The Herbalist Almanac -1951 Edition

Published by Indiana Botanic Gardens (Hammond, Indiana) and originally produced under the auspices of herbalist-publisher Joseph E. Meyer, this 1951 almanac is a slim yet richly evocative 64-page softcover booklet of herb lore, native-plant wisdom, weather and planting guidance, and folklore. 

Featuring colour-illustrated covers and black-and-white botanical line drawings inside, it presents a unique mid-century snapshot of American herbal culture, mail-order herb commerce, and the confluence of traditional remedies with the rural calendar. 

Its contents include:

• A monthly/seasonal guide to planting, harvesting, and using herbs (with emphasis on roots, shrubs and native medicinal plants)
• Folk-weather forecasts and countryside lore (e.g., “Indian weather forecasts”) tied to gardening and harvesting cycles
• Short articles and illustrations on specific herbs, their uses and preparation
• Mail-order product listings and catalogue-style features from Indiana Botanic Gardens, giving insight into the business of herbs in the 1950s
• Decorative art and adverts that evoke the era and herb-commerce traditions

For the herbalist, ethnobotanist, native-plant enthusiast or collector, the 1951 edition offers more than nostalgia — it is a tangible piece of North American herbal heritage, rooted in the legacy of Joseph E. Meyer (1878-1950) and the business he built. 

Perfect for display in a vintage pharmacy collection, an herbalist’s library, or as a nostalgic addition to Americana décor.