“The Brinkley Operation” by Dr. J.R. Brinkley

Description

Brinkley, J.R. The Brinkley Operation. [Chicago?]: Sydney B. Flower, 1922. First Edition of goat gland operation promotional work.

Scarce original Quack medicine promotional book by infamous conman, mad scientist, and country music radio pioneer, John Romulus Brinkley, promoting the benefits of his signature goat gland operation involving the implantation or injection of goat sex organs into the human body for improved health, vigor, and fertility.

Through a combination of clever marketing— suggesting that the cure only worked on the intelligent— and playing off the fears of aging, impotence, and infertility Brinkley built an empire off his 750-dollar-a-treatment operations before expanding into radio and mail order businesses. His radio station arguably created modern Country Western music by expanding the then regional sound’s audience. Brinkley sustained enormous popularity despite prosecution by the Federal Government. He ran twice for Governor of Kansas, losing on one bid despite having the most votes.

90pp + 10 ads. Small 8vo, green cloth boards with title and author printed in gold on front and spine. Bookcloth darkened. Corners bumped and worn. Front corner bowed, small raised crease across spine hinge by title. Lower front corner soiled. Minor scuffing and wear to both sides. Spine bruised. Faux-marble pastedowns and endpapers. Pages clean. Complete with 10 photo plates and black and white surgical illustrations. Good condition.

For all you could ever want to know about this evil doctor and his goat gland fixation, listen to this episode of the Behind The Bastards podcast, or check out our listing for another of Brinkley’s books “The Goat Gland Transplantation”.

15 found in OCLC as of February 2020.