Description

Taken from an original piece handled in our collection is this example of the myriad of such items produced during the pre-war/wartime period. Tooth powders were routinely produced, promoted, and sold by apothecaries and chemists of the era. This is Dr. Fry’s of Philadelphia, and representative of his earliest label. (this is a protected proprietary work of the SoFS, unauthorized reproduction will be pursued) Commonly seen during the period’s fascination with all things Asian he promoted it as an “Oriental” concoction. While such claims were common-place in the period, few if any products could trace any such claims as valid) The bottle is a common style of the period construction and is of the same configuration and shape as the original. Many sellers of such products, including many sutlers, began the marketing of smaller sized containers in response to the demand of the now much more mobile populace and the vast number of soldiers desiring to minimize baggage weight, along with salesman wanting to maximize profits when selling to them. Artifacts and advertisement research reveal that as the culture became more mobile mid-century, many products began to be produced for the “traveller” and soldier alike. This is just the right size for the pack being a 2 oz.  bottle which measures 1-1/2″ square and 2-1/2″, tall unopened. We have meticulously labeled and packaged the bottle per originals examined with the closure being a style practiced by many apothecaries. (we have handled many original unopened apothecary/medicinal bottles with this closure and retain several examples in our inventory collection) The bottle is first corked with a real cut cork, not the crushed and pressed in glue version seen more commonly today. (known as agglomeration and developed in the 1880-90s) With the stopple firmly pressed in, a paper seal glued over the top firmly holds it in place. Then a piece of unbleached brown paper is placed over the cork and pulled down over the neck where it is tightly tied in place under the lip with our period correct fine cotton twine. Contains a commercially and professionally produced mint flavored tooth powder. (SoFS assumes no responsibility for the use of this product, nor any issues due to possible allergies to any of the ingredients) Like many of our living history items, produced by us originally for a museum display – we are excited to offer this item again, after a about a decade off of the market, in order to allow for other types and labels, consistent with our commitment to better represent the diverse material culture of the period. (Note: Quantity allowed per order is set at 2 to allow availability of a reasonable individually useable amount to the maximum number of customers)

THESE LABELS ARE PROPRIETARY AND PROTECTED. ANY UNAUTHORIZED USE WILL BE VIGOROUSLY PURSUED.