> Have recently surface recorded an external friction can lid
> measuring 1/2" in height by 5 1/2" diameter at a 1904 railroad
> construction camp in southern Nevada. The lid is embossed with the
> words COTTOLENE / WHITE / PURE / WHOLESOME. "Cottolene" and "wholesome"
> are embossed around the edge and "white" over "pure" are in the center.
> Does anyone have an idea what the contents of the can might have
> been? Thanks in advance.....ww
>From B. Glickman:
Cottolene alone sounds like a fat product. I found an early CRISCO ad
in a Ladies Home Companion (?) from around 1910, so maybe Cottolene was
an early hydrogenated cottonseed oil - The diameter (5.5") is about
that of a shortening can, shortenings are white and would have been a
camp staple...
Do you have access to popular magazines of that era? Maybe you could
find an ad for Cottolene! The Strong Museum here in Rochester NY has
a nice collection. If you don't have access, email me offline and
I'll see what I can find.