Catalog: Archives: Instruments and Implements (59)

*****PRESENTLY ON EBAY # 153320326177*****

Offered is a very scarce pair of circa 1940's, glass, HOSPITAL signs acquired many years ago out of a New Jersey hospital that was undergoing modernization and renovation.

The glass X-RAY LAB + SPINAL CORRECTION signs once hung near the entryways of the X-ray and Physical Therapy departments and are now ready for your collection.

The signs measure 13 inches long x 3 inches high and are made of thick, heavy, plate glass construction. The signs sport gold-toned, applied lettering and are finished off in black paint such as in the style seen in reverse-painted glass objects. There is some paint loss and slight lifting which is commensurate with older painted glass.

Offered for sale is a stunning 1920's, Art Deco, Apothecary Show Globe with stand.

This beautiful pharmacy display is in very nice, all-original condition including the lovely sculptured glass finial with stopper!

The show globe measures about 21 inches high and and is capable of holding the colored water if so desired! The finial's ground stopper retains its original rubber cork and smoothly fits into the ground neck of the globe. Very minor interior hazing of the finial is present.

The sleek architectural lines of the show globe's stunning aluminum stand exemplifies the epitome of Art Deco design! Some very faint wear and use imperfections commensurate with its age are noted. Slight interior blue haze line noted by the upper portion of globe.

So very difficult to find in this all-original condition complete with finial and stand. A simply gorgeous and iconic Art Deco drug store advertising display piece!

Offered for sale is a fabulous vintage porcelain advertising thermometer for EX-LAX laxatives.

This uncommon sign measures 36” long x 8” wide and is in near mint condition except for a few unobtrusive edge chips noted around the top and bottom edges (see photos). The lower section has a few minor scratches near the word “EX-LAX”.

This sign dates to the 1910-1920 era and has wonderful visual appeal as well as functioning as a thermometer. There is worn, barely discernable printing on the wood thermometer housing which includes “Made in USA” …Patent…etc. Also marked - "MADE IN USA - A7-M27B" on the bottom front.

One will be quite challenged to find another in this outstanding condition!

Offered for sale is a wonderful early 20th century, apothecary pharmacy bottle from Eli Lilly & Co. labeled “CHLORODYNE”. The back side sports 2 labels, one of which mentions the 1906 Food & Drug Act, and the other indicates the pharmacy “L.J. Madsen & ? – Hartford, Conn.

This 2.75 inch high amber corked bottle is in very nice condition. The cork is actually pushed inside the bottle.

The labels have darkened with age but remain quite clear and easily readable.

The bottle once contained (it is presently empty) 100 chocolate coated pills consisting of multiple ingredients including the Extract of Cannabis Indica P.T. (Ext. Can. Ind. P.T.) and Morphine Hydrochloride (Mor. Hydrochlo.)!!

Offered is a seldom found, 19th century, drug store "tool of the trade" known as a tablet sorter. Made of wood, this pharmacist or druggist implement shows appropriate wear and patina commensurate with its age and use.

Diminutively sized, this tablet sorter is easily placed anywhere for display, measuring just 6" L x 6" W x 1.5" H.

A rare piece and a must-have for the advanced collector of early drugstore or apothecary items!

Offered is an extraordinarily decorative pair of late 19th century, English, Arsenic and Opium, apothecary shelf bottles.

The amethyst glass poison bottle is labeled "LIQ:ARSEN: or ARSENIC, and the cobalt bottle is labeled "EXT:PAPAV:LIQ" - the abbreviation for the Latin PAPAVER which is an OPIUM alkaloid.

Each narrow-neck bottle features a gorgeous, faceted, ground-glass stopper that enhances the appearance of this lovely cobalt and amethyst pair!

The bottles also feature stunning, hand-painted labels as well as hand-painted English shields with double lions.

Each bottle measures 7 1/4 inches high.

A must-have addition to the advanced drug store or apothecary collection!

This wonderful pharmacy prescription scale dating to the early 1900s is in very nice condition! The scale box is finely constructed of oak and the balance beam scale comes with 5 small brass weights. The weighing mechanism works like new, in fact, there is not much wear apparent indicating minimal use and loving care over the years.

The oak case measures 11.75"L x 5.5"W and has a rich warm patina with very minor staining to the top. Displays wonderfully!

Offered for consideration is a rare and often overlooked pharmacy tool-of-the-trade called a Pill Rounder (Pill Finisher)that dates to the late 1900s.

A pill rounder was used to create perfect pill spheres just prior to the pill being dusted with powder.

Made of a light colored hardwood, this pill rounder is in fine condition and is double sided which means that it was used to finish two different diameter pills.

Measuring approximately 4 inches wide, this pill rounder would make a wonderful addition to any collection.

THIS ITEM ON HOLD 12/16/2020,

Early laboratory equipment is a challenge to find but search no more! Offered is an exceptional, very scarce, mid-Victorian, wooden, laboratory funnel stand. This circa 1870s funnel stand is constructed entirely of hardwood sporting a wonderful surface patina.

This fully-adjustable stand measures 17 inches high and can be completely disassembled for storage and transport. The base measures 9 inches long x 4.25 inches wide and has a beveled edge.

The condition of the stand and screw mechanism is very good with some stains and honorable wear commensurate with the age and use of a 150 year old, scientific antique.

*****PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EARLY GLASS FUNNEL PICTURED IS FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE OFFERING AND/OR SALE OF THIS LABORATORY FUNNEL STAND*****

Offered is a 1910 PISO'S Cough Cold Remedy CANNABIS Patent Medicine Bottle recently acquired at a local estate sale in Myrtle Beach, SC.

This is an investment caliber specimen in original packaging that is unopened, unused and full.

The contents include Extract Cannabis Indica and Chloroform and are clearly marked on the bottom of the packaging front. The FOOD & DRUG ACT of June 30, 1906, is noted on a side panel with information also printed in German on the opposite side panel.

The paper label packaging is mostly complete with some fading, wear, minor loss and aging commensurate with an antique bottle. It measures almost 6"H x 2"W x 1". There are no signs of content leakage or staining. The fancy Victorian images and script found on the label are more pronounced on the front panel. The top appears to sport a small tax stamp printed, "THE PISO COMPANY - WARREN, PENNA".

The last photo (photo #6) shows the back side of packaging.

This is an antique collectible item and contents are not for consumption.

Measuring a diminutive 10 inches wide x 7 inches high, this RARE, Circa 1880's, tin, drug store advertisement is sure to generate conversation at your next cocktail party!

The sign states:

"Scott's Santal-Pepsin Capsules A Positive CURE for Kidney and Bladder Diseases.

Cures Quickly And Permanently The Most Obstinate Case of Gonorrhea and Gleet No Matter of How Long Standing.

Absolutely Harmless.

Sold by Druggists Price $1.00.

Put Up Only By The SANTAL-PEPSIN Co., Bellefontaine, O.

SOLD BY PHELPS PHARMACY, F.W. Beavees, Mgr., Cor. Wyoming Ave. and Spruce St., Se******, PA."

This amazing venereal disease cure sign features a most formidable likeness of Mr. Scott flanked by a Laurel Crown in the upper left hand corner, no doubt intended to add fortitude to the claims he makes of his product!

The sign was made by the Scioto Sign Co of Kenton, Ohio, and is so marked in the lower right corner.

This bright yellow sign shows ravages of its 118+ years of age, with crimps and creases to the tin, small holes-- no doubt made to hang the sign up--, scratches to the surface resulting in paint loss, and some superficial rusting where paint is missing. Some fading to lettering in the lower right.

Regardless of its "age marks", this sign is certainly a one-of-a-kind find that will add sparkle to a collection! May be hung on a wall on displayed on a shelf! Not to be missed!

Offered is an exquisite, Victorian era, barber shop shaving mug sporting a highly decorated label-under-glass owner's nameplate, which has been recently acquired from a South Carolina estate.

This exceptional, shield-shaped label is executed in a rare and strikingly colorful design that was certainly a special order item for its owner, JOHN E. MATTES.

The condition of the porcelain mug is excellent! It is embellished with mildly worn gold gilt paint on the rim that coordinates with the gold adornment also on the label. This visually-striking label has mild loss, tiny chips and subtle cracks as noted in the photos. The shaving mug measures 4 inches tall x 3.5 inches in diameter at the top. A gem that is worthy of the most advanced barber shoppe collection!

A very nice early 1900's Veterinary medicine lithographed tin from The Newton Horse Remedy Co. Toledo, Ohio. This is the very rare small version of this neat tin that also mentions the 1906 Food and Drugs Act.

This very colorful and graphic Victorian era medicine tin has a wonderful and graphic image of a horse, sulky and driver. All 4 sides are packed with details, directions, price and a sales pitch.

The tin is 4.25 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide. The tin has some minimal denting, oxidation on the top, and spots of scattered, a few paint chips and minor unobtrusive surface rust to the edges. This wonderful early tin would be a great addition to any vintage tin collection.

*****Please go to http://petvet.home.mindspring.com/VCR/articles/newton.html for an unbiased and informative article on the history of Dr Newton>*****

This interesting, circa 1930's, dentist's kit was used to match size and shape of teeth to be replaced! The handsome black Bakelite case is in nice condition, containing many original sample teeth and sporting 9 drawers with oval metal labels. All drawers open smoothly except for the top one. Small unobtrusive right edge chips on 3 shelves fail to detract from this interesting dental collectible.

Measures 6.5"H x 7"W x 5"D and bears the label, "The Dentists’ Supply Co. of N.Y. – Bioform".

A striking dental display!

Offered for sale is a wonderful, 19th century, apothecary, pharmacy hanging show globe dated 1891 on the inside of the collar. The blown glass globe in in good condition except for interior haziness (which likely can be removed) as well as a small 1/2" crack. The metal components have been painted gold long ago and actually looks quite pleasing.

Showglobes have a rather interesting history in the early drug store / apothecary shop and can be compared to the "Trade Sign" that was hung on the exterior of a business to advertise a product or service. Although there has been much debate over time as to their actual purpose, it has been long thought that the color of the water was symbolic...for example, red and blue water representing arterial and venous blood. Some historians have suggested that showglobes were used as visual communication tools with red water representing plague or disease present in the community, and green water signaling an "all is well" in the community to travelers wishing to stop overnight. It has also been said that show globes in New England apothecaries would be illuminated at night to warn ships in the harbor of sickness, plague, etc.

There are no chains with this 21" tall showglobe. Also note that a creative previous owner has adapted the collar with a hook (for hanging with a single chain) that can be removed if desired.

Offered for your consideration is an outstanding and rarely found, circa late 19th century, black and gray painted wooden UNDERTAKERS sign!

The sign measures approximately 6’ long x 12" wide and is double sided. It is in very nice overall condition except for areas of paint loss, some crackling and general wear expected of a vintage sign, noted especially to one side. There is also a very subtle bow to the sign, but this does not take away from its most unusual appeal. There are 2 metal brackets, one on each side, which were originally used for mounting upon a building exterior.

A highly unusual and macabre offering for those who collect funerary pieces!

Offered for sale is a delightful late 19th century cast iron apothecary cork press in the rare form of the SLEEPING DOG. Originating from an early upstate New York country store, the cork press presents wonderful appeal to those who collect early pharmacy objects and those who fancy canines.

The surface sports a vintage patina with traces of rust still present. This appealing cork press measures 9.25� long and is untouched original �as found� undamaged condition.

One of the hardest to find of the vintage figural cork presses.

Offered for your enjoyment is an absolutely wonderful, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted, miniature, folk art dentist office display model from the 1950’s! The display has been artistically crafted and assembled of randomly selected materials and miscellaneous fabrics to create a miniature model of a dentist practicing his craft on a most distraught patient.

This imaginative work of art is best appreciated in person as it was difficult to photograph due to glare from both flash and natural sunlight. All colors are quite rich and not at all faded as they may appear in some photos.

This fabulous vignette captures the apprehension we all may have felt at one time or another as we lay in the dentist chair! The patient’s face and body language tell it all! (Take a look at those nasty teeth! This poor dentist truly has his work cut out for him!)

Quite diminutive, the base measures 6 X 7 inches and the dentist stands just over 7.5 inches high. The condition is very good with crisp painted colors. Please view all photos- the detailing is marvelous! The patient is missing his (R) arm and the dentist had a couple of broken ankles repaired at some point in his career perhaps by a quack orthopedist!! Neither imperfection is readily apparent, as one's eye is drawn to this miniature scene as a whole and the very human message it exudes.

An absolutely wonderful and unique example of folk art ready to display and enjoy in your home or office!