Found this interesting (empty) box of 1930's Three Sheik prophylactics the other day, and after researching Julius Schmid Inc., I realized there was an equally interesting story about Julius himself. A paralytic German immigrant who came to America in the late 1800's, he found his mark on (and in) society while working at a sausage-casing plant when he began selling the casings on the side for an equally practical, sausagey purpose! The rest, as they say, is history, --but there's definitely more to it than just that-- CLICK HERE and HERE to read all about it!
I hope they didn't go all in with the Sheik theme and there was some coarse sand inside each one!
ReplyDeleteThis is ephemera that I never thought about, but every item saved, large or small, gives us a more complete picture of decades ago.
ReplyDeleteFor those who might be curious, archeologists are slightly less interested in the tombs of the kings and lords and more interested in the garbage dumps of ancient times. The tombs of the powerful may attract the attention of the masses, but it is the items tossed away and forgotten that paint a picture of what life was like so long ago. What did they eat or drink back then? Did they have trade with other lands? The ephemera of the trash heaps reveal the lives of the populous long ago.
As always, anther interesting and thought provoking find, thanks for sharing.
Nice box! Even condoms need some kind of protection, I guess--though going by the pinholes in the second "Sheik" on the rear there, I like to think this particular party favor was pranked.
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