April 1, 2024
VICTORIAN COBALT BLUE POCKET SPITTOON + BOX
Pricing & History
-
Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
- Sold Date
- Source eBay
You are looking at an excellent late 19thC cobalt blue glass hygienic pocket spittoon complete with it's original labelled box. The spittoon was for the use of TB patients. To avoid infection spreading sufferers would cough into a spittoon. This is a particularly nice example in blue glass, which would have been quite expensive. It is marked on both sides with the name Dr Dettweiler, who was a German doctor who pioneered the successful treatment of tuberculosis and founded the sanatorium system. It was invented in 1889 by Dr Dettweiler with the help of the Noelle & Co. Such a spittoon is mentioned in the Thomas Mann novel "The Magic Mountain" which was set in the sanatorium at Davos. The box is 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1 3/4" and the spittoon itself is 4" tall. The sealed lid operated on a button which is pushed to allow it to spring open and inside is a clever funnel arrangement which would have prevented the unappetizing and dangerous contents spilling out if the flask was tipped over. A small amount of disinfectant would have been put into the flask. The item is in good overall condition as can be seen in the photos and is reassuringly thoroughly clean inside. T's the corner missing from the box label. This is a great opportunity to own a fascinating piece of medical history that contributed to the successful control of tuberculosis
read more
Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.
If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.
If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.
If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.
