Description

Many and varied local pharmacist and commercially produced tooth powders enjoyed a very proactive presentation during the wartime period. Advertisements extolling it’s virtues are seen regularly in many periodicals between 1861-1865. Our research indicates the product was offered in bottles, wood and cardstock boxes, crocks and tins. Cardstock and wood box labels varied from very generic, even handwritten Pharmacists labels, to high quality printed examples in small and more localized commercial production. Paste board and cardstock production along with the wood boxes was a cottage industry in the pre-war period and extended even through the turn of the century and beyond, with entire towns and families involved in the industry. Our pasteboard boxes are handmade and a faithful reproduction of original examples we have inventoried. Production of such items in the period was yet another example of the higher pride in craftsmanship evident in the era and ours reflects that same commitment. Measures about 2″ across and a little under 1″ high. Inside the box is a parchment disc designed to keep the powder from “poofing” when the box is opened. The label is the very popular period advertising color of bright orange. (seen with many labels from books and pocket maps to candies and patent medicines) The label theme is taken from the popular period genre of black face minstrel music. Stephen Foster fans will immediately recognize Old Uncle Ned, a period advertising likeness of the character adorns the center. The box is sealed with a pasted paper strip with a quote from the popular song. Distributing agent is a firm out of Baltimore – making the product equally appropriate for either side of the line. The box can be opened by either tearing off the strip – or our recommended method commonly utilized in the period based upon original boxes we have examined – score the center of the seal around the box with a pocket knife and carefully twist the lid off. A fun item, appropriate for the period, which serves a real purpose for the contemporary Living Historian. (Note: the 25c price seen on labels and advertisement is the CW era price, not ours!)