There are few collections of ephemeral items that provide a view of the world as cohesively as Pentothal postcards. And their style is very much of their time -- the 1950s and 1960s. At least 170 cards were printed, stamped, franked, and sent from nearly 80 countries. They were an innovative way for the Abbott pharmaceutical company to promote Pentothal, an anesthetic agent still in use today. The cards were sent to doctors, nurse anesthetists, hospitals and the general public. The program lasted for 15 years -- from 1954 to 1968. This book contains more than half of the cards that were produced, the very best examples, and features people, places, buildings and sculpture from around the world of the period. The collection is introduced by an explanation and guide written by David Lai, MD. Both the picture and the correspondence sides of the cards are featured. The closer you look, the more you will see.