Founded in 1888 in Colchester CT the Colchester Rubber Co. was a brand of footwear widely regarded as being the first brand of sneakers as well as the "World's First Basketball Shoes." Specializing in the manufacture of wet weather boots they also manufactured a number of athletic shoes for tennis walking baseball bicycle and yachting. In 1892 the company was acquired by the United States Rubber Company who used the factory to manufacture the Keds brand of sneakers still manufactured today. This tri-fold advertising brochure is a single-sheet advertisement featuring a number of Colchester Rubber products. The reverse features a number of lithographed images of people in a variety of activities including walking cycling and baseball. Intended to be a brochure co-advertising a Colchester Rubber dealer this example features an ad for New York retailer F.A. Stupplebeen stamped in red in the center of the reverse. An interesting piece with an early blend of footwear and sports advertising.