Snap Fasteners (999 / Double Lion brand) on Original Retail Card

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Snap Fasteners ("999" / Double Lion brand) on Original Retail Card

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.405

Description

Sewing notions — press-stud snap fasteners on their original printed retail card. The front (image 1) is teal/blue with a white flower-shaped field holding five snaps around a central roundel reading "MODEL 999" (red numerals) with a Chinese character ("型," "type/model") beneath. The reverse (image 2) is printed in red with Chinese text "中国制造" (Made in China), "MADE IN CHINA," a circular guarantee trademark (star within a ring of "999"s and characters reading "双狮牌," "Double Lion brand"), the partial English words "…the guarant[eed] tradema[rk]," and a brand word (partly legible, "…utterfly"/roman script) — shows the socket sides of the snaps.

Use

Belonged to María A. Arús Caraballo

Context

Mass-produced Chinese sewing notions of the same family as the "Butterfly" snaps cataloged previously. Chinese haberdashery reached Cuba through trade with China and the socialist bloc.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, María A. Arús Caraballo collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Double Lion

Place

Country

People's Republic of China

Continent

Asia

Edition

Brand/model: "999" (Model 999); trademark "双狮牌" (Double Lion brand), shown as a circular "guaranteed trademark" device.

Notes

No date printed. "Made in China" export notions of this style span much of the later 20th century.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Front: "MODEL 999"; "型" (type/model) Back: "中国制造" (Made in China); "MADE IN CHINA"; circular trademark with "999" and "双狮牌" (Double Lion brand); "…the guarant[eed] tradema[rk]"; partial roman-script brand word

Parts

1 retail card holding 5 snaps

Materials

Material

Metal, Cardboard

Material Notes

Metal snaps (base metal — possibly blackened/japanned steel or brass; confirm); printed paper/card mount.

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

María A. Arús Caraballo

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

acquisition

Place

Country

People's Republic of China

Continent

Asia

Notes

production

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

July 9, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

July 9, 2026