Looking at a Burdock’s Blood Bitters Rebus

27 October 2014

by Joe Gourd

Ferd, Sorry, nothing for the Chicago Hunki Dori. I do have something for your Bath, Maine, Hunk (hairy eye) Dori post. Using the eye in place of the letter “i” is a form of a Rebus puzzle. I have seen them on a number of trade cards. Attached is one on the back of a Burdocks Blood Bitters card (see above and below images)

Also, below is a Wikipedia definition of Rebus. You will notice the very same “hairy eye” as on the Hunk Dori label on the 1865 Rebus Escort Cards.

Have a great day………..Joe

Rebus Escort Cards – Circa 1865

A rebus is an allusional device that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words. It was a favourite form of heraldic expression used in the Middle Ages to denote surnames. For example, in its basic form, three salmon (fish) are used to denote the name “Salmon”. A more sophisticated example was the rebus of Bishop Walter Lyhart of Norwich, consisting of a stag (or hart) lying down in a conventional representation of water. The composition alludes to the name, profession or personal characteristics of the bearer, and speaks to the beholder. Non verbis, sed rebus, which Latin expression signifies “not by words but by things”

Arolsen Klebeband Rebus

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