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

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>*****

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!

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 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 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.

A rarely found Antique Medical Teaching Display entitled "BODYSCOPE" by Ralph H. Segal, Copyright 1935.

This marvelous piece of medical ephemera is quite large, measuring approximately 20" by 15 7/8" and is constructed in a hard-bound, book format with four interior pages. The condition is quite good with the expected, minimal wear of an early teaching aid. The interior pages and the exterior binding are solid.

The four primary, highly colorful, and well-detailed teaching models on each page are all complete with turning wheels on the page side which rotate to display different organs and systems of the body.

Graphic images of the male and female anatomy are featured in the center pages along with 2 other wonderful images. Turn the wheel and 10 different body systems are shown: "1. Our Body, Its Physiology. 2. The Torso, Anterior Organs. 3. The Torso, Posterior Organs. 4. Digestive System, Digestion. 5. The Portal System, Absorption. Body Comparison of Sexes. 7. The Circulatory System. 8. The Respiratory System. 9. The Excretory System. 10. Female Generative Organs."

Published by Bodyscope Publications, Inc. Educational Building, 10 Fifth Ave., N.Y.C.

A fabulously eye-catching medical teaching display adorned with Art Deco inspired design elements! A phenomenal display piece!

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 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.)

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 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!

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 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 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 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 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.

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!

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.

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!