Robin,

    I have reviewed collections of medicinal and cosmetic bottles from about
two dozen historical archaeological sites and to the best of my memory, I
have seen  only one other report of Pompeian Massage Cream.  It is my
impression that it is not common at archaeological sites.  The site other
than your own that reported this product was in Skagway, Alaska, and is
reported by Ray DePuydt, et al, in "Archaeological Investigations in
Skagway, Alaska," Vol. 5, United States Dept. of the Interior, National Park
Services, 1997, and corresponded to the Mill Creek Dump and the Peniel
Mission.  Pompeian Massage Cream is discussed briefly on p. 149.  Although
it is described as a "complexion cleanser," the name "massage cream"
suggests that it was also used as a liniment, which would make sense on a
fishing boat.  There is a picture of a paper-labeled jar of this product
including an elaborate glass stopper in  Richard E. Fike, Guide to Old
Bottles: Contents and Prices", Vol. 2, 1967, page 16.    Unfortunately the
writing on the paper label is mostly not legible in the picture.  Fike
refers to further details on this product on page 21 of an earlier book he
wrote (Fike, "Handbook for the Bottleologist", Ogden, Utah, 1965.)

Allen Vegotsky
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-----Original Message-----
From: Robin Moore <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 9:20 AM
Subject: Pompeiian Massage Cream


>Greetings,
>
>A small cosmetics bottle, embossed "Pompeiian Massage Cream" was located
>in the wreckage of an early 20th century schooner.  I have traced down
>general information on the product which was used as a facial cleanser
>and lotion.  The schooner was presumably used in the Pensacola Red
>Snapper fishery so the item was a bit of a surprise.  I am curious if
>these bottles appear very frequently in the archaeological record and in
>what contexts.  Has anyone encountered a similar bottle?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Robin Moore
>Graduate Student
>UWF Historical Archaeology Program
>