Catalog (120)

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.

An unused, "New Old Stock", Pharmacy or Drug Store display from the 1940-1950's era, complete with 10 full rolls of "FOXES" Throat Soothing Horehound Drops!

This diminutive size display measures 4.25" x 3.25" closed and is in very nice condition. The top lifts up to facilitate advertisement of the product and would have been placed on the counter top of a pharmacy in this fashion. A neat find!

Offered is a nice group of 6 Vintage Munyons and Humphreys Homeopathic Medicines in their original boxes. The 2 Munyons date to the 1900 era and 1920s. Of special consideration is the PAW PAW PILLS example which is the earliest. It is a wooden vial surrounded by a colorful paper label and a complete paper insert. The second Munyons medicine box houses a full glass vial with a metal screw cap and paper insert. They measure just over 2.5 inches

Next there are 4 Humphreys and the earliest nostrums are the ones numbered "8" and "31" dating to the 1920s. The boxes have paper labels covering them, and include a corked glass vial and paper insert. The Humphreys labeled "3" and "30" date to the 1940, are unopened and contain either a glass or plastic vial. They measure 3 inches.

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.

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 fabulous, eye-appealing, one-pan balance scale sporting a marble top and an extraordinarily decorative, chrome-plated, iron base.

The chrome surfaced top front name plate reads: "The MICROMETER Patented Mar. 22 - 1898 / Jul. 21 - 1903. The Dodge Scale Co. 11th Ave. & 20th St. New York."

This fancy balance scale utilizes a novel-designed, weighted beam that turns a moveable weight resulting in great accuracy.

The attractive, liquid, bubble level is fully functional. The plated pan measures 9 inches in diameter. The chrome-plated base measures 12.75 inches L x 5.5 inches W. The height of the scale measures 9.75 inches high with the pan in place.

Overall, the condition notes minimal surface rust and chrome loss mostly to the scale mechanism. The marble is undamaged, with mild rust stain and minor surface scuffs. There are some minimal, unobtrusive areas of loose or peeling chrome. Condition and patina are commensurate with age and use of an antique apothecary scale.

The fusion of ingenuity of design and function combined with quality and accuracy sets this scale apart from its contemporaries and makes it a perfect, present-day apothecary collectible.

Still works perfectly!

*****SHIPPING WEIGHT IS 20 POUNDS*****

Offered is a wonderful fancy John Wyeth apothecary bottle sporting a fancy shield shaped foil label. Decorative stock bottles such as this beauty were meant to be refilled and were the pride of the pharmacy staff. Decorative and reflective medicine bottles also served as a form of advertising since they stood out from their competitors.

This 8.5 inch amber example has ground glass construction and dates to the 1920 - 1930 era.

The empty bottle condition is excellent with only a tiny edge fleck of the back lip. The ground glass stopper cannot be removed and appears perfect. The label shows light wear and staining commensurate with age and use. Although the photos of the label appears silver, it is more of a GOLD toned foil. The back label has modest wear and staining.

Hard to find with labels in this nice condition.

This is a nice trio of aqua colored lung, asthma and throat balsams dating to the 1900 era. All are in very good condition and undamaged.

First there is the best of the group in a lovely deep aqua tone that is boldly embossed "VEGETABLE PULMONARY BALSAM" from the CUTLER BROS., BOSTON. Lovely blown in mold example with various tiny in air bubbles during manufacturing. A very nice 6.5" bottle!

Second, a nicely embossed "KEMP'S BALSAM FOR THROAT AND LUNGS" - of "WOODWARD LEROY NY" measuring 5.75". Some interior stains and multiple unobtrusive tiny bubbles.

Finally, a 7.75 inch bottle embossed "DR TAFT'S ASTHMALENE in very good condition. A slight interior haze is the only mentionable issue.

Three lovely bottles indeed!

Offered is a very obscure trio of Traditional circa 1900 Chinese Patent Medicines all of which have their original box, contents and are unused. The "KWEI LUK CHEE SHEN" sealed box measures 3.5" x 2.25" x 1.75" and contains Tortoise shell, Deer horn and 3 other ingredients. Condition is excellent. Next is "WAI SHAN YUEN" and contains 4 gold leaf boluses of Deer Horn, White Ginseng, Lotus Nuts and more. The 2.75" box sports 2 colorful stamps and a red label. The smallest medicine measures 3 inches tall "SAM SHE DAM PING ON" Medicine oil is very cool indeed. Rare contents include Snakes Gall Bladder extract! I just love the colorful box, insert and corked glass bottle. Rare Chinese Medicines will complement any collection!

Offered for sale is a 19th century, very large-sized, apothecary pharmacy bottle sporting an extraordinarily RARE hand-painted label, “P. GLYCYRRH.” !!! From a short distance, this hand-painted label actually appears to be label under glass (LUG) bottle!

The 12 inch tall powder bottle has an open pontil on the base and sports a ground glass stopper, and is in fine condition with edge chips to the stopper as seen in the photo.

It is part of an unusual collection of 6 similar bottles that are offered for sale, some of which are etched WITTE’S PATENT 11/14/76. This particular bottle IS etched with this patent information.

In 20 years of specializing in pharmacy and apothecary antiquities, this is the first time that I have seen this version of a HAND PAINTED apothecary bottle!

Measuring 10.5" high x 10.5" deep x 6.5" wide at the widest point, this very unique, circa 1940's, pharmacy, ALKA-SELTZER advertising piece displays just wonderfully!

Cleverly conceived and constructed, this display combines a very, visually-pleasing, accessible medicine display that promoted spur-of-the-moment purchases at the drug store cash register, along with a tape dispenser for use by the pharmacist and his employees! Quite clever--- as it guaranteed that the display would remain in use and visible in the pharmacy as the tape dispenser provided a nice convenience for drug store employees!

In very nice condition with expected scratches, paint rubs, and non-problematic, superficial surface rusting here and there (please see photos) expected of a 75+ year old functional display.

The display retains one of its twelve, original, glass Alka-Seltzer medicine bottles (empty of contents) as well as an older, used roll of tape in the dispenser!

A very unique advertising drug store display sure to start an interesting conversation at your next dinner party!

Offered is a lovely grouping of seven, vintage WITCH HAZEL labels that I acquired at auction in 1997 when the E.E. DICKINSON - WITCH HAZEL COMPANY officially closed its doors in Essex, Connecticut.

These highly-colorful, lithographed paper labels are all UNUSED, NEW OLD STOCK in wonderful condition. The E. E. Dickinson Company made "off-branded witch hazel products" sold to a variety of vendors. The labels offered here all advertise the very same witch hazel product manufactured by E.E. Dickinson but which was then sold to and marketed by these other companies: S.X.BRAND.N.F., BAILEY'S, and MERRIMACK. Dickinson sold its witch hazel under its own name as well.

At the time of the auction, all remaining company stock was removed from storage for the factory-closing sale. We believe these labels predate the 1930s, and would look quite wonderful framed!

The 4 large size labels, measuring 10 inches in diameter, were for use on 50 gallon barrels or drums and are offered at $15.00 each. The 3 smaller labels are 8.5 inches in diameter and are offered at $12.00 each.

A framed display of ALL 7 barrel labels together would be quite visually-stunning! With this decorative thought in mind, all 7 labels can also be purchased a single group, offered at $75.00.

Offered for sale is a fancy, large size 19th century apothecary bottle labeled "TALCUM". This bottle sports a hand painted glass recessed label!

This 10.5 inch tall bottle with this desirable design would have been specially ordered.

This label under glass (LUG) wide mouth bottle is in fine condition. The stylish knobby shaped stopper sports ground glass construction and fits perfectly. There is one tiny edge chip on the mouth of the posterior mouth. The glass label is complete, has crackled paint and displays well.

A lovely example of form and function.

Scientific, chemist, laboratory-- these terms all best describe this circa 1930s, unused and most interesting device labeled "Bishops Arsenic Apparatus". Comes complete with original wrappers, jar, black stopper, piping and stained box with label. The box measures 5.5 inches long x 3.25 inches wide x 2 inches high. Condition is excellent.

Perfect for your laboratory, medical or weird science collection!

Offered is a tasty trio of vintage bottles for the Rx of Lung, Cough, Colds, General debility and more.

First there is "OXYGENAQUA" AKA "The Compound Oxygen Water" is for the treatment of bowel complaints. This 8.25 inch example dates to the 1890s and sports a fairly good though faded and worn very legible label. On the back is bold embossing that includes the full compounds name and fancy "SP" in the center. No damage.

Next there is an aqua lung and cold tonic named "SCOTT'S EMULSION" measuring 9.25 inches. The circa 1910 bottle is fine and supports a soiled and worn legible label. The back boasts of wonderful embossing that includes the remedy name and a weary fisherman hoisting a rather large cod fish that would be considered a massive catch by today's standards!

Thirdly is a popular size "VAPO-CRESOLINE" poison bottle complete with 90% of its label and much of its contents. Dates to 1910.

A terrific trio of yesterdays nostrums!

Offered is a very difficult-to-find grouping of twenty five, 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 circa 1920s, four-tier, clear glass Apothecary Show Globe. Stacking show globes such as this have always been a highly sought after apothecary artifact for those building a venerable collection of old pharmacy items. This lovely, 26 inch tall example is a visual statement piece- one to be admired for years to come.

Each individual globe sports ground glass construction and each fits into position with perfection. The interior of all sections is sparkling clear with almost no trace of staining, a problem which is often seen in such pieces, but not here.

The only flaw is a very small surface crack in the large globe as seen in the photos. This does not effect structural integrity as the globe holds water with no leakage whatsoever. This imperfection, in fact, is not visible when the globe is filled with water. It can also be easily hidden by positioning this side of the globe facing towards the back of one's display. Simply a faulous piece!

Offered is a very scarce Mckesson and Robbins one pound bulk stock raw drug used in manufacturing medicinal ointments, cosmetic creams and pomades. Marked "U.S.P.", the fate of this block of SPERMACETI was most likely intended for health related products. The label states: "for manufacturing purposes only" and seems too pure for making candles.

The age of the very neat piece is from the late 1800s to early 19th century. Measures 7.5"L x 5"W x 1"H and is in "as found" condition from a long closed New Jersey pharmacy. The contents are wrapped in paper which sports a complete aged and stained label. There are pieces of wrapper that are missing and some edge loss of product. This honorable wear is commensurate with age, storage and travel.

This specimen is the only one I have seen and belongs in a museum or fine collection.

The sourcing of this product was from sperm whales and was not from their blubber. I will leave it to the new owner to discover the not so colorful history of the whaling trade. Moby Dick is a great start.