Burnett's Cocoaine

This was the product of Joseph Burnett, of Boston. This product was for sale starting in 1856. A couple of years after the product was introduced it was imitated by Phalon & Son's product: Cocoine. An ad in the 1860-61 Boston City Directory told about how Burnett had won an injunction against the Proprietors of Cocoine for trademark infringement. Burnett's Cocoaine sold for over forty years and was one of the most successful hair preparations of the 19th century.

Burnett invented the Cocoaine in November of 1856. According to the product label, Cocoaine was entered according to an act of congress in 1857. The Era Formulary listed it as consisting of half cocoanut oil and half cologne water.

The brand name "Cocoaine" was registered as a trademark in 1927 (TM #246,413). They claimed at that time that the product was on the market since 1847, but in actuality, they were just guessing, based on the date Burnett was originally in business. Burnett's Cocoaine was still listed for sale in the 1901 Morrison & Plummer catalog. According to Holcombe, in 1937, the firm of Joseph Burnett & Co. was still selling the flavoring extracts.

In 1860 (see 5th ad on images page) Burnett won a court injunction against Edward Phalon & Sons for imitating this brand with their product called Cocoine. They had to change it's name to Cocin.

View numerous ads, etc.
Burnett's Cocoaine (1)

BOTTLE DESCRIPTIONS

1 Rectangular, 6", square top, no panels, BIM, aqua or clear, side: "BURNETT" front: "BURNETT'S - COCOAINE" side: "BOSTON"
For Sale ( Near Mint): $ 20
2 Rectangular, 6 3/4", square top, no panels, BIM, aqua or clear, side: "BURNETT" front: "BURNETT'S - COCOAINE" side: "BOSTON"
For Sale ( Mint ): $ 57