This lovely box would have been used to transport and display packets of "Reckitt's Paris Blue" to the shop keeper, it is in "as found" condition. Reckitt’s of Hull began importing French ultramarine in the 1850s to make the new blue rinse additive. Sold as penny cubes to be wrapped in flannel or muslin, or sold ready bagged, the original "squares" weighed an ounce, it helped the household linen look whiter. The box is made from pine, there is a label to the front and the inside of the lid and both ends have black impressed lettering. The label to the front has some loses to the paper in places, however, the label to the inside of the lid has retained a good depth of colour, but there are scuffs and marks. The black lettering to both sides still have a fair definition and are clear and legible, but there is some fading.
