Grim Reaper

Grim Reaper

August 15, 1927

On August 15, 1927 Alabama College received a letter containing an advertisement for a new insecticide called Grim Reaper, along with a free sample of the product. The pesticide’s pricing was relatively inexpensive even when adjusted for inflation. A five-gallon drum cost $1.25 per gallon ($17.72 in 2017), the 30-gallon drums cost $1.20 per gallon ($17.01 in 2017). The company approached the college because their product could serve a use for their dairy farm. According to the advertisement, among types of insects the spray kills are cow flies, fleas, and hog lice all of which pose a problem for cows. Additionally the spray could have been used in the dormitories to address bed bugs, roaches or ants which are also among the bugs the spray is effective against. The advertisement is an example of early twentieth century advertising, it does not contain the wordy health and safety warnings on modern products. It also sports a depiction of the Grim Reaper and the slogan “Death’s message to insects.”

English - US

1927

University of Montevallo

Pesticide Advertisement and Letter

Anna Crawford Milner Archives and Special Collections

James Englebert

Letter 8.5 - 11 Inches
Advertisement 8.5 - 11 Inches