Hidden Objects: Sales postcard from 1894

Postcard from the M.C. Lilley & Co., 1894
 

 
Not much has changed in advertising through the mail in the last 100 years, and this solicitation will seem familiar to many of us who dread sorting through our mailbox!
 
This postcard advertising the uniforms and other equipment available from the M.C. Lilley & Company was mailed to the Chief of Police of Maldan, MA in 1894. No doubt a similar advertisement was sent to police chiefs all over the country. The M.C. Lilley & Company, out of Columbus, OH, began manufacturing military uniforms during the Civil War and expanded to include uniforms for law enforcement and fraternal organizations after the war ended. As professionalization among law enforcement increased leading into the 20th century, there would have been high demand for standardized uniforms, insignia, and other equipment to ensure that officers were easily identifiable and properly equipped.
 
The National Law Enforcement Museum has thousands of law enforcement artifacts in our archives; too many to display at once. We offer this regularly scheduled blog to give you a peek into our archives.