Catalog: Vintage Arts (120)

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.

We are pleased to offer a very appealing and scarce, label-under-glass, apothecary display bottle. Bottles of this size and shape are an elusive find.

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.

Offered for your consideration is a fabulous medical sterilizer fresh from a retired physicians collection. This nickel plated beauty is in fine shape and appears to be from the 1930-1940 era.

Measures 8 inches long x 3 inches wide x 5 inches high (including the knob). The embossed label is marked "MADE IN USA - CASTLE- STERILIZER". The lid is attached to the interior tray and articulates backwards to open or can be lifted off as seen it the photo. Please note that the electric cord was cut by the good doctor to fit inside his display cabinet.

Measuring 7 inches in diameter at its widest point and 10 inches high, this lovely, C1920, Ohio-made, yellow ware, blue spongeware pitcher exudes elegance! It features a fabulous, embossed and sculpted rim and a decorative handle, both accented with gold gilt!

The pitcher sits on a footed base and has a generous, bulbous-shaped body. It has glaze crazing typical of an 85+ year old piece of pottery, superficial flakes as noted in photos, and two hairlines at the base (see photos) which likely were acquired through use over the years. The hairlines seem tight and do not appear to threaten the integrity of the piece. P> 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.

Offered is a very difficult-to-find grouping of thirty nine, matching, 19th century, porcelain, apothecary cabinet drawer pulls.

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!

Offered is a very interesting, unused, Kayden Fully Automatic Insulin Injector complete with the original display case and packaging materials.

The chrome plated injector is in mint condition and resides inside its plastic case. The patent #2295849 dates this unusual tool of the trade to 1942. Measuring 4.75" long, the injector barrel displays the imprinted patent date and other info (see photo).

The injector was an alternative device that was employed by those patients who preferred not to use the typical needle and syringe. As a precision instrument, the user was able to adjust the depth of injection, and then the device, once user-activated, injected the insulin. Voila!

Not sure of the level of popularity this device held, but this is the only one I have seen.

Offered for sale is a stunning pair of 1920's, Art Deco, Apothecary Show Globes.

These beautiful pharmacy displays are in very nice, all-original condition including the sculptured glass corked stoppers (the stoppers are taped in place in the photos for safety only--the stoppers fit perfectly)!!

The globes measure about 21 inches high and are capable of holding the colored water of your choice!

The condition of the aluminum stands shows some wear and faint pitting commensurate with age. Hard to find complete with finials.

A simply gorgeous display awaiting placement in your drug store collection!

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 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.

Measuring 11.5" wide x 15.75" long, this lovely, circa 1940, crosstitch cross stitch sampler depicts the history of a New York City and New Jersey family with multiple cultural ethnicities displayed as well as a variety of early family occupations, significant streets, town, and structures.

Interestingly, whomever wrought this very detailed, family-history sampler omitted just one significant detail- the family surname!

On the left side of the sampler, the Scotch ethnicity is wrought along with the occupations of Parson and Doctor, with a 1725, antique salt box style home the domicile of the parson (?) wrought below the later 1940 domicile of the doctor (?) at New York City's Park Avenue address.

The right side of the family sampler depicts French origins with a 1777 mentor (teacher) and his red schoolhouse wrought below the 1861 farmer residing in the town of Morrisania (Morristown, NJ?).

The central aspect of the sampler depicts a number of images: a very stylish horse drawn carriage with driver and a sun umbrella--holding, female occupant, a well-landscaped, bright yellow homestead dated 1777, the ethnicity of "English" stitched out, and finally, a tall-spired village church with accompanying date of 1752.

The French Fleur de Lis is wrought into the sampler as well as the very ancient, stylized, so-called-today "swastika" cross, a symbol that can be traced back to ancient Byzantine times and which was frequently featured in early Native American culture as a symbol of abundance.

The sampler hem is completely hand-stitched. The sampler, itself, is in very fine condition retaining bright coloration and an absence of holes, tears or discoloration of any kind. Background color of the linen is an even, mellow, tannish-off-white.

A well-executed cross stitch sampler very much shrouded in mystery as to family origin!

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.

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.'

Measuring 15.25 inches in diameter and 5.25 inches high, this magnificent and absolutely HUGE, C1920, Ohio-made, yellow ware, spongeware mixing bowl or water basin features fabulous blue sponging and is much more striking “in person” than the photos were able to capture.

The bowl sits on a 1/2” footed base and has a lovely turned edge rim. It has glaze crazing typical of an 85+ year old piece of pottery but no cracks, chips or hairlines. Remnants of gold gilt decoration along the rim still remain. Would be fabulous as receptacle for a very large plant or to hold a large water pitcher!

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.

Offered is a wonderful circa 1930s, empty, Parke Davis, pharmacy, drugstore poison bottle. The bottles are: Pilocarpus 55% Alcohol, Colocynth (SOLD), 60% Alcohol, and Strophanthus (SOLD), 90% Alcohol!!! With all of that Alcohol in each bottle, no wonder the patient felt better after taking it!

The Pilocarpus bottle measures 5 inches tall, sporting a graphic, red colored label and corked. Offered at $20.00 .

The condition is very good except for some staining on the Pilocarpus bottle.

Measuring 10 inches in diameter x 3.50 inches high, this early 20th century Sweet Grass and Poplar splint basket is stamped “Made In Canada” on its base.

This exquisite sewing basket was made by Native Americans residing in Canada near the Maine border for the purpose of selling to the tourist trade--- the wealthy New Englanders who frequented the Maine Coastline towns during the summers!

The basket is truly in near perfect condition with two tiny breaks to the delicate splint --- hardly noticeable to the eye and certainly not affecting the structural integrity of the piece in any way. Lovely construction!

When the lid is removed and the interior of the basket and underside of the lid is visible, one sees that some of the splint was at one time dyed blue with vegetable dye. The exterior side of this once dyed splint, has long since returned to its natural color due to years of exposure to the light of day.

Vintage Native American baskets are becoming exceedingly scarce! An especially desirable example due to its fine construction and condition!

Offered is a very nice set of brass weights manufactured by Fisher Scientific Co., dating to the turn of the 20th century.

The weights are housed in a fitted, hard wood case that appears to be maple, and it includes a brass tweezers for securing the six individual milligram weights. Also included are eight of the nine brass matching weights, with only the 1mg weight missing.

The wooden case measures 6 inches long x 2.5 inches wide x 1.5 inches high and sports a metal label on top. Condition is very good with the finish and wear commensurate of a used antique collectible.

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, gold-painted swags.

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

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!