Catalog (56)

Offered is a wonderful, vintage 1920s, mini-drugstore, Hypodermic Medicine Traveling Case. Gone are the days when doctors would make home visits to their patients, but back when they did, portable, pocket-size cases such as this would be part of their treatment arsenal.

Measuring about 3.5 inches long, this case most likely contained medicines to help with treating chest pain. The pills were easy to dissolve in water, then filled into the syringe and quickly injected.

The case appears to be made of aluminum and opens perfectly (like a vintage cigarette lighter). The condition is very good with some scuffs, mostly on the top.

The 2.5cc size glass and chrome plated metal syringe is in very good condition, measures about 3 inches long, and sports a barrel that withdraws smoothly.

The six, EMPTY vials each have complete labels and corks and are in good condition. Three are from Eli Lilly, each labeled NITROGLYCERIN. The three others are from SHARPE AND DOHME and are labeled GLYCERYLIS NITRAS. There are no needles.

A very nice, 1920's piece of pharmacy and medical history.

We are excited to offer this handsome, traveling, doctor's apothecary medicine chest from the 1870-1880 era.

This fine, walnut, twenty-five compartment case houses twenty three medicine bottles, most of which are embossed FRASER & CO, with a few marked FRASER. A total of seventeen of the bottles sport original, early labels. Three other bottles have hand-written labels, and the remainder are unlabeled- one of which has no embossing. There are a total of six amber bottles, two of which are corked and without labels, while four are complete, inclusive of paper labels. Some of the bottles are partially filled with tablets. Please see photos to view the various medicine labels, one of which is OPIUM.

The walnut cabinet measures 11" W x 10.5" D x 6.25" H, and is in nice condition with a split on the front top that can be restored if desired. The finish has a lovely, warm patina, and the brass escutcheon bears just the right amount of oxidation. A wonderful addition to any collection!

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 recent find from a rural Virginia estate. This is great, 19thC, Country Dentist Dental lot sports three Tooth Keys plus 40 bone handled dental tools. Additionally, there are 13 dark wood dental tools and one ABALONE hand instrument. Other items include a NEY'S GOLD SHELL INSTRUMENT, S.S.W. COPPER AMALGAM box with partial contents, a sharpening file, 4 different size tweezers, and one horse tooth! This Country Dentist apparently extracted more than just human teeth!

The dental instruments are housed in a 19thC box with a lift-out compartment and a drop-down tray, as well as a hidden compartment, all of which are found in the top lid. While not a "labeled" dental item, the box and tools were paired together as a single unit upon discovery, and the combination box and tools actually display quite nicely! The photographs note other miscellaneous items which are original to this collection and are in fairly good, as found condition.

The 3 TOOTH KEYS include 2 with bone handles and are complete and in very good condition. The dark wood handled TOOTH KEY is complete, but its KEY needs to be re-pinned. The 3 keys measure approximately 6 inches long.

The bone-handled instruments are all intact and functional except for two, which appear to have their tips missing. There are a few tools with minor handle splits and two with an ancient wire repair to the handle. The tools show honorable wear such as faint surface wear and imperfections including original patina on the handles and some faint pitting and minute surface rust on the metal components.

The hardwood-handled dental tools are in good condition commensurate with early, used, dental tools.

The handsome, cloth-lined, 19thC, wood case sports a worn, leather and tack-embellished surface and includes a removable, interior tray plus an additional compartment in the top. It measures 19.5" L x 10"W x 5.5"H and is worn but is in structurally, quite good condition. There is no key, and the latches are a bit difficult to open.

The NEY'S GOLD SHELL INSTRUMENT is in very good condition. The S.S.W. COPPER AMALGAM box is complete but worn.

Overall, a very comprehensive and interesting collection of dental tools once used by a rural, Virginia dentist, perfect for your dental artifact museum display!

Offered is an eclectic grouping of Violet Ray therapy electrodes dating back to the 1920s!

This collection consists of 5 glass and 1 metal electrode, an owner's guide with images of the various electrodes, a user's instruction booklet, a wooden box which houses the pieces, and what appear to be two glass nasal tubes, the function and purpose, uncertain. Additionally, a baby bath thermometer is included with this grouping.

The condition of all instruments and accessories is very good with no broken parts. The booklets show mild wear; a tear is present on the bottom front to the back of the 16 page illustrated Rogers Electric Lab booklet.

The 5 electrodes include one COMB ELECTRODE, four Surface Electrodes and one Metal Electrode. The wood box sports a metal lined interior,and has patina consistent of an honorably used antique. The box lock mechanism is complete, sticks slightly and opens easily, measuring 9.75" L x 6.5" W x 4.25" H.

A supplemental addition to one's quack medicine collection! Reasonably priced!

Offered for your consideration is a porcelain medical sterilizer fresh from a retired physician's collection. This office size model is in fairly good condition and appears to be from the 1930-1940s era. It displays well; however, there is modest repair to the right side as seen in the photos.

Measures 5 inches long x 3.5 inches wide x 4 inches high (including the knob). A sweet diminutive size for easy display!

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

Offered is very stylish and hard to come by license plate topper from the 1950-1960's era.

This piece is quality-made of heavy, stamped aluminum formed in the shape a shield and embellished with brass letters "MD" and a caduceus emblem. The topper, quite importantly in emergency situations, identified the driver of the vehicle as a doctor.

This measures 5.5"W x 3.5"H not including the mounting bracket. The topper is in very nice condition and sports a patina commensurate with age. Not often found in this lovely condition.

Ready for your collection!

Well, this was recently acquired from the estate of a 100 year old resident. The nickel plated shaver is in very nice condition, complete with a blade and box that is lined in a purple velvet type material. The interior is labeled “ANTICOR – The Saftey Corn Shaver” and the directions are printed on the label noted on the bottom of the box.

The box measures 4 inches long and is in good condition.

A must for the foot doctor in your life.

Offered is a very scarce, 19th century, strength measuring medical device known as a dynamometer that was manufactured by the G. Tiemann Company, New York, the most renown and respected surgical device manufacturers of the 19th century. Sold in the US by a gymnasium apparatus company out of St. Louis, the Fred Medart Company, the device was designed to assess the strength of the chest, back and legs up to a pull capacity of 1400 lbs.

This fabulous early tool of the medical trade sports a visually-interesting, graphic, brass face with a scale delineating increments from 0 to 1400 pounds. There are 2 dials - one that notes the actual pressure achieved, and the second stationary dial that serves as the reference.

This instrument enjoys wonderful, rich patina on both the metal and wooden sections. It measures 13 inches at the widest point and 10 inches at the wooden handles.

A fabulous device which has great visual appeal and displays wonderfully! Sure to spark some interesting conversation at your next gathering!

Once part of the Middle Passage Museum inventory, this very remarkable piece of slavery ephemera documents a doctor's medical treatment of a negro slave woman--a very atypical occurrence in the Civil War era South, dated July 15, 1864.

Ready for framing, this unusual piece of history would be a fabulous addition to one's collection of slavery or medical artifacts. It measures approximately 7 inches wide x 1.34 inches high and would look fabulous double-matted in an exquisite frame.

The Middle Passage Museum was the dream of Jim and Mary Anne Petty of Mississippi as well as that of an anonymous Georgian benefactor who had together compiled a collection of slave artifacts numbering over 15,000 pieces and who had hoped to find a permanent site in Mobile, Alabama, for their museum. While they formed a non-profit organization to raise funds for their hoped-for museum, their dream was never realized.

In a 2003 statement, Jim Petty remarked, "The importance of the exhibit of these artifacts is to understand the harshness of what slavery and segregation was all about. The items in the exhibit remind us of the terrible heinousness of slavery. Viewing the collection can be very emotional, but it is a tool through which we can understand, honor and respect a great culture. We want to realize that out of slavery, a great culture emerged, and carried on, and continued to strive for a better life regardless of the adverse conditions that were placed upon them."

Offered is a very scarce, C1920's, Sharpe and Dohme Hypodermic Portable Medicine Case that slides open to reveal 6 corked, empty vials. This delightful diminutive medical or pharmacy item measures 3 inches long, is made of leather, and sports 6 circa 1900, Sharpe & Dohme labeled medicines.

The interior of this piece has a cleverly designed metal sliding mechanism which served to both open and prop-up the case. The condition of the case is very good, with the mechanism sliding easily, and the gold Sharpe & Dohme, BALTIMORE, label displaying quite clearly. There is one, unobtrusive, 1/2 inch, ancient flaw or fleck on the case just to the left of word "Baltimore".

Five of the six vials have the word "POISON" in red ink. The drug names are as follows: NORMAL SALT - NITROGLYCERIN - ATROPINE SULPHATE - STRYCHNINE SULPHATE - DIGITALIN - MORPHINE SULPHATE.

A fabulous find for you Pharmacy Folks!

Measuring just 2 inches high, blown-in-mold, 19th century, clear glass bleeding or cupping glass is in excellent condition.

Extensively used in the 19th century and earlier, the cupping glass is a glass vessel from which the air has been exhausted by heat or suction creating a vacuum, and then applied to the skin to draw blood to the surface for therapeutic or curative purposes.

This a Vintage 1920's "Clear-Sight Spectacle Co." Self Test/Sales Kit with Original Paper Info, Instructions, Tester & Original Box.

Included are: Instruction Sheet, Sheet with choice of glasses available with prices, pictures and list of satisfied customers, greeting letter, Special Notice, Mailing Label, Guarantee, Order Blank, Tester with Original Shipping Box. The Original Shipping Price Shown on the Box is 3¢.

The Tester is made of wood, sports a lens and a tiny metal eye chart. The condition is very fine except for a small scratch to the chart and minor wear to the paper inserts.

Very unusual home eye exam tester!

Offered is a lovely, antique, late 19th C, hand-held massaging tool. This skillfully turned hardwood handle and frame features four wood and rubber rollers which facilitate massaging technique. Many modern hand-held massaging tools mimic the design of this antique piece.

Research notes that this early medical instrument was made by the Health Culture Co.

The following patent date is stamped on the interior portion of the wheel (PAT'D APR 12, 02), however, the date of 1892 is also referenced for this particular piece in several sources, so this device appears to have been marketed prior to the granting of a patent for the design.

Measures approximately 5 1/2" x 7 1/2.

Condition is very good! This visually interesting piece retains its original finish which is a warm, honey-colored woodtone with minor stains and wear commensurate with an antique instrument. No damage. It works!!!

Offered is a very nice grouping of 5 "ANCHOR CANTRUST" RUSTLESS HYPODERMIC NEEDLES.

Each circa 1940s era box originally contained a dozen high quality needles. The boxes and needles are all identical in size and labeling. Each needle clips into a metal tray and sports a wire cleaner which resides inside the needle.

There are a total of 33 needles within the 5 boxes, all measuring about 3 inches long, and all in fine condition. Three of the boxes are in very good condition; two boxes are in fair condition showing mild loss of the box label on the edges as well as some carton separation.

An exact example of these high end needles exists at the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY.....Pretty neat!

Measuring 10 1/2 inches wide x 13 3/4 inches long, this brightly colored, all original, uncut paper doll entitled “Dottie Darling’s Little Friend Sunny Sammy ” published in the March 1934 edition of Pictorial review is in excellent condition! Designed by Corinne Pauli Waterall, this sweet paper doll set was one of a series, with this one featuring sweet-faced, Sunny Sammy’s Black Mammy Nurse, Diana!

Protected in an antique gold wooden frame, this magazine sheet has retained all of the brilliance of its original patriotic colors- red, white, and blue, making it a rather striking piece of wall art-perhaps for the nursery! Seldom located in such fine condition!

PLEASE NOTE: Any discoloration, white spots, or other unnatural variances in color are due to the unavoidable light reflections caused by the glass in the framing. The presence of the glass made photography quite a challenge!

This vintage educational chart was published in 1956 by the Better Vision Institute of 630 5th Avenue, New York, to "promote better understanding of vision and better care of eyes".

Measuring 60 inches wide by 40 inches high, this highly colorful chart is just chock-full of information! Metal hanging grommets placed across the top facilitated display back in the 1950's. This incredibly interesting, double-sided chart highlights the science and history of sight as well as its medical assessment and its effects on one's ability to function productively in society.

The front side of the chart is entitled, "Vision: Master Key to Man's Progress" and highlights the biology and history of sight with a side discussion of optical illusions. The back side is entitled, "Science: Multiplies Eye Power" and discusses the science of vision and its correction featuring the Snellen Vision Chart, an Astigmatism chart and a Color Discrimination chart.

Condition is quite good with excellent color and clarity of print. Foxing is present on the front side side of the chart where the Optical Illusion information is printed. A very small edge tear is evident on the bottom of the chart and is most readily seen in photos when viewing the bottom back side of the chart where the description of Color Discrimination is found. (please see photos)

A fabulous, mid-20th century retrospective on vision as well as 1950's optometry and opthamology! Would be wonderful framed between two pieces of plexi-glass to facilitate display on either side!

An exceedingly RARE and all-original, commanding group photograph of 1880's NURSES with a bit of the mysterious - might be depicting recent graduates of a nursing program with male and female head instructors or may be a photograph of hospital staff nurses with head nurse and administrator/physician. A bit of intrigue for certain, and most definitely a highly rare and unusual period nursing photo of substantial size! Found in a New York state estate.

Framed in original, period frame with wood backing (20 x 15.5 inches); the tattered matting has been removed. Photo dimensions - 14.5 x 19.5 inches. Very good condition with some light fading in the upper portion and a minute ding next to the writing. One of the nurses has the words "BAD GIRL" written above her head!