Catalog: Archives: Instruments and Implements: Scientific (51)

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.)

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 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.)!!

This is an outstanding example of an apothecary counter urn dating back to the late 1800s. Appears to be hand blown with rippling marks in the glass. The bowl is molded to the pedestal base and the cover sports a decorative knob.

Measuring 13"H x 6"W this lovely urn in in very nice condition. The cover has a few unobtrusive edge chips. The urn portion has the expected wear of faint interior scratching which is expected in antique glass. A wonderful find indeed that has fabulous visual appeal!

This beautiful mahogany wood, glass encased pharmacy beam balance scale dates to the 1900-1920s era. It is in very nice condition with the wood case exhibiting a warm colored original patina. The brass scale weighing mechanism is in working order and the sliding front glass panel lifts smoothly. Marked “Made in Germany – Schaar”.

The case measures 16"H x 16"W x8”D. Displays wonderfully!

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 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.

I am pleased to offer this latest acquisition direct from a pharmacy collection in Litchfield, CT.

This lovely 19th century, hand-blown, diamond swirl glass apothecary show globe is a rarity indeed! The condition of the glass is wonderful with no chips or cracks noted and with only minor, faint, interior water remnants seen. Noted on the sculptured finial are some faint unobtrusive scratches.

There are 3 pieces to this gorgeous, 29.5 inch show jar or show bottle. The base is molded to the decorative bottom globe; the equally decorative middle section and the finial are each separate pieces. The base has an open pontil mark and all stoppers are ground glass that fit perfectly!! The hand-blown finial ends in a solid ground stopper; thus, it cannot be filled with color water. However, both the bottom and middle globes can each be filled with a different color liquid if so desired.

A similar showglobe (without decoration) can be found in SCHIEFFELEIN'S 1883 catalogue and is listed as a “Pineapple Show Globe”.

This extraordinarily RARE show globe is part of a pharmacy collection from the Crutch & MacDonald Pharmacy, Litchfield, CT.

A great find indeed!

***Please see my other auctions for a magnificent OPIUM LUG from the same pharmacy as well as an extremely rare LUG with Grecian Key decoration.***

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>*****

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 is a choice, 19th century, physician's, Homeopathic Medicine Case, a nearly complete example containing 147 of the original 150 corked vials!

Each vial measures approximately 1.5 inches in length including the cork. The vials are nestled in the leather case, and each vial sports a small paper label. The fitted case measures 10.5" long x 2" wide x 3.5" high and shows wear commensurate with age and use. Modest wear and loss to the flap closure is noted with general wear and mild loss of material.

A wonderful representation of late 19th century homeopathic medicine!

Offered is an exquisite pair of 1890's, cobalt blue, label-under-glass, poison, apothecary bottles. Measuring 5 inches high, these beauties are in fine condition with some faint and unobtrusive manufacturing flaws.

The lighter blue bottle is embossed "W.T. & CO." on the base. The dark blue bottle has a faint, double stamped mark. Together they make a wonderful pair waiting for a place in your collection.

Offered for sale is a rare, 19th century, apothecary, pharmacy hanging show globe that is complete with original chains and wall hanging bracket. This hand-blown glass globe sports an interior that is somewhat hazy and could use a slight cleaning.

The 30 inch chains are complete and attach to the fancy collar. All parts are in very good condition and the globe CAN hold water. The decorative Victorian hanger and wall bracket make this handsome globe ready to display in your collection.

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 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 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!

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 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 is a very scarce, 19th century, portable, doctor's, apothecary medicine case.

The traveling case's exterior is constructed of leather, and the interior sports 5 compartments packed with a total of 62 medicine bottles. Specifically, there are 32 narrow medicine vials with metal screw-on caps, plus 17 medium-size vials. There are six miscellaneous vials, 5 of which are corked, and one that houses a later-date, glass syringe. Finally, there are 7 apothecary bottles with ground glass stoppers residing in their individual compartments.

Imprinted in gold-gilding on the inside cover flap is the manufacturer name, "H.K. MULFORD COMPANY", which is a precursor to today's Merck. The label cites "7 Highest Awards from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition" (which took place in Chicago) and which dates the case to the 1890's.

This interesting case measures 11 inches L x 5.5 inches W x 6.25 inches H. The case is complete and has modest wear and tear commensurate of a used antique. Some separation of leather parts with stains of age and use reside on the interior and exterior surfaces.

An intriguing piece of early pharmacy and physician care.