Catalog (95)

Each vial measures approximately 1.5 inches in length including the cork. The vials are nestled in the leather case, with most vials sporting a hand written label on the top of the cork. The fitted case measures 7.5" long x 2" wide x 3.5" high and shows honorable wear commensurate with age and use. Modest wear and loss to the case edges is noted with separation of 2 flaps, specifically the top left flap and middle left flap.

The many vials include a very desirable example labeled 30 CANNAB IND (cannabis indica). Other vials include: BELLAD, ACID PHOS, ALOES, MAGN. C., LYCOP, ZINC M., STAPH. to name a few.

A wonderful representation of late 19th century homeopathic medicine!

The box is in very nice condition with some wear from age and storage. Measures 2.5" high x 2.2" wide x 1.5" deep and contains 12 individually boxed vials all in very nice condition.

*****Group #1*****

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 of 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 medical establishment there 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 is a very desirable group of vintage, pharmacy bottles and medicine from the 1930s to 1950s era.

The two cocaine bottles from Merck and Mallinckrodt are the gems of this listing! The diminutive Merck DIONIN bottle and Schering MEDINAL Barbitol labelled box are quite collectible as well. Finally, the Lilly MORPHINE bottle, which sports a tax stamp, rounds out quite a quintet!

For perspective, the Mallinckrodt cocaine bottle measures 3.5" tall, and the Merck red capped bottle is a cute 1.75" high.

The labels are very good (and original) showing only an occasional, minor stain or loss as seen in the photos. Only the 2.75" Lilly Morphine label can be described as fair, with modest loss as photographed. The 1.75" square Medinal box and label are in excellent condition.

Note that each medicine is also marked as a "POISON"!

DR BALLES HUSTENA (for asthma, cough and throat) triangle bottle is 5 inches tall, has a tiny fleck missing from lip and interior staining.

Dr HOOKER COUGH AND CROUP SYRUP is a round 5.5 inch bottle and has light interior staining and minor exterior scuffing.

HUGH DAVIES COUGH MIXTURE is 5.5 inches tall and except for some scuff marks is very nice. The embossing is not as bold as the other bottles.

C.DEAKIN & HUGHES 'CHEST COUGH AND LUNG HEALER' is 5.5 inches and in very good shape.

ONE MINUTE COUGH MIXTURE measures 5.5 inches and shows faint exterior staining or old patina that appears that it can be cleaned.

Dr. J. W. BULL'S COUGH SYRUP measures almost 7 inches and has minor interior staining. All bottles display fine and would make a lovely addition to your collection.

Recently acquired during an antiques hunt in the Savanna, Georgia, area, this beauty measures just over 12 inches high and just under 5 inches in diameter at the base.

Condition of the glass label: The tapered glass label is complete, with very minor paint lifting and discoloration most evident along the bottom of the label. The glass portion of label is undamaged.

Condition of the bottle: There are no chips to the bottle. The interior of the bottle is clear except for some faint deposit on the top water edge. The base of bottle is embossed "Pat'd Dec. 10 95" (1895).

Condition of the stopper: The decorative stopper has a tiny edge fleck on the edge of one lower facet. The lower inside of stopper has 3 unobtrusive fractures on the rear portion not visible from the front. There are 2 fractures on the upper portion of the bottle where the stopper fits. One of them is on the left and is barely visible. The stopper is fixed in placed and has not been tampered with.

The photos adequately present the condition of bottle. A stunning centerpiece for your collection.

The condition is very good with the expected wear and minor scuffs and imperfections of a vintage piece.

There is even a high profile testimonial on the top box label from Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes who claimed this medicine to be "the best thing in my experience" etc.

Measures 4.5 inches tall.

The base, ground glass stopper, and stunning gold gilt label make this bottle very desirable!

The condition of this 8 inch tall bottle is excellent. The glass label is undamaged with mild unobtrusive paint flecking around the edge. The ground glass stopper is fine and fits perfectly. As seen in the photos, the label appears very nice visually, despite what I would consider minimal manufacturers imperfections as noted. The bottle sports a few tin air bubbles, a 1/2 inch surface bubble on the top back and mild glass imperfection on the lower back of bottle. The base is boldly embossed with the following: "W N WALTON PATd SEP 23 1862".

An early bottle that displays beautifully!

This lovely, late-Victorian-styled inhaler is primarily being sold for its original box. The box is complete and very detailed on all sides (including the top), sporting wonderful graphics and information on its many merits. The box measures 6.5" H x 4" W x 3.25" D and shows only mild wear and faint staining. Finding a complete box in this condition is quite uncommon.

The lamp is not complete and is minus its chimney and top medicinal pan.

The advertising says it all - great graphic and lung specific. The last patent date noted on the box is 1899, and the first patent date is stamped on the lamp as being Ag. (August) 4, 1885.

The condition is excellent with minor edge wear to the leather case. One vial is missing. Also contained within the interior of the case are a few prescription forms marked "MEDICAL DEPARTMENT U.S. NAVY". Measures 10.5L x 2.5W x 4H.

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.

This display is one of a series entitled "The History of Pharmacy in Pictures" produced by Parke Davis in the late 1950's to early 1960's honoring the story of American Pharmacy.

This scene depicts Craigie providing aid during the June 17, 1775, Revolutionary War, Battle of Bunker Hill, Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts.

This self-framed, white-bordered artwork is constructed of a quality, thick, card board and has a built-in easel on back for displaying. The picture can also be easily framed.

Perfect, intense color throughout - no fading - any glare seen is due to lighting conditions during photography. Measures approximately 21" long x 17.75" wide.

This is a fabulous white ceramic 1950s pharmacy drug store display with decorative gold gilt embellishments. The mortar measures 7 inches tall and the solid pestle is 8.5 inches long.

The condition is near excellent with no damage, cracks or dings.

An outstanding display that will compliment any pharmacy collection.

****NOTE ****CHLOROHYDRATE, QUININE, PHENOBARB bottles are SOLD****

Offered is a wonderful collection of approximately 35 Merck & Company pharmacy stock bottles from the 1940 - 1950s era, recently acquired from the collection of a retired Pennsylvania pharmacist.

Included within this grouping are five, RED-labeled, POISON bottles displaying the visually-interesting skull and cross bone image!

The bottles measure 5 inches tall, sport front and back labels and have plastic or bakelite type caps. The condition of all of the bottles is very good with almost no wear!

Each bottle sports a different content label; given the number of bottles in this offering, a comprehensive listing of specific bottle content labels is prohibitive. Instead, please view each of the photos for a representation of the content labeling on these great drug store stock bottles!

The entire grouping all together would make an absolutely stunning addition to one's pharmacy collection!

Each pull measures about 2"W x 1 3/4"H x 1 1/2" front to back (not including bolt).

The condition of the pulls is very good with only one pull (SIENNA) showing minor use-damage above the letter "A"(see photo). Otherwise, some pulls have minor manufacturing imperfections that add to the desired patina of an antique of this age and period.

Most of the pulls sport the following, sometimes illegible, maker's mark on the bottom of the knob: "PAT. FEB 12, 89 - M.D.B. CO. - ST. LOUIS, MO".

The pulls are PRICED EACH at $43.00 PER PULL and are ready for your collection or for retro-chic decorating use on an actual cabinet, be it antique or contemporary!

This wonderful, 1940-1950s vintage hand made and painted mortar and pestle display once adorned the interior of a Connecticut pharmacy. The display is decorated in red with painted bronze details for added flair.

Measures about 7 high” x 4.5” wide and is in very nice condition! Some unobtrusive surface paint loss and scuffing including a few tiny nail holes are apparent but do not distract from their visual appeal!

This museum quality kit contains directions, antitoxin vial, needle, and injector components--- including a perfect wooden box. The colorful label is complete, torn in places with stains and printed in English and Spanish.

The scarce kit measures approximately 4"W x 1.75"H x 1.25"D and is dated JULY 11, 1941.

The Smithsonian Institute has detailed and fascinating information on the history of diphtheria on their website and is a highly recommended search.

Ready to be the centerpiece of your collection!

The 8.5 inch tall bottle has the manufacturer's letters “W.T.CO. – Pat. 1889 - USA” embossed on the base.

This label under glass (LUG) tincture bottle is in fine condition. The stopper sports ground glass construction as well. The label is complete and displays well.

This appealing bottle originated from a former pharmacy in Putnam, CT, which closed in 1949.