Old print advertising is weird. I know, some is boring, but to me, usually, if it’s not boring it’s weird. Case in point—Rough on Rats. Rough on Rats was a poison (arsenic) that was developed and marketed to kill all sorts of vermin by Ephraim Wells of New Jersey. Mr. Wells, a druggist, advertised his product nationally in large amounts and, it’s weird. Kind of funny. More than a little bizarre. Evidentially, used in Nebraska.
The cover
Perhaps more disturbing, in this 1886 Rough on Rats Almanac and Dream Book, is the advertising of medicines for human consumption. Honestly, I think one would be hard-pressed to find a person who feels comfortable ordering their bile, pile, itch or worm remedy from a rodenticide catalog. Maybe it’s just me.
Have fun perusing tidbits from this little book from our collection.
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- Inside the front cover–a short story featuring the favored product
However, if you prefer music to literature, how about a Rough on Rats song?
And since it is an almanac and dream book there's some information on moon phases and what your dream imagery means. Hope it's helpful.
–Deb Arenz, Senior Museum Curator
Very interesting stuff!