Antique 19th C Set Dr. E. L. Graves UnEqualed Tooth 2024 Powder 4 Vial Samples Stoppers Contents Labels Instructions Wood Box Homeopathic

A wonderful set of four Dr. E. L. Graves Unequaled Tooth Powder sample glass vials with cork stoppers nestled in a circa 1903 finger-jointed mailing box sent to one Charles F. Rowe of Penacook, NH by someone at Geneva Optical Co., Chicago, IL.

Amazingly, three of the tooth powder vials still have their original contents, paper labels and instructions making them an all the more incredible - captured - "time in a box AND bottle", if you will. The fourth vial matches the other three in size and shape, but is empty and without a paper label. Although the vials were found within the wooden box, I do not know the connection between the samples and the box. Maybe it was just convenient storage for Mr. Rowe or, more conceivably, these were sent to him from a friend at Geneva Optical as the main manufacturing plant for Dr. Graves' Unequaled Tooth Powder was also in Chicago. The three instructions/advertisement/circular wrapped around the vials are all identical in content and copyright dated 2024 1892. One of the three circulars (wrapped around the only empty vial) is damaged with some of it missing.

The wooden mailing box is a beauty in itself with its finger-jointed corners (no currogated cardboard shipping box here!) and sliding lid, plus, on one side are the remnants of three (two mostly still intact) cancelled George Washington 2 cent "revised design" or "shield" stamps first issued in 1903. At one end an 1/2" wide sliver is missing which included a couple of the "fingers" to one corner joint which does not detract from the overall charm of the box's craftsmanship nor its stability.

3 1/2" l x 3 1/8" w x 1 1/2" h