19th c Bklet on Dreams Language of Flowers Dr JH Mclean Patent Medicine St Louis

Description

This little 3 1/4 by 5 inch booklet has 31 pages. It's an advertising premium from Dr. J.H. Mclean(1829-1886), a St. Louis maker of a variety of patent medicines. Mclean, who did have some medical training, was involved in real estate as well as other businesses, and served a few months in Congress, filling out the term of a deceased member. His most eccentric venture was a book published in 1880 with spiritualist and inventor Myron Coloney. They were working on patents for an iron ship and weapons "so terrible and devastating" that they would force mankind to give up war. This little booklet has no title or date. In the"To the Reader" introduction, the Mclean states that though he has issued more than 5 millions of his Family Almanacs in six languages, his patrons wanted still more "interesting and useful" reading matter so he created this booklet.In addition to information on the medicines, there's sheet music for popular songs, a section on the language of flowers, and a dictionary of the meaning of different item in dreams. The address given of 814 Chestnut Street was the company's headquarters from 1867 to 1883.  The cover, which turned horizontally shows a man asleep on a river bank, the subject of his dreams appearing in the sky, is fragile, browned,with tears at the spine
and apart from the booklet.
The pages are toned with some foxing.