The Herbalist Almanac - 1933 Edition

Certified Artifact | Wild Island Heritage Collection

Published by Indiana Botanic Gardens (Hammond, Indiana) and originally produced under the auspices of herbalist-publisher Joseph E. Meyer, this 1933 almanac is a slim yet richly evocative 64-page softcover booklet of herb lore, native-plant wisdom, weather and planting guidance, and folklore.

The 1933 volume in this condition is particularly scarce — printed in limited distribution and rarely surviving in collectible condition. Its striking cover art depicts a fireside herbal gathering beside woodland tipis, rendered in vibrant prewar color lithography.

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 1933 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. 

Certified by Wild Island Trading Company

This artifact has been formally catalogued within the Wild Island Provenance Registry, an archival ledger dedicated to preserving the lineage of botanical and naturalist works. 

Registry ID: WITC-HC-THA33A

Pencil markings at top of cover resembling the numbers "450". 

Back cover shows early preservation repairs using vintage tape — original botanical illustration panels remain vivid and complete. Repairs maintained as part of historical integrity.