Hood's Sarsaparilla

Title
Hood’s Sarsaparilla

Original Creator
C. I. Hood & Company (United States, Manufacturer)

Original Creation Date
1886

Description
The trade card shows an older man carefully reading the package of Hood’s Sarsaparilla to ensure he purchased the correct product. Hood’s Sarsaparilla was marketed to purify the blood and cure various disorders, including heart disease, rheumatism, and edema. The product was inspired in part by the success of Ayers’ Sarsaparilla. Hood’s Sarsaparilla contained sarsaparilla root, dandelion, juniper berries, and 18% alcohol among other ingredients. The C.I. Hood and Company was an industry leader in pharmaceutical advertising during the 19th century, producing a variety of visually striking and unique trade cards such as the one shown as well as posters, calendars, and even cookbooks. At the time, Hood’s Sarsaparilla laboratory was touted as one of the largest of such facilities in the world.

Rights
Courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This image is in the public domain.