Vintage Ostermilk No. 2 Tin – Glaxo Laboratories – Full Cream Milk Food – 16oz – Mid 20th Century
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A wonderfully authentic survivor from the golden age of British nutritional science, this original Ostermilk No. 2 tin by Glaxo Laboratories Ltd offers a fascinating glimpse into mid-20th century healthcare and infant nutrition.
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Produced at Greenford, Middlesex, this cylindrical metal tin once contained a fortified full-cream dried milk formula enriched with Vitamin D and iron—part of the post-war movement toward scientifically balanced nutrition for infants and young children. Today, it stands as a striking piece of medical, pharmaceutical and advertising history, with strong appeal for collectors of vintage tins, chemist advertising, and Glaxo memorabilia.
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The design is simple yet bold, featuring classic typography, composition details, and the distinctive industrial aesthetic typical of British healthcare packaging from the 1940s–1960s. The original lid is present, and the honest age-related wear, patina and interior residue add to its authentic character.
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Maker History – Glaxo Laboratories
 
Glaxo began life in the early 20th century producing dried milk products for infants, originally developed in New Zealand before expanding into the UK. By the 1920s and 30s, Glaxo Laboratories had become a major force in nutritional and pharmaceutical innovation, supplying hospitals, clinics and households across Britain.
The Greenford site in Middlesex became a key manufacturing centre, and products like Ostermilk played an important role in improving infant health during a period when scientific nutrition was becoming central to public health.
Glaxo would later evolve into the global pharmaceutical giant now known as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
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Condition
 
Original vintage tin with lid
 
Visible age-related wear, spotting, staining and surface rust
 
Interior shows residue and deterioration consistent with age and original use
 
Structurally sound and displays beautifully with strong period character
 
 
(Please see photographs as part of the description.)
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Measurements
 
14 cm tall
11 cm round
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Approximate size:
16oz capacity tin (standard cylindrical form)
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Display Ideas
 
Perfect for:
 
Vintage kitchen or pantry styling
 
Pharmacy or medical memorabilia collections
 
Industrial or advertising display
 
Prop use or heritage retail interiors
 
 
 
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Objet d’Art Story
 
Pieces like this quietly tell the story of a changing world—when science, nutrition and modern manufacturing came together to improve everyday life. Once trusted in homes and hospitals, this humble tin now carries the patina of time, a small but meaningful reminder of Britain’s post-war journey toward health, care and progress.