Advertising cards were quite commonplace in the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries. They would often feature attractive images on the front and, on the reverse, a plug for a product or company often accompanied by jokes or a short story.
So, let’s examine this one which I recently found. It’s a lovely Late Victorian/Edwardian scene of home life. A mother sits at the piano, urged by her children, “Say, Mamma, play us the old songs.” The children are poised with their toy instruments, ready to enjoy an evening at home.
Now, what would such a sweet and tender image advertise? Pianos? Toys? Clothing? Rugs? Candy?
No.
RAT POISON.
That’s right. Rat poison. The reverse shows an ad for Slocum and Blaisdell’s “Rat’s Pat” Rat Poison. “Rat’s Pat for our Rats.”
Huh.
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