This original, Civil War era India Rubber Court Plaster remains in its nicely printed, INDIA RUBBER COURT PLASTER, / WARRANTED / Manufactured by J. H. Thacher / Portsmouth, N.H. The unopened packet remains in fine original condition containing a single surgical plaster measuring approximately 4 ¼ by 3 ¼ inches. The antique court plaster was a thin sheet which when wetted adhered to the skin so as to offer protection of the wounded surface. (see: India-Rubber & Gutta-Percha In The Civil War Era by Mike Woshner , also National Museum Of Civil War Medicine collection Pamplin Park)
Joseph Haven Thacher began his druggist's business at the corner of State and Pleasant Streets in Portsmouth, New Hampshire sometime before 1851 (see period City Directories) and may be found in the 1861 New Hampshire Apothecary Directory. We'd guess that his brother who also ran an apothecary operated the business for a time during the Civil War as Joseph is listed as serving as Capt. Co. K of the 16th New Hampshire Infantry.
A neat addition to any Civil War vintage medical / surgical grouping without spending a lot of money. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!