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- Postcard, "Toledo, O. Public Library," circa 1900 - Until the 20th century, most book collections were not available to everyday Americans. They were either privately owned, accessible only by paid subscription, or stored away haphazardly. In communities with dedicated public library buildings (often among the most imposing structures in town), they were sources of civic pride. This building housed the Lucas County (Ohio) library from its opening in 1890 until 1940.

- circa 1900
- Collections - Artifact
Postcard, "Toledo, O. Public Library," circa 1900
Until the 20th century, most book collections were not available to everyday Americans. They were either privately owned, accessible only by paid subscription, or stored away haphazardly. In communities with dedicated public library buildings (often among the most imposing structures in town), they were sources of civic pride. This building housed the Lucas County (Ohio) library from its opening in 1890 until 1940.
- Western Electric Ammeter, Used by the Toledo Edison Company, 1887 - In the late 1800s and early 1900s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a variety of instruments to regulate and monitor electrical output. These instruments were vital to the operation of power stations and needed to be accurate and rugged. Ammeters--used to measure the current in a circuit--could be found on switchboards or connected to motors and generators.

- 1887
- Collections - Artifact
Western Electric Ammeter, Used by the Toledo Edison Company, 1887
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, companies that supplied electricity to consumers needed a variety of instruments to regulate and monitor electrical output. These instruments were vital to the operation of power stations and needed to be accurate and rugged. Ammeters--used to measure the current in a circuit--could be found on switchboards or connected to motors and generators.
- Whippet Hubcap, circa 1928 - Willys-Overland of Toledo, Ohio, introduced its low-priced Whippet car for 1926. Generally marketed as its own make, the Whippet was slim but quick -- like the breed of dogs for which it was named. The car boasted four-wheel brakes and full-pressure lubrication, and prices started around $525. The Great Depression ended Whippet production in 1931.

- circa 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Whippet Hubcap, circa 1928
Willys-Overland of Toledo, Ohio, introduced its low-priced Whippet car for 1926. Generally marketed as its own make, the Whippet was slim but quick -- like the breed of dogs for which it was named. The car boasted four-wheel brakes and full-pressure lubrication, and prices started around $525. The Great Depression ended Whippet production in 1931.
- Bankey Grocery Store Display of Heinz Products, Toledo, Ohio, circa 1929 - H. J. Heinz was at the forefront of creative marketing in the manufactured food industry. He developed a comprehensive advertising strategy that included elaborate product displays in local grocery stores. Shoppers were greeted with colorful posters and meticulously designed floor-to-ceiling pyramids of canned and jarred products created by Heinz salespeople.

- circa 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Bankey Grocery Store Display of Heinz Products, Toledo, Ohio, circa 1929
H. J. Heinz was at the forefront of creative marketing in the manufactured food industry. He developed a comprehensive advertising strategy that included elaborate product displays in local grocery stores. Shoppers were greeted with colorful posters and meticulously designed floor-to-ceiling pyramids of canned and jarred products created by Heinz salespeople.
- Waterfront at Toledo, Ohio, 1900-1910 - For nearly thirty years, 1895 to 1924, the Detroit Publishing Company was one of the major image publishers in the world. The company had a wide-ranging stock of original photographs, including this panoramic image of Toledo, Ohio. With canal and railroad connections, the city was an important seaport along Lake Erie.

- 1900-1910
- Collections - Artifact
Waterfront at Toledo, Ohio, 1900-1910
For nearly thirty years, 1895 to 1924, the Detroit Publishing Company was one of the major image publishers in the world. The company had a wide-ranging stock of original photographs, including this panoramic image of Toledo, Ohio. With canal and railroad connections, the city was an important seaport along Lake Erie.
- Can of "La Diamond noir de la Cuisine" Extra Brushed Truffles, 1940-1980 - This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.

- 1940-1980
- Collections - Artifact
Can of "La Diamond noir de la Cuisine" Extra Brushed Truffles, 1940-1980
This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.
- Can of Paolo Cocco Rolled Fillets of Anchovies, 1950-2000 - This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.

- 1950-2000
- Collections - Artifact
Can of Paolo Cocco Rolled Fillets of Anchovies, 1950-2000
This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.
- Bottle of Spice Club Blackberry Cordial, 1950-2000 - This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.

- 1950-2000
- Collections - Artifact
Bottle of Spice Club Blackberry Cordial, 1950-2000
This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.
- Can of Hawaii Coconut Syrup, 1963-1980 - This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.

- 1963-1980
- Collections - Artifact
Can of Hawaii Coconut Syrup, 1963-1980
This food item was one of the many exotic delicacies sold at A. Rensch & Co., a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. A. Rensch & Co. also sold gift boxes.
- Advertisement for Rensch Brothers Grocery Store, "What to Eat in Lent," circa 1920 - A. Rensch & Co. was a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. This digital image helps document the store's one-hundred-year history and the family's service to customers and community.

- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Advertisement for Rensch Brothers Grocery Store, "What to Eat in Lent," circa 1920
A. Rensch & Co. was a family-owned specialty-import food store that opened in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. Customers interested in exotic canned and bottled foods, hard-to-find teas and coffees, and all manner of imported meats and cheeses would have frequented a store like this. This digital image helps document the store's one-hundred-year history and the family's service to customers and community.