If I am looking at the correct image, I do not believe it will be possible to date that based on the type style. There are not enough characters in the sample to link that to any particular brand or era. Forensic type analysis is very tricky, even with a large sample, and would be nearly impossible with three characters, especially as none of these are ones that are commonly used as differentiators in some of the popular methods.

Yes, "a font like that" was available and in use for over a hundred years. That label might not even have been produced on a typewriter, especially since it looks like a ribbon with that selvedge on the top and bottom; that would not have gone through a typewriter very well. There is not enough of a sample to narrow the font down. Are there any other clues available for you?

I'm willing to bet that is a pre-numbered cotton duck laundry label that was stuck to the mineral sample with some brushed on adhesive like rubber cement. The applied mastic would explain the deep yellowing as well. These were commonly sold in rolls numbered from 001-999, and had a perforation that could be easily cut or ripped in the correct spot between numbers. All of my tailored Navy uniform items always came back with cotton numbers pinned to a blouse, jumper or trouser seam. The Navy used them because paper is more flammable and easily lost. Never trust a sailor ;)
That's my guess.

fuss wrote:

Interesting, any idea when this was a "thing" to use those?

Last time I got a set of uniforms back from the ships laundry was early December, 2000, just before I transferred to shore duty. My blues all had these cotton laundry tags pinned on them at that time.
Phil Forrest

How big is the cotton label?