Historic Catalogs & Other Documents

Henderson Seed Catalog, circa 1909
by Joseph Cavanaugh

PETER HENDERSON, NEW JERSEY�S PREMIER SEEDSMAN

In 1847 at the young age of twenty-five Peter Henderson started a market garden in Jersey City New Jersey. After a few years he added a greenhouse operation to his successsful business. More then two decades as a successful market gardener would pass before Mr. Henderson would make the decision to start a seed business. In 1871 he founded Peter Henderson & Co. with his son Alfred and Wm H.Carson.

From 1871 until his death in 1890 Peter Henderson built his company into one of the most successful seed companies in America. His son Alfred took control of the business after his death and the seed house continued to grow. At the zenith of thier career Peter Henderson & Co. was mailing 750,000 seed catalogs a year! An amazing amount when you take into consideration the fact that there were so many other seed companies in the country at the time.

The company would thrive in the first half of the 1900�s. But by the late 1940�s the company was in trouble due to economic problems and stiff competition from compeitors. In the early 1950�s Peter Henderson & Co. would close thier doors forever. Thus signaling an end to the golden age of the seed business.

Peter Henderson & Co. always had thier offices and seed warehouse on Cortland St. in New York City. The seed farms however were located in Red Bank and present day Teaneck,New Jersey.

Besides being a seedsman Peter Henderson was also known as a noted horticulturist, floraculturist and author of his time. His 1866 book �Gardening For Profit� was considered �the bible� for successful market gardening for over fifty years.

The seed catalogs of Peter Henderson & Co. are highly sought after for thier beautiful color prints of both flowers and vegetables. Most seed catalog collectors would agree that Henderson�s catalogs have no equal to this day.

by Joseph Cavanaugh

Back-a-Page