Virginia Hoskinson’s letterhead
Her letterhead, dating probably from the 1930s or 1940s, advertised Virginia Hoskinson, a turkey and chicken breeder in Glendale, Kentucky, as a member of the National Bourbon Red Turkey Club. “These turkeys are direct descendants of a $175.00 trio . . . and we have bred them 11 years,” she explained to a prospective purchaser. “I believe these turkeys would please you in every way.”
Known for their dark red plumage, Bourbon Red turkeys originated in Kentucky’s Bluegrass region late in the 19th century. They’re now considered “heritage turkeys”: no longer raised specifically for consumption, they are nevertheless touted by some turkey pundits as being tastier and healthier than today’s dominant Broad Breasted White variety.
Virginia Hoskinson’s letterhead and sales pitch can be found in the Manuscripts & Folklife Archives collections of WKU’s Special Collections Library. Click here to access a finding aid. For other collections search TopSCHOLAR and KenCat.