Palmolive Binder & Ketels Soap Block

A nice, 100% original World War World II German period block of personal hygiene soap (Seife). This highly desirable civilian-contract block features prominent commercial branding, making it a classic example of the personal effects privately purchased by Wehrmacht soldiers or sent to the frontlines via Feldpost. The historical background of this piece is exceptional: Colgate-Palmolive officially acquired the prominent Hamburg-based soap factory Binder & Ketels in 1932. Throughout the 1930s and into the wartime era, they manufactured these highly sought-after branded soaps under the combined name Palmolive-Binder & Ketels G.m.b.H. Hamburg. Untouched survivors from this specific pre-war and wartime production run are essential pieces for completing a frontline soldier's breadbag (Brotbeutel) or wash-kit display.

This Item
The item offered is an original, unused rectangular block of wartime soap, measuring approximately 6 x 4 cm. It has aged into a highly characteristic beige to light-brown color and remains rock-hard. The front of the block features a crisp, deeply embossed rectangular cartouche cleanly reading: "Hersteller Palmolive binder & ketels G.M.B.H Hamburg". The reverse side is equally sharp, displaying the original pre-war/wartime retail price preeg: "40 Pfg". The soap is completely intact with no major chipping or crumbling, showing beautiful, synchronized period aging.