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Vintage Bickmore Morticians Powder 4.5 oz Unopened Tin Hudson MA Collectible
Rare Vintage Bickmore Morticians Powder — Original Container and Contents
An unusual piece of American funeral-industry history: a vintage Bickmore Morticians Powder tin bearing the company's address at 34 Tower Street, Hudson, Massachusetts 01749.
Produced for use in the funeral profession, this product was marketed with the statement:
“ALLAYS ALL DISAGREEABLE ODORS”
The original packaging reads:
BICKMORE MORTICIANS POWDER
Net Wgt. 4.5 oz.
Bickmore, Inc.
34 Tower Street
Hudson, Mass. 01749
The reverse label describes the product's historical use by funeral directors and retains its original directions and cautionary language.
This example is particularly interesting to collectors because the original contents appear to remain inside the container. The package appears unopened, although its seal and contents have not been independently verified.
CONDITION AND ORIGINALITY
Vintage item in apparently unopened original condition, with original contents remaining. The package has been stored for many years and shows age-related wear, staining, discoloration, and oxidation consistent with its age. Please examine all photographs carefully.
Vintage Bickmore Morticians Powder tin with original label and contents that appear to remain inside. The container appears unopened, although this cannot be guaranteed. The original label shows age-related staining and discoloration, with a torn or loose edge. The metal components show wear and oxidation consistent with age. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.
The original packaging states a net weight of 4.5 oz. The entire container weighs approximately 5.3 oz on the scale shown in the photographs. The remaining powder has not been independently weighed or verified.
The original printed label remains attached to the cylindrical container. It displays age-related staining, discoloration, and a torn or loose edge. The metal shows surface wear and oxidation consistent with an old collectible.
The container has not been cleaned or restored. Please review the photographs for a detailed view of the front, reverse, top, bottom, label condition, and other visible features.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE — BICKMORE AND THE SMITHSONIAN
Bickmore products are documented in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The museum's records include Bickmore Gall Salve, cataloged as a veterinary product, and Bickmore XYZ Ointment, cataloged among historical medicines and patent medicines. These records provide institutional documentation of Bickmore's place in American product history and the preservation of historical commercial packaging.
The Smithsonian records referenced here concern other Bickmore products, not this specific Morticians Powder tin. They do not establish an exact manufacturing date for this example.
ESTIMATED PERIOD AND FAMILY PROVENANCE
This vintage Bickmore Morticians Powder tin bears the company's address at 34 Tower Street, Hudson, Massachusetts. Based on the address and family history connecting this location with the seller's relative's ownership of Bickmore beginning in 1972, the container may date to the 1970s. The precise manufacturing date has not been independently established.
The Hudson address adds an interesting provenance connection for collectors of Bickmore products, historical advertising, and funeral-industry memorabilia.
MANDATORY SAFETY & POLICY DISCLAIMER
This is a vintage collectible item. It is sold strictly as a historical advertising artifact and display piece. It is not intended for modern use, consumption, or application on any animal or human.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Original Bickmore Morticians Powder printed label with Bickmore, Inc., Hudson, Massachusetts contents appear to remain unopened; this cannot be packaging states net weight of 4.5 oz.
A distinctive piece for collectors of antique advertising, funeral-industry history, vintage commercial packaging, and historical Bickmore data-spread="false">
Diameter: 2.31 inches
Total tin weight: 5.3 oz
Stated net weight: 4.5 oz
Why This Item Is Desirable
This is not a typical modern Bickmore product. Morticians Powder is an unusual and specialized product from Bickmore's historical product line, and original containers are of particular interest to collectors of funeral memorabilia, mortuary history, vintage advertising, and American manufacturing history.
The combination of the Bickmore name, specialized mortuary purpose, original printed container, and Hudson, Massachusetts address makes this an especially unusual piece of Bickmore history.
Shipcover Insurance: $3.20
Item SpecificsCategoryCollectibles → Advertising → Other AdvertisingBrandBickmoreProduct NameMorticians PowderTypeAdvertising Tin / Product Industry; Mortuary; Historical AdvertisingTime Period ManufacturedUnknownCountry/Region of ManufactureUnited StatesContainer MaterialMetalLabel MaterialPaperNet Weight (as printed)4.5 ozTotal Container WeightApproximately 5.3 ozDiameter2.31 inchesConditionUsedVintageYesExpiration DateNot stated on packagingFeaturesOriginal Label; Original Contents Appear PresentCalifornia Prop 65 WarningNot established; do not invent one
