The DeKalb Agricultural Association was established in 1917 in DeKalb, IL, by Charles S. Clark, along with several other local farmers and businessmen. The company initially focused on collecting, developing, and producing higher-quality corn seeds. Up until that time, many farmers harvested and kept seed from their last crop, repeating the same genetic problems from season to season.

      Beginning in the 1930s, agricultural scientists began cross breeding different corn varieties to select for desirable genetic properties, such as disease resistance or quicker maturing. The DeKalb association came up with a variety known as DeKalb XL that gained widespread recognition and adoption among farmers. Its success was attributed to its improved yield, disease resistance, and overall quality, which significantly contributed to the advancement of agricultural practices and the productivity of corn farming. The popularity of DeKalb XL played a crucial role in establishing the DeKalb Corn Seed Company as a leading player in the seed industry. , setting the stage for its continued growth and success in the decades that followed. In the 1940s and 1950s, DeKalb scientists came up with DeKalb XL-19 and DeKalb 613 hybrid corn varieties, solidifying its reputation as a leading seed corn producer.

       The company and its advertising agency came up with winged flying corncob logo in the 1950s to symbolize DeKalb’s commitment to the advancement of agricultural practices. This sign, attached to license plates, was the first distributed by the company using the original logo design. The company that made the sign, the J. V. Patten Company or nearby Sycamore, had started making advertising items and promotional merchandise in the 1930s. It manufactured similar license plate toppers for other seed producers. Toppers for physicians and pharmacists first appeared in the 1920s and were especially popular in the 1950s, before the advent of bumper stickers.

      This topper is made of painted tin-type metal and measures 7.5 x 4.25 inches (19 x 11 cm). It does not look like it was ever used (attached to a license plate) because there is no wear on the bottom holes. Instead, it looks like it was scratched and lost a little bit of its paint from storage over the years. We’re still calling it new, old stock (NOS) for that reason. Perfect for collectors of seed company advertising, agricultural merchandising, and license plate toppers. Hey, how many states have a city named DeKalb? Shipped insured. Check out our online store for other agricultural advertising collectibles as www.ebay.com/str/agitpropshoppe

GJ270014