Had It Awhile: Fake Asafetida?

[Robby Raccoon]

From the C. E. McKee (so convenient that it rhymes) Drug Co. of the very small Olive Branch, Illinois. FAUX/DISPLAY ONLY "Imitation Asafetida"? I had thought it would be a bit scarcer due to the fact that it's a display bottle, but I found another one and not one that actually was meant to be sold, so...??? I'm confused.

What's the point of a display-only bottle of this size? It could have at least had the original, product, but no: They had to put fake product in it!!

Who the heck makes a fake product with fake realistic smell to put in a bottle that probably looked identical to the real deal? No, it's not tooled. It's machine-made. Ideas on age?

 

[botlguy]

I don't know a thing about it and can't answer any questions or even have a guess why they would do such a thing but like you am amazed at all the trouble they went to. I enjoy that kind of stuff though. Thanks for being bored with college. Jim

 

[Robby Raccoon]

LOL. My pleasure, Jim. Had my camera been operating lately, I'd have another interesting piece up.

 

[teamballsout]

Hey bear neet little bottle after reading a little about Asafetida it did have some side effects if u took to much. Could be one possibillity? It also dose have a repulsive smell and u can get a rash and have alergic reaction just from touching it. Dermititis and swollen lips! it could be they were trying to see if it was even a seller before they took the plunge. It's all harvested overseas so would have had to been imported so might have been an expense thing just some thoughts tho.Jason

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Interesting theory, Jason, but it's also a medicinal and cooking product.It would still make much more sense to try out the real deal than to go to the trouble of creating something that looks and smells like it. Then get the rights to market it and pay for bottles and labels.

 

[CanadianBottles]

Now that's really strange. And they seem to be pretty common for an obscure labeled bottle as well, I've found pictures of three other examples. I assume a bunch of them were found together at some point, so I'm thinking they might have been part of a larger display. But why they would go as far as to make them smell like the real thing is completely beyond me.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

The company is also extremely difficult to research.

 

[cowseatmaize]

Seach: Surbex-T and variations. https://inventively.com/search/trademarks/72115410

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-Oil-of-Valerian-better-way-SURBEX-T-Glass-Display-McMahon-Drug-Co-Rx-cork-/401038089012?

https://www.etsy.com/list...ctors-mckee-drug-promo

https://www.google.com/se...d=ssl#q=%22Surbex-T%22""
Box 26, Object 2004.378 Asafetida Tablet Bottle in Glass Case
Contents Note: Tablet bottle has dosage and maker information, says it is imitation made for display. Case says "The Better Way...Surbex-T" and has information on asafetida-- case is from a later date than that at which this was taken as medicine. Label on bottom says "Gift S.J. Goldowsky, M.D., August 1972."

Dimensions: 4.05" long X 3.85" wide X 4.25" high
Medium: made of plastic, glass, cork, tablets

Box 26, Object 2004.379 Sulphur and Molasses Bottle in Glass Case
Contents Note: Tablet bottle has maker information, says it is imitation made for display. Case says "The Better Way...Surbex-T" and has information on sulphur and molasses-- case is from a later date than that at which this was taken as medicine. Label on bottom says "Gift S.J. Goldowsky, M.D., August 1972."

Dimensions: 4.05" long X 3.85" wide X 4.25" high
Medium: made of plastic, glass, cork http://www.riamco.org/ren....17&view=inventory "" Here's the three together. http://www.ebay.com/itm/S...y-decor-/361438291640?

 

[CanadianBottles]

Wait, it's from the 70's?! I figured that it had been put in that case later on but with the one with a different bottle that Eric found it seems pretty conclusive that it's a fantasy piece for advertising a 1970's multivitamin. That never would have occurred to me. Bear, what does the bottom look like?

 

[cowseatmaize]

TM'd in '61 so and I figure made around the introduction.