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Collection

C. C. Bristol collection, 1865-1870

6 items

This collection documents the business ventures of Cyrenius C. Bristol, inventor of the patent medicine Bristol's Sugar Coated Pills.

C. C. Bristol wrote 5 of the letters in this small collection to Lanman and Kemp. His correspondence touches on his Pit Hole City venture, his job selling land in New Jersey, and the manufacture of Bristol's Pills by Lanman and Kemp. Bristol's daughter wrote one letter to Lanman and Kemp in 1867, asking if they could help her father by manufacturing his medicines. Between January and July of 1870, Lanman and Kemp paid Bristol $1152 in royalties, indicating that they were turning quite a profit on his sugar-coated pills. These are not substantive letters, but they do provide some insight into the experience of a patent medicine inventor.

Collection

Champlin & Co. invoice book, 1846-1849

1 volume

This volume consists of orders purchased by Jonesville, Michigan, merchants Champlin & Co. between 1846 and 1849. Entries note the date, the firm they were dealing with, items purchased, shipping information, and more.

It appears that Champlin & Co. were purchasing from dealers in New York, Cleveland, and various Michigan sites. Their principal supplies were Matthew V. B. Fowler, Pratt Woodford & Co., Ralph Mead & Co., and others. They were acquiring medicines and medical equipment, a large number of books and publications, foodstuffs, staples, stationery, and much more. A list of merchandise from March 1848 may be an inventory of the store's goods.

The rear of the volume consists of a 15-page section, possibly recording consignments, principally of patent medicines and items such as medical materials, garden seeds, and Bibles.

Collection

Culinary Ephemera: Patent Medicine, 1836-circa 1990s

2.5 Linear Feet (5 small manuscript boxes.)

Forms part of the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive. This collection includes materials promoting patent medicines - proprietary medicines available without a prescription. A small amount of material related to herbal medicines also appears in this collection. Publications date from 1836 - circa 1990s, with the bulk of material published from the 1870s-1920s.

Forms part of the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive. This collection includes materials promoting patent medicines - proprietary medicines available without a prescription. A small amount of material related to herbal medicines also appears in this collection. Publications date from 1836 - circa 1990s, with the bulk of material published from the 1870s-1920s. Corporations of particular note include The Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Co. and C.I. Hood & Co. This collection includes several editions of Mrs. Winslow's Domestic Receipt Book from the 1870s-1880s, which includes culinary recipes, as well as testimonials promoting Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup for children's teething and regulating bowels and other medicines. Also worth noting are several editions of Ransom's Family Receipt Book from the 1870s-1920s, which include recipes, as well as advertisements for patent medicines.

Collection

George Edward Burr Scrapbook, ca. 1840s-1850s

1 volume

The George Edward Burr scrapbook contains over 130 labels for various alcoholic products, assorted clippings mainly related to facets of the alcohol industry, handwritten notes including recipes for alcoholic beverages, and several patent designs by Burr.

The George Edward Burr scrapbook contains over 130 labels for various alcoholic products, assorted clippings mainly related to facets of the alcohol industry, handwritten notes including recipes for alcoholic beverages, and several patent designs by Burr.

The scrapbook (33.5 x 21 cm) has marbled paper covers with "Spiritual Guide No. 1" written on the front and contains approximately 100 pages. Labels for an extensive array of different alcoholic products can be found pasted in between pgs. 1 and 52. The majority of labels are for various French wines and brandies, though other alcoholic products (predominately spirits) from the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, England, Italy, Jamaica, Switzerland, Mexico, and the United States are also represented. Of particular note are a number of labels for products imported by George Edward Burr into Mexico. While it remains unconfirmed, this may have been the same George Edward Burr who was involved with the management of the Pedrigal Mining Company in Mexico.

Other items of note include the following:
  • Clippings mainly related to various aspects of alcohol production such as the manufacture of syrups, vinegars, acids, the use of yeast, etc.; use of essential oils, extracts, bitters, sweeteners, etc.; clarifying, bottling, and barreling processes; and descriptions of various types of spirits such as Tuscaloosa whiskey, apple brandy, New York gin, Jamaica Rum, etc.
  • A set of clipped engravings illustrating the stages of bottling champagne
  • Handwritten recipes (including several credited to other individuals including B. A. Auger of New Orleans) for various alcoholic products including absinthe, Jamaica rum, Scotch whiskey, Curacao, pale ale, stout, Eau de Noix, and more. Recipes for non-alcoholic products such as colored inks, sealing waxes, salted meat, Duffield hams, toilet soap, candles, etc. are also included
  • Handwritten descriptions in English and Spanish for various patent designs by Burr including cylindrical candles, white wax, and yellow wax. The candle descriptions also contain illustrations
  • A hand-drawn diagram of a 150 gallon still
  • A tipped-in advertisement from 1856 for Dr. H. James's tincture made from cannabis indica that includes a recipe, description, and testimonials
  • Clippings and labels related to various patent medicines

Collection

W. L. Cummings collection, 1906-1941 (majority within 1906-1928)

0.5 linear feet

This collection is made up of correspondence, scrapbooks, and advertisements related to W. L. Cummings, who was a doctor in Syracuse, New York, during the early 20th century. The material largely pertains to traveling doctors and patent medicines.

This collection (0.5 linear feet) is made up of correspondence, scrapbooks, and advertisements related to W. L. Cummings, who was a doctor in Syracuse, New York, during the early 20th century. The material largely pertains to traveling doctors and patent medicines.

The Correspondence series contains 10 letters that W. L. Cummings received from September 16, 1912-August 31, 1928, and on January 22, 1941. Trevey Slack, a traveling doctor, wrote 6 letters to Cummings from September 16, 1912-May 26, 1913. He described his experiences in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Missouri, and provided information on medical treatments, other traveling doctors, and the medical profession. In his letter of November 25, 1912, he commented on doctors who put on vaudeville performances. Other letters include formulas for a liniment and a stomach remedy (March 22, 1918, and January 22, 1941).

The Speeches series includes 2 speech drafts concerning the effectiveness of patent medicine and a medicine called "Sangvine."

Cummings's 1905 Account Book contains dated records of his income and expenses.

Two Scrapbooks contain recipes, printed advertisements, newspaper clippings, labels, and other items related to medical ailments and treatments, medicines, and household products. The first scrapbook (144 pages), dated November 5, 1914, includes items from and related to A. W. Lithgow, such as recipes for medicinal formulas and household cleaners, as well as a "pedler's license" issued to Lithgow by the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The second scrapbook (approximately 40 pages) contains printed items related to medicines and household cleaners.

The Printed Items series (36 items) includes advertisements for medicines and related products. Some items are mounted on cards with other advertisements. Broadsides, notices, and other items relate to medical remedies and patent medicines, including an advertisement for "Perfecto Hair Tonic and Dandruff Remover" produced by W. L. Cummings in Unadilla Forks, New York. Also present are blank contract forms for potential distributors of products of the Cooperative Chemical Company. Other material pertains to vaudeville performances, life insurance, and a contest. The Pamphlets subseries (15 items) contains 4 pamphlets that Cummings wrote from 1910-1925: 3 about household formulas, and 1entitled "The Pathway to Prosperity." This subseries also includes pamphlets about patent medicines and women's diseases, as well as Lydia E. Pinkham's "Letters to a Young Housewife."