Vintage Rotex Compact Dial Labeler & Original Box for sale on eBay for $19.99 (+$5.80 Shipping)
If I’m not mistaken, this is the “colorful carton” designed in 1964 by Porter & Goodman for Avery Adhesive Products.
“Packaging and merchandising problems are solved by the construction and graphic design of a colorful carton for Avery Adhesive Products’ new Rotex Label Maker. Instructions for the hand tool appear on two panels of the clay-coated tuck-style carton. Five-color illustrations exemplify end uses of tapes that can be printed by the tool. A slope-sided tray protects the unit in transit, then is inverted to become a counter-display piece. One carton face graphically shows how to set up this display and insert the tool’s handle into a die-cut opening.”
Modern Packaging, 1964
The collage of word labels (in red, orange, blue, green and black labeling tape) is striking. Nice when a product can be used as the medium to create the packaging’s design. (See also: Studio Kluif’s art supply packaging)
Can’t find too much online about the Porter/Goodman design partnership. David Goodman mentions the firm on his current website:
“The firm of Porter & Goodman produced innovative design and. enjoyed much success in package design and marketing. Their. award-winning solutions were extraordinary for the time, and still look good today.”
I’m not sure, but I was thinking that “Porter” might be Tom Porter who coauthored a number of design books with Sue Goodman. I’ve also read that the firm later added Frank Cheatham as a third partner becoming “Porter, Goodman and Cheatham.”
Vintage Rotex label maker, by Avery, model 6-E, in original box on Etsy for $15 (+ $8 shipping)
(More photos of the Rotex Compact Label Maker folding carton, after the fold…)
This Rotex Label Maker with packaging is from the artifacts archive of the Fort Collin Museum
Great design!