Sunday, September 18, 2011

Should I open it? Problem solved

I did a post a few weeks ago about this little find.  This is surgical gauze from the late 1800's packaged up in the cutest little box.  I found it in a dealer's booth marked 50% off. I brought it home for a few dollars. The manufacturer is Seabury and Johnson.  This is the company Robert Johnson owned prior to Johnson and Johnson. You can read about the history of this find and see more pics here. 
In my prior post, I asked you if I should open this box.  I was curious about the gauze inside. It could have been really fun to use in a piece of my artwork.  I know you were curious too, but we all unanimously agreed it was best to leave the box in tact.
Well, I found myself in the same dealer's booth last weekend at the side walk sale. She had several more boxes of gauze and one already had the string seal broken. So, I purchased it and want to share the opened box with you!
That couldn't have worked out better!  Hope you enjoyed seeing what was inside. Now, I get to use my latest find in my artwork and preserve the other unopened box.  More finds to share, Fall decorating and some projects this week. Stay tuned! xoxo
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30 comments:

  1. outjunkingSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    What are the odds, you would fine another one. Not to mention now all the great creations I'm sure you will entertain us with.
    Lisa

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  2. Vintage HomeSeptember 18, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Wonderful to have your mystery solved & some amazing product for your beautiful creations!

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  3. TheCrankyCrowSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Are you SUUURRREEE you didn't open that one you had??? ;o) Just kidding! How cool is that?! Glad you shared with us ~ It was something that had me curious....Interesting, too, to read about them being treated with bichloride of mercury and tinted pink....Hmmmm....wonder if that did more harm than good....Have fun with that gauze! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  4. Musings from Kim K.September 18, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    I just love happy endings. How cool that you were able to get a peek inside afterall.

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  5. The Polka Dot ClosetSeptember 18, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Wow, thanks for sharing what fun!!! Now we know!

    Carol

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  6. Maria@BubblegumandDuctTapeSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    that is an awesome little treasure. I'm so glad you found another one as I was really curious to see what was inside.

    Can't wait to see what projects you come up with, specially with Halloween coming up, yay!

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  7. A Magical WhimsySeptember 18, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    What a remarkable find! And to think we buy gauze in small cardboard containers, nothing fancy as that anymore. The vintage one looks like it has oriental stampings on it. I am so happy you were able to find another one that was opened...that was serendiptious!
    Thanks for sharing your sweet find.
    Teresa in California

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  8. GailSeptember 18, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Soooooo cool! That's just the best of both worlds, isn't it?

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  9. DortheSeptember 19, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    Hi Vicki, the box is so beautiful- how lucky to find another one, you could open, without spoiling it:)
    Happy creating with your new find-it looks wonderful,dear.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  10. CynSeptember 19, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    WOW! That is amazing to find another one!! Happy Creating!

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  11. SueSeptember 19, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    That's so cool...one of the funny things about junking and hunting I think. Great find!
    Enjoy your day~Sue

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  12. michelleSeptember 19, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    I am so glad that you got to see what was inside and I am excited to see what you do with it. I love how things just seem to work out. :)
    xoxo

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  13. LululizSeptember 19, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    Well that was a stroke of luck, finding another one. Amazing condition for something over a hundred years old.

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  14. Lynn StevensSeptember 19, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Awesome that you found another box!!!! What could be better than being able to use some now esp. with the pink hue. Be sure to share your creation with all of us!!!!
    hugs Lynn

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  15. fairyrocksSeptember 19, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    How perfect is that!!! Happy for you, thanks for sharing the outcome LOL

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  16. neldaSeptember 19, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Since mercury is a toxic substance, please be sure to wear gloves when touching your newly found gauze. Also, you might consider how the corrosive nature of the mercury chloride might affect your art. Perhaps it would be good to check out google/wiki for more info on mercury chloride--as this is a poison that may not have degraded over time and could be toxic to small chidren or pets if they chewed on it.

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  17. Nicole {Appalachian Charm}September 19, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Neat! I would have lost sleep wondering if I had something like that haha! I am new to blog land and would love if you viewed my blog and followed me. Thanks :)

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  18. Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeSeptember 19, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Man you have will power! I don't think I could have resisted. Glad you found on already opened! That is so amazing!

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Oh my, you really have an interesting piece of history here!

    Diane

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  20. the old white houseSeptember 19, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    well, how cool is that! Lucky you! t. xoox

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  21. Thistle Cove FarmSeptember 19, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Nice find...twice!

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  22. Lily's LaceSeptember 19, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    What a great find! I can't wait to see what you do with it! You're such a creative wonder there's no telling what you'll come up with! Can't wait! xo-cindy

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  23. Savannah GrannySeptember 20, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    So neat the way that worked out. Thanks for sharing this. It is fun to see how things used to be. Did you know how old this was?
    Have a great weekend.
    Ginger

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  24. Tina September 20, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Great find Vicki - gaze is so much fun to use in creations. Love that pretty box. Just beautiful.
    Have a wonderful day
    xo Tina

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  25. UnknownSeptember 20, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Vicki-how great to have found a second box!!!! I love the gauze and note inside. Now you can have twice as much fun!
    xo
    lynn

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  26. haizi daiziSeptember 20, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Hi Vicki ~ thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment ~ nice to meet you too. What fab finds and lovely to see one perfectly preserved with it's original seal and one open for you to see inside ~ perfect! My husband and I have been collecting medical packaging and tins for the last thirty years and it's always thrilling when you find an item in its original condition especially if it has a leaflet or instructions with it ~ lucky you. Enjoy, Haizi x

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  27. ~Lavender Dreamer~September 20, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    How perfect! We were all so curious! I can't believe you got another one! Thanks for sharing...a mystery solved! ♥

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  28. UnknownSeptember 20, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    That is so much fun; thanks for sharing! And I love the personal tone to the note inside. The world was just so different then!

    I've been doing some fall decorating also, and am looking for inspiration. Can't wait to see what you've done!

    xo, Anita

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  29. marieDeeSeptember 20, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I don't want to rain on your parade, but do consider the potential toxicity of the treated gauze. "The element [mercury] poses more direct risks when it bonds with other materials. Compounds such bichloride of mercury (HgCl2), once used as antiseptics, are no longer available as medicines because they proved so acutely poisonous. Essentially a mercury-loaded salt, the very structure of mercury bichloride – also called corrosive sublimate – allows it to be readily absorbed by the body." from The Write Note (blog) and, perhaps, originally from The Poisoner's Handbook.

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  30. LisaSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Great find!!
    I would have bought every box they had, I use old medical supplies a lot. My fave is gauze tape, something about the way it ages. Also love the graphics on the box. I'm so glad you kept it sealed, so beautiful. You got to keep your cake & eat it too Vicki!
    Can't wait to see what you do with it.
    Lisa

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