{"links":{"self":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Patent+medicines\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1884\u0026view=list","last":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Baccess_subjects%5D%5B%5D=Patent+medicines\u0026f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1884\u0026page=1\u0026view=list"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":1,"next_page":null,"prev_page":null,"total_pages":1,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":0,"total_count":1,"first_page?":true,"last_page?":true}},"data":[{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","type":"collection","attributes":{"title":"Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card","creator":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483#creator","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"Aumann, James H. S.","label":"Creator"}},"abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia.","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://search.arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","ead_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","_root_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","_nest_parent_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VT/repositories_2_resources_2483.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card","title_ssm":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"title_tesim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"unitdate_ssm":["[c.1875-1940?]"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["[c.1875-1940?]"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["Ms.2009.064"],"text":["Ms.2009.064","Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card","Folk, historical, and patent medicine","History of Food and Drink","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Patent medicines","The collection is open for research.","This collection has been digitized and is available online.","The collection is arranged by material type.","Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was first produced by Dr. S.N. Thomas of Phelps, New York, in the late 1840s. While the Eclectric Oil was quite popular in the local markets of the time, the popularity of the product significantly increased when Dr. S.N. Thomas sold the formula to Excelsior Botanical Company in the 1880s. Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil became both a domestic and international sensation, and advertisements for the \"cure-all\" medication can easily be located in family health periodicals published in the late 1800s.","This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist in Wytheville, Virginia. While little evidence has been found to attach a specific date to this trade card, Aumann was in law school at the University of Virginia in 1879, placing the card within a loosely based time frame of circa 1875-1940. The image of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing on the front of the trade card, however, suggests that the card was produced and distributed before the end of the Victorian era in 1901. ","External Source: Nickell, Joe, \"Snake Oil: A Guide for Connoisseurs\",  Skeptical Briefs , Vol. 16.3, Sept. 1, 2006,  https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/ , accessed April 10, 2023.","The guide to the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).","The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card commenced and was completed in April 2009.","While Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was marketed until the 1940s and 1950s, the particular trade card in this collection most likely dates to the late Victorian era. The Victorian era is a period of time that directly corresponds with the reign of the English Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The Victorian era saw the development of socialism, Marxism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. This period was a time of challenging known \"truths.\" The Victorian era was also a time of snake oil peddlers–a phenomenon that lasted in one form or another through the mid-20th century. These medicines were marketed as a cure to almost any ailment, ranging from coughs and colds to deafness and lameness. While many medicines were snake oil products, some were marketed under a different label, such as \"liniment,\" \"tonic,\" and \"compound.\"","The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.","The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia.","Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Aumann, James H. S.","The materials in the collection are in English."],"unitid_tesim":["Ms.2009.064"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"collection_title_tesim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"collection_ssim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"creator_ssm":["Aumann, James H. S."],"creator_ssim":["Aumann, James H. 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Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card was purchased by Special Collections in 2009."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Folk, historical, and patent medicine","History of Food and Drink","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Patent medicines"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Folk, historical, and patent medicine","History of Food and Drink","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Patent medicines"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"extent_tesim":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"date_range_isim":[1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is open for research.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["The collection is open for research."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/HFDMss/Ms2009_064_DrThomas\"\u003eThis collection has been digitized and is available online.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Existence and Location of Copies"],"altformavail_tesim":["This collection has been digitized and is available online."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged by material type.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged by material type."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was first produced by Dr. S.N. Thomas of Phelps, New York, in the late 1840s. While the Eclectric Oil was quite popular in the local markets of the time, the popularity of the product significantly increased when Dr. S.N. Thomas sold the formula to Excelsior Botanical Company in the 1880s. Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil became both a domestic and international sensation, and advertisements for the \"cure-all\" medication can easily be located in family health periodicals published in the late 1800s.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist in Wytheville, Virginia. While little evidence has been found to attach a specific date to this trade card, Aumann was in law school at the University of Virginia in 1879, placing the card within a loosely based time frame of circa 1875-1940. The image of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing on the front of the trade card, however, suggests that the card was produced and distributed before the end of the Victorian era in 1901. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eExternal Source: Nickell, Joe, \"Snake Oil: A Guide for Connoisseurs\", \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eSkeptical Briefs\u003c/title\u003e, Vol. 16.3, Sept. 1, 2006, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/\"\u003ehttps://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/\u003c/a\u003e, accessed April 10, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was first produced by Dr. S.N. Thomas of Phelps, New York, in the late 1840s. While the Eclectric Oil was quite popular in the local markets of the time, the popularity of the product significantly increased when Dr. S.N. Thomas sold the formula to Excelsior Botanical Company in the 1880s. Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil became both a domestic and international sensation, and advertisements for the \"cure-all\" medication can easily be located in family health periodicals published in the late 1800s.","This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist in Wytheville, Virginia. While little evidence has been found to attach a specific date to this trade card, Aumann was in law school at the University of Virginia in 1879, placing the card within a loosely based time frame of circa 1875-1940. The image of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing on the front of the trade card, however, suggests that the card was produced and distributed before the end of the Victorian era in 1901. ","External Source: Nickell, Joe, \"Snake Oil: A Guide for Connoisseurs\",  Skeptical Briefs , Vol. 16.3, Sept. 1, 2006,  https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/ , accessed April 10, 2023."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe guide to the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (\u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\"\u003ehttps://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Rights Statement for Archival Description"],"odd_tesim":["The guide to the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ )."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eResearchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card, Ms2009-064, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card, Ms2009-064, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card commenced and was completed in April 2009.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card commenced and was completed in April 2009."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWhile Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was marketed until the 1940s and 1950s, the particular trade card in this collection most likely dates to the late Victorian era. The Victorian era is a period of time that directly corresponds with the reign of the English Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The Victorian era saw the development of socialism, Marxism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. This period was a time of challenging known \"truths.\" The Victorian era was also a time of snake oil peddlers–a phenomenon that lasted in one form or another through the mid-20th century. These medicines were marketed as a cure to almost any ailment, ranging from coughs and colds to deafness and lameness. While many medicines were snake oil products, some were marketed under a different label, such as \"liniment,\" \"tonic,\" and \"compound.\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["While Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was marketed until the 1940s and 1950s, the particular trade card in this collection most likely dates to the late Victorian era. The Victorian era is a period of time that directly corresponds with the reign of the English Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The Victorian era saw the development of socialism, Marxism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. This period was a time of challenging known \"truths.\" The Victorian era was also a time of snake oil peddlers–a phenomenon that lasted in one form or another through the mid-20th century. These medicines were marketed as a cure to almost any ailment, ranging from coughs and colds to deafness and lameness. While many medicines were snake oil products, some were marketed under a different label, such as \"liniment,\" \"tonic,\" and \"compound.\""],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eReproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuareproduction\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuareproduction\u003c/a\u003e. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuapublication\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuapublication\u003c/a\u003e. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_1889557171d68b5efdb75e38e0bbf0e3\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia."],"names_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Aumann, James H. S."],"corpname_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech"],"persname_ssim":["Aumann, James H. S."],"language_ssim":["The materials in the collection are in English."],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":1,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-04-30T23:32:36.693Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","ead_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","_root_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","_nest_parent_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2483","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VT/repositories_2_resources_2483.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card","title_ssm":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"title_tesim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"unitdate_ssm":["[c.1875-1940?]"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["[c.1875-1940?]"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["Ms.2009.064"],"text":["Ms.2009.064","Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card","Folk, historical, and patent medicine","History of Food and Drink","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Patent medicines","The collection is open for research.","This collection has been digitized and is available online.","The collection is arranged by material type.","Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was first produced by Dr. S.N. Thomas of Phelps, New York, in the late 1840s. While the Eclectric Oil was quite popular in the local markets of the time, the popularity of the product significantly increased when Dr. S.N. Thomas sold the formula to Excelsior Botanical Company in the 1880s. Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil became both a domestic and international sensation, and advertisements for the \"cure-all\" medication can easily be located in family health periodicals published in the late 1800s.","This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist in Wytheville, Virginia. While little evidence has been found to attach a specific date to this trade card, Aumann was in law school at the University of Virginia in 1879, placing the card within a loosely based time frame of circa 1875-1940. The image of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing on the front of the trade card, however, suggests that the card was produced and distributed before the end of the Victorian era in 1901. ","External Source: Nickell, Joe, \"Snake Oil: A Guide for Connoisseurs\",  Skeptical Briefs , Vol. 16.3, Sept. 1, 2006,  https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/ , accessed April 10, 2023.","The guide to the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).","The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card commenced and was completed in April 2009.","While Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was marketed until the 1940s and 1950s, the particular trade card in this collection most likely dates to the late Victorian era. The Victorian era is a period of time that directly corresponds with the reign of the English Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The Victorian era saw the development of socialism, Marxism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. This period was a time of challenging known \"truths.\" The Victorian era was also a time of snake oil peddlers–a phenomenon that lasted in one form or another through the mid-20th century. These medicines were marketed as a cure to almost any ailment, ranging from coughs and colds to deafness and lameness. While many medicines were snake oil products, some were marketed under a different label, such as \"liniment,\" \"tonic,\" and \"compound.\"","The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.","The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia.","Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Aumann, James H. S.","The materials in the collection are in English."],"unitid_tesim":["Ms.2009.064"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"collection_title_tesim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"collection_ssim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"creator_ssm":["Aumann, James H. S."],"creator_ssim":["Aumann, James H. S."],"creator_persname_ssim":["Aumann, James H. S."],"creators_ssim":["Aumann, James H. S."],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card was purchased by Special Collections in 2009."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Folk, historical, and patent medicine","History of Food and Drink","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Patent medicines"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Folk, historical, and patent medicine","History of Food and Drink","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Patent medicines"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"extent_tesim":["0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder"],"date_range_isim":[1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is open for research.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["The collection is open for research."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/HFDMss/Ms2009_064_DrThomas\"\u003eThis collection has been digitized and is available online.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Existence and Location of Copies"],"altformavail_tesim":["This collection has been digitized and is available online."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged by material type.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged by material type."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was first produced by Dr. S.N. Thomas of Phelps, New York, in the late 1840s. While the Eclectric Oil was quite popular in the local markets of the time, the popularity of the product significantly increased when Dr. S.N. Thomas sold the formula to Excelsior Botanical Company in the 1880s. Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil became both a domestic and international sensation, and advertisements for the \"cure-all\" medication can easily be located in family health periodicals published in the late 1800s.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist in Wytheville, Virginia. While little evidence has been found to attach a specific date to this trade card, Aumann was in law school at the University of Virginia in 1879, placing the card within a loosely based time frame of circa 1875-1940. The image of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing on the front of the trade card, however, suggests that the card was produced and distributed before the end of the Victorian era in 1901. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eExternal Source: Nickell, Joe, \"Snake Oil: A Guide for Connoisseurs\", \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eSkeptical Briefs\u003c/title\u003e, Vol. 16.3, Sept. 1, 2006, \u003ca target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/\"\u003ehttps://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/\u003c/a\u003e, accessed April 10, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was first produced by Dr. S.N. Thomas of Phelps, New York, in the late 1840s. While the Eclectric Oil was quite popular in the local markets of the time, the popularity of the product significantly increased when Dr. S.N. Thomas sold the formula to Excelsior Botanical Company in the 1880s. Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil became both a domestic and international sensation, and advertisements for the \"cure-all\" medication can easily be located in family health periodicals published in the late 1800s.","This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist in Wytheville, Virginia. While little evidence has been found to attach a specific date to this trade card, Aumann was in law school at the University of Virginia in 1879, placing the card within a loosely based time frame of circa 1875-1940. The image of a woman dressed in Victorian clothing on the front of the trade card, however, suggests that the card was produced and distributed before the end of the Victorian era in 1901. ","External Source: Nickell, Joe, \"Snake Oil: A Guide for Connoisseurs\",  Skeptical Briefs , Vol. 16.3, Sept. 1, 2006,  https://skepticalinquirer.org/newsletter/snake-oil-a-guide-for-connoisseurs/ , accessed April 10, 2023."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe guide to the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (\u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\"\u003ehttps://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Rights Statement for Archival Description"],"odd_tesim":["The guide to the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ )."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eResearchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card, Ms2009-064, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card, Ms2009-064, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card commenced and was completed in April 2009.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The processing, arrangement, and description of the Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil Trade Card commenced and was completed in April 2009."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eWhile Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was marketed until the 1940s and 1950s, the particular trade card in this collection most likely dates to the late Victorian era. The Victorian era is a period of time that directly corresponds with the reign of the English Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The Victorian era saw the development of socialism, Marxism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. This period was a time of challenging known \"truths.\" The Victorian era was also a time of snake oil peddlers–a phenomenon that lasted in one form or another through the mid-20th century. These medicines were marketed as a cure to almost any ailment, ranging from coughs and colds to deafness and lameness. While many medicines were snake oil products, some were marketed under a different label, such as \"liniment,\" \"tonic,\" and \"compound.\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["While Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil was marketed until the 1940s and 1950s, the particular trade card in this collection most likely dates to the late Victorian era. The Victorian era is a period of time that directly corresponds with the reign of the English Queen Victoria (1837-1901). The Victorian era saw the development of socialism, Marxism, Darwinism, and scientific Agnosticism. This period was a time of challenging known \"truths.\" The Victorian era was also a time of snake oil peddlers–a phenomenon that lasted in one form or another through the mid-20th century. These medicines were marketed as a cure to almost any ailment, ranging from coughs and colds to deafness and lameness. While many medicines were snake oil products, some were marketed under a different label, such as \"liniment,\" \"tonic,\" and \"compound.\""],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eReproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuareproduction\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuareproduction\u003c/a\u003e. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuapublication\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuapublication\u003c/a\u003e. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. ","Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_1889557171d68b5efdb75e38e0bbf0e3\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Dr. Thomas' Eclectric Oil trade card is an advertisement for a cure-all serum marketed most popularly during the Victorian era. This particular trade card was distributed by James H. S. Aumann, M.D., a druggist and chemist from Wytheville, Virginia."],"names_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Aumann, James H. S."],"corpname_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech"],"persname_ssim":["Aumann, James H. 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