The Olden Time Series, Vol. 4: Quaint and Curious Advertisements / Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21675

Title

The Olden Time Series, Vol. 4: Quaint and Curious Advertisements / Gleanings Chiefly from Old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume collects quaint and curious advertisements from old Boston and Salem newspapers, offering a humorous and instructive glimpse into 18th and 19th-century life. From runaway slave notices to frigate-building appeals, these snippets reveal the manners, commerce, and peculiarities of the era.

Summary up to 500 words

Henry M. Brooks' *Quaint and Curious Advertisements* offers a vivid window into the social fabric of Boston and Salem from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. Compiled from old newspapers, this anthology transforms mundane commercial notices into a rich historical record, blending entertainment with authentic insight into early American life. The collection captures the diverse voices of the era, ranging from dignified announcements of mourning for figures like General Hamilton to the blunt, often humorous complaints of local merchants. Readers encounter a wide array of notices that illustrate the region's commercial evolution, from dry goods stores selling everything from coarse tow cloth to fine muslin to specialized music shops and fencing exhibitions. The text highlights the community spirit of Salem, where citizens subscribed to build warships like the frigate *Essex* in a matter of months, and the commercial anxieties of the time, such as bakers facing labor shortages or merchants battling 'ill-natured opposition' from competitors. Notable entries include public warnings about smallpox rumors and thorn-apples, appeals for help in building naval vessels, and advertisements for living curiosities like six-legged heifers, giant oxen, and a 'sagacious' dog capable of reading and arithmetic. The book also documents the moral anxieties of the period, such as a reward for bodies stolen from a graveyard for dissection and complaints about the effects of abolition on domestic labor. Through these varied voices, Brooks provides an amusing and instructive glimpse into the daily concerns, innovations, and societal values of New England, preserving the unique language and spirit of a bygone era for modern readers.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Social Life and Customs
• Advertising