Object of the Day: A Rather Confused Trade Card for Cologne

 

The front of this trade card depicts a snow-covered abbey illuminated by the moon.  Above it, the text reads:

Delicious and Delicate

Fleming’s Mikado Cologne.

Price 25 cents

Clearly, this fragrance is named for Gilbert and Sullivan’s famed operetta.  However, the illustration doesn’t keep with the theme.  Curiously, the reverse has nothing at all to do with the front and seems to advertise a Pennsylvania druggist and sundries shop.

Often, these cards were printed so that they were blank on the back, allowing a vendor of the product to stamp or print his own information.  That seems to be what’s happened here.

It reads:

SICK HEADACHE

Dyspepsia, Liver Complaint, Malaria & Indigestion

------------------------------------------------------------

Cured by the use of

Dr. C. McLane’s Liver Pills

------------------------------------------------------------

Price 25 cents a Box.

**Beware of Counterfeits made in St. Louis Mo. And Wheeling W. Va.

                                  _________                 

None genuine without the Signature of

Fleming Bros.  *  Pittsburgh, Penna.

___________________________________

Use * CRUDOFORM * for

Bruises, Sprains, Stiffness, Neuralgia

Pleurisy and Pain of All Kinds

Prepared by Fleming Bros., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Price, 25 Cents.

 -----------------------------------------------------------

A.K. Henderson

Dealer in

Drugs, Perfumery & Toilet Articles,

300 Frankstown Av.  PITTSBURGH, PA.

The card also has two handwritten names, in pencil:

Robbie Henderson

Robbie Ross

They’re written in the same childish hand.