Corrosive Desemia, or Perfumed Nut. Imported from Guatemala, Central America

United States, 1880. Fair. Toned. Lower half trimmed off and missing.. Printed handbill advertising "Corrosive Desemia, or Perfumed Nut", a nut imported from South America to the United States by "Wm. McClellan". Uses imperialist rhetoric and exoticism to appeal to American consumers, touting the nut as a miraculous find previously hidden to civilization: "I have the honor to present this Fruit, with its many virtues, to the American people. For ages, this perfume nut has been kept a secret by the natives of the interior of Central America. It is used in their political affairs, their feasts and wedding ceremonies, and at death a few of these nuts are placed with the body to keep it in a purified condition. The natives use the oil of the nut to grease their bodies and hair. Its perfume destroys vermin of all kinds that the tropical country abounds in. Its pleasant perfume is used in their Spring feasts as an offering to their Gods..." It goes on to list other uses (perfume, disinfectant, etc.) and ends by listing the importer (William McClellan). Sadly, this copy has been trimmed (ends on a comma and some text below visible), and the bottom half of this handbill and its information has been lost. Interestingly, however, we have located one other copy of this item that was trimmed in the same place, perhaps suggesting it was done intentionally. Measures approx. 6.5" by 5.5", verso blank, pinhole to head for posting as a bulletin.