sears roebuck

[WVbeekeeper]

how long ago did sears quit selling beekeeping supplies? i came across some old unused equipment which included foundation. looks like duragilt, with holes on the bottom and without the metal on the edges. i got two boxes of 50 sheets for mediums and deeps. the boxes didn't have a date on them anywhere and the ink was faded from the shipping label. when i opened the boxes it smelled like new foundation and looked exceptional. i've used all the foundation for deeps and the bees accepted it readily. i googled "beekeeping sears roebuck" and the most recent date was 1980 on the search. i guess i am using antique foundation, guess that makes my hives worth more. i was just wanting to know if any of you guys who have been doing this for years would know when they quit selling beek stuff so i could know roughly how old the foundation is.

[Panhandle Bee man]

1980 sounds about right. They sold Dadant equipment, and Montgomery Wards sold AI Root equipment. For those on the east coast York's in GA was thier bee supplier.

[peggjam]

80's sounds about right. I don't know whether we ever bought any of their stuff or not. We always bought from Dadant, or Drapers, both of which were within a few hours drive.

[kirk-o]

Oh Yeah I got my first package from Montgomery Wards in 1970 they were midnights.I remember when Sears canceled there Farm Catalog in the 80's
kirko

[tecumseh]

in the middle 1980's I was working for a fellow who had the contract to supply sears and roebuck with packages. sometime in the late 80's sears ceased their catalog services (they had a farm and ranch catalog plus other specialty catalogs).