From Ferdinand von Mueller to F. W. Reichelt & Co.   24 Oct 1887

Melbourne, 24th October. 1887.

I feel justified to attest that I found Mr. F. W. Reichelt's 'Dandelion Ale' to be a light, refreshing and palatable beverage, free from any unwholesome ingredients, and particularly calculated to stimulate digestion and promote nutrition.

BARON VON MUELLER, M & Ph.1, F.C.S.2

D omitted? Included in some later advertisements, for example Geelong advertiser, 8 November 1894, p. [3], col f.

Fellow of the Chemical Society, to which M was elected in 1884.

The text given here is from an advertisement in the Age, 19 November 1892, p. 14:

…

REMEDY FOR LIVER COMPLAINT.

The latest, healthiest most pleasant Drink.

REICHELT'S DANDELION ALE, DANDELION PORTER,

REICHELT'S GERMAN WEISSBEER, Non-intoxicating.

Especially brewed for this climate, wholesome, refreshing for family use. No mother in want of nourishment ought to be without it.

…

After listing places where it is available, M's testimonial is printed, and followed by

Analysed and highly recommended by

C. R. BLACKETT, Government Analyst

JOHN KRUSE. Analyst

M's name was used in advertisements for the beverage from at least 1889 until 1894, although often not with the full text given here. Later advertisements carried testimonials from additional supporters.

Please cite as “FVM-87-10-24,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/vonmueller/letters/87-10-24