Who Collects Vicks VapoRub? : Part One
07.12.06By Collin DavidThe impulse to collect is often an inexplicable and biological one. We collect for the same reason that some people have red hair - because deep in our complicated, indecipherable genes, someone else has had the proclivity towards red hair. Or collecting. The objects that we collect, however, are almost inconsequential next to the ‘why’ of collecting, and I don’t think that there’s a single tangible object on the planet that isn’t collected by someone. Even Vicks VapoRub containers.
The mentholated, vaporous substance is designed to “relieve your cough” without any “jittery side effects”, but for Courtney Lynne, something about Vicks stirs her more deeply. A photographer and self-described ‘computer monkey’, Courtney has a long and storied relationship with Vicks VapoRub. For something as eclectic as this, I had to ask her more.
CD : What can you tell me about your crazy Vicks containers?
CL : Well… I started collecting them when I was about 7 years old. My mother left a jar of Vicks next to my bedside table one night and I liked the smell of it so much I carried it around with me everywhere I went. And then I got in the habit of putting Vicks VapoRub on my chest every single night before I went to bed… I was even kicked out of Girlscout sleepover because I wouldn’t let my troop leader take it away from me! So eventually, everyone just started associating me with my Vicks. My parents used to go scuba diving in Mexico every winter and one year they brought me home a Vicks from Mexico.
CD : So when did it evolve from a comfort-thing into a collection-thing?
CL : When they brought me home the jar from Mexico, I thought it was just the coolest thing ever because the jar was twice the size of the ones over here, it was made out of cobalt blue glass, and the label was in Spanish. So after that, whenever anyone in my family, or any family friends went on trips they would bring me back a jar of Vicks from whatever country they were visiting. That’s how the international collection started…
CD : I wasn’t aware that your collection was international! Does it span time periods also?
CL : Yup! I have an international collection and a collection of vintage VapoRub.
CD : How do you go about finding ancient VapoRub artifacts?
CL : I started collecting the vintage VapoRub when I was over my grandmother’s house. I left my Vicks at home and was having a hard time sleeping without it, so my grandmother gave me hers. She had an old ratty jar from the 70s. It was glass with a tin top. I liked it so much she just let me have it. I usually just go on Ebay and do searches for ‘Vicks VapoRub’. I’ve also made friends with an antique shop owner in the Springfield [MA] area who saves me Vicks memorabilia when he comes across them. I’ve also met people online from other countries who’ve mailed me Vicks.
CD : Is there a market or a cult following for these things, or are you the only one?
CL : I’m not sure if there are other people who specifically collect Vicks VapoRub… but I have had a few bidding wars with people on Ebay for some jars.
CD : So you still sleep with the VapoRub?
CL : I do! I don’t always wear it, but I have it next to my bedside and will sniff it while I watch TV or a movie or something. I’ve switched to the Vapocreme though (it’s non-greasy).
CD : With no long-lasting ill effects, I see!
CL : I hope not. There was a woman who lived next door to me who thought everything caused cancer and she told me my Vicks was gonna kill me one of these days.
CD : I’ve always associated it with congestion and illness in my household. Is that how it started?
CL : Well, it started because I had a cold, but now it’s just because I really love the smell. Anything menthol or eucalyptus scented I love.
[Please hold onto your camphorated, mentholated, smooth horses for the conclusion of this interview with Courtney!]
