Catalog: Archives: Instruments and Implements (59)

Offered for sale is a 19th century, medium-sized, apothecary pharmacy bottle sporting “PULV. CANEL. ALB.” on the label under glass label!

The 8.25 inch tall bottle is marked on the base, “WN WALTON PAT. SEP 23 1862”, and is of early blown glass construction. The fancy, recessed applied label is complete and is in very nice condition. The stopper is of ground glass construction and is in very good order as well.

The inside of the bottle is 1/3 full of a light brown powder. Very nice indeed!

The inhalation of medicinal vapors was common practice during the late 19th and early 20th century. Inhaling devices came in many shapes and forms. This very decorative and functional inhaler was very popular during that period. I have seen an earlier and rare, boxed VapoCresolene example from the 1870's, and it was not as decorative as this lovely late-Victorian-styled inhaler. It is complete and comes with it's very detailed box which sports information on its many merits.

The box measures 6.5" H and has some unobtrusive hand writing on the front panel. It is also missing the bottom though displays perfectly. The lamp is in original condition, complete and has a wonderful patina.

Offered is a extremely rare, 19th century, pharmacy apparatus for filling and sealing cachets which generally contained bitter "curative" powders.

This device is French and is called the CHAPIREAU'S CACHETEUR. The box houses fillers, compressors, a moistening dish, and an automatic handle used for holding and ejecting the filled cachet. Additionally, the 12 nickel-plated molds are housed on the underside of the box lid.

The maple box measures 9.5"L x 4.5"W x 3"H, and the automatic handle is a diminutive 3.25" tall.

Antique, early pharmacy implements such as this rarely survive due to their heavy, everyday use. To find such a device in this condition is a scarcity!

Offered for sale is a wonderful 19th century brass and wood English Apothecary Balance Scale. This lovely balance retains its original patina on both the wooden base and brass scales.

The arm is marked "T.O.Co. J. HALL & SON-Makers-Birmingham" and "Class 1 - To Weigh 1 lb."

The scale measures 16"L x 8"W at the wood base and 16 inches high. The condition appears original with only minor distortion to the wood base.

We are excited to offer this handsome, traveling, doctor's apothecary medicine chest from the 1870-1880 era.

This fine, walnut, twenty-five compartment case houses twenty three medicine bottles, most of which are embossed FRASER & CO, with a few marked FRASER. A total of seventeen of the bottles sport original, early labels. Three other bottles have hand-written labels, and the remainder are unlabeled- one of which has no embossing. There are a total of six amber bottles, two of which are corked and without labels, while four are complete, inclusive of paper labels. Some of the bottles are partially filled with tablets. Please see photos to view the various medicine labels, one of which is OPIUM.

The walnut cabinet measures 11" W x 10.5" D x 6.25" H, and is in nice condition with a split on the front top that can be restored if desired. The finish has a lovely, warm patina, and the brass escutcheon bears just the right amount of oxidation. A wonderful addition to any collection!

Offered is a highly scarce Pair of 19th Century, Pill + Capsule Counters that would have been used in the early apothecary shop. They are constructed of wood and have been formed into a paddle shape. They are so unusual, that they rightfully belong in a museum dedicated to preserving the history and practice of the early drug store.

These wonderful tools of the trade measure 12 inches for the capsule counter and 11.75 inches for the pill counter. The front of each device is tapered to facilitate the ability to "scoop" the pills from a tray.

Please note that there is some edge wear on each counter commensurate with age and use. The handles are painted and have evidence of appropriate wear. Overall, the counters sport perfect patina and offer stunning visual appeal!

This wonderful, 19th century, Whitall Tatum, hanging, apothecary show globe measures approximately 33 inches from top of chain to bottom of fixture. This egg-shaped, 3 1/2 gallon globe dates to circa 1895 and was manufactured at the Whithall Tatum Company in Millville, New Jersey.

The blown-glass globe is in very good condition with the expected and minor, age-related scratches and imperfections of antique glass. There are no cracks, and the globe holds water just fine!

The lovely and decorative, iron supporting frame sports an early, gold-painted finish which is quite appealing. (The original, factory-manufactured finish was completed in brass plate.) The interior of the globe's metal crown has minimal, superficial rust as seen in the photo.

This globe displays quite nicely and is ready for exhibit in your collection!

Offered for sale is a rare, 19th century, apothecary, pharmacy hanging show globe that is dated 1891 on the inside of the collar. This hand-blown glass globe sports an interior that is painted red! This is a feature I have never before seen, and this globe may have been so colored as a "special option" for its original owner.

The chains belonging to this 21" tall showglobe do not have the original central hook attachment. The hook that is currently attached to the chains is quite sturdy and can be easily replaced if desired. The fancy collar and base are in very good condition. The showglobe is complete with all 3 original finials and a decorative Victorian hangar and wall bracket making it ready to display in your collection. A very lovely and highly unusual -- perhaps one-of-a-kind apothecary show globe!

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.

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 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 is a very scarce Mckesson and Robbins one pound bulk stock raw drug used in manufacturing medicinal ointments, cosmetic creams and pomades. Marked "U.S.P.", the fate of this block of SPERMACETI was most likely intended for health related products. The label states: "for manufacturing purposes only" and seems too pure for making candles.

The age of the very neat piece is from the late 1800s to early 19th century. Measures 7.5"L x 5"W x 1"H and is in "as found" condition from a long closed New Jersey pharmacy. The contents are wrapped in paper which sports a complete aged and stained label. There are pieces of wrapper that are missing and some edge loss of product. This honorable wear is commensurate with age, storage and travel.

This specimen is the only one I have seen and belongs in a museum or fine collection.

The sourcing of this product was from sperm whales and was not from their blubber. I will leave it to the new owner to discover the not so colorful history of the whaling trade. Moby Dick is a great start.

Offered is a wonderful, circa 1920s, hanging, Apothecary Show Globe fashioned in the Art Deco style, complete and all-original. Very often hung in the front window of the local drug store to attract customers, these show globes were frequently filled with colored water to add extra depth and interest to their sculpted appearance.

Condition of this fabulous piece is quite fine. The interior of the globe and finial note some faint, scattered, age-related haziness. While the large globe has absolutely no damage, the decorative finial has a few mild chips to its ground glass base as noted in the photo, that are completely invisible when the finial rests perfectly in place inside the neck of the globe.

For perspective, the globe with finial in place measures about 16 inches tall. The total height as measured from the globe base to the point where the 3 chains terminate at the bracket is 32 inches. An additional 19 inch chain was added by the previous owner.

A noted feature of this globe is the original and very handsome, decorative, metal bracket which supports the globe in a fancy, Art Deco style frame. The delightful hanger rounds out a wonderful example of the "architecture" of pharmacy history of the 1920s. The condition of the globe frame, chains and support bracket is good with the light wear and mild loss of finish expected of an approximately 100 year old piece. The wall hanger is in excellent condition with minimal surface imperfections.

An exceptional opportunity to purchase a visually striking, Art Deco styled Apothecary Show globe in complete and all original, an advertising piece of a bygone era certain to become a central focal point of any apothecary, pharmacy or drug store collection!

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 lovely apothecary show globe that was originally offered to druggists in the 1960s – 1970s by Parke-Davis pharmacy salesmen. This 19.5 inch beauty sports a deep red decorated globe set upon a gold and black pedestal. The globe sports advertising on two sides of the base and the “Rx” on the globe.

The condition of the globe is very good with no damage to the plastic. There are some tiny white paint flecks to one side of the base otherwise the globe displays beautifully! Embossed “PRESCRIPTIONS” and “PARKE – DAVIS PHARMACEUTICALS” on the base.

A striking vintage advertising show globe ready for your collection.

Offered is a circa 1920s, four-tier, clear glass Apothecary Show Globe. Stacking show globes such as this have always been a highly sought after apothecary artifact for those building a venerable collection of old pharmacy items. This lovely, 26 inch tall example is a visual statement piece- one to be admired for years to come.

Each individual globe sports ground glass construction and each fits into position with perfection. The interior of all sections is sparkling clear with almost no trace of staining, a problem which is often seen in such pieces, but not here.

The only flaw is a very small surface crack in the large globe as seen in the photos. This does not effect structural integrity as the globe holds water with no leakage whatsoever. This imperfection, in fact, is not visible when the globe is filled with water. It can also be easily hidden by positioning this side of the globe facing towards the back of one's display. Simply a faulous piece!

This is a wonderful lithographed tin of Wilson’s CO-RE-GA denture adhesive powder with a great image on front. Marked FREE SAMPLE on the front. The tin was manufactured by The Corega Chemical Company, Cleveland, Ohio, with offices in London, Paris, and Montreal. The brass cap marked is Co-Re-Ga and includes its 1933 Patent number.

Some powder still exists! There is unobtrusive tarnishing, but no corrosion. There is a 1/4" area of paint loss to the back top left of the tin. Measures a diminutive 2 1/4" x 1 1/4" and will fit anywhere in your collection!

This vintage dosage spoon measures approx. 4 3/4" long dates to the 1930-1940 era. On one end of the spoon there is a clock face with a rotating dial indicating the next time to take your medicine.

The handle of the spoon is engraved "D & G DRUG STORE" and in the bowl of the spoon are the graduation marks for 1 and 1/2 teaspoons.

Very nice advertising / drug store collectible.

This extraordinarily difficult to find pharmacy “IDEAL CAPSULE FILLER” was used by early 20th century druggists in the Pierce Pharmacy, Hartford, Connecticut.

The machine was successfully developed to increase a pharmacist's capsule production. The patent date is stamped Oct. 31, 1905, and the direction guide is marked "Baltimore Capsule Co." The capsule filler has a filling plate with 4 parallel rows of 24 holes and each row was made for 2 different size capsules.

The condition of this wonderful apothecary tool of the trade is very good, complete with the warm, rich patina one would expect of an antique of this age including the usual scratches, marks and unobtrusive dings and tarnish. The metal parts appear to be nickel plated, and the wood base looks like walnut. The filler measures approximately 13”L x 4.5”W x 4.5” H.

The accessories appear to be complete when compared to the images seen in the guide that is included.

The interior has traces of residue from the sand that was used to stabilize the box when in use.

A must addition for any pharmacy/apothecary collection.

Please check my website often as this and many other vintage pharmacy items from the Pierce Pharmacy will be posted in the coming weeks. (Circa 1960 PHOTOS of the Pierce Pharmacy are NOT INCLUDED in the sale.)