Lawrence, Ostrom & Company's ten years old famous "Belle of Bourbon", 1888
Scope and Contents
This poster sized advertisement was issued by an Oregon newspaper in May 1888, touting "Lawrence, Ostrom & Company's ten years old famous "Belle of Bourbon" for medicinal and family use" to cure a range of ailments from malaria, typhoid fever, dyspepsia, and more. The "Belle of Bourbon" was a Kentucky sour mash whisky (no longer in existence today). This item features a large woodcut of a bell with ad text as well as testimontials and additional information from the producer/distillery.
Many patent medicines at the time claimed to cure all manner of illnesses and problems, and while most were alcohol-based, they often contained other ingredients. The "Belle of Bourbon" is strictly a bourbon, which makes this advertisement a little unique, treating a straight spirit as a "medicine."
Dates
- 1888
Language
The majority of the items in the collection are in English, but the collection does also include postcards in French, Russian, and German and wine labels in several languages. There is also a receipt in Spanish.
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.59 Cubic Feet (6 boxes; 1 oversize folder)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
