Uncle Ezra Alka-Seltzer Display Stand

Uncle Ezra Alka-Seltzer Display Stand

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Description
The Dr. Miles Medicine Company of Elkhart, Indiana developed Alka Seltzer in 1931. Alka Seltzer was an effervescent antacid and pain reliever used to relieve headaches, gas, indigestion, colds, muscle pains, and neuralgia. Alka Seltzer advertised by sponsoring the National Barn Dance radio show in 1933, then the spin off Uncle Ezra show in 1934.This Alka Seltzer market display bears an image of Uncle Ezra encouraging customers to “Try it!” and held a half dozen large Alka Seltzer packets, or one dozen small packets. Commercial artist George W. French created the cartoon figures and rhyming verses that appear on the right and left sides. The left side of the display features a woman saying “When it comes to dodging colds you surely take the prize” with a man replying “Oh, I’ve been playing safe this year,—I ALKA SELTZER–IZE!” The right side depicts a woman saying “My headaches so, I’ve got to go and find a place to rest” with another woman replying “I’d take an Alka Seltzer Flo, I’ve always found it best.”
Object Name
display, pharmacy
date made
ca 1934-1940
maker
Advertising Metal Display Company
Measurements
overall: 16 3/4 in x 7 5/8 in x 9 in; 42.545 cm x 19.3675 cm x 22.86 cm
ID Number
1985.0460.141
accession number
1985.0460
catalog number
1985.0460.141
Credit Line
Gift of Alan & Elaine Levitt
subject
Advertising Devices
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Medicine
Health & Medicine
American Enterprise
Exhibition
American Enterprise
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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