Early Advertising

The S & F Company understood the importance of advertising. In 1895, it published a catalogue that was widely distributed on the East Coast and was used as a textbook in architects' offices for many years (Karcher, 1953: 11). The catalogue stated: "In the great conflagrations of the past the hardest granite has crumbled like chalk, marble has been quickly reduced to lime, and iron has melted like so much wax. The only material that has conclusively stood the severe fire-test is brick. In other words, it has been proved that brick is the only true material for the construction of city buildings, and is alone able to endure the furnace heat of a great conflagration, such as have partially destroyed some of our largest cities, notably Boston and Chicago" (Sayre & Fisher, 1895: 5). The catalog showed photos of the plant and operation; decorative brick options (such as fireplaces); various brick styles; decorative bricks; brick types (common, front, enamel, and fire); and a list and drawings showing buildings (such as buildings in New York City and at Rutgers University and various temples and churches) that utilized their bricks. In 1914, the company produced a second addition called "Brick, Enameled and Front," which also was distributed widely (Karcher, 1953: 11). See some examples of later advertisements by the S & F Company. (Photos from Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Library: Sayre & Fisher, 1895)

Fireplace in buff $105

Smaller fireplace in buff $45