| Description |
SHIPPING AVAILABLE > A vintage HADACOL dietary supplement bottle with its original box and promotional insert, produced by THE LEBLANC CORPORATION of LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA.
The box stands 7.75 inches tall and measures 1.5 x 3 inches. It retains its original blue and cream packaging, which advertises the contents as a dietary supplement containing vitamins and minerals. The amber glass bottle retains some or all of its original contents and features branding consistent with mid-century marketing. The box top has been removed, likely due to its use as a premium for HADACOL’s promotional campaigns.
The front of the box reads:
HADACOL
REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.
A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
THE RECOMMENDED ADULT DAILY INTAKE OF 4 TABLESPOONFULS (2 FL. OZ.) CONTAINS THE VITAMINS B1, B2, NIACINAMIDE, B6, AND PANTOTHENIC ACID PLUS THE MINERALS IRON, MANGANESE, CALCIUM, AND PHOSPHORUS.
PRICE $1.25
MANUFACTURED BY THE LEBLANC CORPORATION LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, U.S.A.
HADACOL was created in the late 1940s by Louisiana State Senator Dudley J. LeBlanc. The tonic contained vitamins, minerals, honey, and 12% alcohol—an ingredient that contributed to its immense popularity, particularly among those seeking a "medicinal" excuse for alcohol consumption during restrictive times. While marketed as a remedy for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, HADACOL made broad, unsubstantiated claims about curing various ailments. As a result, it was often labeled as a quack medicine, drawing criticism from medical professionals and regulatory authorities.
Despite this, HADACOL became a cultural phenomenon, buoyed by aggressive advertising, celebrity endorsements, and the HADACOL CARAVAN SHOW—a traveling promotional event featuring stars such as BOB HOPE, JIMMY DURANTE, AND HANK WILLIAMS. Admission to these shows required HADACOL box tops, blending entertainment with product marketing. By the early 1950s, financial mismanagement led to HADACOL's decline, but it remains a fascinating relic of mid-20th-century advertising and consumer culture.
CONDITION REPORT ~ Offered, as discovered, not cleaned or polished ~ Box shows wear consistent with age, including the removal of the top panel ~ Bottle appears intact, retaining its label and contents, though exact volume is uncertain ~ Promotional insert displays creases and minor discoloration, adding to its vintage character. Offered strictly as a collectible and not for consumption.
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