Babbitts Soap trade card Politician free samples c1870 African American

Description

Trade card advertising Babbitt's soap with an illustration of a well-dressed political type standing on a stage or platform near the White House, handing out free samples of soap to a crowd with the help of an equally well-dressed black man. At the top a caption reads: "a free use of Babbitt's soap will carry the state every time". On the back of the trade card is a 14-line rhyme about "Babbitt's Best Soap". Babbitt soap was manufactured by Benjamin Babbitt, a man who was successful both as a businessman and as an inventor - in addition to creating a new process to make soap, he was also the first to market individual bars of soap. This card is just one example advertising by Babbitt: he rivaled his friend PT Barnum in success and originality. Babbitt became a household name, and he is credited as the first business to offer free samples of his product. His ads helped popularize the phrase "jump on the bandwagon". Published by Babbitt in the 1870s. 5 1/4" x 4"