St. Paul: Heidelberg Medical Institute, [ca. 1904-1907]. First edition? Unbound pamphlet, approx. 14 x 10.5 inches, [4] pages. Illus. A striking large graphic, backed with the usual effusive testimonials and supposed scientific support for this electro-medical therapeutic panacea; the Minnesota concern graciously offers this therapeutic belt as a free boon... More

(New York: Press of A. H. Kellogg), [ca. 1892]. First edition. 8vo, original pictorial orange wrappers printed in blue, 96, 24 pages. Inserted portrait, illus. From Dr. C. I. Thacher comes this remarkable array of magnetic insoles, magnetic caps, magnetic vests (for men and women), illustrated with nice cuts and... More

(New York: W. N. Oliver & Co., Printers, 12 Vesey St. 1885). First edition. 12mo, original light brown wrappers, 11, [1] pages. Illus. With an ad on the rear wrapper, “E. B. Benjamin, Importer and Manufacturer of Chemical and Physical Apparatus, Rare Chemicals and Laboratory Supplies of Every Description. 6... More

New York: German Electric Agency, [ca. 1893]. Likely a later version of this quack device promotional catalog. Small 8vo, wire stitched into original color lithograph wrappers in red and black (with the wrapper title “The Electric Era”), 24 pages. Illus. “Although Electricity, properly applied, is a wonderful remedy of nearly... More

(Cincinnati: n. p.), [ca. 1920-1923?]. First edition. 16mo, original printed red wrappers, 63, [1] pages. Illus., including a view of the clinic on the front wrapper. A clinic that treat everything from catarrh, to goitres, to “vital force” (male debility, etc.), with smudgy halftone cuts of the electric bath cabinet... More

Toledo, O. Electro-Chemical Ring Co. [1911]. First edition thus. Unbound brochure, 6 x 3.5 inches, [4] pages. Illus. An attractive little quack promotional pamphlet for a ring purported to draw acid from the blood, here made up entirely of testimonial letters dated 1911 attesting to the efficacy of the ring... More

[Chicago: n. p. ca. 1926]. First edition. Small broadside handbill, 6.5 x 5.25 inches. Illus. Headquartered at 59 E. Van Buren Street in Chicago, the No Scar Club asked its members to complete this form to pledge, “I have never been vaccinated, either ‘successfully’ or ‘unsuccessfully.’ I will never be... More

(Jackson, Michigan: Prof. L. A. Harraden, 1900). First edition. 8vo, original pictorial wrappers, 64 pages. Illus. A characteristic detailed, entertaining, and extensively-illustrated guide to presenting a stage hypnosis entertainment (from how to approach a suggestible subject, to buttering up local newspaper editors, to sample playbills) from the prolific mail-order hypnosis... More

New York: R. T. Trall & Co., Publishers, (1862). First edition? 8vo, original blind-stamped purple cloth, gilt lettering, 276, [12] pages. Illus. Also published with the Fowler & Wells imprint and a publication date of 1862, that edition perhaps with priority. Per the Atwater catalog, perhaps Trall’s least successful publishing... More

Kansas City, Mo. Published by C. A. S. Sims, M. D. (1912). First edition. Large 8vo, original brown cloth, gilt lettering, ix, [1], 268 pages. Illus. On using vibrators and light therapy (with especial attention to the former) to treat everything from acne to writer’s cramp, with at least one... More

Pittsburgh: Radium Remedies Co. [ca. 1916-1920]. First edition. 24mo, wire stitched pamphlet in wrappers, 6 x 3 inches, [36] pages. Illus. Vest-pocket promotional pamphlet for the wonders of medical radium products from this Pittsburgh company, headed by self-styled “eminent American chemist,” Robert McKnight (who seems to have been something of... More

[Ann Arbor]: (Courier Print), [1881]. First edition. Unbound pamphlet, 8.5 x 5.5 inches, [4] pages. Dramatic title page vignette. “Blow every fish horn loud and clear, / And yank the chapel bell, / Old Mathematicus non est, / He’s dead and gone to ——!” The satirical program for the ritual... More

[Ann Arbor? n. p. ca. 1914]. Sepia photo measures approx. 6 x 4 inches on a 10 x 8 card mount. A welter of lively signage promises this theater is a “Cool and Comfortable Show,” where “Life is Worth Living,” and “The World’s Greatest Pictures: Do Everything but Talk.” A.... More