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Home / The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture / woddities: wonderful oddities

Woddity watch: Hall-Mack “Conceal-a-Roll” — once owned by Manhattan Project scientists

Kate - Updated: August 25, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

vintage-conceal-a-roll-toilet-paper-holderYes, this handy at-hand invention allows for the stealthy storage of a spare roll behind its chrome exterior, so you (or your guests) will never have to fear being … stuck — so long as they know the Conceal-a-Roll’s clever secret.

conceal-a-roll-Hall-Mack-vintageToday an impressive Ebay find — this Hall-Mack Conceal-a-Roll (affiliate link) toilet paper roll with hideaway holder — the first one we have ever seen in the wild. The Conceal-a-Roll is a fantastic, space-saving invention particularly for those tight on space midcentury bathrooms without spacious vanities or  in-bathroom linen closets to stash their stock of TP.

From the Ebay listing:

Extremely rare “Conceal a Roll” recessed toilet paper holder with compartment.  Excellent condition.  Measures 11 1/2″ X 6″, wall opening 10 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ x 4″.  Only one on Ebay, can’t even find another one on the web.  Removed from a 1950’s house.

When we emailed this ebay purveyor for permission to publish these photos, they passed along this penticing pimformation about the provenance of this pretty potty piece:

The holder came from a house we recently purchased here in Los Alamos, NM, owned by two Manhattan Project scientists who were the original owners of the house and lived here until they died a few years ago. Although the house itself is modest (a government-built home like all the rest from that era), the owners had outfitted it (from what I hear) in very chic Danish Modern – it even has a sauna!

Vintage-Hall-Mack-Conceal-a-rollhall-mack-logo-stickerHall-Mack-Recessed-toilet-paper-holder

double-toilet-paper-holderSeeing one of these Conceal-A-Rolls — which made our list of 18 rare vintage Hall-Mack bathroom accessories — in the wild, especially in such great condition, is a real treat. Hopefully some lucky reader can snag this beauty and put it to good use in their own vintage bathroom.

Mega thanks to Ebay seller tlburrows123 for allowing us to feature this rare find.

Get it while you can: Hall-Mack Conceal-a-Roll (affiliate link) for sale in ebay right now.

update: sold for $517. WOAH.

Read our other stories about vintage Hall-Mack bathroom accessories:

  • 18 rare vintage Hall-Mack bathroom accessories
  • Retro bathroom: Space for your TP and smokes, too, in this Hall-Mack fixture
  • Built in bathroom scale that folds down – among the three most collectible vintage Hall-Mack & Nutone bathroom accessories
  • Hall-Mack Coronado reproduction bathroom hardware – and lots of supply parts – from Larsen Supply Company

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The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture woddities: wonderful oddities

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15 comments

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  1. Steve says

    March 22, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Would be a great piece, but if I had to pay $517 for this, believe me, I would have used it!!

  2. livng2tell says

    September 3, 2014 at 12:57 am

    GULP! This went for $517!?!

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