Vintage Iron Jelloids No. 2A Tonic Tin – The Iron Jelloid Co. Ltd, Watford 1920s

Vintage Iron Jelloids No. 2A Tonic Tin – The Iron Jelloid Co. Ltd, Watford – c.1920s–1930s

8 cm wide

5 cm depth

2 cm tall

A wonderfully evocative piece of early pharmaceutical advertising, this original Iron Jelloids No. 2A hinged metal tin was produced for The Iron Jelloid Co. Ltd of Watford, England.

Finished in a striking yellow, black and gold-toned design, the lid advertises the preparation as “An Ideal Tonic for Men – With Quinine” and “A Reliable Tonic.” No. 2A was the extra-strength version of Iron Jelloids specifically marketed towards men and contained quinine in addition to the iron preparation.

The inside of the lid is particularly interesting, retaining its original printed advertising panel with endorsements attributed to The British Medical Journal, The Hospital and Guy’s Hospital Gazette. It also records the original contents as a 30-day treatment, taken at three Jelloids per day, with a price of 3 shillings.

Maker History

Iron Jelloids originated in 1895, when London manufacturing chemists Warrick Brothers developed a preparation combining freshly precipitated sub-carbonate of iron with a jujube-style base. The success of the product led to the creation of the Jelloid Company, which became The Iron Jelloid Co. Ltd in 1917, with production established in Watford.

Several strengths were produced: No. 1 for children, No. 2 for men and women, and No. 2A as the stronger preparation aimed principally at men. The company was acquired by Beecham Pills Ltd in 1930, with production initially continuing at Watford before later transferring elsewhere.

Iron Jelloids were sufficiently well known in their day to receive a mention in James Joyce's 1922 novel Ulysses, adding an appealing little piece of social and literary history to these surviving tins.

Based on the Iron Jelloid Co. Ltd name, Watford manufacture and the style and pricing information, I would describe this example cautiously as circa 1920s–1930s.

Condition

A genuine old pharmaceutical tin with plenty of character. There is considerable age-related surface wear, scratching, rubbing, oxidation and loss to the printed decoration, particularly across the lid. The interior also shows extensive surface oxidation. Importantly, however, much of the original wording remains readable and the printed panel inside the lid has survived remarkably well.

The tin is empty and sold purely as a vintage collectable/display piece – not for medicinal use.

This wonderfully timeworn condition is really part of its appeal: a proper survivor from the days when brightly decorated tins, extravagant endorsements and restorative “tonics” were a familiar sight on the chemist's shelves.

Why we love it: The combination of early pharmaceutical history, fabulous typography and honest wear makes this much more interesting than a pristine reproduction-style decorative tin. The internal advertising panel is a particularly lovely survivor.