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Patent Medicine Tonic Poster Worm Snake Oil Ad Doctor David Jaynes Moses Home Decor Early American Print

Product Description

The2FunAdGuyz offer a new print of a tremendous Early American patent medicine poster ad for Dr. D. Jayne’s Tonic Vermifuge and Dr. D. Jayne’s Expectorant.

Snake oil was the common slang term for such posters. Dr. David Jayne, who became one of the most successful of the patent medicine purveyors, created both of these elixirs. This poster, based on an original lithograph, is classic patent medicine advertising. Moses and the young woman from the pharaoh’s court who found him are portrayed in the illustration. Classic and Biblical themes were often employed in patent medicine advertising and on their labels. The woman who protected Moses after he was abandoned portrays an aura of safety and security.

HEADLINE: Dr. D. Jayne’s Tonic Vermifuge. A sure remedy for worms. The best tonic for young and old.

CAPTION: The cure for Chills Colds, Asthma, or any Lung or Throat Disease, is Dr. D. Jayne’s Expectorant.

ORIGINAL MEDIA: Knapp & Co., Lithographers, New York, produced the original lithograph on which this print is based.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Patent Medicine, or snake oil as it was frequently called, was the name given to a variety of tonic and elixirs that were marketed as panaceas to people who suffered from a variety of ailments and who had limited access to health care. Some were outright hoaxes; others had ingredients that are still in use today, while others were simply alcohol or other drugs such as cocaine or opium. Medical doctors created some while other had no basis in medicine.

What most had in common is that they were marketed heavily and the posters and labels created were some of the earliest examples of branding. To truly understand the impact of the marketing it is important to understand that most people in the era in which they were sold were largely illiterate. Thus these posters and labels had to visually convey their purpose at the same time the images used had to convey security or, at the very least, identify with their audience. The end began in the early 1900s when Congress enacted the first Pure Food and Drug Act, although it exempted tonic ingredient alcohol and other drugs. Finally, beginning in the 1930s, the narcotic ingredients were banned without a doctor’s presciption.

PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a highest quality, acid-free, 100-pound glossy premium text paper that allows for maximum color brilliance and fidelity for older images.

AVAILABILITY: In Stock! – Usually Ships Within 2 Business Days.

Image Size: 8.5 inches wide by 16.5 inches high.

Paper Size: 11 inches wide by 17 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. When matted, this format is perfect for a standard 16-inch x 20-inch frame, a manageable size for a wide variety of decorating purposes.

DECORATING USES: Many of our customers find this poster useful for home and office decorating. The Early American style makes it ideal for decorating home libraries, dens, family recreational rooms. Office decorators use it in medical offices, hospitals and medical supply houses.

GIFT IDEAS: Beautiful poster ideal for gifts to a collector of medical memorabilia. A great holiday gift for a Doctor or nurse.

We have many more patent medicine posters, prints, photos and ads. To view them Click Here

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