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Size: 10" x 4"
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Size: 10" x 4"
💚 A large antique J.B.L. Toilet Articles box from Dr. J. B. Lynas & Son of Logansport, Indiana, 1910s-20s. Measuring 10" x 4" in unfolded flat condition, it's in impeccable shape, showing little to no wear.💎💄🧴💋
The photographs on this listing are of the smaller box, shown here to represent this one. The larger box boasts additional period advertisements and comes in a softer, more delicate shade of green. Both wear the same handsome design: the J.B.L. monogram in a navy oval, LANGTRY BALM, Toilet Articles, an art nouveau lady crowned with roses above the J.B.L. trade mark, Quality First, and Dr. J. B. Lynas & Son, Logansport, Ind.
The side panels are a whole catalog in themselves: Creme Gloria, "a delightful disappearing greaseless cream," Dr. Lynas' Massage Cream, Crown Hair Tonic, Quick Foam Shampoo, Dr. Lynas' Hair Pomade, Salben, "our old reliable skin treatment," J.B.L. Rose Water and Glycerine, J.B.L. Bay Rum, and J.B.L. Toilet Waters and Toilet Powders under the question "Do You Feel the Real Joy of a Perfect Skin?" The company boasts of "nearly one-half century's experience" in toilet preparations.
Dr. James B. Lynas was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, on February 14, 1835, and came to Logansport in 1861. By 1866 he was making his own "family remedies," Catarrh Remedy, Hoosier Cough Syrup, Ready Relief, Rheumatic Liniment, White Mountain Salve, Egyptian Salve and Liver Pills, and they sold so well he was soon shipping them all over the country. He set up a laboratory on Fourth Street in 1874, and the line grew to flavoring extracts, soaps, lotions and perfumes like the ones on this box.
When he died in 1901 his son George H. Lynas took over, and the firm was incorporated as Dr. J. B. Lynas & Son. Around 1910 the company moved into a big building on East Market Street in Logansport, and it sold the way Watkins and Rawleigh did, through agents going door to door with the products all over the country. George ran it until his death in 1926, the business was sold in 1938, and the company was finally dissolved in 1965.
In those years no name said beauty like Langtry. Lillie Langtry, "the Jersey Lily," born on the island of Jersey in 1853, was the most talked-about beauty of her day and a stage star who toured America coast to coast from 1882. That same year she became the poster girl for Pears soap, the first celebrity to put her face on a commercial product, and beauty makers never looked back. Judge Roy Bean even named his Texas saloon the Jersey Lily after her.
A wonderful piece of Indiana history and early American beauty advertising for a vanity, a bathroom shelf, or a collection of old druggist packaging.
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Perfect for my primitive bathroom. Thank you so much
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