Business Advertisement Card: Mrs. Winslows Soothing Syrup
1972.21.0085
Basic Information
Artifact Identification | Business Advertisement Card: Mrs. Winslows Soothing Syrup (1972.21.0085) |
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Classification/ Nomenclature |
|
Artist/Maker | Unknown |
Geographic Location | |
Period | N/A |
Date | 19th century |
Culture | Euro - American |
Location | Not on Exhibit |
Physical Analysis
Dimension 1 (Height) | 12.0 cm |
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Dimension 2 (Width) | 8.4 cm |
Dimension 3 (Depth) | <0.1 cm |
Weight | 3 g |
Measuring Remarks | N/A |
Materials | Paper, Pigment--Ink |
Manufacturing Processes | N/A |
Research Remarks
Description | As many Americans practiced self-medication and distrusted medical professionals, patent medicine companies were the largest distributors of domestic trade cards. Public ignorance of healthy habits and a lack of advertising regulations on trade cards allowed medical advertisers to make exaggerated and untruthful claims on the beneficial qualities of their products. This marketing approach resulted in great profits for the sellers, but also fostered the prevalence of disease and other illnesses. This card for Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup is an example of this trend because it includes the appealing imagery of a young mother holding a baby to convince consumers that the supposedly remedial syrup advertised produces effects which are, overall, positive and healing. |
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Published Description | N/A |
Bibliography | “A Short History of Trade Cards,” Bulletin of the Business Historical Society 5, no. 3 (April |
Artifact History
Credit Line/Dedication | Gift of Natalia M. Belting |
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Reproduction | no |
Contact
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