Vintage Ads: March 1823

Two hundred years ago, The Saturday Evening Post carried advertisements for an assortment of goods from saddles to syrup. The ads give an insight into not necessarily what people wanted to buy, but what vendors were trying to sell. Here are a few of the ads that appeared in our March 29, 1823, issue.

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Comments

  1. This is quite an interesting, mixed bag of advertisements. Some I understand, others either no, or taking interpretative guesses as to what they could be.

    The two top ads for J. Campbell and J. Campbell Mercer and Taylor I get. John Oldridge is basically saying he’s leaving the U.S. for Britain, so if you want his restorative hair balm while it’s still available in this country, act fast. Though now new and improved (nearly colorless) it still retrains all of its former virtues too long to list in this ad.

    The men’s Hat Store ad is pretty clear cut, and I’m sure were fine hats! The imitation beaver part I’d need to know more about. Howell’s Indian Syrup sounds pretty good, promising to cure what ails you. 25 cents for a vial of one gill (4 oz.) each. James B. Wood’s fans I’d have to know more about.

    Quill Manufactory. Other than bird feathers that were the forerunners of ink pens, I’m not sure. Impediments of Speech. You’ll be cured of stuttering and stammering, but only between 6-7 a.m. and p.m. One best make sure the letters are post paid.

    I’m figuring this means the envelope will need a stamp or equivalent. Also doesn’t tell you what you’re sending other than (I guess) which speech ailment you need help with. A self-addressed stamped envelope sounds appropriate here, or better yet, stopping by in person if it’s not too far, and you’re lucky enough to have a horse.

    Speaking of the beloved animal, the Lukens & Son ad is pretty straight forward in advertising its comfortable saddles for both the horse and rider, in addition to other accompanying products. The ‘Tooth Ache Cured’ ad sounds wonderful. promising a lot (I think too much…) for 50 cents. But heck yeah, I’d give it a try in 1823.

    Birds For Sale may be the most straight forward ad here. I wonder if they carried parrots in their assortment?

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