This is the first of two threads I am starting based on research I have done, with the interest of helping to solidify our knowledge base of Morris history, and dispel some of the myths that seem to be living a life of their own... This thread relates to pinning down as accurately as possible, and a second thread, found here: (http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?8323-On-dating-Morris-catalogs&p=44270#post44270) has to do with dating the series of undated catalogs, including the one reprinted by the WCHA many years ago.
The first catalog known to have been issued by B.N. Morris appears to be the one dated 1893. In this catalog, he indicates that he exhibited at the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] annual exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. Also in 1893, he published a 4-page flyer describing his boats on display at the Chicago World’s Fair, 1893.
Later, in a series of undated catalogs, Morris states that he first advertised in Field and Stream in 1887. Also in these catalogs is the statement that he has been in business for twenty one years. However, Field and Stream did not begin publishing until 1895 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_&_Stream). It is possible that the magazine in question is Forest and Stream, which was in publication at that time. To date, I have examined a number of issues of Forest and Stream and have found no advertisement by Morris in the 1887-1889 time period. However, not all weekly issues of Forest and Stream from this period have been examined yet.
Morris’s obituary, appearing June 1, 1940 (newspaper?) states that Morris began building canoes in 1892.
The 1916 Morris catalog specifically states that “the Morris canvas-covered canoes have been on the market for 26 years” putting the start date at 1890. However, an advertisement in Hunter-Trader-Trapper magazine dated March 1916 states that Morris was established 1891.
The earliest true Morris advertisement I have found so far is from The Rudder of January 1892.The earliest mention of Morris I have found to date in the period literature is from The Rudder, Vol. 1, No. 8, January 1891, which has a small statement that reads: “B.N. Morris, of Veazie, Maine, is anxious to build a war-canoe. He says a canvas war-canoe will beat a wood-built Ho-ho-ho-ko hands down.”
Thus, it appears clear that Morris was building canoes at least as early as January 1891, but it is not clear if he was doing so much earlier than that. If anyone has any earlier advertisements, or is aware of Morris being mentioned in the period literature as building canoes earlier than this, we would all appreciate knowing about it.
The first catalog known to have been issued by B.N. Morris appears to be the one dated 1893. In this catalog, he indicates that he exhibited at the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] annual exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. Also in 1893, he published a 4-page flyer describing his boats on display at the Chicago World’s Fair, 1893.
Later, in a series of undated catalogs, Morris states that he first advertised in Field and Stream in 1887. Also in these catalogs is the statement that he has been in business for twenty one years. However, Field and Stream did not begin publishing until 1895 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_&_Stream). It is possible that the magazine in question is Forest and Stream, which was in publication at that time. To date, I have examined a number of issues of Forest and Stream and have found no advertisement by Morris in the 1887-1889 time period. However, not all weekly issues of Forest and Stream from this period have been examined yet.
Morris’s obituary, appearing June 1, 1940 (newspaper?) states that Morris began building canoes in 1892.
The 1916 Morris catalog specifically states that “the Morris canvas-covered canoes have been on the market for 26 years” putting the start date at 1890. However, an advertisement in Hunter-Trader-Trapper magazine dated March 1916 states that Morris was established 1891.
The earliest true Morris advertisement I have found so far is from The Rudder of January 1892.The earliest mention of Morris I have found to date in the period literature is from The Rudder, Vol. 1, No. 8, January 1891, which has a small statement that reads: “B.N. Morris, of Veazie, Maine, is anxious to build a war-canoe. He says a canvas war-canoe will beat a wood-built Ho-ho-ho-ko hands down.”
Thus, it appears clear that Morris was building canoes at least as early as January 1891, but it is not clear if he was doing so much earlier than that. If anyone has any earlier advertisements, or is aware of Morris being mentioned in the period literature as building canoes earlier than this, we would all appreciate knowing about it.
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