Catalog: Vintage Arts (97)

Offered is an absolutely fabulous, early 20thC, reverse-painted-on-glass, MOYER'S PHARMACY Drug Store Sign.

This striking example was clearly designed to attract customers with its coloring and bold combination of script and block lettering- all executed in reverse on the underside of the glass. The reverse-painting technique adds additional elegance to the artistic quality of the sign's design. The very sturdy frame is constructed of wood that is enveloped in a heavy gauge metal. The metal portion of the frame has hints of having been painted a few times over the years and shows age appropriate wear.

The sign measures 36"L x 16"W x 1" thick and is in very good condition. There are various mounting holes present. As expected with old glass, some unobtrusive blemishes and small scratches are also present, commensurate with the sign's 100+ years of age. Two very small spots of paint loss are also evident as seen in the photos.

An utterly eye-catching and distinctive, vintage pharmacy sign that will complement any collection!

Measuring 6.75 inches in diameter and 4 inches high, this wonderful, C1920, Ohio-made, yellow ware, spongeware batter bowl features fabulous blue sponging and is much more striking “in person” than the photos were able to capture.

The bowl sits on a 1/8" high footed base and has a lovely turned edge rim. It has glaze crazing typical of an 85+ year old piece of pottery as well as two, very tight hairlines approximately 1.50 inches in length. One is placed at the pouring spout and the other near the back fingerhold. There are also two, tiny, 1/8" long superficial flakes--one on the outside edge to the rim and one on the body of the batter bowl. The batter bowl is also missing its wire handle.

An outstanding piece of American Spongeware which is seldom found due to the heavy every-day use that a batter bowl would encounter. Becoming much more difficult to find!

Please type the word "spongeware" into the Search box to find the other pieces of C1900-1920 Ohio Yellowware Spongeware currently being offered for sale. All pieces are prices separately.

Measuring 9 inches in diameter and 2.75 inches high, this gorgeous, Ohio-made, yellowware fruit bowl features fabulous blue sponging with gold gilt highlights along its decoratively embossed and scalloped rim.

The bowl has glaze crazing typical of an 85+ year old piece of pottery. An extremely tight hairline on one side of the bowl has been photographed for one’s perusal. It does not affect structural integrity, and the pricing of the bowl reflects this imperfection. No other flaws!

An outstanding piece of American Spongeware! Becoming much more difficult to find- particularly in this condition!

Please type the word "spongeware" into the Search box to find the other pieces of C1900-1920 Ohio Yellowware Spongeware currently being offered for sale. All pieces are prices separately.

On a cold October day in 1977, an auction of the former estate of Dr. T.D.M. Wilson of Washington, Pennsylvania, took place. The last surviving relative to live in Dr. Wilson's former 1890 mansion had moved to smaller quarters, and many artifacts reflecting the Wilson's family history had to be auctioned off.

Dr. T.D.M. Wilson graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1875, and the following offered items from this estate auction provide an historical glimpse into his long medical career.

The first item is a fabulous 19th century brass DOCTOR T.D.M. Wilson sign measuring 14L x 9W inches, which likely adorned the entrance way to Dr. Wilson's office.

Also offered in this grouping is a rare group photo of Dr. Wilson (4th from the left) and other Phi Kappa Sigma members. The frame measures 16.5"L x 12.5"W. While the photo is a bit faded, the image is remarkable and includes a distinguished group of Phi Kappa Sigma members.

The third and fourth items in this grouping are a small, framed, 1909 AMA membership certificate with Dr. Wilson's name inscribed, and a very unusual, framed, IRS narcotic SPECIAL TAX STAMP from 1926. This Narcotic form is quite unique in that it names Dr. Wilson as the single physician allowed to dispense narcotics within the 23rd District of the State of Pennsylvania.

Finally, 2 handwritten letters postmarked in 1884 from Dr. Wilson to his loving wife are included, offering a small glimpse into his personal life.

Together, this rich grouping of artifacts provides one a unique opportunity to further enhance one's collection of medical objects.

This is a fabulous opportunity to acquire a wonderful, Art Deco inspired, advertising, drug store sign featuring the title "SICKROOM NEEDS" embossed on front. This 1950s era piece once hung in a Grand Rapids, Michigan, pharmacy.

The black-painted, metal frame houses a plastic, cream-colored insert that features an embossed lettering and design technique that advertises the name of the product for sale. The background of this insert sports a streamlined, horizontal, raised "striping" reminiscent of the Art Deco era. When light is allowed to pass through the plastic, translucent insert, the insert appears to be magically illuminated so that the green-colored backside of the sign shines through with brilliance. This effect can be enjoyed by either hanging the sign in front of a window or by fastening tiny LED lights (not included) on the backside of the frame.

The dimensions are approximately 48"L x 5.5"W x 3/4"D, and the overall condition of the sign is very good. The plain metal frame has been repainted in a durable, semi-gloss, black finish. The painted finish is in very good condition with areas of minor surface imperfection and slight areas of roughness here and there.

The vintage plastic insert is laminated in two tones, with the front noting a rich, aged, cream color, and the back noting a rich green tone. The front of the insert has faint surface imperfections and some areas of uneven discoloring. The lower left portion of the letter "M" has a minor, small, unobtrusive crack. Overall, the insert retains a nice glossed surface patina commensurate with its age.

A note: the first photo best represents what the sign will look like when illuminated from the back with LED or natural window lighting.

A very cute vintage drug store/pharmacy display from the 1940s era!

This complete display consists of 24, small 'sample' medicine boxes, each of which contain colorful little red pills!

Each small box's label includes ingredients described as 'laxative and cathartic’.

Packed by CHANDLER MEDICINE CO. - Office 2812 Dodier Street, ST. LOUIS, MO., the display measures 6" x 5" x 1" and is in unused, very nice condition. ***NOTE*** The left side edges of the box have separated from each corner and the front top panel which serves as the front display when open is partially detached from its side. This type of separation does occur over time and is noted for full disclosure. AS noted in photos, this display presents wonderfully despite its minor, age-related flaws.

A great, visually-appealing collectible for the pharmacist, nurse or doctor in your life!

Offered is an unused, vintage "sex" ointment purported to be a desensitizing agent for men.

This cleverly named product came in a diminutive tube measuring 3.5 inches long with its carton a mere 4 inches long. Supposedly, by following directions and using "at the right time", this ointment would measure up to its full potential.

Dates to the 1950's - 1960's era and is in very good condition.

This antiquated medicine with inert contents is meant for display ONLY and NOT meant for use.

A GREAT conversation piece!

Offered is a clear glass paperweight advertising the image of the fascinating "CHIEF TWO MOON" of Waterbury, Connecticut, who made and spent a fortune as a healer and manufacturer of patent and herbal medicines of questionable efficacy. This image is of the Chief proudly posing in front of one of his converted school buses that he and his salesmen used to travel in throughout New York and Connecticut hawking his popular elixirs and herbal medicines.

This handsome paperweight measures about 4.25 inches long x 2.75 inches wide x .75 inches thick. The black and white paper image is affixed to the underside of the glass. Overall, the condition is very good with some minor fading to the image front. The print on the back side of the image is quite faded and the written portion is barely discernible. No damage to the glass is noted.

SOME HISTORY: Chief Two Moon Meridas (Ca1888–1933) was an American seller of herbal medicine who claimed that he was of Sioux ancestry. Meridas was born Chico Colon Meridan, son of Chico Meridan and Mary Tumoon; his exact place and date of birth are unclear. Later, his marriage certificate recorded his date of birth as August 29, 1888, but this information in unconfirmed.

By 1914, Meridas was selling herbal medicines in the streets of Philadelphia and New York City. In New York he met Helen Gertrude Nugent, married her, and shortly afterwards they moved to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he began to sell his herbal medicines from his house. Contemporary newspaper accounts state that during the Great 1918 Influenza Pandemic, none of his patients died! This increased his prestige and clientele. His most famous product was "Bitter Oil", a laxative that was widely marketed as a cure-all.

In 1921, Meridas moved to a larger house in Waterbury and established an extensive and prosperous herb business in a storefront at 1898 East Main Street. He built his own laboratory at 1864 East Main Street in 1925. His business increased to such an extent that he had a fleet of buses for his salesmen as well as an airplane. He took money only for his products, not his advice. He spent lavishly but also surreptitiously donated to charities and to the poor.

In 1928, The Chief was awarded the keys to Atlantic City, where he founded his Indian Temple there. Although The Chief always claimed Native American ancestry in the advertising of his products and in his personal life, the United States Department of Interior refused to certify that he was an American Indian. However, on August 6, 1930, the Oglala Lakota Sioux of the Pine Ridge Reservation awarded him the honorary title of Chief, because of the significant financial help he provided them and others during the Great Depression.

The Chief died in Waterbury at the age of 43.

Measuring 10.5" high x 10.5" deep x 6.5" wide at the widest point, this very unique, circa 1940's, pharmacy, ALKA-SELTZER advertising piece displays just wonderfully!

Cleverly conceived and constructed, this display combines a very, visually-pleasing, accessible medicine display that promoted spur-of-the-moment purchases at the drug store cash register, along with a tape dispenser for use by the pharmacist and his employees! Quite clever--- as it guaranteed that the display would remain in use and visible in the pharmacy as the tape dispenser provided a nice convenience for drug store employees!

In very nice condition with expected scratches, paint rubs, and non-problematic, superficial surface rusting here and there (please see photos) expected of a 75+ year old functional display.

The display retains one of its twelve, original, glass Alka-Seltzer medicine bottles (empty of contents) as well as an older, used roll of tape in the dispenser!

A very unique advertising drug store display sure to start an interesting conversation at your next dinner party!

Offered is a wonderful group of seven, circa 1920-1930's, John Wyeth apothecary bottles sporting fancy, shield-shaped, foil labels.

They are being sold separately for $55.00 each. The POISON bottle BELLADONNA is SOLD as is GELATINE CAPSULES QUININE.

Decorative stock bottles such as these beauties were meant to be refilled and reused and were the pride of the pharmacy staff. Eye-catching, reflective medicine bottles such as these also served as an advertising mechanism as they often were placed prominently on the front row of pharmacy cabinets.

Each amber colored bottle measures 8.5 inches tall, has a narrow or wide mouth and sports a stopper with ground glass construction. The bottles date to the 1920-1930's era.

The condition of these empty bottles are excellent. Some of the stoppers are stuck in place.

The bottles sport either gold or silver toned foil labels which show slight wear and staining, commensurate with age and use.

A lovely group indeed!

Offered are two very interesting and very difficult to find, antiquated, female pharmacy medications. Both drugs are in glass ampules, unused and reside in their original box packages.

First is a most unusual carton of 6 vials labeled "PITANTHM" which is a uterine stimulant used to promote labor. Inside the small 3.5" x 2.75" box are six unused ampules nesting within. The circa 1940's ampules measure 2" tall and sport a very cute paper label and are in perfect shape. The box shows mild wear, some stain and fading.

Secondly is an unused, Parke Davis, sex hormone ampule labeled "ANTUITRIN". The box measures 4" x 2" and is complete with a paper insert with directions, dose and indications including a date of 8-48. The medicine is in mint condition. The distilled water vial is about 3" high and the medicine ampule is about 2 inches tall with both sporting perfect labels. The box is in very good condition with some stains, wear and minor label loss.

A pair not to be missed!

Offered is a very visually-appealing, veterinary, antiseptic medicine remedy complete with original, bright red box. This unused Canadian beauty and all-around healing oil was also marketed for household use!

In addition to treating all manner of animal ailments, this product was also marketed as a valuable remedy for barbed wire cuts, old sores, galls, joint stiffness---invaluable to hunters, prospectors, surveyors as a soothing, healing, liniment!

This is an unopened medicine in very good condition that contains a full bottle with an applied label. This circa 1940s medicine measures 6.25"H x 2"W x 2"D and is ready for your veterinary collection!

This striking, decorated, ceramic apothecary jar dates from the 1930s and is marked "GERMANY" on its base. Measuring 9 inches tall, this jar features lovely,14K gold-painted swags.

The jar cover has a repaired crack at the base of the knob as seen in the photo, but the jar otherwise is quite fine lending flair and elegance to your apothecary collection.

Offered is a fabulous, early 20thC, Patent Medicine Bottle sporting the image of an old geezer - OLD HERMIT EMBRO. Wonderful label graphics! Made by OLD HERMIT REMEDY CO. SCHENECTADY, NY - LABORATORIES - SCOTIA, NY, this nostrum was primarily a remedy for a variety of lung and respiratory afflictions as seen on the label: WHOOPING COUGH, ASTHMA in addition to frostbite, sprains and more! It was quite common for early medicines to purport to have many different benefits, and the "old hermit" manufacturer capitalized upon this.

The 4.5 inch high bottle sports a corked top which is covered by a plastic seal. The highly decorative label with wonderful graphics surrounds most of this cylindrical 1 1/2 ounce bottle. The label has an amber tone color and some minor wear, scuffs and loss commensurate with its age.

An interesting addition to one's apothecary, drugstore collection.

A very cute vintage drug store/pharmacy display from the 1940s era!

This complete display consists of 24, colorful CHANDLER'S medicine boxes, each of which contain the original brown pills!

Each box's label includes ingredients described as Acetanilide 1 gr., Caffeine Alkaloid 1/16 gr.,, Po. Ext. Dogwood, Po. Extract Gentian, Cascarin, Po. Capsicum, Podophyllin, and Aloin.

Packed by CHANDLER MEDICINE CO. - Office 2812 Dodier Street, ST. LOUIS, MO., the display measures 6" x 5" x 1" and is in unused, fine condition. ***NOTE*** The cover must be separated from each corner to be set-up as a display as seen in photo.

What a great collectible for the pharmacist, nurse or doctor in your life!

Offered is a very hard-to-find, unused, Asthma Lung Cough Cure Plasters Drugstore Tin from North Chelmsford, Mass. A deep, purple-toned paper label covers the 3 inch tall, cleverly-named "PHI-TEM tin.

The condition of this early 1930s nostrum is very good with minimal tarnish to the metal and very light fading to the label.

This medicine tin is unopened and ready for your collection!

This vintage educational Ophthalmology chart was published in 1956 by the Better Vision Institute of 630 5th Avenue, New York, to "promote better understanding of vision and better care of eyes".

Measuring 60 inches wide by 40 inches high, this highly colorful chart is just chock-full of information! Metal hanging grommets placed across the top facilitated display back in the 1950's. This incredibly interesting, double-sided chart highlights the science and history of sight as well as its medical assessment and its effects on one's ability to function productively in society.

The front side of the chart is entitled, "Vision: Master Key to Man's Progress" and highlights the biology and history of sight with a side discussion of optical illusions. The back side is entitled, "Science: Multiplies Eye Power" and discusses the science of vision and its correction featuring the Snellen Vision Chart, an Astigmatism chart and a Color Discrimination chart.

Condition is quite good with excellent color and clarity of print. Foxing is present on the front side side of the chart where the Optical Illusion information is printed. A very small edge tear is evident on the bottom of the chart and is most readily seen in photos when viewing the bottom back side of the chart where the description of Color Discrimination is found. (please see photos)

A fabulous, mid-20th century retrospective on vision as well as 1950's Optometry and Ophthalmology! Would be wonderful framed between two pieces of plexi-glass to facilitate display on either side!

Offered is a wonderful, circa 1920's, John Wyeth apothecary bottle sporting a fancy, shield-shaped, foil label, Elixir Phenobarbitol.

Decorative stock bottles such as this beauty were meant to be refilled and reused and were the pride of the pharmacy staff. Eye-catching, reflective medicine bottles such as these also served as an advertising mechanism as they often were placed prominently in pharmacy windows to attract passers-by.

This 8.5 inch, amber, wide-mouth example reveals ground glass construction and dates to the 1920's era.

This empty bottle is in excellent condition with no damage. The ground glass stopper cannot be removed and appears perfect.

The label shows light wear and staining commensurate with age and use. Although the label appears silver in the photos, it is more of a GOLD-toned foil.

A difficult to find bottle with a label in this very nice condition.