Bill-head for J Alefounder, Chemist & Druggist, Faversham, England, 1800-1890

Trade card: Bo[ugh]t. of J. Alefounder, chemist and druggist, Market Street, Faversham, 18--, engraving printed by F R R Isaac, 11 Store Street, Bedford Square, London. Physicians prescriptions accurately dispensed, horse and cattle medicines, spices, patent medicines &c. [chemist drawing liquid from still] 10x18cm (Calv. 11), 1840s-1890.

J Alefounder was a chemist and druggist based in Faversham, Kent. Chemists and druggists filled prescriptions written by doctors and sold brand name medicines, in this case for animals as well as people. Alefounder also sold spices. Trade cards like this one were used to advertise businesses and may have been given out with purchases.

The illustration shows a chemist drawing liquid from a still in order to prepare medicines. “J Alefounder” could either refer to John Senior, who ran the business from the 1820s until his death in 1867, or his son John, who ran the business from 1867 until 1890.