Ali Babba And The Forty Thieves Peepshow, Circa: 1890s
Raphael Tuck & Sons London, Paris, New York - Publishers to Her Majesty The Queen. no. 1442
Wonderful several-layer PEEPSHOW with intricate die-cut designs and movable "doors" -see photos
The Story of Ali Babba is written on the sides of the peepshow and readable when extended.
A truly unique piece unlike any that we have seen from Raphael Tuck. Quite Scarce - This is the only peepshow-style paper toy that we have seen form Raphael Tuck.
Condition: Fine - all original without damage
This Peepshow was crafted as a promotional item to promote "Wackendorf's Mayapple Alternative" for the F.P. Bailey Drug Co. located in Zanesville, Ohio
Collector's Corner:
*Dating this item: According to the Collector's Guide to Raphael Tuck and Sons: Paper Dolls, Paper Toys and Children's Books by Whitton, Blair on page 6 “Darting the objects of Raphael Tuck”, this was published between 1893 and 1901
Established in 1859, the Frank P. Bailey Drug Company flourished until 1923 when it was acquired by the Johnson Drug Company. Throughout its operational years, F.P. Bailey Drug Co. gained acclaim for its quality products and good customer service.
The company's advertising materials, including postcards and trade cards produced by companies like Raphael Tuck & Sons, were popular with customers and collectors alike. Trade cards were a popular form of advertising in the United States from the mid-1870s to around 1900. During this time, many businesses, including F.P. Bailey Drug Co., produced and distributed trade cards as a way to promote their products and services. Some trade cards were quite elaborate and featured pop-up designs, or other interactive elements like fold-outs or movable parts. The use of trade cards as a form of advertising began to decline in popularity around the turn of the 20th century. This was due in part to the increasing availability of other forms of print media, such as newspapers and magazines.
"Wackendorf's Mayapple Alternative" was a patent medicine that was sold in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a treatment for a variety of health problems, including constipation, liver complaints, and skin disorders. The active ingredient in "Wackendorf's Mayapple Alternative" was likely derived from the mayapple plant (Podophyllum peltatum), which contains a compound called podophyllin that has been used for centuries as a natural laxative and skin treatment. Patent medicines like "Wackendorf's Mayapple Alternative" were popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they were often marketed using exaggerated claims and testimonials to appeal to consumers.