FDC by S&T Cahcets
February 26, 2012
This first day cover is by Tom O’Hagan of S &T Cachets. The illustration is from an trade card for Ayers Ague Cure, which claimed to cure fever and chills. The stamp (Scott 2950) was issued in 1995 for the 150th Anniversary of Florida Statehood.
Ayer’s Ague Cure was one of a number of “medicines” manufactured by the J.C. Ayer’s Co. during the 19th century. The Ague Cure, which claimed to cure all “afflictions which arise from milarious, marsh, or miasmatic poisons”, was made of alcohol and chincona bark (quinine) and so probably actually had some effect. Ayer’s other products included Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral (which purportedly a cure for coughs and contained either morphine or heroin), Sasparilla (which claimed to cure jaundice, syphilis, ringworm, boils, ulcers, “female weaknesses” and rheumatism), and Hair Tonic. The Ayer’s Almanac, discussed here, is worth taking a look at.
Original Ayer's Ague Cure Trade Card
