Barclay & Co.

8066756

Digitised

Out of Copyright

1880 to 1882

1 card : illustration ; 13.8 x 8.7 cm

Trade card with chromolithographed illustration and text on the verso, issued as an advertisement for a patent medicine made by Barclay & Co. The illustration, titled El canguro, shows a standing kangaroo with two joeys in its pouch, and at the top right, a circular vignette of a man and a kangaroo boxing. The text promotes the product; provides some basic information about kangaroos; outlines the fortune, character and birthstone of people born in the month of May; and offers to send a complete collection of their 12 cards on receipt of two brand labels.

The first paragraph on the card verso reads: Estas Pildoritas de Reuter tomándolas en dosis de una a tres constituyen un excelente laxante, y en dosis de 3 a 6 un excelente y agradable purgante. Entonan el estómago, estimulan las funciones del hígado y mueven suavemente el vientre. Son eficaes y absolutamente inofensivas. (These Reuter little pills taken in doses of 1 to 3 constitute an excellent laxative, and in doses of 3 to 6 an excellent and pleasant purgative. They tone the stomach, stimulate liver functions and gently move the belly. They are effective and absolutely harmless.)

The text about kangaroos indicates they hop using only the hind legs, can jump distances of 9 to 10 meters and obstacles of 2 to 3 meters; can swim 2 to 3 kilometers; the female usually gives birth to only a single little one, born in a very small size, 4 cm, and a very incomplete state of development. At birth, the mother puts it in a pouch she has in the abdomen, where it is attached to one of the nipples. At 8 months the young kangaroo leaves the pouch, but returns to it whenever it is in danger, and can thus escape with the mother. Kangaroos are easily tamed and can learn lots of games, including boxing.

Trade card

New York