Catalog: Vintage Arts: Instruments and Implements (69)

Offered is an 1854 edition of Dr. Calvin Cutter's instructional and educational book entitled "First Book of Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene, for GRAMMAR SCHOOLS and FAMILIES".

This difficult to find revised stereotyped edition, was published in Boston by the Benjamin B. Mussey and Co., the book having been originally published in 1852. It features 83 highly-detailed engraved illustrations and 191 information-packed pages. A very comprehensive and quite interesting volume that discusses normal and abnormal conditions, treatment of various diseases and recommendations for proper health.

This very early educational hardcover book is in fair to good condition. The front cover has separated from the binding as has the very first page which is blank, but both are present. All other pages remain bound. The majority of the exterior black leather edge binding cover is missing. This 168 year old book has expected, moderate yellowing and foxing to the pages, some minor staining and ancient water marks, and some tiny folds here and there. Measures approximately 7.25"L x 4.75"W.

A highly valued resource book of its time for instruction in the grammar school grades or for use by more financially well-to-do 19th century families who could afford to maintain personal, home libraries.

Quite an interesting read!

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 difficult to find tool-of-the trade pharmacy “IDEAL CAPSULE FILLER” was used by early 20th century druggists to enhance their capsule production. The patent date is stamped Oct. 31, 1905, and research indicates that it was produced by the "Baltimore Capsule Co."

The machine produces 2 different size capsules and has a filling plate that sports 4 parallel rows, each having the capacity of making 24 capsules. Also included are 2 capsule filling trays.

The condition of this wonderful apothecary tool of the trade is very good, complete with the warm, rich patina one would expect of an antique of this age including the usual scratches, marks and unobtrusive dings and tarnish. (Two top wood edges have been lost due to use, time and age as seen in the photos.) The metal parts appear to be nickel plated, and the wood base looks like walnut. The filler measures approximately 13 L x 4.5 W x 4.5 H.

The interior contains sand that was used to add weight and stabilize the box when in use.

A must addition for any pharmacy/apothecary collection!

Offered for your consideration is a fabulous set of three, 1910, Anatomical Charts of the Skeleton, Muscles, and the Circulatory system.

Complete, National American Red Cross anatomical charts of this early 20th Century time period are quite an unusual find in today's market. Charts such as these were a frequently referenced visual aide for both the medical and nursing student, and due to this frequent educational use, not many have survived.

These wonderfully detailed teaching charts each measure 28.25" high x 20" wide and (to the best of our knowledge) are made of a wax-coated, heavy-weight, linen canvas. The top and bottom only of each chart are framed by black painted, wooden supports designed to facilitate the hanging of each chart.

The condition of each chart demonstrates mild crackling of surface and light wear and tear, as well as discoloration consistent with their 100+ years of age. Slight, unobtrusive loss of fabric is also apparent. Overall, the condition and patina of these charts are commensurate with vintage teaching tools that had been frequently referenced.

The charts are published by P. BLAKISTON'S SON & CO., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1880, this company focused its production upon the publication of high quality medical and scientific books, charts, and graphs.

Offered for your consideration is a vintage 1930-40s medical sterilizer fresh from a retired physician's collection. This nickel plated beauty is in fine shape and 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 it can be lifted off as seen it the photo. Please note that the electric cord was cut by the good doctor to allow the piece to fit inside his display cabinet!

Offered is a C1930-40s, porcelain, medical sterilizer fresh from a retired physician's collection.

This office-size model is in fairly good condition and displays well; however, modest repair is noted to the right side as seen in photos.

This diminutive sterilizer measures just 5 inches long x 3.5 inches wide x 4 inches high (including the knob).

The embossed label on the base is marked "AMERICAN SUNDRIES Co. – BROOKLYN, N.Y. - PATENTED". The lid articulates backwards to open, and the unit appears to be missing the interior tray; priced accordingly.

Offered is a very nice, vintage, drug store, BROMO SELTZER Dispenser with a patent date of 1930.

This popular and very recognizable, pharmacy collectible is constructed of a cobalt blue glass base with an aluminum stand that sports an old bottle of Bromo Seltzer retaining a label dating to 1987. The stand measures just over 15 inches high including the bottle.

The condition is commensurate with a used pharmacy device. The base shows wear with various scratches, and the metal is tarnished. The dispenser mechanism rotates and functions properly. The piece was in storage for many years and retains its original, "as-found" patina. A very nice find!

Some history:
The Bromo Seltzer product takes its name from a component of the original formula, sodium bromide. Bromides are a class of tranquilizers that were withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1975 due to their toxicity. Their sedative effect probably accounted for Bromo-Seltzer's vast popularity back in the day as THE go-to remedy for hangovers!

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 wonderful example of a Quack Medical device from the 1930s. Inside the black, cloth-covered, fitted case lies a beautiful massage apparatus complete with all attachments and 36 page instruction booklet.

Measuring about 7" x 4", this "Rolex" brand-labeled device and its three attachments are in very nice condition. The booklet has a copyright date of 1934 and is packed with photos and suggested uses for the massager including treatment of headaches and renewing vigor!

The case measures about 8" x 10" and sports a fabulous interior label. The cord is a bit dry so I opted to not plug it in. (I would expect that this device is functional as all the other electric medical devices from this collection were in working condition. Without plugging it in, I cannot guarantee if it works, so please purchase with this in mind.)

Working or not, this interesting, Quack Medical device is a unique "find" and is ready for your collection.

Offered is an unused, "New Old Stock" (NOS), pharmacy or drug store display from the 1940-1950's era, complete with 10 full rolls of "FOXES" Throat Soothing Horehound Drops!

This diminutive display measures 4.25" x 3.25" closed and is in very nice condition! The top, as seen in photos, lifts up to facilitate advertisement of the product and would have been placed on the drug store counter top in this fashion. A neat and unusual find!

Please take a moment to view our other vintage, "New Old Stock" drug store displays! They all would look fabulous grouped together!

Offered is a very cute vintage drug store/pharmacy medicine display from the 1940s era! This complete display has never been used (NOS = New Old Stock) and 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 in the open position, is partially detached from its side. This type of separation does occur over time and is noted for full disclosure. However, as seen 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!

Please take a moment to view our other vintage, "New Old Stock" drug store displays! They all would look fabulous grouped together!

Offered is a very cute vintage drug store/pharmacy display from the 1940s era! This colorful display is complete and unused (NOS = New Old Stock) and consists of 24 CHANDLER'S medicine boxes, each of which contain the original cold and headache 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!

Please take a moment to view our other vintage, "New Old Stock" drug store displays! They all would look fabulous grouped together!

Offered is a wonderful, 1940 era, SENTINEL First Aid Kit sporting GREAT graphics. This visually-attractive, metal case contains all of its contents and appears to be in minimal and perhaps in unused condition!

This diminutive kit was designed to be portable and most useful for scrapes and scratches. The case measures 6" x x 3" x 1.25" and is in very nice condition with minor surface scratches and stains commensurate with age. The contents are near perfect.

Distributed by FOREST CITY PRODUCTS, INC. Cleveland, Ohio.

A wonderful kit for your medical, nursing or emergency-care student or professional in your life!

An additional tube of Ophthalmic ointment and a few early Band-aids are included!

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!

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.

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 very colorful and detailed pictorial display salutes the achievement of America's First Apothecary General, Boston's Andrew Craigie, commissioned in 1777. He had served as Massachusetts' Committee of Safety as Apothecary and fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill, continuing to serve American forces throughout the Revolutionary War.

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.

Offered is a handsome, vintage 1950-1960 era, Alka-Seltzer pharmacy dispenser product display (the bottle and metal display on the right is sold).

The remaining Alka-Seltzer display is featured on the left side of the first photo, and is a heavy plastic example having a midnight blue base with a clear (now hazy with age) top portion. This example measures 4.25" high x 4.25" wide x 5.5" deep and sports a heavy iron base for stability. The base is embossed with: "PROPERTY OF MILES LAB, INC."

Condition: modest wear with scuffs, dings, and fading with some edge loss to the two left lower corners as noted in the photos.