JOHN DEERE LTD

Consists of booklets and leaflets for various makes of tractor and combine and forage harvesters 1938-1983; journal entitled The Furrow 1976; history of John Deere [c1970]

John Deere was born on February 7, 1804 in Rutland, Vermont, USA. He trained as a blacksmith and gained a reputaion for making good hay forks and shovels. In 1836 poor economic conditions forced Deere to move West to Illinois and it was here that he devised and built the steel ploughs that were to make his fortune. The yearly output of ploughs soon increased to 1000. In 1868 Deere incorporated his company under the name of Deere and Company and the firm continued to expand. John Deere died on May 17, 1886 by which time his company was manufacturing ploughs, cultivators, cotton and corn planters and other farm implements. In 1910 there was a merger of 6 manufacturing companies and 22 selling organisations. Expansion continued and there were very few types of farming implement which it did not manufacture including tractors, combine and forage harvesters, balers, cultivators, subsoilers as well as ploughs.

• TR DEE/P2/A1-19 Leaflets & Booklets (Tractors)
• TR DEE/P2/A20-29 Leaflets & Booklets (Combine & Forage Harvesters)
• TR DEE/P2/A30-43 Leaflets & Booklets (Other Machinery)
• TR DEE/P4/1 Journal
• TR DEE/SP1/1 Company History
• TR DEE/SP2/1 Letter

Available for consultation

Records deposited as a gift by John Deere Ltd 1969, 1977, 1983 and 1987 T69/31, T77/1

Compiled by Zoe Watson, March 2004

A detailed catalogue is available at the Museum of English Rural Life

Please contact the Archivist