Early 20Th.C Travelling Salesman's Soap Sampler

A unusual travelling tradesman's soap display case, early 20th century in age likely Edwardian. A segmented internal draw hidden via the sliding cover, housing fourteen hand blown glass vials and six blocks of sample soap. Inside the vials are a range of ingredients used for the production of soap

Each vial has its original paper label, one is illegible the other thirteen read as follows tallow, soda ash, silicate soda, rosin, chemically pure glycerine, spent leys, unbleached palm oil, crude glycerine, soft soap, linseed oil, bleached pal oil, there are also two extra vials one we believe is coconut oil (missing label) and the other c.w.s. olive oil. (chip on lid)

There are also six blocks of sample soap, three would appear to be off the period (dried out), the others slightly later but of some age due to the residue within the box.

The box is off softwood construction with a hardwood veneer, a brass handle at the top with a hook and eye locking system.

The sliding cover with its original gilt typography reads,
C.W.S SOAP WORKS IRLAM, SILVERTOWN,DUNSTON

CWS Irlam Soap & Candle Works was a company situated in Manchester, the original factory was built in 1894 to take advantage of the new Manchester Ship Canal

The CWS later added soap works at Silvertown (London) and Dunston upon Tyne

Each vial is approx 10cm in height
Box 37/32/8.5cm
Soap all approx 9/4/4cm