Massey Manufacturing Co., 1847-91

Founded in 1847 by Daniel Massey (1798-1856) at Bond Head, the company, known as the Newcastle Foundry and Machine Manufactory Co. after it moved to Newcastle in 1849, grew rapidly under the management of his son, Hart (1823-96), who assumed control in 1855. They acquired several successful and efficient American designs such as the Ketchum grass mower and Massey combined hand rake reaper mower. As well, growth came through quality materials, workmanship and sales ability. Hart Massey incorporated the Massey Manufacturing Co. in 1870 and relocated to Toronto in 1879. By 1890, the company was the largest Canadian farm implement manufacturer, winning international fame and sales. Through the work of his hands and the vision that compelled him, Hart Massey provided a model of service and success that the company followed with vigor and dedication, e.g. by developing foreign outlets in the 1880's. By 1891, with both Massey and Harris companies competing in the harvester market, a merger was effected that enabled Massey-Harris to become international.

The collection consists of b&w and colour photographs and some illustrations of various sizes that depict the activities of the Massey Manufacturing Co., its catalogues and equipment in Canada and around the world. The majority of items are dated to the nineteenth century -- the earliest being a newspaper advertisement in 1857 (Newcastle) -- and extend until the company's merger with A. Harris, Son & Co. in 1891. There are a few Massey and Newcastle brochures, books, newspaper clippings, correspondence, etc. from 1907-1984.

	Daniel Massey, 1798-1856
Old Newcastle Works, 1864	Massey Mfg. Co. machinists, Toronto, 9 July 1884
"Toronto on the Road" advertisement. The Toronto Reaper and Mower Company was acquired by Massey in 1881 and vigorously promoted
Massey Cornet Band, organized 1881	Patent for Sharp's Rake purchased in 1875 and sold widely--3,000 in 1880