Whisk

Object Name:

Whisk

Object ID:

2012.035.08

Place of Origin:

Cornish, NH

Date:

1900-1950

Description:

Large wire whisk, used for mixing Hardy's Salve in Cornish Flat, NH. Head of heavy looped wires. Wound wire handle. Coated with dried ointment residue.

Material:

Metal
Steel

Dimensions:

L-16 Dia-3.5 inches

Provenance:

Born in Grantham, NH, Dr. Samuel Hardy (1804-1879) moved to upstate New York during the mid 1820s but returned about 1835 to live permanently on a farm in Cornish Flat. In 1836 he developed and began to sell medicinal products including Hardy's Salve. In 1869, the business was taken over by his two sons, Philemon C. Hardy (1840-1917) and Charles T. Hardy (1846-1885). The Hardys produced a variety of patent medicines including Dr. Hardy's Magnetic Pain Destroyer, Dr. Hardy's Magical Pain Destroyer, Dr. Hardy's External Anodyne, Dr. Hardy's Indian Vegetable Worm Powder, Dr. Hardy's Porous Plasters, Dr. Hardy's Capsicum Plasters, Dr. Hardy's Cathartic Electuary, Dr. Hardy's Root and Herb Tonic Bitters, Dr. Hardy's Bitters, and Dr. Hardy's Woman's Friend. The best and longest-lasting product they developed was Hardy's Salve, sold from 1836 through 2000. Philemon C. Hardy sold the business to George Hunt of Cornish. Hunt's wife Kate operated the business for few years until it was taken over by their sons Harry Hunt and Kenneth Hunt. In the 1950s the Hunts sold the business to Martin Sklar of Claremont. In 1965 Sklar sold the business to Robert LeClair, who in turn sold it to the donor, Robert E. Weaver in 1989.

Credit Line:

Gift of Robert E. Weaver

People:

Hardy, Samuel (1804-1879)

Subjects:

Medicines, Patent medicines, Medical equipment & supplies