The Albany Filter

Not much advertising copy throws in a dig at Dutchmen these days, so for that alone this ad from the Albany Steam Trap Co., 1891, is worth a look. But it’s also a reminder of the Albany of yesteryear, the Albany that is known to be fastidious, the Albany that has no sympathy with humbugs, the Albany whose verdict commands attention anywhere. (Well, that last one may be more true than we would like.)

 

The Albany Filter was apparently a water-cleansing miracle from the Albany Steam Trap company. A steam trap is generally part of a boiler system, for discharging condensate and noncondensable gases. So how did they move from this piece of heating and plumbing hardware to water filtration? No idea. The point is, they named it for Albany, and were certain that was the best name they could give it.

“There is no excuse for drinking impure water. It is a mere matter of choice. You drink it, or you use an Albany Filter, and you don’t drink it. Which do you prefer?”