Catalog Archive
Auction 186, Lot 36

"This Map Illustrates the World-Wide Distribution of Eno's "Fruit Salt"",

Subject: World

Period: 1928 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
37.9 x 28.1 inches
96.3 x 71.4 cm
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This large promotional map was created by Alfred E. Taylor for Eno's Fruit Salt, a "cure-all" antacid that was created in 1852 by James Crossley Eno. Primarily made from sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, Eno gave away samples to sea captains and merchants at the seaport in his hometown of Newcastle to keep them healthy on their voyages. In this manner, Eno's Fruit Salts quickly made their way around the world. The map shows the locations around the world where Eno's Fruit Salt is exported, with each location numbered and identified below the map (with 444 in total!). Throughout the map are whimsical images of figures in local costumes and regional animals (including mythical ones), many of which are accompanied by humorous captions, such as the crocodile in Egypt with the caption: "Your crocodile is a strange serpent and its tears are wet." Quotes from famous people are also interspersed within the map, including ones by Benjamin Franklin, the Pope, and Samuel Butler. An ecliptic line made of stars and the signs of the zodiac stretches across the map, another nod to the sailors who used Eno's Fruit Salt. The benefits and uses of Eno's Fruit Salt are noted within the map, including in several of the captions ("effect of Eno on Cossacks"), in the compass rose ("Good Health"), within the sun above the title ("first thing every morning"), and a note in the Arctic Sea indicating that Eno is "accommodated chiefly to the practice of Merchants and Tradesmen; but is likewise useful for schools, banks, diversion of gentlemen, business of mechanicks, and officers of the King's custom and excise." The decorative border is filled with grape vines and animals from around the world. Interestingly, Eno's Fruit Salt is one of the few 19th century medicinal mixtures still manufactured and sold today, now owned by GlaxoSmithKline.

Alfred E. Taylor (1887-1959) was an English artist, book illustrator, and mapmaker. First created by Taylor in 1925, this example was reprinted in 1928 by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son Ltd. in London. (Click here to read Rodrick Barron's excellent article on Taylor for more biographical information.) Issued folding in printed paper covers with "The Eno Map of the World" in a decorative title cartouche on front cover.

References:

Condition: A

Professionally backed in thin tissue with minor soiling, issued folding with a few short fold separations along the edges. The covers are stained with some creases and short tears along the edges.

Estimate: $750 - $1,000

Sold for: $550

Closed on 2/9/2022

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