By the time of this advertisement in 1887, Allcock’s Plasters had been purchase by Benjamin Brandreth, maker of Brandreth Pills- a purgative that allegedly cured many ills by purging toxins out of the blood. (Note: pennant flying at top of mast and pill tin being pulled by boat).
Brandreth was a pioneer in using the then-infant technique of mass advertising in building brand awareness to create a mass market for his product. His advertising copy had a distinctly literary flavor which found favor with the public. Brandreth widely distributed his books and pamphlets throughout the country as well as taking copious advertising space in newspapers. Eventually his pills became one of the best selling patent medicines in the United States. ~ Wikipedia
Thomas Allcock (1815–1891) was born and educated in Birmingham, England. At age 15, he studied and practiced chemistry. Allcock emigrated to the United States in 1845, settled in New York and opened a small drug store under the Astor House. In 1854, he invented a porous plaster for the relief of pain, the sale of which made an appreciable increase in his income. Subsequently formed Allcock Manufacturing. ~ Wikipedia
Title: Allcock's porous plasters. The race for the cup - the winner coming home
Date Created/Published: c1887.
Summary: Two boys sailing in boat made out of a "plaster" box.
Library of Congress: LC-USZC2-296