Posted 11 years ago
jagsrock95
(152 items)
Both vases (7" tall) are still full of Bath Salts with the original cardboard plug in the neck of the vase. The soap is still in their original hand wrapped cellophane. The box has survived relativity intact and in fair condition.
It is very unusual and rare to find an original box set that has survived through the years, I am guessing 1930-1940 era. Here is what I assume about this gift box set. It appears to have originated from France and imported/exported to the united states, I am assuming into Philadelphia. I am also making the assumption that the Kralik vases were imported to France for the purpose of inclusion into the gift set and used for holding the bath salts and for display in the bathroom or on the tub. Of interest though is.... why were the vases marked if imported from Czechoslovakia to France where they were not required to be marked...did they get marked in France?? did the French company request they be marked before leaving Czechoslovakia knowing that they were heading to the united states?
I have not had much luck finding any information about this Gift Box Set. Any insight/opinion or research help would be appreciated.
Never thought of these as anything but "vases". I new concept for me. Thanks.
Fabulous find!
Amazing survivors!
Can I ask how tall they are?
Very interesting in many ways... next we have to find a barrel with 24 czech vases with the packing hay inside and czech-slovakia branded on the side. keep looking!!
PS: does anyone have any information on Erphila glass, pottery or business practices?
Vetraio50...they are 7" tall
Good point Craig
Leah... lol, I think I was the only bid on them. I almost decided not to get them...but am glad I did.
Jericho...I have had dreams about finding that...lol
I've had a look around and it seems that Vail Brothers got into Perfumes in the 1880's when they linked up with Bean Brothers. They were known then as Bean & Vail. Later they linked up with John M. Rice and Co known as Vail Bros & Rice Co; they traded under the name 'Hurlibut'.
They put out a series of perfumes until 1918.
Perhaps Vail's is after this date?
http://www.perfumeintelligence.co.uk/library/perfume/u/u6/u6p1.htm
I did not know that Castile soap is a name used in English-speaking countries for olive oil based soap made in a style similar to that originating in the Castile region of Spain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castile_soap
The Vail Brothers were Arauna Martin Vail and Stephen Albert VAIL. Earlier in their journey in perfumes Arauna Martin Vail designed and patented a novelty perfume bottle: No. 24,750. Patented Oct. 15, 1895. USD24750 S
Some years later Stephen Albert Vail submitted a design for a candy, soap bottle: No. 43,583 on 6 Nov 1912. USD43583 S
This packing of yours would be a more cost effective way of bottling their potions.
There's another very nice Vail bottle on Rubylane at the moment too. But it was probably imported too, I think!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/515275-Rl1565/Vail-Vintage-Perfume-Bottle
The other thing I found was a photo of their premises in Philly at Norris Street Sewer-Northwest Corner - 10th and N!
The photo looks a rare survivor too!
Sorry forgot to dd the address of the photo:
http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/detail.aspx?ImageId=5185
Philly History!
Wow. Amazing.
Awesome vetraio50! I think that is as close a link as I have seen. And you could be dead on. Thanks!
They started off with tooth powders.
Arauna M Vail died in 1924.
Not sure when his brother died.
I once bought a Kralik Barbers bottle from the US with a perfume label on it . Suppose the vases here and the bottle were attractive and cheap so a manufacturer could buy and fill with their product.
I also Have an Australian made lidded trinket jar that the same was done to with powder and sudo French label mint intact from the depression era. .
Wow! Nice... I never knew these vases were used for this. Thanks
I just love reading all the research and learning new stuff especially about glass.
I always thought I was passionate about glass and collecting but you folks take your passions to a whole new level.
I am a 60 year old student in awe of the level of commitment and time and effort you all spend here on these pages.
Thank You Everyone!
ozmarty...would love to see it/them
Thanks bracken3
Some mother-in-law must have hated her son's choice in marriage to the bitter end-because these soaps were unused!
P.s. this technique of surface pebble application (confetti) without casing glass or pontil is the most efficient way to make these vases. Every company made them and can be found as large as 14" (maybe that was for horse detergent) just kidding... But yeah, not all vases for this decor were made to hold soap and I bet after the economic pressure between the wars it's a safe bet these bath sets also come in more complex designs (just a guess). Lastly, have a theory that those awful metal frog pieces had salt in them too, can't wait to see if I'm right.