Wow, I'm pleased I came across this topic.
This photo is on the cover of the French book by Eric Krasker that I mention from time to time.I've always wondered what they're holding.
Krasker doesn't say, but in his methodic way he does give details about preludin.He says it's the commercial name for phenmetrazine hydrochloride and was invented in 1954 by a German company called Boehringer Ingelheim KG.It was supposed to help you keep your weight down and lose appetite.But it included some amphetamine and was mainly used by the musicians to stay awake.It was sold in tubes of twenty.Stu Sutcliffe was the first to take it.It can become addictive and give stomach ulcers and circulation problems.