Lydia E. Pinkham (1819-1883)
On a recent trip to Arkansas, I ran across a needle and thread case entitled "Lydia E. Pinkham". Although I usually do not cater to these matchbook-style books, I bought this one because it was cheap. I remembered seeing her name on various sewing items on eBay. I knew nothing about her. My Internet search located a strange and wonderful site called the "Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health" which told me the following story of Lydia.
Following the bankruptcy of her husband in 1875, Lydia E. Pinkham began her highly successful patent medicine business. Her primary product, Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, was advertised to cure "all those painful complaints and weaknesses so common to our best female population". Lydia's compound was nearly 18% alcohol and provided a respectable way for women to indulge. During prohibition, Lydia's compound enjoyed its greatest success.
In addition to needle cases, Lydia's company published many promotional booklets, cookbooks, and trade cards. Lydia herself wrote self-help and advice columns to advertise her product in newspapers and magazines. She died a wealthy woman. Her company continued marketing her compound until government regulations ended the extravagant claims made about patent medicines such as hers.
I encourage you to visit The Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health. There you can see samples of her trade cards, pamphlets, medicine bottles, and so much more. Lydia E. Pinkham was quite an entrepreneur and perhaps the first widely successful businesswoman in the USA.
Thank you Harry Finley, for allowing me to use this information from your web-site!
