Product Packaging
This might be a sub-set of ephemera: bottles, cans, boxes, barrels, etc. in which the contents were originally more important than the container. Usually the labels must be in legible condition in order to make the item of interest, unless it is so old that there would have been no labels or the object is so rare that any condition is valuable. Beer and soda bottles and cans, once reused, then recycled, are collectible and souvenirs from travels. Getting the local brews, trying the contents and saving the containers, you get a double whammy: trying something new and keeping a reminder of the location where you tried it.
Cute label.
Sometimes these items come from the back of the kitchen cabinets at a parent’s or grandparent’s house. The old container of baking powder, or cleansing powder, whose current logo and packaging is different, will catch your eye, and curiosity. Why the changes? When? What do the changes say about how the manufacturer wants the product to be seen?
Old fashioned labels. What do these product labels look like now?
The change from glass to plastic jars. Perhaps the shape was originally the same when the change from glass to plastic occurred, then the plastic containers were varied to try different methods of dispensing the contents. Look at mayonnaise and mustard containers over the last 20-30 years. First jars with lids that required a knife to remove the product, then squeeze bottles with the spout at the top, then squeeze bottles that sit on the spout so the contents are ready when the bottle is picked up. Look at peanut butter: jars and tubes.
Oil containers have changed from the simple quart can to multi-quart plastic bottles with built-in spouts and handles for easy pouring.
See how many sizes of a particular brand of mouthwash you can find: travel, dentist distribution, regular, giant economy size. How many flavors? These would be best if you kept the contents, to show the colors and make the object more interesting.
Nice coordination of contents with lid.
Tissue boxes: the facial tissue manufacturers have many different designs made to make the boxes less obtrusive in your decor. Some are seasonal, some have bold designs. Can you get one of each design? Carefully remove the contents for use by opening one end, not the intended opening, and save the box. Or conceivably, you could carefully open all the sealed flaps and store the box flat, so as to take less room.
There is a nice pattern on this tissue box, and it is easy to store if flattened.
These collections are going to be mere curiosities to most people who see then, or even trash. You may have to hide them until you have enough to be impressive. Your heirs may throw them all away, as so often happens to ephemera. But that does not lessen the feeling of accomplishment as you build your collection, nor your enjoyment in the hunt and capture of a new object to add to the it.
Whiskey boxes.
* * * Product packaging includes the jewelry store gift box in which jewelry comes. * * *
The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.
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