Still the Lowest Prices in Town

We get some really interesting email. Last year, we got an email from an antique dealer in the United States who wanted to know about our inventory of stoneware and crockery. Apparently, it's quite hard to find such large quantities of quality goods. She said our prices were far lower than she would be charging in her antique shop in the States, so she wanted to know if we'd sell her everything—lock, stock and barrel. In the end, we decided it didn't make sense for us to empty the shop for one customer.

So now we're still in business, trying to sell antiques, one at a time, at unbelievably low prices. Speaking of prices, we just got another email asking about the prices of stuff you'd find in an historic general store like the Rednersville Country Store in the 1800s.

Hello! I just came across your website and I am almost inspired to make the long trek up to Prince Edward County! It looks absolutely beautiful and tranquil.

I am the Education Coordinator for a small 'living history' museum just outside of Cincinnati, OH USA. Our Heritage Village is a collection of 19th century buildings and artifacts from around the Greater Cincinnati region during our pioneer days, beginning in the late 1700s to early 1800s and on.

We are currently revamping our 'general store' from being the gift shop to becoming part of the museum as the olde country general store.

We already have the items inside the store. What I am looking for are historical prices. For my educational programs, I want to be able to compare prices of then and now. Thus, I found your store with its history and background. I was wondering if you have any records of pricing, say during the 1870s. Looking at the basic things that one would have found when they went into town to buy their goods: soaps, canned goods, articles of clothing, tools, farm tools, household items, anything of that nature.

If you could help me, it would be greatly appreciated.

We don't have an historic catalogue with prices; most general stores in those days used to just mark up the prices on small handmade signs in the store. I've seen old newspaper ads, ephemera, that are interesting not only for the low prices back in the day, but just to see some of the old implements that aren't used anymore.

Printed and manuscript advertisements have existed ever since craftsmen, storekeepers, and other business people realized that is was advantageous to promote themselves and their merchandise. In the world of eighteenth-century artisans, a furniture maker would paste a rudimentary label on one of his tables or chests to show the public the kind of work they could expect from him. Broadening the range of promotions further, a craftsman regularly placed advertisements in newspapers or city directories, noting his address, detailing his products, and frequently including illustrations. Sometimes these ads were also circulated on their own. Likewise, a general store proprietor would distribute small-scale ads to announce the arrival of new products or to proclaim special sales. By associating his name with his product or place of business in an advertisement, the craftsman and businessman hoped to enhance their reputations, and they at least implied to buyers that they would stand behind their work and goods.

But all I know is, the Rednersville Country Store still has the lowest prices in town. That's what they tell me, anyway.