Patent medicines, early 20th century C016 / 4561
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Patent medicines, early 20th century C016 / 4561
Patent medicines. Selection of some of the patent medicines sold by Alfred Barns Seelye (1870-1948) from a factory and laboratory next to his home in Abilene, Kansas, USA. The company Seelye founded in the 1890s made him wealthy. It became one of the leading patent medicine companies in the American Midwest until its decline in the 1920s. The products, sold door-to-door or through the mail, were advertised in his Health Guide and Cook Book (right). The factory and cars and wagons of the salesmen are shown on the cover. Patent medicines refers to the selling and advertising of exotic remedies that were dangerous or did not work as advertised
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9205075
© CAROL M. HIGHSMITH ARCHIVE, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s Advertising Array Bottles Carol M Highsmith Collection Drug Drugs Iodine Kansas Medication Medicines Museum North American Packaging Packet Packets Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutics Pharmacological Pharmacology Product Products Remedies Remedy Selection Tincture Abilene Medications Patent Medicine
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a selection of patent medicines from the early 20th century, sold by Alfred Barns Seelye in Abilene, Kansas. Seelye's company, founded in the 1890s, quickly rose to prominence and became one of the leading patent medicine companies in the American Midwest until its decline in the 1920s. The array of remedies depicted here were advertised through Seelye's Health Guide and Cook Book, which is prominently displayed on the right side of the image. These products were distributed door-to-door or via mail order and boasted extravagant claims that often fell short of their promises. Patent medicines refer to exotic remedies that were either ineffective or even hazardous despite their alluring packaging. This photo offers a glimpse into an era when such dubious pharmaceutical practices thrived. The factory where these medicines were produced can be seen alongside cars and wagons used by salesmen for distribution. Amongst this assortment are bottles containing tinctures, medications like iodine, packets labeled with intriguing names such as "Prairie Rose" "Killa Germ" and "Wasa Tusa". However, it is important to note that these products did not live up to their marketing hype. This historical artifact provides valuable insight into America's medical history during a time when unregulated patent medicine companies capitalized on people's health concerns while offering little more than false hope.
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