The History of the Companies of J.C. Ayer
Lowell, Mass. (1841-1943)
These companies made Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, Ayer’s Cathartic Pills, Ayer’s Sarsaparilla,
Ayer’s Ague Cure, Ayer’s Hair Vigor and a number of minor products in the 1900's. The
book addresses the history of the company within the context of medical, political, and
social happenings of the period. What was the state of medical knowledge? How did the
definition of patent medicine develop and evolve? In the 1840s it was medicine that was
patented. It then morphed into “snake oil” sold by charlatans. While its dual meaning today
is both snake oil and valid patented medicine. Was J.C. Ayer & Co. one of these
charlatans? How did the Pure Food and Drug Act effect Ayer’s company? How did Ayer
use technology to make his company into an international megacompany.
The book’s chapters will give you an idea of the diversity of its contents:
Chapter 1 The Ayer Brothers
Chapter 2 J.C. Ayer & Co. 1841-1877
Chapter 3 J.C. Ayer Co. 1877-1925
Chapter 4 The Ayer Company 1925-1938 & The Ayer Company, Inc. 1938-1943
Chapter 5 Products (Bottles, Tins & Containers) (75+ images)
Chapter 6 Ayer’s Encased Postage (12 images)
Chapter 7 Trade Cards & the Art of Chromolithography (130+ images)
Chapter 8 J.C. Ayer Posters, Signs & Display Items (140+ images)
Chapter 9 Ayer’s Premiums (20+ images)
Chapter 10 Handbills & Pamphlets (110+ images)
Chapter 11 Newspapers & Magazines (50+ images)
Chapter 12 Business-Oriented Ephemera (70+ images)
Chapter 13 Fakes & Reproductions
Appendix Bottle Manufacturing Identification Guide
Beyond our text and use of images from our collection we were thrilled to receive images
from fourteen additional contributors to enhance the variety of objects included in this 500
page book.
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