THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL PHOTO ARCHIVE • FRAMED PRINTS • STOCK IMAGES
Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
- The most dangerous fire escape I've ever seen
- Out of Place
- Sir Bedevere
- Witch way to the fire?
- Proud to be an old Coot
- That old scale
- Bowled Over
- Cat years?
- 'Why' Wyoming?
- His Master's Voice
- What! No dish under the skewer?
- Only in Hollywood?
- What's Up Doc?
- Destination?
- I'm pretty sure this was a voluntary program
- When I see chicken wire rabbit cages I think of three things
- The War Ears
- Eating the bunnies? Really?
- A love affair with a machine
- Hasenpfeffer
- Back support
- Hot type!
- Can you smell ... the news?
- Looking across the street and Flong
- Memories of my elderly hoarder neighbor
- Linotype in the Twilight Zone
- By Memory?
- Quiet place
- Line Of Type
- And no hearing protection
Photos submitted by Shorpy members!
Printporium
Seed Dealer Sealer: 1943
April 1943. "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sealing envelopes containing seed at the W. Atlee Burpee Company, seed dealers." Acetate negative by Arthur Siegel. View full size.
Previously on Shorpy
Burpee's seed-sending competitor D.M. Ferry & Co. of Detroit has been seen a few times on Shorpy
For example Melancholy of a Street: 1900
How it works
Envelopes are attached to Conveyor belt by worker, flap open with adhesive exposed.
Conveyor feed moves away from worker, and a small tray of water (with sponge?) moistens the glue.
Next step, where the electrical wires are connected, is a heating element that dries the glue and possibly adds pressure to ensure a good seal.
Seed Demon
This does not seem like the most ergonomically correct workstation.
Opportunity for Mischief
I wonder if Miss Sealer ever snuck a Snapdragon seed in with an envelope of beans?
Wheeler dealer sealer
I cannot fathom the mechanics involved with that device, but what a great title: "Seed Dealer Sealer" is one of the best!
Shorpy.com is a vintage photography site featuring thousands of high-definition images. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a teenage coal miner who lived 100 years ago. Contact us | Privacy policy | Accessibility Statement | Site © 2025 Shorpy Inc.
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5