Rare Civil War-Era Dental Foil Packet – Samuel S. White Dental Depots / SOLD

Rare Civil War-Era Dental Foil Packet – Samuel S. White Dental Depots - Inventory Number: MED 281 / SOLD

This is a scarce and historically significant Civil War-period packet of dental foil, issued by the renowned Samuel S. White Dental Depots of Philadelphia. The original blue envelope, measuring approximately 6” x 5”, remains intact though fragile, and retains its printed labeling:

“Samuel S. White / Dental Depots / Chestnut St. cor. of Twelfth, Philadelphia”, along with additional addresses in Boston, New York, and Chicago, attesting to the wide reach of this leading 19th-century dental supplier.

Inside the envelope are several sheets of fine dental foil, a delicate material used by Civil War-era dentists in combination with amalgam to fill cavities—a practice still in early refinement during the period. This foil would have been carefully compacted into prepared tooth surfaces during surgical procedures, offering one of the few restorative dental options available to soldiers and civilians alike.

Dental and medical artifacts from the Civil War era are exceedingly rare, particularly those that remain complete and unaltered. This example is noted as being one of few of its kind to appear outside of institutional or museum collections.

Condition: Envelope is complete but fragile, with edge wear and light soiling consistent with age. Labeled “No. 6” and “1–1/6 oz.” on the front lower corners.

An exceptional and seldom-seen artifact of Civil War medical practice, ideal for advanced medical or field kit displays.

Comes housed in riker display case with velvet and descriptive card.