A sample tube of "Colgate's Ribbon Dental Cream", c.1910-30, with original carton and leaflet, evidently intended for distribution in France (or another French-speaking country). The carton, which measures approximately 7.5 x 2 x 2.1cm (2.95 x 0.8 x 0.85in), makes much of the fact that the toothpaste would issue from the tube in a ribbon which "lies flat on the brush"; on one side is a faint printed stamp in French. (The design of the carton bears the copyright date 1908, and is characteristic of that time, but we believe that it remained in use for at least two decades.) The tube inside is printed in English to the front with a description in French on the back; wrapped around the tube is an illustrated leaflet in French, with details of other Colgate products, referring to a distributing firm in Paris. There is some marking and discoloration, bumping, slight creasing and general age wear to the carton, whilst the leaflet is marked and much discoloured; the tube inside is in good condition for its age, with only slight wear and tarnish / corrosion, although the contents will almost certainly have hardened with age. (We have two of these available, for sale individually.)
Antiques and Collectables
