Object Details
- Description
- This tin condom case is illustrated with a blue, red, yellow, and brown peacock. The peacock is surrounded by a lake, tree, grass, yellow and red flowers, and stones. The company name "Dean's Peacocks" is written in red and white cursive font. Dean was one of the leading manufacturers of condoms during this period.
- Text on the back of the tin reads "Dean's reservoir end peacocks are tested on new, modern equipment for your protection. Exclusively a drug store item. An aid in preventing venereal diseases."
- The tin holds three condoms. They were sold 3 for 50 cents, with a dozen sold for $1.50. The tin was an American Can Company tin.
- In 1872, the Comstock Act had prohibited interstate commerce in obscene literature and immoral material. Condoms and other forms of birth control fell under the category of “immoral material.” As forbidden material, condoms were rarely advertised openly. However, during the early twentieth century, rising concerns about gonorrhea and syphilis led a growing number of public health advocates to call for condoms to be sold to prevent disease. In 1918, a court case in New York, (The People of the State of New York v Margaret H. Sanger) clarified that existing penal codes allowed physicians to prescribe condoms to prevent disease. Named after Judge Frederick Crane who wrote the opinion in the case, the Crane decision opened the door for condom manufacturers to openly advertise and sell condoms, provided they were sold as a disease preventative.
- Peacock's Reservoir Ends were sold as a prophylactic or preventive against disease. Among the more expensive condoms sold during the early to mid-twentieth century, Peacock condoms were sold primarily in drug stores. As was true with most more expensive condoms, Peacocks were tested to ensure that they had no tears or rips.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- Dean Rubber Manufacturing Company
- date made
- ca 1930s - 1950s
- Credit Line
- The Fournet Drugstore Collection
- Physical Description
- tin (case material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5.3 cm x 4 cm x .5 cm; 2 1/16 in x 1 9/16 in x 3/16 in
- overall: 1 3/4 in x 2 1/8 in x 1/4 in; 4.445 cm x 5.3975 cm x .635 cm
- Object Name
- condoms
- contraceptive, condom
