Small copper flattened flask. It has raised letter advertising on the back that says: “Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound Herb Medicine Pills for Constipation Sanative Wash”. The front has the monogram: “LEP” in a round cartouche for Lydia E. Pinkham, with embossed vertical design, scroll-work along the edges. Original screw cap and dauber.

Pinkham (February 9, 1819 – May 17, 1883) was an American inventor and marketer of an herbal-alcoholic “women’s tonic” for menstrual and menopausal problems, which medical experts dismissed as a quack remedy, but which is still on sale today in a modified form. She was abolitionist and feminist; Isaac Pinkham was ruined financially in the economic depression of the early 1870s. Lydia initially made the remedy on her stove before its success enabled production to be transferred to a factory. She answered letters from customers and probably wrote most of the advertising copy. This lady is considered one of the first women who runs her own business in USA