Can anyone identify this find?

[Mosley]

I found this about 9" deep where a service station had been back in the 1930's and 40's. It measures 1 1/2" across. Across the side it says, "COLGATE & CO. " "NEW YORK, USA".
When I opened it, it was full of a bluish white crystal substance.

 

[Bell-Two]

Could be tooth powder holder. In the past tooth powder was used as tooth paste is used today.

 

[park pirate]

n/t

 

[moonshine]

toothpaste used to come in a can??? cool find

 

[Mosley]

Thanks for the help, Since it says Colgate on the can, and toothpaste powder used to come in cans, I think that's what it is. Whoever lost it also lost a can full of tooth paste powder.

 

[chuck ky]

it also looks like a compact case. don't know if colgate made them also. does the lid look like it may have had a mirror in it. looks to be made of better matterial that the compacts i've found.

 

[Mosley]

The lid does have a piece of glass fitted in it. It is clear glass, but I wonder if it might have been a mirror. If it held tooth paste powder, I don't know why it would have this piece of glass in the top of the lid. If it was a compact case it is small, it's only 1 1/2" wide. Thanks for the help.

 

[Ken in Georgia]

Cool find

 

[Gonehunting]

I looked all over for a mirrored compact most of the ones I found had colored print, which yours probably had. I looked for the decoration yours did but couldn't. Several had the push button yours did, but not a match on the decoration. As far as the date.. at least its before 1926. The Coalgate Company did not merge with Palmolive Peet until around 1926. The compacts I looked at dated all the way back until the 1870's. If I was guessing by the style I would say 1910ish by comparing to the styles they started using around 1910. Coalgate also made tins for names I have never heard like Florient Face Powder which is what I am thinking yours might be a variant... Sorry couldn't be more help...[attachment 219085 Florient_top.jpg]

 

[Mosley]

Thanks for doing the research. I appreciate the information.