Description
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE. GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC AND AS DESCRIBED OR YOUR MONEY BACK! Today we are delighted to offer for sale a rare antique 1920’s De Angelis Effervescent Citrate of Magnesia tin can! This very rare tin dates to the roaring 1920’s and was used to market and sell the innovative indigestion and nausea drug Citrate of Magnesia (magnesium). A later date bottle of the same product is in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian – National Museum of American History. The product was manufactured by De Angelis – Chemical Industrial Co. of Providence, RI. Don Raffaele De Angelis was married to Virginia (Del Rossi) De Angelos. Virginia was the daughter of Gaetano Del Rozzi, one of the largest macaroni manufacturers at that time (19th century). Don Raffaele, a registered pharmacist, was born in Teano, Italy, in 1878. He attended public schools in his hometown and at eight years old he began to work in a pharmacy. In 1904, he came to Providence. His main assets were his knowledge of pharmacy, his ambition to work, and to become successful. Soon after he established himself in Rhode Island, he began to manufacture Citrate of Magnesia, a product that bore his name as a trademark. In a short time, his business grew so rapidly that he erected a building at 131 Knight Street, where he began to manufacture pharmaceutical products. He employed seven registered pharmacists in his drug store, which filled prescriptions only. Everyone called him “Don” as a title of respect, and if anyone who could not pay for medicine, he would say “pay me later.” Many of those who could not afford payment would bring him eggs and homegrown vegetables, although Don was known to discourage this practice. The tin features a pale yellow ground with colorful front illustration of jovial young men and women merrily drinking cocktails, with fanciful Art Deco design frame. The tin features the De Angelis logo and slogans “Non Plus Ultra” (no more beyond) and “Scientia et Diligentia” (Science and Diligence), with directions in both English and Italian on the reverse side. The can was manufactured by the Mason Can Co. of Providence, RI. The lid features the company’s signature logo. Tin presents well and is in very good antique condition, with minor wear, oxidation and patina commensurate with age. There is minor scuffing and one small (and hard to notice) faint dent near bottom edge. This is a great opportunity to acquire a rare antique medicinal artifact which will make a crowning addition to any Rhode Island memorabilia collection. Fresh to the market! Dimensions: 5-7/8″ in height, 3-1/2″ in diameter (at the widest point) NOTE: Shipping cost includes full insurance. We do not mark up shipping. NB1C/69/K/F