eBay

This 1" thick printing plate is metal attached to a wood block. It produced printed order forms for many of the products produced by Hallowell chemist H.P. Clearwater, Ph.D. and it reads in part:

WHEN ORDERING TREATMENT

Read this Blank carefully before ordering, for exact compliance.

For this $ _______________ please send the following remedies:

Main Remedies List

Product & Purpose	Single Price	Bulk Price
Rheumatic Treatment (a 15-day supply)	$2.00	3 packages $5.00
Urex—Stimulant-Diuretic to the Kidneys	1.00 pkg.	6 pkgs. 5.00
Vitola Tonic	1.00 "	6 " 5.00
Diatone—For Indigestion	.50 "	6 " 2.50
Joint Ease	60c, Family size 1.00
Pain Plasters	25c	5 for 1.00
Venox—For Rectal Irritation	$2.00 pkg.	3 pkgs. $5.00
Salatox—Laxative-Cathartic	50c "	3 " 1.00
Kamnex Anti-Pain Tablets	50c "	3 " 1.00
Headache Powders	25c "	5 " 1.00
Cold Tablets	25c "	5 " 1.00
Kilkorn—For Corns	25c "	5 " 1.00
Laxative Pills	25c "	5 " 1.00

Lanex Toilet Preparations

Product	Single Price	Bulk Price
Medicated Soap	25c cake	5 for $1.00
Healing Ointment	50c tube
Toilet Cream	25c tube	5 for $1.00
Toilet Powder	25c box	" " $1.00
Foot Powder	25c box	" " $1.00
Shaving Cream	35c tube
Tooth Cream	35c tube

TO SAVE TIME—USE THE NEW GOVERNMENT WAY OF BUYING BY MAIL

Undoubtedly the greatest convenience created recently by the U.S. Post Office Department is the new "PAY WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE GOODS PLAN." This new method which is being operated in connection with the wonderful parcel post system saves all bother and expense of sending money, writing checks, getting money orders, etc. If you wish to use this convenient, safe and modern way of buying, simply write "Yes" in the space at right and first mail will quickly bring the goods to you DELIVERY CHARGES FULLY PREPAID! I also pay the small fee which the government receives for handling the transaction. Therefore, the net price of the remedies alone is all you pay.

How to Send Money: It is perfectly safe to send currency pinned inside an ordinary letter, and I have comparatively no complaint of money thus lost failing to reach me. Or, money can be sent by registered letter, post-office or express money orders. Canadian currency, money orders or money orders issued in foreign countries or even your personal checks to your local bank if you have banking facilities, so that checks are drawn on Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, Philadelphia, London, Paris, or any of the South American or foreign centers, are acceptable to me at face value.
Address all correspondence and make remittances payable to
H. P. CLEARWATER Ph. D.
HALLOWELL MAINE U.S.A.

How successful was Doctor Clearwater? Well, Henry Pope Clearwater, Ph.D. (born 1879) was a pioneer of the early American mail-order medicine industry. Operating out of Hallowell, Maine, his direct-mail operation was so massive that it permanently altered the local infrastructure.

The Rise of His Business

Clearwater originally trained as a pharmacist under a retired Army surgeon named Major John Quincy Adams Hawes. After passing his examinations, he bought the Hawes drugstore on Water Street and began specializing in patent remedies, particularly proprietary medicine targeting "heart troubles".

Recognizing the burgeoning power of national advertising, he founded the Heart Cure Company. The venture was instantly successful, prompting Clearwater to sell his traditional storefront in 1905 to scale up a full-time direct-mail enterprise. He moved operations across the road to Hallowell's Masonic Building and began blanketing the United States with promotional materials.

Direct-Mail and Infrastructure Impact

Clearwater was a master of multi-channel marketing, using aggressive advertising campaigns in nationwide magazines, newspapers, and radio broadcasts to build a massive list of mail-order patients.

The 25,000 Letters-a-Day Volume: At its peak, Clearwater’s operation was mailing out up to 25,000 circular letters every day.

The New Post Office (1933): The sheer volume of outgoing and incoming direct mail from Clearwater's business completely overwhelmed Hallowell's local postal system. To safely process and handle his massive corporate output, the United States federal government constructed a brand new Hallowell Post Office in 1933.

This plate is a wonderful piece of history and it is in good, used condition and as shown. I USED A "PHOTO FLIP" UTILITY TO MAKE THESE PHOTOS. The actual plate is in reverse. It is ready to be inked to produce mini-broadside advertising. Bid or buy with confidence, everything is sold subject to the buyer's inspection. I have a liberal return policy and I reply pretty quickly if you have a concern. I ask that purchases be paid for within 2 days. Please view all pictures before bidding or buying. Feel free to ask any questions before bidding or purchasing. I try to be a good steward of the items I handle. This is from Maine, and I will ship within a day from Maine. There have been recent increases in postal rates, and I do try to offset them with lower prices, but shipping costs should be considered when making a purchase or bid, please remember that shipping large, bulky or heavy items can be expensive. International buyers are responsible for any tariffs or duty. Additional shipping methods are available, click the "Details" link on the listing for more choices. If you prefer a particular carrier or service, just drop me a message. I sell many small items in the $5 to $10 range, and I love combined shipping! If you send me a message. I'll watch for your items and give you an accurate shipping quote when you are ready. If you pay for 1 item, I must ship the item within 24 hours, eBay doesn't let me hold a paid item. If you are still shopping, just disregard my invoice.

I leave positive feedback soon after the item is paid, and I really appreciate your positive feedback if I earn it. TheCollectionBuyer always offers Free Local Pickup if you would like to visit historic Skowhegan, Maine!