3 Promotional Items Le Thermogene: Capsicum Cotton wadding to treat ailments
Paris: Le Thermogene, c1900. A collection of three items (in French) advertising 'Le Thermogene' a patent medicine product that was meant to help with a variety of ailments such as coughing, bronchitis, flue, sore throat, colds, joint pains, and rheumatism. The product was a heating pad that was composed of soft cotton wadding that had been treated with capsicum and could be placed on various parts of the body.
The first item in the collection is flyer (measures 8 1/4" x 5 1/4") featuring a fire-eating circus performer in a green body suit holding the product (represented as large orange objects) and breathing out fire. This artwork was designed by Leonetto Cappiello (1875-1942) who was an Italian and French poster art designer who is nowadays often referred to as the "father or modern advertising." This was due to the fact that he was the first to use bold figures that popped out of their contrasting black background. The second item in this collection is a single-fold pamphlet (Measures: 6 1/4" x4 3/4" folded, 9 1/4" x 6 1/4" unfolded). This pamphlet provides simple, and to the point information about the product as well as depicting 6 illustrations of figures show how the product can be used on a variety of places on the body. On the front is the same circus figure by Cappiello found on the flyer, however this time the only color used is in the product the figure is holding, and the fire coming out of his mouth. The last item in the collection is a small 12 page staple booklet that is chalk full of more detailed information about the product. The back of the booklet actually has the image of the circus performer, while the front of the booklet has a roaring fire in a fire pit. The pamphlet has a crease mark from where it has been folded in half in the past. The booklet's staple is missing, and as such all the pages are loose. All items show toning and soiling due to age.
Price: $150.00
Item #29006105