Cascarets Appraisal

Vintage Cascarets Chocolate Flavor Laxative Tin

This is an authentic vintage pocket-sized lithographed tin for 'Cascarets' Chocolate Flavor Candy Laxative. The tin is rectangular with rounded corners, constructed from light-gauge steel with a hinged lid. The color scheme features a graphic 'Z-fold' diagonal split between deep chocolate brown and a cream-toned vintage white/beige background. The central typography is a stylized Art Nouveau-inspired script for the brand name 'Cascarets' inside an oval-like flourish. Key markings include a price of '25¢' flanked by stars, and the slogan 'They work while you sleep' in a delicate cursive script on the side. The text identifies it as 'The Improved Candy Laxative' intended for 'Men, Women, Children.' Manufacturing details indicate it was trade-marked in Canada. The design and 25-cent price point suggest a manufacturing date between the 1920s and early 1940s. Condition-wise, the tin shows light edge wear, minor surface scuffs, and small spots of oxidation typical for its age, though the lithography remains vibrant and the text is highly legible. The interior likely contained small medicated tablets, though only the exterior shell is visible. This piece serves as a classic example of early 20th-century patent medicine apothecary packaging and graphic design.