Contents of Late 1800's or Early 1900's Glass Shoe?

[KevinM]

This is an old glass shoe I purchased a few weeks ago. It's about 3 3/4 Inches in length and about 2 1/2 inches in height.

It has Wales Goodyear Bear Brand on it. Does anyone know what the original contents of the shoe was?

Thanks for any help!
Kevin

[bigwull]

It may have been Boot Polish!!!

[ACStanley]

I love this boot! very neat find! Boot polish would be a great idea bigwull...

[mart]

http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/various-figural-inkstands,-lot-of-three-1-c-bb064b8c4
That would have been the logical answer but looks like its an inkstand/inkwell !!

[KC]

I am tend to agree with what this sale in 2011 said about it...that it was an advertising premium (given away to customers)
http://jeffreysevans.auctionflex.com/showlot.ap?co=45242&weid=17521&weiid=6686541&lso=bidcountdesc&pagenum=5&lang=En

Or this may have some bearing on it...(Winter shoes that is?   but this states medical)
http://ihm.nlm.nih.gov/luna/servlet/detail/NLMNLM~1~1~101457944~213874:Wales-Goodyear-rubbers

OR there was a Wales-Goodyear Shoe as noted in this which would go along with the advertising premium!
http://www.cthistoryonline.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/cho/id/6522/rec/2  

[ACStanley]

Im such a sucker for inkwells... Now I love it that much more...

[ACStanley]

25,000 Pairs daily... thats crazy...

[KevinM]

Looks like the boot that sold at auction was cleaned. This boot has what looks like a brass plating and patina on the outside. Inside the lid it is a very shinning tin color like the one at the auction site.

This leads me think it was not used to store ink in. Perhaps it was something like rubber cement (was that available back then?) or possibly it contained something like a treat like honey since it was like a promo item.

If you notice in the picture there is some yellowish staining running down the side and bottom that is why I thought rubber cement or honey.

[bbc-antiques.co.uk]

Its late 19th early 20th century quite rare ! I think it contained "bear grease"

[ACStanley]

Its late 19th early 20th century quite rare ! I think it contained "bear grease"

that makes sense because I found this earlier and its from 1915

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Ink-Blotter-Warshawsky-Co-Chicago-Bear-Brand-Gear-/220537230581

[Rauville]

Looks like it has a following as a candy container as well.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-glass-candy-container-goodyear-rubber-shoe

(The reference to "Longs #234" relates to "The Album of Candy Containers" by Jeannie Long.)

[KC]

I think that Bear Brand is the name of the company that made the metal neck/lid.
"Bear brand made several varieties of cans in the early years. Bear brand cans are better quality and more rugged than Boyco brand."  http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/45048.html?1200331300

"Bear Brand cap on Canteen lid"
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40117773/old-bear-brand-canteen-1918-primitive

[mart]

I thought about candy but the lid didn`t seem to fit !!

[cogar]

A candy container makes more sense given the flip-top lid on it.

And 2ndly, you don't put things in such containers that you can't get back out easily.

The advertising on it is just a "freebie" for whoever made the container.

Or, they were specifically made as advertising "gimmics" with candy inside of them.

Possibly you were given one of said if you purhased a pair of shoes.

"HA", ....... the original forebearer of McD's Happy Meal. 

[KevinM]

Thanks everyone for all the replies and suggestions. I'll have to admit, I'm a little more confused than when I started with all the choices and they all make sense, shoe polish, ink, bear grease and candy! What a diversified selection and it could have contained any one of those items or something else all together!