Images(6)

Pillbox

Object number2018.105.20 a-d

Manufacturer Mothersill Remedy Co., Limited

Datec. 1920

MediumCardboard; Paper; Ink;

Credit LineGift of Patty Sims

DescriptionSeasick pill box, with a pamphlet of instructions written in English and a pamphlet instructions written in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portugese languages .DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 2.125 × 1.5 × 3.625 in. (5.4 × 3.8 × 9.2 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 2.063 × 1.5 × 0.625 in. (5.2 × 3.8 × 1.6 cm)
Height x Width (c): 5.875 × 3.563 in. (14.9 × 9.1 cm)
Height x Width (d): 7.25 × 3.688 in. (18.4 × 9.4 cm)
Inscriptions(a) "Mothersill's / SEASICK / REMEDY / THESE CAPSULES ARE INTEDED TO RELIEVE AS WELL / AS PREVENT SEASICKNESS, TRAIN SICKNESS, NAUSEA, OR HEADACHES CAUSED / BY MOTION, CLIMBING ETC. GUARANTEED NOT TO CONTAIN MORPHINE CHLORAL, / COCAINE, OPIUM, COAL TAR PRODUCTS OR THEIR DERIVATIVES NOT OTHER / HABIT FORMING DRUGS. THIS BOX IS SUFFICIENT FOR 24 HOUR TREATMENT."

Italian text on proper left side of box, around image of statue, reads: "TASSA DI BOLLO ADDIZIONALE PRO MUTILATI-R-D-No. 738-7.VI.1920"

(b) Text on sticker on bottom reads: "Prezzo orig. L. 1300 / Tassa bollo 1,30 / Prezzo tot. 14,30 / vendita L.". Text under outer paper is illegible.

Text on paper adhered to bottom of box reads: "GUARANTEED / We Guarantee the success of "MOTHERSILL'S / SEASICK [illegible]."

(c) Top of pamphlet reads "MOTHERSILL'S / SEASICK / REMEDY / MOTHERSILL'S / This remedy is intended to prevent as well as relieve promptly when / taken according to directions...". See photos for entire text in booklet.

(d) Top of pamphlet reads: "DIRECTIONS / MOTHERSILL'S / SEASICK / REMEDY / FRENCH / GERMAN / ITALIAN / SPANISH / PORTUGESE". See photos for entire text in booklet.
Marks(a) Mark in top left corner reads: "MOTHERSILL'S / SEASICK / REMEDY". Maker's mark in lower section of box reads: "MOTHERSILL REMEDY CO., Limited / MONTREAL CAN. DETROIT, U.S. 19 ST BRIDE ST., LONDON, E.C.4 / MADE IN WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA.".

(c) Text on back of booklet on bottom reads: "MOTHERSILL REMEDY CO., Limited, / London, E.C. Detroit, Michigan Montreal, Can. / New York Paris Hamburg, Milan, / Amsterdam Wellington, N.Z. Bombay, India".

(d) Text on bottom of four pages reads: "MOTHERSILL REMEDY CO., Limited". Below this is printed these cities, in different spellings depending on the language above it: "Montreal, Canada New York City Detroit, Michigan / 19 St. Bride St., London, E.C. Paris Barcelona Milan Amsterdam Wellington, N.Z. Bombay, India".
Historical NotesThis pillbox and documents were stored in a steamer trunk that was found in the home of sisters Jo and Dolly Ferrara. This steamer trunk was found in the home of sisters Jo and Dolly Ferrara. The donor’s father, James Hahn was close to the Ferrara family and, when the parents passed away, he continued to help daughters Jo and Dolly who never married. After they died, the donor and her father cleaned out the house and discovered this trunk and its contents. The trunk belonged to the Ferarra’s cousin, Domenico Ferrara. Originally from Rivisondoli in the province of L’Aquila, he lived in various places around Pittsburgh, as well as Detroit and Atlanta, before moving in with his relatives at 1431 Denniston Ave in the early 1950s. Untouched since Domenico’s death in the 1970s, the trunk contained many items that offered clues about his life. He served in WWI for the United States, was a tailor by profession, and invested in the stock market, which financed his travels around the U.S.

Previous owner Domenico Ferrara

Related person Jo Ferrara

Related person Dolly Ferrara

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