7/2/23 Report - Steamboats on the Indian River Lagoon. A Few Miscellaneous Finds.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.

Source: Tcpalm.com.  See link below.

... The trade boats, mostly shallow draft sailing vessels, carried nonperishable groceries, clothing, tools and other goods. The boats set out from Titusville and stopped at tiny settlements or private docks. 

Almost every village along the lagoon had a long dock extending out far enough so passing vessels could load or unload. The Indian River is very shallow, only a few feet in some spots, depending on the tide. Deep-draft vessels were useless.

The “golden age” of steamboating on the Indian River was relatively brief, roughly from 1880 to 1900, wrote historian Bob Bass in his 2008 book, "When Steamboats Reigned in Florida." Various sternwheel steamers carried passengers and trade goods south, and took processed fish, pineapples and other products north to market...

Here is the link for more about steamboats on the Indian River.

Steamboat St. Lucie carried passengers, trade goods down Indian River (tcpalm.com)


====

Here is a type of item often found along with old bottles - cosmetic and toiletries. Actually, one of them is a bit of a mystery item.  That is the bigger one on the left.

Spray Container, Small Compact, and Two Lipsticks.

The two items on the left right are lipsticks.  The taller and fancier one is labeled Helena Rubenstein on the bottom.

Bottom of Helena Rubenstein Lipstick Holder.

Rubenstein began distribution of her products in 1917, but the name is still in use.  I could probably narrow down the date with more research, but I'd guess it to be maybe 1930s from look.

Next is a small compact.  In the photo you can't see the very small hinge, but below is the mark on the top of the compact.  I can't make out the mark.  What do you think it is?

Mark on Small Dug Compact.

Now, to the item I think is interesting.  It is a good shape but I don't know what it is.  Below are the photos of the case and below that is the sprayer and product inside.

Sprayer With Remains of Paper Label With Chinese(?) Characters and Ingredients Listed in English - Radix Asari, Isopropyl Alcohol, Water, and Perfume.

I don't know when they developed these sprayers, but I would guess the item would be close to mid-century.  

Radix Asari is a natural Chinese medicinal used for a variety of conditions.

---

I'll add one more bottle find today.

Mrs. Stewart's Bluing is still sold today, but I doubt it sells like it did some decades ago.  Today if your white shirts are not as white as they used to be you might just throw them away.  Modern laundry detergents probably include a whiting, so you don't have to purchase it separately.  Still, some people evidently do.

Here is a Treasure Coast found bottle embossed Mrs. Stewart's Bluing.

Mrs. Stewart's Bluing Bottle.

Mrs. Stewart’s® Bluing was born in the early 1880s. “MSB” owes its existence to a peddler and his mother-in-law, a marginally successful Five and Ten Cent store, and a fireworks explosion. From the beginning, Mrs. Stewart’s® journey has been an interesting one!

In the late 1870s, Al Stewart, a traveling salesman for a Chicago wholesale grocer, was a familiar figure in Iowa and southern Minnesota. In his market basket full of samples, he always carried a bottle of Mrs. Stewart’s® Bluing, which he made in his home with his family assisting him according to a formula he had acquired.

Meanwhile, Luther Ford, a young silk salesman, moved to Minneapolis where he started the first “Five and Ten Cent Bazaar” west of Pittsburgh. Business was not highly successful and so he began a wholesale business, carrying notions, toys, and fireworks.

Al Stewart and Luther Ford crossed paths when Mr. Stewart began searching for someone to manufacture his bluing for him. Following a spectacular (but accidental) eruption of fireworks in the Five and Ten Cent store, Mr. Ford realized the potential of a (safer) future in the bluing business! Al Stewart sold Luther Ford the rights to Mrs. Stewart’s® Bluing, and the first documented sale of Mrs. Stewart’s® Bluing was logged on July 30, 1883. Mr. Ford quickly made plans to extend distribution across the region...

Here is the link for more of the history.  MSB History – Mrs Stewarts Bluing

Here is an old bottle with the label intact.

---

There is nothing on the National Hurrance Center map right now, and it looks like beach conditions won't be changing soon.

Good hunting,

TreasusreGuide@comcast.net