The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
97/73/1 Condom, washable, in box with directions, 'Reliance De-Luxe Sheath', rubber / talcum powder / paper / cardboard, possibly made by Reliance Rubberware, England, 1930-1940. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 3, 97/73/1 Condom, washable, in box with directions, 'Reliance De-Luxe Sheath', rubber / talcum powder / paper / cardboard, possibly made by Reliance Rubberware, England, 1930-1940. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 3, 97/73/1 Condom, washable, in box with directions, 'Reliance De-Luxe Sheath', rubber / talcum powder / paper / cardboard, possibly made by Reliance Rubberware, England, 1930-1940. Click to enlarge
  • Image 3 of 3, 97/73/1 Condom, washable, in box with directions, 'Reliance De-Luxe Sheath', rubber / talcum powder / paper / cardboard, possibly made by Reliance Rubberware, England, 1930-1940. Click to enlarge

Washable condom with packaging

Washable rubber condoms are no longer sold, but some pharmacists can remember stocking them as recently as the 1960s. Using a washable condom was a matter of caution (they were thicker than ordinary condoms) and thriftiness (they could be re-used). This 'Reliance De-Luxe Sheath' probably dates from the 1930s. It comes in its own box and is coated with talcum powder to protect the rubber. The accompanying instruction sheet explains how to wash and dry it after use and adds, 'Should it become …

Summary

Object No.

97/73/1

Object Statement

Condom, washable, in box with directions, 'Reliance De-Luxe Sheath', rubber / talcum powder / paper / cardboard, possibly made by Reliance Rubberware, England, 1930-1940

Physical Description

Rubber condom of the type that could be washed and re-used, liberally coated with talcum powder and packaged in a blue cardboard box together with a leaflet entitled "Seamless Paragon protective" that includes "Directions for use".

Marks

Sticker on box lid, red, printed in black, 'RELIANCE DE-LUXE SHEATH / Seamless. Guaranteed Perfect in quality and make / Powder and directions enclosed.'

Short URL

https://ma.as/158914

Dimensions

Width

70 mm

Depth

25 mm

Source

Credit Line

Purchased 1997

Acquisition Date

19 March 1997

Cite this Object

Harvard

Washable condom with packaging 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 24 March 2023, <https://ma.as/158914>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/158914 |title=Washable condom with packaging |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=24 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

We want to hear from you

I know more about this object   I have a question about this object   
Creative Commons Licence

Copyright for the above image is held by MAAS and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please contact MAAS Rights and Permissions for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives licence

  Submit an image license enquiry.