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The Ideal Felt Tooth Polisher: Flags, Dentist Testimonials, and The Great Modjeska
Theodore P Croll1, Andrew I Spielman2, Ben Z Swanson
1Clinic Director, Cavity Busters Doylestown, Doylestown, PA Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.
Abstract:
The Ideal Felt Tooth Polisher was made by the Horsey Manufacturing Company in Utica, New York, in the early 1880s. With multiple endorsements by prominent dentists, printed on the reverse side of trade cards, the company led readers to believe that the product was superior to toothbrushes. The text on one particular trade card displayed endorsements from C.M. Richmond and Josiah Foster Flagg. In addition, the obverse of that card features Helena Modjeska, a "superstar" actress of the time. Madame Modjeska added her very favorable endorsement on the reverse. By happenstance, "Modjeskas" became the name of a popular confection that has remained a delectable candy treat to this day.
