Fifteen (15) Humorous 1880s Advertising Transformations

New York, New York: Donaldson Bros, 1880. Very good. Toned with some dust soiling. One larger tear to a corner of the Kinslow Kerosene oil lamp transformation. A couple modern tape repairs.. A nice grouping of fifteen (15) humorous 1880s advertising transformations. A fun example of "paper with a secret", advertising transformations were common ways to market products to the public, and usually used a folded flap of paper to "transform" an image and make a punch line. For example, a young woman frowns, until the flap is lifted to reveal her pretty smile with the caption "Use Tarrant's Seltzer Aperient ... The Faithful Friend to Suffering Women". Each is chromolithographed and measures approx. 3.5" by 3.5" folded, and 5.25" by 3.25" unfolded. Most with jokes or humorous rhymes. Most, if not all, produced by Donaldson Bros. of New York. Common themes in the humor include gender roles, domestic living, and politics.