Personal letter describing pyramid sales (published).
US, 1900.
Tuesday, April 3, 1900
Miss Nellie Ryan
Dear cousin--
Although we do not correspond regularly yet we often
remember you, and ma does not write often to any one.
Probably this will find or not find you or find you
married.
I have just been writing several letters and telling
them all the same thing. That is, Has the Parisian skirt fad been in your
town, if so all right, if not you have fine chance to get a silk petticoat
for nothing or the small sum of .20 cts. Dodge City has been worked until
it can be worked no more. I bought a coupon of a young lady for .20 cts. I
enclosed that coupon and $1.00 to the Parisian skirt Co in New York, and
they sent me a book containing 5 coupons which I sell at .20 cts each then
I have my $1.00 back see.
Then each person that bought my coupon sends in $1.00 for a coupon
book I get my silk skirt, and so on when you sell your 5 coupons and each
person who bought of you sends in $1.00 you get your silk skirt, made to
order in black or any color in taffeta silk.
If it has not been started in your town, you can get
a silk for nothing valued at $5.00, so now if you want a coupon answer soon
and I will send one by return mail. They cost .20 cts. you can sell them
to any one in any place where you are acquainted. I sold one in Pueblo Colo
one woman got three silk skirts. If you think you can sell ten coupons, that
will be two books and you send in $2.00 and coupons would be for (2) .40
cts. I bought 2 so I have to send out of town as every one has them here.
So now answer soon and let me know.
As ever your cousin
Idae
Roger Welsh, "The Endless Chain." The
World and I, Sept. 1988. The "Parisian Skirt" pyramid sales scheme (chain
selling plan) is described in the above letter from a woman in Dodge City,
Kansas to her cousin in Trenton , Nebraska.
ie1900-04p_pyrsales_skirt
The Paper Chain Letter Archive
Chain Letter Evolution.