General Antiques and Collectibles Spring Auction
Lot 153:
Description
C-17720
c. 1920s-1930s; The Mentholatum Co. – Buffalo, NY & Wichita, KS Small lithographed tin for Mentholatum ointment featuring the iconic "Little Nurse" illustration-a young girl in a nurse’s cap holding a jar, with the slogan "The Little Nurse for Many Ills." The sides read "Refill From Your Jar – Reverse Side For Uses." The back panel lists product applications, including colds, chapped skin, burns, headaches, shaving irritation, tired feet, and easier breathing. Mentholatum was founded in 1889 and became a household name by the early 20th century, distributing its menthol-based remedies worldwide. The "Little Nurse" advertising campaign, launched in 1913, became one of the most enduring pharmaceutical mascots of the era, emphasizing care, purity, and reliability. Collectible tins like this represent both early 20th-century medical marketing and the rise of branded over-the-counter remedies.
Tin shows light oxidation, surface wear, and minor staining, but graphics remain colorful and legible.
1.5" Dia. x 0.5" H
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