'A certain cure for the German Measles' comic postcard

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E. Mack

c. 1915

Overview

WWI era comic postcard entitled 'A certain cure for the German Measles'. Cream card with black and red writing.
The text is in the form of a prescription with the ingredients representing the components of explosives and the countries of the allies.
Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, also gets a mention.
The reverse gives the publisher's details.

Historical information

'Woolwich powders' refers to the Royal Arsenal Munitions Factory which was on the south bank of the river Thames in London. 'Tincture of iron and lead' also refers to ammunition. There are plays on words such as 'French Mustered" rather than mustard, and 'Peace-Soup' instead of pea soup.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00217

Item type

Collectibles

Ephemera

Postcards

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Card

Ink

Width

138 mm

Height or length

87 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Written at top of card:

"A CERTAIN CURE FOR THE (black print)
GERMAN MEASLES" (red print)

Mix some Woolllllwich Powders with Tinct. of iron or Essence
of Lead, and administer in pills (or shells). Have ready a little British
Army (a little goes a long way) some Brussels Sprouts and French
Mustered. Add a little Canadian Cheese and Australian Lamb and
season with thre best Indian Curry. Set it on a Kitchener and keep
stirring until quite hot.
If this does not make the {atient perspire freely, rub the best
Russian Bears' Grease on his chest and wrap in Berlin wool.
Dr. Cannon's Prescrip."

Written in red:

"P.S. The patient must on no account have any
Peace-Soup until the swelling in the head
has quite disappeared."

On reverse of card:

"No. 147 COPYRIGHT E. MACK, KING HENRY'S RD, HAMPSTEAD, LONDON."

Keywords

Place made

Hampstead
London
United Kingdom

Year