Catalog (87)

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!

This is a colorful 1936 series Treasury Department IRS Narcotics form. The document is dated and filed 1947 at Cases Drug Store, Logan Ohio. This decorative record confirms that the narcotic was Codeine Sulphate 1/2 gr. and was purchased by the Rexall Drug Company, Pittsburgh, PA.

The form measures 11" high x 9" wide and is in fine condition except for a 1/2" tear in the upper (R) hand corner (barely seen when framed). Although once common, these decorative documents are getting more difficult to find.

This is a very nice example of a Lowell, Massachusetts, patent medicine complete with box.

The 8.5 inch bottle is in fine condition and sports a label only on the side panel because it is embossed on the remaining three sides. The bottle label is almost complete with modest staining from content leakage.

This medicine retains its original, very decorative box which notes a 1915 date-- apparently when this "new" box was first introduced to the public in August of that year. The box is complete and in good condition noting modest content stain, mostly on the left panel.

Ayer's Sarsaparilla was actually a quack medicine first introduced in the mid 19th century, with no real evidence of therapeutic value, and in that regard, quite similar to many other medicines of that era. Sarsaparilla, J.C. Ayer's most popular product, was cited as a real blessing to humanity in that it purified the blood, stimulated the vital functions, restored and preserved health, and infused new life and vigor throughout the whole system!! Sarsaparilla was also recommended for jaundice, dyspepsia, pimples, boils, ringworm, female weaknesses and ‘lassitude and debility peculiar to the Spring.'

Incredible graphics say it all for this highly unique, female medicine bottle, BonKora, dating from the 1930s - 1940s era.

The bottle measures nearly 7.5 inches high and is complete with original contents. The condition of the bottle is very nice with only minor staining to the label next to the letters in the word, BONKORA. Although the box is damaged (see photos), it displays very well as it retains the image of the nude female- an interesting conversation piece!

A bit of history: BONKORA was actually advertised as a weight loss treatment in print advertising, although this usage is not stated on the box. With sales in decline in the late 1930s, the BONKORA manufacturer attempted to make their product a bit more interesting by streamlining the original, bulkier silhouette in their advertising and adding a naked lady on the label. While a clever touch, the product’s popularity continued to wane – perhaps due to a combination of the economics of the Great Depression and the increased federal enforcement of earlier-legislated laws prohibiting unsubstantiated, and wild, curative claims for any and all maladies.

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.

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 nice example of a Pharmacist tool of the trade. Dating from the 1940s to 1950s, this pharmacy pill tile is constructed of durable glass and sports a numerical cutting scale to accurately determine the dosage of compounded medicines.

From the GLASCO Glass Company, this pill tile is in nice condition, with 2 edge dings and various faint glass scratches acquired as a result of use, resulting in a fine, vintage patina.

Diminutive in size with the lustrous feel and look of antique ivory, this extraordinarily RARE apothecary powder spatula is a must-have for the serious pharmacy memorabilia collector!

Measuring just 3.25 inches long, this hand-carved piece features a spatula that is tapered to a fine, thin edge allowing for the easy handling of the finest-ground drug powders.

Condition is very fine without imperfection! A gorgeous, RARE apothecary implement!

Offered is a choice, 19th century, physician's, folding Homeopathic Medicine Case. This wonderful example contains 143 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, 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!

Offered for your consideration is a wonderful group of 4 Burroughs & Wellcome pill tiles featuring a different scene or theme on each tile. The attractive pill tiles measure 6" square and are in unused, boxed condition. Some staining and wear to the paper label as seen in the photos.

These handmade tiles originate from Delft, Holland, and are part of a limited edition commissioned by the Burroughs & Wellcome Co. The back of each tile sports a label with a description including a brief history.

Ready to display, frame or hang in your favorite collection.

Tiles are priced $20 each.

Offered is a very nice group of 8 Merck as well as Powers & Weightman Pharmacy and Chemist bottles.

First is a robust 8" size early 1900s Powers-Weightman-Rosengarten POTASSIUM SALICYLATE stock bottle.

Bottle #2 is a 7 inch high Merck ANTIMONY CHLORIDE formerly used in veterinary medicine as a dehorning agent.

Bottle #3 CALCIUM CHLORIDE, is 6 inches tall and was used as a source of calcium in foods, paper manufacture and chemistry to mention a few.

Item #4 ACID PICRIC was used in medicine as an antiseptic and for the treatment of burns. It measures 3.5 inches.

Bottle #5 GUAIACOL CARBONATE from Powers & Weightman measures 5 inches high and was used as an expectorant and disinfectant.

Bottle #6 HYDROCYANIC ACID measures 4.5 inches and was used as a pesticide. Empty.

Bottle #7 EMETINE from Sharpe & Dohme measures a mere 2 inches tall and is an emetic.

Finally, a 5 inch bottle #8 LEAD OXIDE was used in the building trade.

All the bottles are in fine shape and sport labels that show wear, stains or fading commensurate with age. Most are circa early 1900 with EMETINE being from the 1920 era. A very interesting group!

Offered is an outstanding, Art Deco era, circa 1920-1930s, hanging, drug store, apothecary show globe in impeccable condition!

The fancy and highly-stylized, Art Deco, aluminum frame cradles an equally highly-stylized, classically-ribbed, clear glass show globe and finial. If so desired, the show globe will hold water. The frame is embellished with a buffed matte finish with design details outlined in contrasting black to further enhance the fabulous, Art Deco styling. The chain link is also painted black, echoing the black detailing of the frame, and it retains most of its gorgeous, original finish, with absolutely no pitting. This fabulous apothecary showpiece measures 29 inches from the top of its fancy hanger to the base.

The condition is absolutely excellent. The globe glass is clean and clear with a perfectly fitting, ground-glass stopper. The interior globe rim has an extremely shallow, minute, surface chip that is insignificant and is very difficult to see and photograph. The finial base has two practically undetectable, teeny, flea bites that cannot be seen when the finial is inserted into the globe rim, and which also, are too tiny to photograph.

The take away of this offering, this outstanding piece of nearly 100 year old, American pharmacy history, is both its exquisite Art Deco styling with extraordinary visual appeal, and its utterly excellent condition, making it a true rarity among extant Apothecary antiques and collectibles!

Offered separately are 2 complete sets of cased, OHAUS, brass PHARMACY weights dating to the 1950-60s.

The weights are housed in plastic, fitted cases and include tweezers for securing the various milligram weights. Each cased set offers a total of sixteen gram and ounce brass weights - 1 metric, small, coin-size weight and various, metal, gram and grain weights.

The cases measure 4.5 inches long x 4 inches wide x 1.75 inches high.

Condition of the BRISTOL-MEYERS case is very good with wear commensurate with use and age and is priced $45.00.

Case #2 marked OHAUS on the top is in excellent condition and is priced $60.00. This set comes with its original shipping box and appears unused.

***PRICED EACH***

Offered is an absolutely fabulous group of early 1900, Merck & Co., amber glass, dispensing pharmacy bottles. Each bottle measures 5.5 inches tall, sports a ground glass stopper and comes with 2 labels. Many of the bottles have contents and are in undamaged condition. Only the "Pepsin" bottle has condition issues - (a big chip at the back side of the mouth not seen from the front when displayed).

Don't miss this rare opportunity to acquire a quality pharmacy collection! Select one or more bottle - your choice $40.00 each!

****SODIUM BENZOATE, CALAMINE, AMIDOPYRINE, ACETPHENETIDIN, GUAIACOL and ACETANILID bottles are SOLD ****

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 scarce, early 20thC, brass, apothecary bottle cork borer set. Dating to the 1920s era, this visually-striking, ten piece cork borer will accent any pharmacy collection.

There are nine borers numbered 1 through 9 and one central support rod completing this set. Each borer measures 4 inches long, with the total length, when linked together, measuring 8 inches x 2.5 inches wide. The borer set sports great patina and minimal wear commensurate of an antique of this age.

Offered are two, vintage, white ceramic, pharmacy pill tiles produced circa 1920. Each tile is priced separately.

Both pill tiles have identical marking on the back side as follows: "GERMANY" and "Trademark 'M' PHILADELPHIA, NEW YORK".

The smaller tile measures 8" x 10" and is in excellent condition, priced at $125.00.

The larger tile measures 10" x 12" and is in nice condition with the exception of a small 1/2" chip on the top front edge. Priced at $115.00.

Very nice tools of the trade!

This is a nice grouping of 15 EMPTY Pharmacy Hypodermic Tablet Vials, representing a wide variety of remedies and pharmaceutical manufacturers including MULFORD, ELI LILLY, SHARPE & DOHME, and PARKE DAVIS.

These corked cuties date from the early 1900s to 1920s, and all but one retain their tiny corks.

Some vials, such as that containing STRYCHNINE, are marked "POISON" on their paper labels.

Interestingly, there is one VETERINARY vial labeled ARECOLINE HYDROBROMIDE POISON by Mulford.

The diminutive vials measure from 2 inches long to 3 inches and are all in good condition. Imperfections noted: one vial has a tiny chip to the mouth of the tube and another vial has a minor crack near the cork.

Interesting grouping to add to your collection!