Trade Card for Duplex Corsets, Bortree Manufacturing Co., circa 1885

The hourglass figure deemed fashionable in the late 19th century was made possible by the use of extremely uncomfortable and constricting undergarments, especially the corset. The Bortree Manufacturing Company was similar to other corset manufacturers in its claim that its corsets were not only beautiful but also comfortable and healthful -- claims with which both physicians and health reformers vehemently disagreed.