WHAT WHEN WHY [cover title]

Lowell, Mass. C.I. Hood & Co., nd (1886?). Green pictorial paper wraps. 17.5 cm. 16 pp. Two in text illustrations. A list of Hood's Sarsaparilla publications printed on verso of front wrap. Text printed in two columns, with one column offering advice on etiquette, what to do, when to do it, and why it should be done, and one column promoting the "peculiar" curative powers of Hood's Sarsaparilla. The rear wrapper shows an illustration of the Hood's Sarsaparilla Laboratory, and its growth over the years, from 1876 to 1886. The outer margin of one leaf bumped, affecting a few letters, else a very good copy. An ad leaf is laid in, 4 pp., folded, illustrated, printing a "Peculiar Interview," plus testimonials, and other promotional material [Lowell, MA: the company, ca.1886]. The first page of text printed slightly cocked resulting in the loss of a few letters. Item #64789

According to the Atwater catalogue, Vol. 1, p.359: "Charles I. Hood was born in Chelsea, Vermont in 1845 and trained in his father's drug store until 1861, when he moved to Lowell, Mass., where he apprenticed for many years with two leading druggists of that city. In 1870, he became partners with another druggist and in 1876 used his inheritance to buy out sole ownership of the company." The Hood Company "distributed (through the mail or within drugstores) cookbooks, medical handbooks, short stories, children's stories, collections of puzzles and parlor games, coloring books, almanacs, [etc.]" Clearly he was a master at advertising. [see Atwater S-581 for a similar copy to the one offered here, with a different ad on the rear wrapper, and an estimated date of 1887; and S-579.2 for the ad leaf].

Price: $35.00