82/40

Martin & Simmonds Ltd Blanchard (Manufacturer)

This is a cylindrical tin containing 'Osobright' Bath brick powder, made by Blanchard, Martin & Simmonds Ltd. of London. Brick powder was used to clean and polish metalwork. This tin of powder was used by the donor's mother to clean knives. The label on the tin reads, 'Osobright Long life to knives when cleaned with Osobright powder only. The new Bath Brick Powder will clean and polish all kinds of metals, cutlery, floors, tables, sinks, tiles, pots, pans etc. Blanchard, Martin & Simmonds Ltd. London SE17'.

1 tin of brick powder: fair condition.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Knife-polish // Accession number: 82/40 // Classification: DOMESTIC Cleaning // Negative number: 60/14229 // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: Miss EM Bentall, [...] // Store: // Condition: Fair // Recorder, date: DJE 25.10.82 // Description: Cylindrical tin containing bath brick powder. The label is marked 'Osobright Long life to knives when cleaned with Osobright powder only. The new Bath Brick Powder will clean and polish all kinds of metals, cutlery, floors, tables, sinks, tiles, pots, pans etc. Blanchard, Martin & Simmonds Ltd. London SE17 // Dimensions: tin 12.8cms high // dia. 6.0cms // Associated information: Used by Miss Bentall's mother. // MERL COL. SLIDE NO. 4464 // References:', Letter, MERL to Miss Bentall, 21 October 1982 – 'Dear Miss Bentall, // I'm writing to thank you for the three items, knife board, brick powder, and storage jar which are very useful additions to our domestic collections. // Yours sincerely, // David J. Eveleigh, // Assistant Keeper.'

Greater London [region]

Metal, Clay