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

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 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 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.

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 a very scarce boxed set of late 19th century Homeopathic medicine vials, most of which still retain their contents. The box is made of cardboard covered by a thin layer of what appears to be leatherette.

The box is mildly worn commensurate with age and use, with some tape holding the top sides together. It measures 5.5"L x 3.75"W x 3.5"H.

Twenty three of the 24 bottles retain their contents, with the one bottle displaying a dark cork being empty and broken (parts of the glass from this broken vial are stuck to the box interior compartment). The vials measure just over 3 inches tall including corks and sport handwritten labels, most of which are legible (a few are faded and illegible).

Overall a very unusual find when you consider that the contents remain.

Some History:
Although homeopathy has its roots in ancient Greek medicine and in the work of the 16th-century physician, Paracelsus, modern homeopathy dates back 200 years to the work of the German doctor and chemist, Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann qualified as a physician but ceased to practice as a doctor because of what he saw as the barbaric medical practices of his day - which included bloodletting and the overuse of toxic medicines, leading to horrific side effects.

A brilliant linguist, he earned a living from translating books and was interested by a reference in a medical textbook describing the use of China (Peruvian bark) as a cure for malaria. Intrigued to know why China worked, he took doses of the remedy until he himself began to exhibit malarial symptoms. He stopped taking the China, and the symptoms went away. From this he deduced that the ancient principle of 'like cures like' actually worked.

His next step was to determine if there were safe levels at which toxic substances could be given - and still cure the type of symptoms that they might otherwise cause. His experiments with dilution led him to discover that the more a substance was diluted, the more potent it appeared to become.

Homeopathic medicine was born, but in practicing it, Hahnemann and his followers were subjected to ridicule and persecution by the medical establishment, despite the fact that they were seeing patients getting better on tiny doses of medicines, prescribed on the basis of 'like cures like'. Many European practitioners immigrated to the United States, where homeopathy flourished in the 19th century – until the traditional medical establishment systematically acted to remove its influence.

Hahnemann ended his days as a renowned and very busy practitioner in Paris, working into his 80's. He is interred at the Cimetière du Père Lachaise, where a large monument honors him and his discovery of Homeopathy.

Offered for sale is a choice 19th century apothecary medicine bottle marked "P.IPEC-OPII" ! This 6.5 inch tall bottle produced by the Whitall Tatum Company of Millville, New Jersey, additionally has the patent date and manufacturer's initials embossed on the base, “W.T.CO. – Pat. 1889”.

This label-under-glass (LUG) wide mouth apothecary bottle is in fine condition and sports ground glass construction to the stopper. The label is complete, undamaged and displays very nicely. Note that the reverse side of the label, viewed only through the back of the bottle, has an unusual, stylized "WT&Co" circular trademark label in place.

Of note, the medicine this bottle once contained was a syrup of powdered OPIUM as well as IPECAC, which is an expectorant/emetic. Ipecac was used to induce sweating, treat colds, and reduce fever in adults and children. Opium had been used for centuries as a sedative and to relieve pain. Beginning in the early 19th century, it became a common treatment in the US for an alarmingly wide range of ailments in both children and adults, quickly leading to an addiction epidemic which peaked in 1895. Advances in medicine during this time period and education of doctors via medical instructors and textbooks vehemently warned against the overuse of opium, leading to a drop-off in common use. Regulations were also passed during this time period which restricted access to opiates formerly available "over-the-counter" to access via valid prescription only. A bit of brief history of the medicine once contained in this bottle.

A rarely found narcotic bottle in superb condition!

This is a visually-appealing, painted, tin sign advertising "CAVANAUGH'S WONDER COLIC REMEDY". An added feature is that the sign is a horse specific medicine - rare in any market! This difficult-to-find sign is in good condition; it shows modest paint loss and a few bends and scuffs but displays quite well.

Measures 20 inches long x 14 inches wide and is ready for your collection. There is embossing in the words "CAVANAUGH'S WONDER COLIC REMEDY". Created by the Baltimore Sign Co. and dating to the 1930-1940 era.

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!

*****NOTE*****WILL SELL SEPARATELY*****

This wonderful, all-original pair of matching, 19th century, Whital Tatum, hanging, egg-shaped Apothecary show globes each measure approximately 33 inches from top of chain to bottom of fixture. The 3 1/2 gallon size globes have a patent date embossed inside the brass-plated crown on top: "June 16, 1895".

Both blown-glass globes retain their original brass chains and hooks and are in very good condition with the expected, minor, age-related scratches of an antique glass globe. There are no cracks, and the globes hold water just fine! The interior of the glass globes have a mild hazy appearance, notably towards the upper third of glass. The haziness disappears when the globes are filled with colored water.

The iron supporting frames sport brass plating and are most decorative. There is the expected, age-related, modest loss and tarnishing to the brass features with some metal pitting of the interior and top edge of globe hangers noted.

These globes originally hung in the Yalowich Pharmacy in Rochester, New York. They display beautifully and will add the "WOW" factor to any apothecary collection.

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 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!

This hard to find pharmacy “KONSEAL FILLING and CLOSING APPARATUS” was used by early 20th century druggists in the Pierce Pharmacy, Hartford, Connecticut.

The machine was made by The J. M. Grosvenor Co., Boston, and was the most widely used cachet preparation device in American pharmacies.

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 case is of a hard wood construction. The apparatus measures approximately 18”L x 10”W x 2” H.

The accessories appear to be complete when compared to the images seen in the directions that is glued to the inside case and my reference text. There are 3 packets full of directions for patient use. There is an extra set of funnels included with this sale.

The interior divider has some partially missing edges that does not distract from this set .

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.)

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.

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!