Physical description

Two penicillin boxes, orange in colour. One box consists of a lid and base, and the second box only contains a lid. The first box in small bold font says, 'COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA' with a large space in between 'DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH', then below this in large bold font says, 'PENICILLIN COMMONWEALTH"'. Below this in fine print says '(Calcium Salt)', 'Suitable for parenteral injection', 'No antiseptic added'. Below this in bold print says, 'Set of 5 bottles, each bottle containing 100,000 Oxford Units/Prepared in the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories Royal Park, Victoria, Australia'.

The second box which is only a lid includes writing which says 'Special Product'/COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH' and below this in bold writing says 'PENICILLIN, "COMMONWEALTH"/(THE CALCIUM SALT OF PENCILLIN, DRIED AND "IN VACUO")'. In smaller font the lid says, 'Suitable for Parenteral Injection/No antiseptic added'. Lid is also printed with list of contents, storage instructions, and a caution. The best before date is stamped onto the lid '11 September '46'

Inscriptions & markings

On the first box, there is handwriting which says 'Xtra Good'. There is also a sticker on the back of the first box which says, 'THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN REFRIDGERATOR STORED BY THE VICTORIA DRUG CO.' and has 'PTY. LTD' crossed out.

On the second box, there is handwriting on the edge of the box which says 'Pearson-W6'.