1870's Richard Clement's Artificial Leg Civil War Trade Card, Phila PA
#100
A beautiful old original vintage 1860-70's American advertising trade card for a Philly based company owned by Richard Clement. Advertising Text reads: "Richard Clement's Patent Approved Artificial Leg, No. 1320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA." It features an illustration of flowers and 2 birds. This is in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware County.
The "Clement Patent" improved artificial leg was adopted for the U.S. Army and Navy by the Surgeon General of the United States. It is estimated there were over 30-40,000 amputations during the American Civil War from 1861-1865. There were many patents for artificial limbs filed with the US Government in response to this, with a heavy veteran population back home after a long and grueling war. After 1880, when pensions started, there was money set aside for artificial limbs. Richard Clement's business at 1320 Chestnut in Philly advertised for southern clients as well, and thus, in general, this began a new era of medical prosthetics. The earliest mention of this business we could find is 1867.
Found in Public Genealogy Records:
Richard Clement in the U.S. City Directories 1822-1995
Residence Year: 1868
Street address: 109 S 13th
Residence Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Surgeon Artist
Publication Title: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1868
A great genealogy piece for those also interested in the Clement surname. he started in the directories as an artist before the war, to a surgeon artist, to a "limbmaker" by occupation. The 1876 Sesqui Centennial in Philadelphia was a huge event in American history, with many new inventions touted.
A great piece, with condition as seen in scan, very clean front, small remnants of soft black paper on reverse, appears to have been removed from a scrapbook or photo album at one time. Scans will be high resolution 300 dpi of both front and back of this rare medical advertising piece.
Size is 3.25 x almost 2 inches
Note: The original is sold, but you may still purchase large, detailed and intimate 300 dpi high resolution scans of front and back, sent immediately via email. Please check our site carefully, as many may be related to each other that we are unaware of. Click scan to place in your cart. Thank you, enjoy! ~debra (please also join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. contact info on top bar)