Bebyto baby talcum powder container

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

"Bebyto" baby talcum powder container

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.167

Description

A cylindrical baby-powder container of printed paperboard with a metal base (rusting) and a paperboard lid (a fitted cap, here torn). The body is printed in pink and blue on a cream ground: a line-drawn rabbit mascot wearing shorts and holding a striped balloon, stylized flowers, the product name "Bebyto" in blue script within a banner reading "TALCO BORATADO," the "Suchel" maker's signature, "HECHO EN CUBA," and use directions stating that it protects against diaper rash (salpullido) and other skin irritations and is to be used after bathing and diaper changes. The container retains its contents (talc) and shows heavy soiling and staining.

Use

Gertrudis Caraballo Gález, the owner of this container, used it to store small pieces of soap (to later use for laundry).

Context

These containers of baby powder were sold with a ration card given to expecting mothers as part of the "canastilla". It is possible that they were also available through the parallel market. The empty can was frequently reused as a hair roller.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Suchel

Date made

circa 1973

Time Period

1970s

Place

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Edition

Bebyto

Notes

Date: circa 1970s–1980s (tentative).

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

front of the container

Transcription

Talco Boratado Bebyto Protege contra el salpullido y otras irritaciones de la piel. Usar despues del baño y cambio de pañal

Language

Spanish

Translation

Borate Talc Bebyto Protects against rash and other skin irritations. Use after bath and diaper-change

Notes

"Bebyto"; "TALCO BORATADO"; "Suchel" (script signature); "HECHO EN CUBA"; use directions (protects against diaper rash and skin irritation; use after bath and diaper change). No legible date/batch code.

Dimensions

Dimension Description

diameter: 7, height, 11.5

Height

11.5 cm

Diameter

7 cm

Parts

canister, cap

Materials

Material

Paper, Cardboard, tin

Material Notes

Materials: Paperboard tube and lid; metal base (ferrous, rusting); printing inks (pink, blue); contents = talc with borate (borated talc / boric acid). Technique: Spiral- or seam-wound paperboard canister with crimped metal base and friction-fit paperboard lid; flexographic/offset surface printing.

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

ownership

Research Notes

Notes

"Talco Boratado" = borated talc (talc with boric acid), a then-common infant-powder formulation marketed against diaper rash; both boric acid (toxicity) and talc (inhalation/asbestos concerns) are now treated as hazards — see Condition.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

March 31, 2022

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026