The Spirella Company

“ To be honest and fair with my company, as I expect my company to be honest and fair with me; to think of it with loyalty, speak of it with praise, and act al­ways as a trustworthy custodian of its good name. To be a man whose word carries weight at my home office; to be a booster, not a knocker; a pusher, not a kicker; a motor, not a clog. ”

“ IN TAKING UP THE SPIRELLA WORK, co-worker, we want you to realize what the Spirella Proposition means to you and to us, what there is in it of advantage to you, wherein it differs from other propositions, why it is peculiarly a woman's work. The position you are about to as­sume is one of honor, of dignity, of permanency, of profit, of progress, and of fascination. ”

“ Unless a woman habitually sits and stands well, she cannot have as good health or as great endurance as is normally hers. One whose poise is not good can be comparatively well, but being well or not suffering from actual illness is very different from that high degree and exuberance of health possible to the sound body and the sound mind.
Considering poise acquired from bad habits in the use of the body in the sitting position, what do we find? First—the habit of resting the body upon the back of the hips or the small of the back instead of on the base of the pelvic bones as Nature intended. ”

“ Spirella side-steels and the lighter springs are, it seems to me, perfect, being unbreakable, 'easy,' and insuring a perfect fitting corset, as stylish until completely worn out as when first put on—just what women have so long wished for. ”

“ There is not much individuality of expression to the ordinary corset figure, but the flexibility of Spirella with its flow of motion throughout every inch of its length, retains the individuality of the wearer, and per­mits her personality to speak through the medium of physical expression. It is well nigh impossible to dis­tort a well-corseted figure. ”

“ I am convinced that every purchaser is receiving more real value for the amount invested than from any corset worn. It is the return in comfort, style and health that counts."
(Should Mrs. Jefferson at this or any other point ask the price of the corset, tact is necessary. If she be a wealthy lady accustomed to high prices, your price will not seem high to her. If she has been accustomed to wearing a cheap corset, she may regard your price as high.) Then say, "Durability, style, comfort, and healthfulness considered, we have the cheapest corset on the market. ”

“ EACH OF THE VARIOUS STANDARD SPIRELLA MODELS is given an individuality of its own. It is built for some one particular type of figure. A corset cannot give satisfaction if worn by any other type than the one for which it is intended. The Representative who places one of our elite models on the wrong type defeats the intent of our designer and fails to give the satisfaction which the customer has a right to expect. It is absolutely necessary, therefore, that our Representatives should study the lines of every model we manufacture and learn the special type of figure to which each is adapted. ”

“ SELECTION OF THE PROPER CORSET.— There is no article in the woman's wardrobe which gives the average woman more concern than her corset, and why not? The corset is the very foundation over which are molded beautiful gowns for all occasions which delight the hearts of both men and women. If the corset is not right, the gown will be a failure. ”

“ Education, training, does not prepare us to get along without work. It only fits us for work. Work is the law of life. Nothing good comes except through it. It is the basic principle of all sound pedagogy. 'What we learn strengthens only in pro­portion to the effort we put forth.' This is the one principle of achieve­ment in the world, in business or professional life. ”

“ When a new corset has been designed, it is given a trial of actual wear for several weeks. If it stands the test of use, is comfortable, and has the style in­tended, it is included in the Spirella Models.
We use the very best materials consistent with the price of each gar­ment; our low-priced, as well as more expensive productions, possess the same genius of design and comfort. If one's purse be only partially filled, nothing is lost in either grace of line or ease of movement. Our work­rooms are clean, modern, well lighted with sunlight, and have every sani­tary advantage. ”

“ The small merchant, not appreciating the artistic side of the corset business, looks at it only from the investment side and tries to satisfy his trade with the smallest variety and the least investment; therefore, he puts in corsets which the manufacturer claims are adapted to the average figure. In other wards, the manufacturer, in endeavoring to meet the demands of the retail mer­chant for a general all-around type of corset, too often destroys all trace of corset individuality in his line. ”

“ In the Spirella Corset we have the acme of perfection. We have not only the latest styles, but the chief delight is in the Spirella Stay. Spirella holds the corset in perfect form and preserves the style until the cloth wears out. What more can be expected for durability? The stays are indestructible. They conform freely to all movements of the body, but they will not break. They do not even take a permanent bend at the waist line where so many stays give trouble. ”

“ Have you perfect free­dom of movement? Are you not apprehensive at times that your corset steels will break and cause you trouble? Can't you see that your corset does not possess the health properties which the Spirella Corset possesses? Can you buy your corsets with the guarantee of the firm that they are stainless and rust-proof, and that the stays are unbreakable?
"Demonstration is always more powerful than argument, and what I desire to do is to demonstrate to you that what we claim for Spirella is true,—that it has, desirable qualities which the corset you wear has not. ”

“ Another thought: no vocation offers to energetic, capable, ambitious women to-day more of progress, more of profit, more of satisfaction than does the Spirella Proposition. It has brought health, happiness and prosperity to many a woman whose health has been broken by too close confinement in the office, in the school room, in the shop, or worn out by years of toil with the needle. ”

“ Now, do you not think that an article of so much importance as a corset, which you wear 365 days in the year, and which is so important in one's dress and appearance, should receive our first attention, and that we should secure the best one obtainable regardless of what we have worn in the past? ”

“ For the long-waisted, slender, willowy woman, we have a model designed to show her slender grace. A model that is really an achievement.
The cut of our corsets gives the long waist effect, so do not attempt to give it by tightening the laces, for if the corset is too tight it will push up under the arms. A slender woman should tighten the waist line only tight enough to keep the corset in place, and above all, do not wear the front supporters too tight, or they will pull it down, as without the old curved front the corset has less pressure an the figure. ”

“ What each woman wants is a corset that will make the most of and bring out her individuality. This comes within the range of your particular profession, and you should make a profession of suiting each individual with a proper fitting corset. Do not become discouraged because there is something to study and learn. Take one corset at a time in your Sample Line and learn all you can about it and especially the class of figures for which it is designed. Then take another and study it carefully and so on until you have mastered every model in your outfit. ”

“ Those who wear Spirella Corsets say they do not impede their movements in any way, are perfectly comforable,—can do all kinds of housework in them, including "house-cleaning," without the slightest discomfort. A lady can engage in all kinds of out-door amusements and sports customary to women, with perfect freedom. She can dress for a party or ball, and put on a Spirella Corset without the slightest misgiving that her pleasure may be cut short or marred by the breaking of a steel. ”

“ We believe you can do it. "What we want is not talent, IT IS COURAGE AND PURPOSE; NOT POWER TO ACHIEVE, BUT THE WILL TO DO REGARDLESS OF DIFFICULTIES." Bring to your work an ENERGY and ENTHUSI­ASM born of CONVICTION. Push your business vigorously and work for large profits. Believe in your goods, throw your whole heart into your work and others will catch your spirit. ”

“ FINALLY, to take a good grip on the joy of life; to play the game like a gentleman; to fight against nothing so hard as my own weakness, and to endeavor to grow as a salesman and as a man with the passage of every day of time. ”

“ THE SPIRELLA BUSINESS IS PERMANENT if you will ob­tain a thorough knowledge of our styles and appreciation of the opportu­nities at hand. If you are conscientious in selecting the right corset for each customer you will make each and every lady you sell to a permanent customer. You will make every customer a talking advertisement for your business, for when women find something that just suits them in wearing apparel, such as shoes and corsets, they tell their friends about it. The most effective advertising is to give your customer complete sat­isfaction. ”

“ The Spirella Proposition calls for women of standing, of character, of integrity, of ability, of energy; women who desire to become stronger, to acquire more of the power to do. The high character of the work required in successful corsetry calls Spirella Representatives into homes where wealth and luxury abound, among women of culture, of good taste, and where a knowledge of the latest models prevails ”

“ RESERVE FORCE is indispensable to your best success. A good general never puts his entire army into action at one time. He keeps in reserve same of his strongest regiments, and heaviest batteries, and only brings them into action when the exigency of the situation requires it. Do the same in your work. Keep some of the strongest reasons why Spirella is the best corset and will give this particular individual the best wear in reserve ”

“ Even the best of them do not fit your figure as they should. They bring too much pressure on the body, where it is often times very sensitive, and do not touch the body at other points. This unequal distribution of pressure is very injurious, and there should be no perceptible pressure anywhere. Besides the stays rusting and breaking, they do not retain their style and shape, and if you pay the same price for a store corset that you would for a Spirella, the stays are practically no better, for the stays in all store corsets rust and break with the exception of whalebone. ”

“ The front is the most attractive and the corset should be displayed to show it to the best advantage.
Before ordering, women naturally want to see specimens of the goods you are selling, consequently you must have samples to show. There are many different kinds of figures and we make corsets suited to all. The more samples you carry, the more women you can interest, the more corsets you can sell. Always have your samples clean, fresh, and there­fore attractive. Whenever you have an opportunity, sell them at a slight discount if they have became sailed, and order new ones. ”

“ In­dividuality in each corset is perhaps one of the most tangible arguments you can present to elite dressers in selling Spirella. The dignified elegance of figure lines in the corset made to fit each individual type of figure will reach an appreciative chord in your prospect and soon she will want that particular kind of corset which means that the order is as good as booked. ”

“ You cannot win real success without it, nor should you make an effort to sell until thoroughly convinced that Spirella is All We Claim for it and Has No Equal.
10. COURAGE.—Without courage, conviction and confidence will be of no value to you. They must be backed by the courage To Dare and to Do. It takes courage to overcome obstacles and to face the problems which all must face to win success IN ANY LINE. No business is free from disappointment. ”

“ SUCCESS IN YOUR DELIVERY is in yourself, not in your territory nor in your customers. Let your manner be courteous, but thor­oughly self-possessed and decided. "Every man and woman must learn sooner or later that his will is his best friend." USE YOUR WILL TO ITS FULLEST LIMIT. YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR OWN POWER UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THIS. DO IT IN AN EARNEST BUSI­NESS-LIKE MANNER.
The delivery should be handled systematically and with dispatch, that no time go to waste. Never show the least misgiving; act as though you expected your customer to be prompt and ready to take her corset. ”

“ For durability we recommend our Hose Supporters made of the heavier webbing. We use the best webbing and the best fasteners obtain­able for the prices quoted. We endeavor at all times to get fresh stock. A Hose Supporter loses its life, its elasticity, if subjected to heat.
By quoting the price of the Hose Supporters with the corset you then have a chance to deduct from the price quoted in case a customer does not want Supporters. By quoting the Hose Supporters with the corset you avoid the objection sometimes offered that Hose Supporters are furnished free with some corsets. ”

“ The proportions of our Standard Corsets are correct for the individual type of figure for which each one is built, and as every woman is anxious to approach as nearly as she may to the ideal figure, it is well to order the Standard Corset whenever it is possible. We can make a corset to fit any figure perfectly, whether it is regular or irregular, if the customer is willing to pay for the extra work and expense necessary in making a Special or Custom Corset. ”

“ The right poise and bearing are indispensable. These are necessary to win people and make sales. Their absence repels people, defeats your purpose. Avoid gaudy colors in dress, hat or neckwear. In a word, if you want success, neatness and plainness are positively essential. 2. As an aid to personal appearance, we urge that you wear one of our corsets of latest model, adapted to your figure, and that your dress be fitted to it. You will then satisfy yourself that Spirella Corsets are the most stylish, comfortable and healthful corsets made, and you can truthfully bear testimony to the same. ”

“ It is important to take the groin measurement and the length of front clasp from waist line down when customer is standing and also when sitting. Standing measurement is for length of material; sitting measurement is to decide length of boning.
You should by all means take all the measurements called for in our Special and Customer Order Blank. After taking all regular measure­ments, if you find that a certain style fits your customer exactly, or these measurements correspond very nearly to the proportions given in Catalog, it will doubtless be best to order a Standard Corset for her. ”

“ You cannot slight your work or your preparation in any particular and build a strong character. Every step taken has its effect upon your future. Think how closely work and character are allied, and the tremendous influence each exerts upon the other. They act and react on each other until the one is a perfect index of the other. ”

“ Can you afford to continue to wear a garment boned with the unyielding, unsanitary stays of the average corset, women you can buy Spirella for only $4.00 to $6.00?
"It cannot be that you can afford to put off anything which has so much to do with your daily health and comfort. If you were to consult your physician or anyone who has a knowledge of anatomy and the laws of health, I am sure he would advise you to lay aside every corset you have and purchase Spirella, and begin to wear it at once. ”

“ Instead of dividing the organs of the chest from those of the abdomen and making an hour-glass of the figure, as the old-time corset did, by pressing in at the waist line, they act as a support to the abdomen when properly adjusted.
The Spirella Stay is so easy and pliable that it does not support the body to the detriment of good, healthful development of the muscles of the abdomen and waist. Neither is there any danger of harm from a broken steel. Our corsets give perfect freedom to the chest and do not interfere with the breathing. ”