Willard Suitcases / Stuart B / Oscar Wilde
I am getting a lot of editing done lately, and am feeling great about the images.
Stuart’s (maybe Stuert, it appears both ways) case was full of interesting toiletries. Several of the residents had Dr. Lyon’s Tooth Powder.
I have always wanted to avoid “fetishizing” the objects that came to Willard with the patients, but the design of the items in Stuert’s case really grabbed me.
The attention to detail in commercial design during the time of these products is impressive.
This Ever-Ready shaving brush had quite a bit of use.
I love the typeface (or is it font?) on the Mennen talcum powder. One wonders about the “neutral” tint, and on just how many faces it wouldn’t show.
The above image is one of my favorites from the project.
The Mennen Company is still in business, and are mostly known for their deodorants.
Lander Perfumer; New York, Memphis, Montreal, and……Binghamton!
I am glad I (or Peg) thought to photograph the back of the “Locktite Humidizer”.
It keeps your tobacco fresh, and they are definitely out of business.
Thanks for following. I have been uploading a ton of new cases on the Willard Suitcases site. Go check it out, and don’t forget to click on the “view all” link at the bottom of each page. 25 is the default number and in many instances, there are more than that number in the gallery.
I was listening to “With Great Pleasure” on Radio 4 today while I was editing these photographs and heard this Oscar Wilde quote from “De Profundus”. “Where there is sorrow, there is holy ground”. I think he was right on the money.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
Wow, these are some of my favorites from your efforts. Gorgeous containers — and they look so new. What wonderful opportunities for pure design in your photography! Love it.
Thanks so much elkkid. I really appreciate your comment. It is very encouraging.
Wow~ Oscar Wilde was a patient at Willard? Just kidding, the post title was only a little misleading
Amazing I am so intrigued with this suitcase project you are amazing ! Thank you 😊
Thanks Tammy!
Hi Jon, I also love looking at all the details. And your photographs are so great! Ah the differences between an iPhone and a real camera! Over Christmas I took a look at the scrap books my mother kept as a young girl and a young woman. I clearly don’t want to save everything. My mother was not Anne Frank she was just a happy teenager in the Depression era and post WWI. I have been thinking about how to photograph the pages and what to keep and what not to keep. Looking at this post after taking some pictures over Christmas, reminds me that when I actually do the project, to remember to take pictures of the small details as well as the larger picture. Thanks! Dhyan
Dhyan, glad that my photos made you think about how you want to document your mom’s scrapbook. Hope you are well. jon