Melvin Albert "Bert" Weed (1882-1964) began in the pharmacy business in 1898 as a clerk at Seattle's Bartell Drug Company. After college he partnered with Albert G. Keene (1854-1924) and worked as a pharmacist at Lake Washington Pharmacy. In 1906, Bert married Keene's daughter Mamie Luella Keene (1881-1970), and they had one daughter, Luell (Weed) Guthrie (1910-1987). Lake Washington Pharmacy became Weed's Pharmacy in 1910, operating for over 50 years in the same Central District location at 2601 Jackson Street. The original cartoon drawing pictured here advertises Weed's Tolu Turpin Compound and Antispetic Gargle, medicinal blends created by Dr. Weed to combat the Grippe, Spanish Flu, and colds. Ingredients listed on the Tolu Turpin label include Heroin, Chloroform, and Alcohol, and the label promises it to be "pleasant" and "effective." The drawing is signed "McT," but no other information is known about the artist, or how the drawing was used.

Caption information source: "Druggist Fetes 50th Anniversary" The Seattle Daily Times, July 3, 1952, page 13.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Advertisements; Drawings; Medicines; Weed’s Pharmacy (Seattle, Wash.)