Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - September 21, 1986
By David M. Buchanan, Executive Director
Vigo County Historical Society

Premium on pleasing
Salesmen left behind reminders

Salesman of the past had much the same duties as today. They call on customers, talk with them, get to know them, learn what they want, explain the product and, generally, try hard to please. With patience, knowledge, hard work and a good pitch, a sale is closed.

Premiums were used to close a sale or to remind the customer of previous sales. Such reminders sometimes would lead to future sales. A variety of premiums in the form of ashtrays, key chains, balloons, bags, glasses, pens and the like (the list would seem endless) may be found in every home and business.

Often the premiums were so mass produced that people paid scant attention to them and didn't care when they were lost or broken. Carnival Glass, once given as a premium with the purchase of soap, has become relatively rare, though to the original homemaker it was just cheap glass destined for the trash.

The treasure of the week is on loan to the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley as part of an exhibit featuring the Root Glass Co. and Coca-Cola's centennial. The exhibit opens next Sunday.

Though the Root Glass Co. manufactured glass objects, it is improbable that they make glass paperweights. The company's business was the manufacture of high pressure bottles. Glass paperweights were relatively common at the time. Often companies manufactured the paperweights and sold the blanks (weights without pictures, just clear glass) to companies that put the logo or picture on the glass after their salesmen called on his customers and convinced them to order the weights as premiums. The paperweights were then shipped to the customer, who, in turn, gave it to his own customers.

This paperweight can serve two purposes. The top, the part usually seen, has the Root Glass Co. name and logo. The logo and "Bottles" were printed a second time in red to make it more eye catching. The background is a dull silver. But when one turns the paperweight over, a mirror is found on the back.

Undoubtedly, this premium was given to bottlers who purchased from Root Glass Co. One can imagine the salesman dressed in a dark, vested suit with a high detachable collar, carrying a sample case of bottles, closing a sale, handing the customer this paperweight and saying, "Here's a token of our appreciation for receiving your business. Our company's name, something we feel is very important, is on the front. On the back you'll find what we feel is of equal importance." The customer probably then glanced at the back, grinned and said, "Sure" and then placed the paperweight on a stack of papers.

This paperweight never had very rough use. Glass appears hard but it is easily scratched. Old glass objects usually show wear marks, small scratches, grooves and lines on the surface it stands upon. This paperweight shows very few wear marks on its base or top. The mirror remains bright and clear with only a trace of the age spots found on old mirrors.

In a sense, objects like this paperweight are just as important as rare and costly items which are lovingly cared for and passed from generation to generation with admonitions to treat them lovingly and with respect. Everyday items, cheaply made and easily given, had no such respect and were easily lost. Yet, both are necessary to learn of and to understand the past. The paperweight, like so many other "cheap" premiums, is important for that reason.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday.