Catalog: Antiques: Instruments and Implements (100)

Offered is a fabulous pair of antique Apothecary Show Globes which includes one fancy Victorian style hanger. Photos provide close-up views of these intricately detailed, high-end show globes, and the 1891 photo from the WHITALL TATUM COMPANY catalog, establishes the age of these beauties.

The overall condition of the globes is very good with the imperfections and wear expected given their 130+ years of age. The decorative frames are sturdy and the globes hold water with ease. At some point long ago, the metal components were painted a gold/brass color. Today, the paint retains a delightful brass tone with an antiqued patina.

The attention to detailing and design of these show globe frames are second to none, pushing these show globes into a class by themselves. Note the intricacy and the elegance of design incorporated into both the show globe collar and the finial - simply outstanding!

The show globes measure 22 inches tall from the top of the crowns to the tip of finials. The exterior of the hand blown glass globes are in good condition. The interior of the globes note a modest yet common and unobtrusive haze which will not be visible when the globes are filled with the colored water of your choice. Additionally, the haziness should clean up if desired.

A singular, fancy wall bracket that swivels from side to side is included, measuring about 15" long x 9" high .

Acquisition of these rarely found, matching, beautifully stunning show globes is an opportunity not to be missed!

This rare and unusual, finely constructed, Civil War Era, portable Field Surgeon's Operating or Gleason type Mortuary Table (also known as a Cooling Table) comes from the estate of a 4th generation New England medical doctor, and retains its original finish with wonderful patina.

The decorative and delicate detailing of this piece is at odds with its most gruesome history! Scalloped copper edge guards and the appealing pattern in which the drainage holes in the laminated wood tabletop were laid out contribute to visual appeal. The softwood table frame stands on nicely turned hardwood legs.

When opened and extended to its maximum dimensions, the table measures 72" long X 18.5" wide X 22" high. To facilitate ease of traveling, this portable table slides and folds to 40" long X 18.5" wide X 4" high. A leather carrying handle is attached to the table edge; legs, when folded, are secured in place with hooks.

Very fine original condition: expected overall wear (patina) with one hook missing and minor unobtrusive loss of laminate along lower table top edge measuring approximately 1/3” wide by 7”.

Offered is a choice, late 19th century, physician's, Homeopathic Medicine Case No. 1 from Parke Davis & Company.

It is a nearly complete example containing 23 of the original 24 screw cap empty vials! This example was most likely part of a set of 2 or 3 other matching cases offering various additional remedies as the gold printing on the flap notes the following: "TABLET TRITURATE CASE NO. 1. A partial printed label marked "ASSORTMENT A..." indicates that Parke Davis offered a large assortment of different homeopathic medicines.

Each cylindrical vial measures approximately 3 inches in length including the cap. The vials are nestled in the leather case with most of them sporting a small paper label that is hand written or printed upon. The fitted leather case measures 7" long x 1.5" wide x 3.5" high and shows wear commensurate with its use and its 120+ years of age. Modest loss to the flap closure is noted with general wear and mild loss of material. One flap is separated as seen in the photo.

A wonderful pharmaceutical relic representative of late 19th century homeopathic medicine!

Offered in this grouping are ten, 19th century, antique tools, seven of which represent the woodworking trade. Collectively, as displayed in the feature photo, these wonderful vintage pieces make a stunning wall display. For the advanced craftsman, these vintage tools remain completely functional and offer one that opportunity to step back in time and create using historic implements.

1) A C1870, American, very appealing, rather primitive IRON SQUARE measuring 24 inches in length on the long side and 12 inches in length on the shorter side. This solid tool shows the worn appearance of a well-used tool with moderate pitting and loss yet still displays its hand-stenciled numerals and measurement points.
2) A C1870, English, impressively-constructed MORTISING CHISEL that is in very good, usable condition. The durable hand-wrought, hardwood handle supports a hearty steel chisel that is stamped, "WR BUTCHER", along with the image of the English crown. English tools are well-noted to be of high caliber construction. This 9.5 inch long has a lovely, warm patina with a slight, 1 inch hairline where the handle joins the metal.
3 & 4) Two, mid-19th century, Pennsylvanian, iron, BENCH HOOKS. This hand-wrought pair sports a twisted iron design and measure 6 and 10 inches in length, respectively.
5) A C1860, American, elegantly formed WOODWORKER’S OPEN SCORP designed to shave away thin slices of wood. This handsome, 17 inch long tool beckons the skilled craftsman’s and designer’s eye, as it is in working condition and sports a lovely, rich patina. A 2 inch long split near the steel does not impact the integrity of the tool or its workable strength.
6) This circa late 19th century, American, 3 inch diminutive bicycle WRENCH retains most of its chrome plating and shows minimal wear. Made by Mossberg Co. of Attleboro, MA., this "Junior No.1" embossed tool is fully functional as it easily opens and closes.
7) A late 19th century/early 20th century, handsomely-shaped, brass and steel, PLUMB BOB measures 4 inches tall, sporting a nice patina and is ready to use. This American piece is embossed "GENERAL HARDWARE MFG CO, NY, NY, USA”, and shows minimal wear.
8) A high-quality, delightfully-designed, American steel, CALIPER made by the Starrett Co., sports a patent date of June 2, 1895, measures 4.75 inches long and remains usable.
9)This cute, 4 inch long, hardwood-handled GIMLET is in very good condition, dates to the 19th century and also remains usable if chosen. The tip terminates in a tiny screw shape to help initiate the boring of holes for screws.
10)The final tool of this grouping is a very lovely, 19th century, steel and brass, adjustable, COMPASS with plenty of life left. It is marked "P.S. & W Co.", measures 6.25 inches long, and is in very good condition.

Offered is a scarcely found, late 19thC, pharmacy, drugstore, or apothecary Powder Folder which was used by early pharmacists to package single dose powdered medicines into individual folds of paper. This brass pharmaceutical tool of the trade was designed to more accurately ensure proper dosage, and it facilitated customer convenience by wrapping powders into separate doses.

This diminutive folder measures 3.5 inches tall x 2.25 inches wide and has a ratcheting type clip on one side designed to adjust height and width to conform to dosage size. The condition is very good and the surface sports a wonderful, rich patina.

An essential piece for the well-curated apothecary collection!

Offered is a group of six, very scarce, 19th century, tin, apothecary, storage containers with hand-painted, gold gilt labels and a decorative and stylized floral, front embellishment. The gold gilt labels make these early pharmacy canisters really stand out!

The tins sport an early and original, hand-painted, mustard-colored surface patina. The five smaller containers measure approximately 7 inches high x 4 inches wide x 5 inches deep (front to back including the distinctive front floral embellishment). The one large container measures about 8 inches high x 5 inches wide x 5 inches deep.

Structurally, the canisters are very solidly crafted containers, each with a slanted, well-fitting, hinged cover that snaps into place when closed. There are unobtrusive dings, and the finish shows modest wear and paint loss commensurate with a 19th century, well-loved and well-used, dispensary antique.

Offered is an early portable Steelyard scale that is designed to weigh goods up to 30 pounds. This primitive iron scale sports hand-forging construction and measures just over 13 inches in length. The manufacturer's identifying name is almost fully readable and is stamped "?? WHITHFIELD & SONS".

The arm on one side is stamped in increments 1 through 9 (pounds) and 7-30 on the opposite side. Photo #5 shows two fancy and not often seen, "cross-shaped" embellishments.

The condition is very good with some mild wear, traces of rust, and faint pitting of the iron, all commensurate with an early tool of the trade.

An interesting and scarce example of early American craftsmanship.

Offered for consideration, is a wonderful and rarely found, early 20th century, English, "DENTIST" sign in brass measuring 12 3/4ths inches wide x 7 inches high.

The sign advertises the office of "James H. Groom. Dentist.", and remains in fine condition with rich, deep-toned, original patina and some very minor warping due to its many years of age. The lettering is actually impressed into the surface and is painted black. Any white marks appearing on the front of the sign are due only to light/sun reflection---the sign has a very even-toned coloration.

The sign has a hole at each corner to facilitate hanging, or it may be easily displayed upon a shelf!

A fabulous, scarce, rich-looking display piece with great "eye appeal"!

*****SOME HISTORY*****

We were contacted by the granddaughter recently with this insightful information.

I thought you might be interested to know that I have a photograph in my family photo archive that shows this very sign in situ. The photo has my great grandfather in the doorway of a chemist shop called Nicholls in Camborne, Cornwall. On the door post I can just make out this brass plaque (using a magnifying glass and good light - takes quite a bit of concentration). Anyway, I thought it would help if you knew where it came from. On the 1911 UK Census, there is a James Henry Groom age 28, living as a Boarder at the house of Jane Bray, 19 Basset Street, Camborne. His occupation is described as 'Dentistry' and it says he was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The photo I have is probably taken after 1911 but probably before 1920. Interesting for whoever might buy it to know its history.

Offered for sale is a wonderful late 19th century, Victorian drugstore, medical advertising cup. This lovely porcelain mug has “CUDAHY’S REXOMA” printed on the lip. Beautifully hand painted pink roses and other lavender colored flowers adorn the cup on all surfaces.

The Cudahy meat packing industry dates back to the turn of the century. The Cudahy meat industry, with stockyards in Omaha, Chicago, Sioux City and Los Angeles produced the REX brand of fine beef and pork products. They also produced lard, soaps and patent medicine products such as Cudahy's Essence of Pepsin and Cudahy's Rexsoma that used the animal byproducts. The patent medicines were marketed as nutritional supplements for improved health.

This 3.5 inch tall undamaged beauty is in very good condition and very classy indeed!

A terrific image on a lovely cup that can be easily displayed anywhere in your collection.

Measuring 4 inches long by 4.50 inches high by 3 inches deep, this fabulous, circa 1830's, English, porcelain, quill holder features a young, aristocratic lady surrounded by mounds of flowers and playing a lute.

Possibly Staffordshire, the quill holder features polychrome coloration with gold embellishment. Condition is wonderful with no chips, breaks, repairs, or repaints. Some discoloration seen under the base in the area where the quill hole is located. This discoloration may well be due to ink drips from quill or pen landing on the porcelain over many, many years.

A delightful piece!