As promised, more skateboard hygiene products. I first came across this on the old Grand Royale site, the magazine and record label that used to be run by the Beastie Boys. This was back in 2000 or so, and the fact that this skateboard shaped container existed out there somewhere had been in the back of mind since then. They didn’t have any explanation, just the picture, so I downloaded it. Earlier this year I was doing some “research” for Skate and Annoy and I stumbled on one for sale. Turns out it was from Avon, and contains bubble bath. I picked this one up for about 7$. Totally worth it.
Here’s the image that triggered my obsession. One of the Beastie Boys posed a grind for this shot.
Ahhh yes, the decanter. Here’s where the name comes from.
It came with the stickers in the box. I thought about leaving them “mint” but what’s the point? These are the directions. I can’t beleive they didn’t just print on the bottle. I guess it was supposed to be interactive.
You can’t really read it in this photo, but the bottom has says “WARNING: DO NOT USE AS A TOY UNTIL EMPTY AND CLEAN.” I guess the bubbles are dangerous…
The foil seal on the bubble bath was stuck to the cap, but surprisingly little had leaked in the 30 plus years since it was packaged! The soap smelled like “clean” mixed with alcohol. In fact, it had turned kind of syrupy, and seemed like it might have fermented a little. My wife has forbidden me to test it in the kid’s bath.
How do I know it’s at least 30 years old? First, check out this dude. I’m sure someone can/will identify him.
Need further proof? Check the back of the box to learn about the “new” sport of skateboarding.
Here it is in natural surroundings. I think my wife was pleasantly surprised (shocked even) to see me cleaning the bathroom, until she realized it was for an S&A photo shoot.
10 comments
Jess
Check it out, this guy has a web page with a list of all the bottles produced by Avon and their year of release.
http://www.arthurhu.com/99/04/avonlist.txt
Looks like this bad boy is from 1978! I found mine a few years back new in an immaculate box at a thrift store in CO. Sweeet!
Julie
Just picked up a mint condition Avon Hang Ten skateboard bubble bath in the original box, also in perfect condition for just $5 today at a flea market. It hasn’t leaked at all. Love it!
kvon
Don’t stop now.. looks like the B-boys skate came with a slightly different sticker set, you could collect them all!
Carroll13
Looks to be similar construction to the Avon classic car aftershave and cologne bottles my Dad accumulated back in the day(60s/70s).
Concretin Nik
If I wanted to read, I’d pick up a book! This is the interweb. 🙂
Brandon Draga
How do you know this came from the ’70s? When was the last time since then skateboarders were at all synonymous with self-grooming?
Andrew
That is the single greatest thing I have ever seen.
kilwag
Nik – you love the gratuitous pictures, must be cause you can’t read! It cost me less than $10 with shipping.
houseofneil
dude, it’s worth it just for that box. Rad.
Concretin Nik
A 12 photo post for a skateboard bubble bath bottle… THAT is why I love SnA. Dig it. (So what did it cost? And I’m surprised you didn’t use real grip tape…)