The Puke State? Old Nicknames of US States Told by Pigs

How far we have come in modern advertising… and how much we’re missing! Nearly 130 years ago W.H. Hill & Co produced this colorful pig-themed example of cartography, featuring the states and territories of 1884′s America. “Sole manufacturers of Hill’s Hog Ringers, Hill’s Triangular Rings, Calf & Cow Weaners, Stock Markers, etc,” the map is a perfect example of early day product placement, although a subtle one: each of the featured hogs has the companies unique triangular ring in its little snout (even the curtain is held back by their signature triangles).

Titled “Nicknames of the States“, the gloriously inaccurate map features a nickname acted out by each of the states curly tailed swine.. nicknames which have mostly fallen into disuse. I mean, when was the last time you heard Nevada called the Sage Hen State, or Missouri called the Puke State? It makes you wonder what opinion the Illinois based company held for the states which surrounded them… or maybe this was all just common knowledge in 1884.

A copy of the map, which was printed in W.H. Hill’s own advertising department, could be had at the time if you mailed them “5 one cent stamps.” For todays purposes, a huge 9976 by 5725 pixel .tif file is available from the Library of Congress where they also offer prints. You can see what your states vintage nickname was at the bottom of this post. Oink oink!

Click here or the image below for a expanded view: