Vintage 1916 William D. Burt Seed Packet: Great Decorative Fountain Plant, New Old Stock

The Great Decorative Fountain Plant, "Put Up By William D. Burt, Dalton, NY." This genuine stone lithographed seed packet was made by Modern Litho. & Printing Co. of Buffalo and copyrighted by Genesee Lithograph of Rochester, NY in 1916 and was part of a warehouse find in the 1960s that started the seed packet collecting movement. Leftover stock like this packet never was used so no seeds were ever put inside. It was in forgotten storage for decades and despite being 110 years old, it is very well preserved! This packet has vibrant color and intricate detail and was originally priced at 10 cents. Shows only minor aging.

The Fountain Plant, as it was called, is properly known as Amaranthus Salicifolius or Willow-leaved Amaranth. Its drooping leaves resemble a fountain and was featured in late 19th century seed catalogs as a "new, rare and beautiful plant." William Burt seed packets are among the most beautiful examples sought by collectors.