Sunday, August 21, 2011

Should I open it?

I found this little package of surgical gauze yesterday at our local antique store. I love to use gauze and cheesecloth in my art. I figured this is probably aged to perfection by now and it came with the brown wax wrapping and a pretty little box with a tear string.  I could use those too!
I was curious about the manufacturer though and the date this might have been produced.  So, I did some research.  Seabury and Johnson was the company Robert Johnson  founded in 1873 with his partner George Seabury before Robert and his brother formed Johnson and Johnson.  They started mass producing antiseptic gauze in 1876 or so. Seabury and Johnson's partnership ended in 1885 after many disagreements over how to run the business. Johnson agreed to not start a competing business for ten years in return for monthly compensation. When Seabury got behind on the payments in 1886, Johnson and Johnson was formed.

So, do I open my cute little package of late 1800's gauze and use it in my artwork OR is this cute little box and wrapping best preserved as is?  I just can't decide. What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments. I found some other great things while treasure hunting Saturday. I can't wait to share more.

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28 comments:

  1. Hi, I'm Suz!!August 21, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    Oh, wow, Vickie - -

    I don't think I would open it. It's so charming, as-is. IF you REALLY had to open it, then maybe you could figure out a way to use an xacto knife and cut a 'door' into it in an inconspicuous place, and then stuff something else in it (regular cotton balls?) and seal it back up?

    Post pictures and let us know what you do!!

    Hugs ~~ Suz
    inspiringcreativeness.blogspot

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  2. Musings from Kim K.August 21, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    I don't think I could open it but I like Suz's idea for xacto knife and getting creative with keeping it intact with something else stuffed inside. You'll have to keep us posted.

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  3. DortheAugust 21, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Hi sweet-- that`s a problem, and I would myself think for long before opening it up-maybe enjoy the sight of it for some time,-and than do as Suz above sayes...Seems that I can easylier use old beauty, after a period of enjoying :)
    Hugs to you dear Vicki-
    Dorthe

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  4. chlvieAugust 21, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    That would be a hard choice for me to make too. I love the idea of having history all in tack and at the same time what beautiful things you could do with this!

    Maybe you could take some great photos and frame them as art in order to preserve it's memory and still open your package!

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  5. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresAugust 21, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    What a great find. Imagine it's held up all these many years and is so perfectly packaged. I don't think I would open it. You can get gauze anywhere, but you might never find this again. Have a great day. Tammy

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  6. AnonymousAugust 21, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I think it might be worth more than you think!
    Definitely DO NOT open it! How exciting for you.....cheese cloth is so readily available, buy some new stuff to create with!


    That's my opinionated opinion!

    Ciao Bella!


    CREATIVE CARMELINA

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  7. JaneAugust 21, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    I'm with the others....don't open it!! What a wonderful antique. To think that that little package survived for over 100 plus years! Maybe you can find a way to incorporate it into a project intact.
    Jane

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  8. KarenaAugust 21, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    I would say don't open it. It may be valuable, or not....I would wait though. I bet you are so intrigued it will be hard not to.!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

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  9. ~Lavender Dreamer~August 21, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    DON'T OPEN IT! You can find other supplies for crafting but how rare to find this in it's original packaging! PLEASE don't open it! If you do....don't tell me! heehee! I LOVE it! ♥

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  10. Cindy AdkinsAugust 21, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Oh no way I'd open it! LOL It looks awesome and I'd put it in your awesome craft room...It is amazing!!!

    Wishing you and your family a beautiful and blessed Sunday~
    XO
    Cindy

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  11. the old white houseAugust 21, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Wow! Everyone sounds unanimous... I couldn't open it. I know about finding the right art materials to use but the packaging alone is what I would want to look at! I love it, what a great find Vicki. I can't wait to see your other treasures! t. xoxoxoxoo

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  12. fairyrocksAugust 21, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    OOOHHH that is a treasure....I say if you can open it with acheological like precision go for it....Hmmm but, if you know whats inside.....Hmmmm. AWESOME FIND

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  13. KimAugust 21, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    DON'T DO IT GIRL!!! As hard as it is to not open it, I bet its worth allot as is!!! What a great find, put it out in your studio, you can find gauze anywhere...Happy Sunday!! ♥

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  14. CynAugust 21, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    biting my nails over here LOL..I do not think I would open it.

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  15. TheCrankyCrowAugust 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    No, no, NO!! Please don't open it!!! And don't mess with it either! This is an incredible piece of history - and opening it in any manner will compromise its integrity!! You are amazingly talented and can make anything look remarkable, so you can use something new and age it to get the effect you want - this, piece, though needs to be treasured as it is!! (And, yes, I do feel strongly about it!) ;o) Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  16. Blondie's JournalAugust 21, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    I'm curious but I don't think I'd open it. Can you check to see if it is worth anything?

    XO,
    Jane

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  17. dixAugust 21, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    No,,,I don't think I'd open it either. Just sit it on a nice shelf and display it. Buy some new gause to use in your fabulous art! Thanks for sharing. Love your blog! dix---

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  18. EllaAugust 21, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    I would do more research before I opened it! It may be worth quite a bit! I would take a lot of angled shots and then decide! I would so want to open it, but not until I can figure out the value!
    Hope fun; I'm excited for you~xXx

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  19. UnknownAugust 21, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Ditto on the DON'T ! Find out first if they want it for their museum, if they have one. Could be worth lots of $$$

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  20. marieDeeAugust 21, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Another vote for NOT opening it!

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  21. TriciaAugust 21, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Oh no, don't open it! It looks so perfect the way that it is.

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  22. outjunkingAugust 21, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Please don't open it. What a great conversation piece.
    Lisa

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  23. UnknownAugust 21, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    i'd be just as torned mon amie! but, in the end, i think, i might NOT open it!

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  24. The Polka Dot ClosetAugust 21, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Wow, I was torn, so I read through the comments first......I guess people think you should not open it, Yikkes had I not read all of the comments I was kind of thinking, well, maybe yes, maybe know LOL!!! No help from me!

    Carol

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  25. Sonya BadgleyAugust 21, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Oh, Vicki, I say don't open it! It's so awesome the way it is! Display it some how in one of your art pieces. I know you'll think of something. :)
    Hugs,


    Sonya

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  26. Lynn StevensAugust 21, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    oh thats a tough one, I don't thnk I could open it, History is best preserved!
    hugs Lynn

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  27. Sheila R - Blessed and DistressedAugust 22, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    I agree don't open it! What a great find just like it is!!

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  28. NancyAugust 22, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    I wouldn't open it. I would scan the top and use that in my art work.

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