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Journal of the history of dentistry2025; 73(2); 151-155; doi: 10.58929/jhd.2025.073.02.151

A Ridiculous Business Card in a Horse Dentist Family.

Abstract: Early in the 1900s, a Philadelphia Horse Dentist apparently had a jolly sense of humor. A business card with a fun reverse is evidence of that. In 1876 Peter J. Haley, Sr. founded a veterinary horse parlor business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his sons Peter Jr. Haley and James Raymond Haley carried their father's work forward, after his death.
Publication Date: 2025-07-24 PubMed ID: 40706064DOI: 10.58929/jhd.2025.073.02.151Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Historical Article

Summary

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The research article offers an interesting exploration into the history of an unusual business card belonging to a family of Horse Dentists from Philadelphia in the early 20th century. The card, found with humorous content on its reverse side, comes from the Haley family, who carried forward their horse dentistry business that was originally established in 1876.

Origin and History of the Haley Family Business

  • The article begins by explaining the origins of the Haley family horse dental practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The patriarch of the Haley family, Peter J. Haley, Sr., laid the foundation for the business in 1876.
  • After the death of Peter Sr., his sons Peter Haley Jr. and James Raymond Haley, continued the family business. Their sustaining the business is evidence of the enduring professional status and relevance of the equine dentistry practice during that period.

The Business Card and its Humor

  • In an intriguing turn, the article introduces a business card associated with the Haley’s horse dentistry practice. The notable feature of this card was the humor it carried on its reverse side, setting it apart from typical business cards.
  • While the article does not specify the exact humorous content present, it makes clear that the joviality of the message reflects the spirited character of the early 1900s Philadelphia society, especially within the circles that engaged with horse dentistry.

Implications and Importance of the Find

  • Finding such a unique business card offers a peculiar and novel insight into the past. It suggests an approach to business in those days that blended professionalism with personal charm and humor.
  • This discovery enriches our understanding of the social context and practices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly among unusual professions such as horse dentistry.

Cite This Article

APA
Croll TP, Swanson BZ. (2025). A Ridiculous Business Card in a Horse Dentist Family. J Hist Dent, 73(2), 151-155. https://doi.org/10.58929/jhd.2025.073.02.151

Publication

ISSN: 1089-6287
NlmUniqueID: 9609747
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 73
Issue: 2
Pages: 151-155

Researcher Affiliations

Croll, Theodore P
  • Clinic Director, Cavity Busters Doylestown, Doylestown, PA Adjunct Professor Pediatric Dentistry University of Texas HSC at San Antonio Clinical Professor, Pediatric Dentistry Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.
Swanson, Ben Z

    MeSH Terms

    • Horses
    • Animals
    • History, 19th Century
    • History, 20th Century
    • Philadelphia
    • Dentists / history
    • Humans
    • Pennsylvania
    • Wit and Humor as Topic / history

    References

    This article includes 2 references
    1. , accessed April 1, 2024
    2. , accessed April 1, 2024

    Citations

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