William Fowler Prints First Lawnmower Leaflet
Edwin Budding let John Ferrabee "vend, manufacture" etc the Budding Patent Lawnmower. One early, if not the first, publicity leaflet for the new machine was produced by local printer William Fowler, whose premises were at Cricklade Street in Cirencester.
Fowler also printed the music for Arnold Merrick, who drew up the business indenture agreement signed by Edwin Budding and John Ferrabee in May 1830.
Fowler went bankrupt in 1834 so any leaflets carrying his name must have been produced before that date.
BUDDING'S PATENT MACHINE,
FOR SHEARING OR CUTTING LAWNS, GRASS-PLOTS, &c.
MANUFACTURED BY
J. FERRABEE,
PHENIX FOUNDRY,
NEAR
STROUD,
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
There are two sizes,
one cutting a width of 16,
the other, 22 inches.
Price of the first, £7 10 of the second £8 0 0
Orders received by J. Ferabee, and by Messres Lewis and Davies, 10 Basinghall Street, London
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OFFERED BY THIS MACHINE.
First. It may be so adjusted as to leave the grass passed over by it of any regular length, at the pleasure of the operator.
Second. Where the lawn is not very extensive, all the grass cut off may be collected in the box D, rendering the sweeping afterward unnecessary.
Third. It leaves a more even and uniform surface than a scythe, and will cut grass which is too weak to stand against that instrument.
Fourth. It can be used best in dry weather, enabling the gardener to cut his lawns at the most convenient time, instead of being obliged, as with the scythe, to wait for rain or heavy dews.
Fifth. It is very durable, easily sharpened and kept in order; and the use of it furnishes a pleasant exercise in dry weather, at the same time that it produces a better effect than a skilful mower.
Printed directions for its management, which is extremely simple, are sent out with every machine.
W. FOWLER, PRINTER, CIRENCESTER.
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