Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Object of the Day: A Trade Card for Mennen's Corn Killer



“By Mennen!” Yep—that Mennen. The Mennen Company was founded in Newark, New Jersey, in the U.S., in 1878 and began making toiletry products for men. The company moved to Morristown, New Jersey in 1953. After several generations of leadership by the founding Mennen Family, the company was sold to Colgate-Palmolive in 1992. Now, the name is being phased out. But, those of us of a certain age will always remember their catchy slogan.

Advertising was always key to the success of the company. Even in its early years, it was a leader in advertising. Like many company’s of the time, it relied on colorful trade cards to spread the word of their products.

Here’s one from 1885 which I recently acquired with a large job lot of ephemera.

The front of the card features a comic chromolithograph advertising Mennen’s Corn Killer. A fuzzy-faced gent has experienced some rather obvious pain, presumably from his corns—a pain so intense that it has blown off his top hat and caused him to drop his cane as he lunges forward in an animalistic attempt to soothe his aching feeties. A woman in an exaggerated bustle seems unfazed by her companion’s misery. In fact, she’s a bit irritated by it, if anything.

The caption reads:

HE. OUCH!!!!!!!!!! 
SHE.
WHY DON’T YOU GET “MENNEN’S SURE CORN KILLER. 

There’s no end quotation mark nor a question mark. Grammar, it seems, was not so terribly important to the Corn Killers.

The reverse says:

MENNEN’S 

Sure Corn Killer

FOR THE SPEEDY, PERMANENT AND 
PAINLESS CURE OF 

Hard and Soft Corns, Bunions, Warts, 
Moles, Callouses, etc. 

This is not a new remedy, but has been long 
and successfully used in the French and German 
armies. Easily applied, causes no pain, and re- 
quires no plaster or bandages. Thousands test- 
ify to its merits. Be sure you get “MENNEN’S,” 
and take no worthless imitation. Warranted to 
give satisfaction. 

PRICE 25 CENTS 

------- 

Dr. Jas. T. Wrightson’s Favorable Opinion. 
     Mr. Mennen—Your Corn Killer has removed a 
very troublesome corn for me. 
                Dr. J.T. Wrightson, Newark, N.J. 

A Prominent Newark Physician recommends it. 
     Newark N.J., Nov. 13, 1884—I can recommend 
Mennen’s Corn Killer to anybody afflicted with Corns 
and Bunions. 
                 Dr. A. Ward. 

What Dr. Kent of Paterson, says 
     Paterson, N.J., Feb. 9, 1885 – Dear Sir – I will 
say that your Corn Killer gives better satisfaction to 
my customers than any other preparation of that kind 
I sell. 
               Yours truly, B. Kent, Druggist 

Recommended and for sale by all Druggists.




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