Tube of “Darkie” brand toothpaste

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A tube (2007.7.172.2a) of "Darkie" brand toothpaste, made of metal with a black plastic cap (2007.7.172.2b). The metal tube is primarily white, with a black band around the top. White text around the band reads [DARKIE] and [DARKIE] on the front and the back of the tube. The front of the tube features a black and white illustration of a caricature of a wide-eyed, smiling man wearing a top hat, white shirt, black jacket and a bow tie. Black text above the image reads [TOOTH PASTE]. Below the illustration is a black and white circular logo with three circles, split into one (1) large and two (2) small black and white semicircles, and text above and below the middle semicircle that reads [HAWLEY & HAZEL / BLACK & WHITE]. The black text under the logo reads: [HAWLEY & HAZEL]. Black text printed on the back reads [TOOTH PASTE].

Explore Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ↗