Catalog (99)

Offered is a very striking, Civil War era, clear glass, apothecary bottle sporting a wonderful and quite visually-appealing, gold, recessed label.

It is embossed on the base: W.N WALTON PAT SEPT 23, 1862.

The bottle is just about 8 inches tall and is in excellent condition, containing its original contents!

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 great group of vintage pharmacy medicine bottles and vials dating from the early 1900s to the 1940s.

This handsome sextet is highlighted by a circa 1900 Fraser Tablet Company STRYCHNINE poison bottle in very nice condition complete with its worn, though functional, box.

Next is the handsome Parke Davis IRON CACODYLATE box (Rx for leukemia and anemia) sporting great condition including its 12 smaller boxes of unused ampoules!

The 3.25" tall Mallinckrodt Phenolphthalein stock box (a laxative) contains four 1 ounce bottles, all in unused condition.

The circa 1900 Mallinckrodt BLUE MASS jar sports an early label and a slightly dented cap.

Finally, two small amber pharmacy bottles- one by ARMOUR which once contained 100 Parathyroid Tablets- and the MULFORD bottle, which formerly housed 50 Pituitary Body tablets. No damage to the bottles with normal wear to the labels.

This choice group awaits your collection!

This is a scarce collection of 22 Homeopathic Medicine bottles complete with contents, corks and labels dating to the turn of the 19th century. Each vial sports an applied label that indicates the contents plus a cork with hand-written ingredients noted. The vials measure between 2 - 2.5 inches high x 1/2" including the cork. Hard to find in any condition.

*****Group #2*****

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 recent estate find in Myrtle Beach, SC. This Patent Medicine is an unused CRANE'S Quinine and Tar Cold and Cough remedy circa 1910. This diminutive "Free Sample" is from the CRANE MEDICINE CO., Chicago, Ill and is complete with the original box and insert.

The box approximately measures 4.5"H x 1.5"W and is in fair condition missing both the top and bottom flaps and shows wear commensurate with age. The delightful 4 inch bottle sports complete front and back labels and is in undamaged condition. The insert is included and the paper is brittle with signs of loss mostly at the folded areas.

A nifty medicine for quelling coughs caused by colds, croup, bronchitis and other afflictions. The bottle and box display quite nicely as seen in the photos. A neat find!

Offered is an interesting and varied, quality sextet of Patent Medicines as follows!

First is a Munyon's Headache Cure which has a screw cap glass vial in a colorful box. This medicine sports a partial tax stamp, measures 2.75 inches and is in fine condition.

The two Dr. Franklin's Specific Cures measure just over 3 inches long and sport very graphic and appealing labels. The first glass vial marked #24, cures Diseases of the Ear and Hearing and more. The second glass vial marked #31, cures Sore Mouth and Canker, plus Morning Sickness, Syphilitic Sore mouth and more. The condition of both vials is very good.

Next, is a very colorful REQUA'S CUBEB CIGARETTES box of 12--complete! This Brooklyn, N.Y., medicine claims to relieve minor sore throat and bronchial irritations including nasal congestion due to colds. Please note the image of the patient puffing casually on a cigarette to retain good health!!!! The box is in good condition with wrinkling and creases and is 3.25 inch high.

MOTHERSILL'S TRAVEL REMEDY is a cute box of 12 capsules for children. This 2 inch cutie is empty, in very nice condition and is made in N.Y.

Item #6 is a laxative tin, QUINARETS, from the Virginia Chemical Company with partial contents, pamphlet and is in good condition. The tin measures 2.5 inches with some mild scratches and wear.

Together a wonderful grouping of quite interesting patent medicines from the early 1900s to 1940s.

Offered are 6 circa 1900 aqua colored patent medicine bottles which were part of my collection. The grouping sports embossed labels indicating that they were a remedy or healer for lung, cough, throat or chest ailments. They measure from 5 to 7 inches tall, are in very good shape with no cracks, a few manufacturers' imperfections such as tiny air bubbles and glass flaws.

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.

World War II era, leather bound, Navy doctor's traveling medicine case with contents. Most of the glass vials retain labels that are marked UPJOHN and some of the vials also retain contents.

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.

Offered is a wonderful 1920-1930s era Asthma Remedy bottle labeled HIMROD'S REMEDY. This lovely nostrum sports bright colored graphics and includes full contents and image of the debonair Mr. Himrod.

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.

19thC English instruments are noted for their high quality craftsmanship, and this suppository mold certainly meets this very high standard. Constructed of brass, this footed mold sports 5 tubes for making 2 grain suppositories.

This fine example measuring 6"L x 1.5"W x 1"H, sports a warm patina commensurate with an instrument of this age.

The mold is marked "S. MAW & SONS, THOMPSON - LONDON", a noted manufacturer of quality medical instruments and tools for many years).

Offered is a scarce, Western Union display box from the 1920's era used hold a variety of telegram forms as well as written guidelines and charts needed to accurately and precisely perform this valuable and popular communicative service.

This advertising gem was once used at the Island Pharmacy, City Island, New York, and was acquired directly from the family.

This display box measures 11"H x 9.25"W x 4.25"D, is in very good condition and sports the "WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH" cardboard label on its front. Both the display box and label exhibit age appropriate wear as noted: a few, small, top edge chips to the wood, some staining to the label as seen in photos, and the "N" in the word "BLANKS" is damaged.

This graphically appealing, vintage, advertising piece comes with a wide variety of very interesting and historic associated ephemera that serves to define the vast scope of service that Western Union provided: a 1962 CIPHER (Encoding and Decoding Card) for use with money order messages, a guideline card defining the delivery of Military Casualty telegrams, a 1949 guide card defining the Priority Order of Messages, a Standard Abbreviations Guide card, 2 cards notating New York City and Albany addresses of the main Western Union Offices in the state of New York, numerous contracts spanning multiple decades confirming the continued authorization of the pharmacy as a Western Union provider, as well as 15 colorful and unused, telegraph and cable THANKSGIVING blanks and over 40 Christmas HOLIDAY GREETINGS blanks. Also included is a 1950's, 17 page, company history given to Western Union services providers entitled, The Story of Western Union.

The City Island Pharmacy contracted with Western Union as an agent for the delivery and acceptance of telegrams and cable services from 1939 through 1972!

What a delightful advertising piece with wonderful provenance, filled with historic Western Union ephemera!

Offered is a very nice group of vintage Parke Davis pharmacy bottles dating from 1900 through 1920s.

First, is a nearly 8 inch amber bottle GAMBIR, a mild tonic and astringent.
Bottle #2 JALAP, a cathartic, measures 5 inches, is a circa 1900 amber example sporting the early factory image.
Bottle #3 OX GALL, a tonic and laxative, is 5 inches tall and also sports the early PD factory label.
Bottles #4 + 5 measure 5 inches tall. CALUMBA a tonic and stimulant. APOCYNUM (Canadian Hemp) an emetic and expectorant.
Bottles #6 and 7, DAMIANA, used as a mood enhancer or digestive stimulant, measures 4 inches. In early history, Damiana was noted as having an "effect on sexual desire".
Drug #8 CREOSOTE a expectorant measures 5 inches.
Bottles #9 and 10 labeled INFANT No.2 measure 2.25 inches and contain Calomel, a purgative and ipecac (induces vomiting).
Medicines # 11 and 12 are boxed Herbs STRAMONIUM used for asthma.
Bottles #13 and 14 CATHARTIC COMPOUND measure 7 inches high and contain colocynth used for liver, gallbladder and other issues.

The condition of the bottles is excellent. The labels are mostly complete with some showing honorable wear, stains, fading all commensurate with vintage medicines.

A wonderful collection of vintage pharmacy products.

Offered is a fabulous, graphically-appealing, 1920s, Swiss Heart Tonic, SCILLAREN, complete with 12 vials. It is distributed by METZ, INC. NY.

Upon opening the top lid, one finds 12 very special, unused, clear glass vials in near perfect condition, retaining their diminutive labels.

The visually-graphic box is in good condition with some separation to the edge of the cardboard box. Two small pieces of cardboard material used to secure vials in box are missing with a small piece of cotton inserted and used as a replacement for the missing sections.

For perspective, this Scillaren box measures 3.5"W x 2.5"H x 1.4"D. and the tiny vials are approximately 1 inch tall.

Difficult to find, and RARELY found in complete condition.

****NOTE****The containers are EMPTY.

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"!

The inhalation of medicinal vapors was common practice during the late 19th and early 20th century. Inhaling devices came in many shapes and forms. This very decorative and functional inhaler was very popular during that period.

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.

Offered is a more diminutive example of a late 19thC Pharmacy "tool of the trade" known as a pill machine but often referred to as a pill roller.

Pill machines were designed to enhance the productivity of the early pharmacist, and this design was, indeed, popular for many, many years. This pill machine is designed with 24 tubes for medicine-making.

The condition is very good, sporting a nice patina commensurate with its age and use. It is constructed of walnut and embellished with brass edge guards as well as brass grooved molds. The paddle has a number of early small dings and a small, faint hairline split on the top edge. The base measures approximately 12" L x 7" W x 1.75" H including the footed base. The paddle is 16.5"L x 3"W.

An apothecary classic, ready for your collection.

This is a very nice pharmacy or drug store “female specific” medicine bottle labeled “LUTEIN TABLETS” Corpus LUTEUM Preparation. This circa 1940, Hynson, Westcott & Dunning, Inc., Baltimore bottle measures almost 4” and is in very good condition. The metal cap is embossed with the logo "HW&D" on top. A neat find!

Measuring a diminutive 2 inches in diameter, this intricately-detailed, colorfully lithographed, celluloid-faced advertising pocket mirror is in mint condition!

The pastoral image features a country maiden leading a cow from the woods while holding a can of Horlick's Malted Milk.

Imprinted on the cow's side is the following, "Ask for Horlick's at all Fountains and Hotels."

Around the circumference of the mirror, the product is further advertised:

"This maiden fair was dressed in silk,
She drinks the Horlick's Malted Milk."

" Tea of coffee it does replace,
In Health or Sickness,
Wins the Race."

Original mirrored backing is in very fine condition with just a few very minute , superficial scratches. Marked in microscopically written print ob bottom edge: The Whitemead & Hoag Company, Newark, New Jersey.

A beautiful little advertising piece!