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H. J. Heinz Company This is an advertising postcard, which became popular once postage for privately printed cards decreased to one cent in 1901. (Their predecessors, trade cards, were handed out at grocery stores or came in the packaging of goods.) The front depicts a view of Heinz’s huge plant in Pittsburgh, with railroad and water transportation conveniently adjacent to it. An inset of the “house in which we began” emphasizes the great expansion of the firm.

H. J. Heinz Company (Pittsburgh, PA), Main Plant and General Offices, c. 1901.
Chromolithographed postcard, (3 ¼ x 5 ½ in).  
CLICK TO ENLARGE [verso]

H. J. Heinz Company had a history of rapid growth, despite declaring bankruptcy during the depression of 1875. By the turn of the twentieth century, founder Henry J. Heinz had picked as his slogan “57 Varieties,” because of his affinity for that number. In actuality, the company made more than fifty-seven products, including pickles, horseradish, vinegar, chili sauce, baked beans, and of course its famous tomato ketchup.

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