no one credit. Not sell alcohol or tobacco. Make no deliveries of goods. Make an average of 12 1/2% gross profit above the costs of the goods. To practice these principles, he rented a small store at Polk and McKinley streets and spent $800 on stock. He and Ethel lived at the back of the store. And he began a strong advertising campaign. The "all cash" appeal worked and the store was a big success.
"You won't get bit if you buy of Mr. Bowers" Duke Bowers originated the company's trademark - a little muzzled dog in a circle--not sure of the original dog breed. He also trademarked the popular company slogan. During the peak years of Mr. Bowers Stores, the Bowers name became a household word.Bowers said "Everybody will be convinced that it pays to advertise. I believe that the fruits of advertising yield so abundantly that it doesn't cost me a penny." And he was so satisfied with the results that he ran extensive ad campaigns in the Memphis newspapers, increasing his budget each year.
The success of Store #1 led to the opening 6 months later of Store #2. By 1905, there were 9 stores listed in the Memphis Directories. (Daughter Ida May Bowers was also born in 1905). In 1907, there were 21 stores and in 1909, there were 27. In 1914, there were 39. The first stores were called "Little Grocery Stores" . By 1907 they were all called "Mr. Bowers Store" - and with a trademark secondary name "Temples of Economy". "Mr. Bowers" had become a highly respected businessman and wealthy citizen. His stores were considered the cleanest groceries in Memphis and his clerks the most courteous and patient.
Around 1913 Duke Bowers health had failed. He was forced to turn the management of his stores over to a firm that expanded them even more. Duke and Ethel left Memphis and moved to Dresden, Tennessee, 90 miles to the northeast. The management team eventually sold out to Kroger in 1928. There were 114 stores at the time.
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT - THE MEANING OF A LITTLE MUZZLED PUPPY AND MR. BOWERS!
IF YOU COLLECT ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE PAPERWEIGHTS, ADVERTISING MEMORABILIA OR PERHAPS THINGS WITH DOGS AND PUPPIES ON THEM, THIS PIECE WILL FIT RIGHT IN WITH YOUR COLLECTION!
LOVE TO SELL INTERNATIONAL AND ALWAYS COMBINE ANY OF MY AUCTIONS FOR POSTAL SAVINGS.
