1880s Beautiful Adams Black Jack Gum Lithographic Advertisement

Description

Offered is a wonderful Victorian advertisement and testimonial for Adams Black Jack Gum. Stiff cardboard with a beautiful illustration on the front and a testimonial and awards details on the back. In 1871, Adams received a patent on a gum-making machine and began mass-producing chicle-based gum. His first product ("Snapping and Stretching") was pure chicle with no flavoring, but sold well enough to encourage Adams in his plans. He began to experiment with flavorings, beginning with sarsaparilla. In 1884, he began adding licorice flavoring and called his invention Adams' Black Jack, the first flavored gum in the U.S. It was also the first gum to be offered in sticks. Black Jack Gum was sold well into the 1970s, when production ceased due to slow sales. 5 ½” x 11”. This has a few small nicks, but overall, very good condition.