One of a series of t-shirts sold by Abercrombie & Fitch. These Asian-stereotype themed t-shirts were perceived by many as derogatory towards Asian Americans and inspired a national boycott by Asian American who demanded the shirts be removed. Abercrombie & Fitch eventually gave in and pulled the shirts from their stores.
The inscriptions on the celluloid handle of this letter opener read “Dioxogen” and “THE KIND THAT KEEPS” and “THE OAKLAND CHEMICAL COMPANY / H2O2”.
The Oakland Chemical Company began business in Brooklyn, ca. 1881, and later moved to Manhattan; its factory was on Staten Island. Its main product was Dioxogen, described as a powerful antiseptic for external or internal uses. It disappeared from view around 1930, as did the Oakland Chemical Company
The Dr. Miles Medicine Company of Elkhart, Indiana developed Alka Seltzer in 1931. Alka Seltzer was an effervescent antacid and pain reliever used to relieve headaches, gas, indigestion, colds, muscle pains, and neuralgia. Alka Seltzer advertised by sponsoring the National Barn Dance radio show in 1933, then the spin off Uncle Ezra show in 1934.This Alka Seltzer market display bears an image of Uncle Ezra encouraging customers to “Try it!” and held a half dozen large Alka Seltzer packets, or one dozen small packets. Commercial artist George W. French created the cartoon figures and rhyming verses that appear on the right and left sides. The left side of the display features a woman saying “When it comes to dodging colds you surely take the prize” with a man replying “Oh, I’ve been playing safe this year,—I ALKA SELTZER–IZE!” The right side depicts a woman saying “My headaches so, I’ve got to go and find a place to rest” with another woman replying “I’d take an Alka Seltzer Flo, I’ve always found it best.”