Judge, 1894-12-08 · page 47 of 60
Judge — December 8, 1894 — page 47: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not political satire—it's a full-page advertisement for Vin Mariani, a French tonic wine popular in the late 19th century. The page features endorsements from famous celebrities of the era: actors (Henry Irving, Mrs. Kendal, Ada Rehan, Richard Mansfield, E.H. Sothern, Fanny Davenport), composer John Philip Sousa, author Émile Zola, playwright Victorien Sardou, sculptor Bartholdi, and tenor Italo Campanini. Each portrait includes a testimonial claiming the tonic cured fatigue, strengthened constitution, or enhanced mental faculties. The ad promises "75 Portraits and Autographs of Celebrities" free to interested consumers and emphasizes endorsements from "7000 written indorsements from leading physicians." Vin Mariani actually contained cocaine (from coca leaf extract)—a fact not disclosed here but common in patent medicines of this period. The advertisement exploits celebrity culture and medical authority to sell what we'd now recognize as a potentially dangerous product.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Every test proves uniformly excellent reputation of this popular French Tonic: “VIN MARIANI” is perfect; gives health, drives away the blues. VICTORIEN SARDOU. I owe to “VIN MARIANI" a con- stitution of iron, which resists all fa- tigues. I am well convinced of the excellence and quality of ** VIN MARIANI.” HENRY IRVING. “VIN MARIANI" is certainly a great help to voice and system. MRS. KENDAL. “VIN MARIANI” brightens and in- creases all our faculties. BARTHOLDI. “VIN MARIANI,” the Elixir of Life gives vigor, health and energy. EMILE ZOLA. “VIN MARIANI" has been the most wonderful tonic for me; it is unequaled. FANNY DAVENPORT, “VIN MARIANI" is the most ef fective, at same time pleasant, tonic ADA REHAN, When fatigued, no remedy can be so roughly relied upon as “VIN MARI- For brain-workers, and when ex- thor AN ITALO CAMPANINI. pending nervous force, “VIN MARI- ANI" is invaluable. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA. When fatigued. a small glassful of “VIN MARIANI" works wonders. RICHARD MANSFIELD. “VIN MARIANI” is of greatest value as a tonic; I always use it. E. H. SOTHERN. IN MARIAN (MARIANL WINE.) THE POPULAR FRENCH TONIC Nourishes, Fortifies, Refreshes, Strengthens, the Entire System. SENT FREE 75 PORTRAITS. PARIS: 41 Boulevard Maussmann. LONDON: 239 Oxtord Street. MONTREAL: 28 Hospital Street. Recommended everywhere by the Medical Profession during past 30 years. - We hold over 7000 written indorsements from leading physicians. For all fatigues of Body and A Brain, “VIN RIANI”’ is pro- nounced the most Reliable, Ef- fective and Agreeable Tonic Stimulant. to all who mention thisJournal, 75 Portraits and Autographs of Celebrities, testifying to excellence of ‘VIN MARIANI.” Ask for ‘VIN MARIANI" at Druggists’ and Fancy Grocers’. To avoid disappointments accept no substitutions. MARIANI & CO., 52 west isth street, New York. comicbooks.com