This original French pharmacy tin once contained medicated CocaïnePastilles, a throat remedy sold in France during the early twentieth century. The Art Deco-inspired label advertises a formula combining cocaine, borate, menthol, and stovaïne—one of the earliest synthetic local anesthetics developed as an alternative to cocaine for medical use.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, pharmaceutical cocaine was widely accepted in legitimate medical practice, particularly for its anesthetic properties. It appeared in numerous throat lozenges, cough remedies, dental preparations, and ophthalmic treatments before its medical use gradually declined under increasingly strict regulation.
This tin survives as an authentic piece of European apothecary history.
Details
Origin: France
Date: Early 20th Century (approximately 1910–1930)
Material: Lithographed tinplate
Decoration: Original pharmaceutical advertising
Dimensions: Approximately 3¾ in. W × 2¾ in. H × ¾ in. D
Condition: Displays age-appropriate wear consistent with antique pharmaceutical packaging, including light scratches, edge wear, scattered oxidation, and gentle toning. The printed graphics remain exceptionally clear with attractive overall presentation. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
