Life, 1893-10-26 · page 15 of 16
Life — October 26, 1893 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page advertisement for Vin Mariani, a patent medicine wine containing coca extract (an early cocaine product). The page uses celebrity endorsements to market the product as a legitimate medical tonic. Two famous 19th-century French figures are quoted: playwright Victorien Sardou praises it for health and mood, while novelist Emile Zola (via his recent book *Doctor Pascal*) describes it as an "Elixir of Life" that combats human weakness and could create a "superior race." The advertisement claims 7,000 physician endorsements and widespread use in hospitals and institutions. It promises to strengthen nerves, aid digestion, and provide immediate, lasting effects—standard patent medicine claims of the era. This reflects pre-regulation America when such products were legally sold without restriction, and celebrity testimonials and medical claims required no substantiation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE: VICTORIEN SARDOU says: “In truth, VIN MARIANI is perfect. gives us health, drives away the blues, and is of such excellent quality, that who ever tastes it, might almost desire to be forever debilitated and depressed, thus to have a pretext to drink it.” VICTORIEN SARDOU. EMILE ZOLA writes to Mons. MARIANI, quoting from his recent took, Doctor Pascal," Chapter I]. : “1... The Elixir of Life, which combats human debility, the one real cause of every ill—a veritable scientific fountain of youth, which, in giving vigor, health and energy, would create an entirely new and superior race" EMILE ZOLA. For BODY and BRAIN. VIN MARIANI (MARIANI WINE.) THE ORIGINAL FRENCH Coca PREPARATION. Nourishes, Strengthens, Stimulates, Fortifies and Refreshes the Entire System. An agreeable, mild stimulant, without unpleas- ant reaction ; a diffusible tonic; a strengthener of the nervous system, with especial good effect on the diges- tive and respiratory organs ; for convalescents and en- feebled conditions is unequalled. Effect is immediate and lasting. Vin Mariani is prescribed by the Medical Pro- fession since 30 years throughout Europe and America. Is universally praised in all Medical Journals, and by over 7,000 written endorsements from prom- inent physicians. The most popularly used tonic stimulant in hos- pitals, public, private and religious institutions. Thorough testing, strictly upon its own merits, will prove the exceptionally high repu- tation it holds. Price per Bottle, One Dollar. AT DRUGGISTS, FANCY GROCERS AND WINE MERCHANTS. FOR DESCRIPTIVE CIRCULARS, ETC., ADDRESS MARIANI & CO., 52 West 15th Street, PARIS, 41 Bd. Naussmann. New York. LONDON, 239 Oxford St. comicbooks.com