Trade Card for Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound and Blood Purifier, 1889

In 1873, Lydia E. Pinkham created "Pinkham's Vegetable Compound," a mixture of roots, herbs, and alcohol that she claimed would treat a variety of "female complaints." A few years later, Pinkham established a patent medicine company and began marketing and selling her product. Pinkham publicized the herbal remedy through pamphlets, magazine and newspaper advertisements, and small trade cards like this one.