Polly Bergen Oil of the Turtle Deep Sea Bath Treatment 1 oz Vintage 1960s
An extraordinarily rare survivor from the glamorous world of 1960s celebrity beauty, Oil of the Turtle was the signature skin-care line created by actress, singer, and entrepreneur Polly Bergen. This remarkable Deep Sea Bath Treatment presentation pairs a softly frosted glass bottle with a tall brushed gold-tone cap crowned by an ornate dimensional gold-tone turtle set with a deep red cabochon-style “gem.” More than half a century later, the presentation remains striking and represents a fascinating intersection of Hollywood celebrity culture, luxury cosmetics, and mid-century beauty history.
Available today is this profoundly rare, 1960s vintage, original and authentic, made in the USA, long-discontinued Oil of the Turtle Deep Sea Bath Treatment in a 1-ounce (30ml) size by Polly Bergen Co. of Los Angeles, California 90048. The original base label identifies this particular bottle as “GIFT NOT FOR SALE,” indicating that it was distributed as a gift or promotional presentation rather than as an individually retailed bottle. This exquisite frosted glass bottle, with its red cabochon-style “gem” turtle perched atop the tall brushed gold-tone cap, is in exceptional condition with no noted issues. All photos were taken at high magnification to best highlight overall item condition. The buyer will receive the exact item pictured. Dating & Authentication
This bottle dates to the original 1960s Polly Bergen Company era. Polly Bergen established her cosmetics business during the mid-1960s, building the company around its unusually named Oil of the Turtle skin-care line. By 1968, contemporary documentation described the development and distribution of women's facial and body skin-care preparations under the Oil of the Turtle name as the Polly Bergen Company's principal business.
The bottle itself provides additional dating evidence. Its label identifies the company as Polly Bergen Co., Los Angeles, California 90048, placing it after the introduction of five-digit ZIP codes in 1963 and within the period of Bergen's independent cosmetics company. Period advertising from 1970 specifically documents Oil of the Turtle Deep Sea Bath Treatment as part of the product line. Taken together, the company history, labeling, and presentation strongly support a late-1960s production estimate, although the broader 1960s date is most appropriate for the listing. Condition
This bottle is in exceptional vintage condition with no noted issues. The frosted glass presents beautifully, while the tall brushed gold-tone cap retains an attractive, even finish. The elaborate dimensional turtle ornament remains intact, including its deep red cabochon-style centerpiece.
The original base label is exceptionally well preserved and remains completely legible, including the important “GIFT NOT FOR SALE” designation. The bottle retains its original Deep Sea Bath Treatment. Please carefully review all photographs, as they show the exact item being offered and form an important part of the condition description. No presentation box is included. Why This Item Stands Out
This is an exceptionally unusual example even among surviving Polly Bergen cosmetics. The combination of the Deep Sea Bath Treatment formula, 1-ounce gift presentation, “GIFT NOT FOR SALE” designation, frosted glass bottle, and elaborate jeweled turtle cap makes it considerably more distinctive than a standard surviving skin-care container.
The presentation itself is pure 1960s luxury. A minimalist rounded frosted-glass bottle is dramatically contrasted by the oversized brushed gold-tone cylindrical cap, while the dimensional turtle and deep red cabochon transform the package into a decorative vanity object. The turtle ornament directly references the unusual product name around which Bergen built her cosmetics business. Collector's Notes
Polly Bergen was considerably more than a celebrity lending her name to a beauty product. She became a successful cosmetics entrepreneur during the 1960s, with contemporary reports describing Oil of the Turtle as a multimillion-dollar cosmetics business within only a few years of its creation.
The unusual Oil of the Turtle name was also more literal than modern collectors might assume. The original cosmetics line was associated with the use of turtle oil as a moisturizing ingredient, a practice that provides an unusual glimpse into both mid-century cosmetics formulation and the dramatically different attitudes toward animal-derived cosmetic ingredients during the period.
This particular bottle is especially interesting as an example marked “GIFT NOT FOR SALE.” Combined with its elaborate jeweled presentation and remarkably well-preserved condition, that designation makes it an excellent piece for a collection centered on vintage cosmetics, celebrity beauty lines, Hollywood memorabilia, or mid-century vanity items. Product History:
Mid-1960s: Actress and singer Polly Bergen establishes her cosmetics business and develops the Oil of the Turtle beauty and skin-care line. 1968: Contemporary accounts document the rapid growth of Bergen's cosmetics business, while corporate records identify Oil of the Turtle facial and body skin-care preparations as the company's principal product line. Late 1960s: This Oil of the Turtle Deep Sea Bath Treatment bottle most likely dates to this period based on its company labeling, packaging, and presentation. 1970: Period department-store advertising specifically documents Oil of the Turtle Deep Sea Bath Treatment as part of the expanding Polly Bergen cosmetics range. Early 1970s: The original independent Polly Bergen cosmetics era comes to an end as the business changes ownership. About Oil of the Turtle
Oil of the Turtle was developed as a luxury skin-care concept centered around the moisturizing properties then attributed to turtle oil. The name ultimately encompassed an extensive range of facial, body, bath, and fragrance preparations. Period advertising documents the Deep Sea Bath Treatment alongside other evocatively named Polly Bergen products, including Parfum de Tortue, Cologne de Tortue, Tortue Foaming Milk Bath, and additional Oil of the Turtle skin-care preparations.
This Deep Sea Bath Treatment is a vintage bath and body cosmetic rather than a perfume, making surviving examples especially interesting alongside the better-known fragrance products produced under the Polly Bergen name.
As with all vintage cosmetics, this item is offered primarily as a collectible. No guarantee is made regarding the suitability or safety of vintage cosmetic contents for modern use.
