Catalog: Antiques: Instruments and Implements: Medical (52)

Offered for consideration, is a wonderful and rarely found, early 20th century, English, "DENTIST" sign in brass measuring 12 3/4ths inches wide x 7 inches high.

The sign advertises the office of "James H. Groom. Dentist.", and remains in fine condition with rich, deep-toned, original patina and some very minor warping due to its many years of age. The lettering is actually impressed into the surface and is painted black. Any white marks appearing on the front of the sign are due only to light/sun reflection---the sign has a very even-toned coloration.

The sign has a hole at each corner to facilitate hanging, or it may be easily displayed upon a shelf!

A fabulous, scarce, rich-looking display piece with great "eye appeal"!

*****SOME HISTORY*****

We were contacted by the granddaughter recently with this insightful information.

I thought you might be interested to know that I have a photograph in my family photo archive that shows this very sign in situ. The photo has my great grandfather in the doorway of a chemist shop called Nicholls in Camborne, Cornwall. On the door post I can just make out this brass plaque (using a magnifying glass and good light - takes quite a bit of concentration). Anyway, I thought it would help if you knew where it came from. On the 1911 UK Census, there is a James Henry Groom age 28, living as a Boarder at the house of Jane Bray, 19 Basset Street, Camborne. His occupation is described as 'Dentistry' and it says he was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The photo I have is probably taken after 1911 but probably before 1920. Interesting for whoever might buy it to know its history.

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!

Offered is a very special group of 7 Patent Medicines from China that date to the 1900 - 1920 era. This diminutive in size selection measures from a mere 1.5 inch example to the 3 inch box of skin lotion that houses a corked bottle. The 2.5 inch aqua bottle has embossing on 4 sides with one side noting "CHINA". This appears to be the oldest example. I just love the graphics and appealing colored labeling not to mention that they will fit anywhere in your collection. 2 of the boxed medicines each have an external paper label that is printed with the traditional Chinese contents in English. The tiniest of all "U-I-OIL" sports a graphic insert with an image of the (?)companies owner and details in Chinese. Overall the condition of this collection is very good with no damage. Only one label shows modest wear and tear. Just fabulous as a group or by themselves.

Offered is a fabulous, early 1900s, veterinary doctor sign, advertising the practice of a Dr A. A. Bennet. This 18 inch x 11 inch brass sign is a wonderful advertisement piece. The black painted lettering has been cut into the brass sign to give a two dimensional effect.

Veterinary signs of any type are quite scarce! Wonderful patina!

Offered are two, decorative, late 19th century, English, porcelain, dental, toothpaste, pot lid containers. They are priced separately with the ORIENTAL TOOTH PASTE pot lid offered at $115.00, and the WOODS CHERRY TOOTH PASTE pot lid offered at $75.00.

The ORIENTAL TOOTH PASTE pot lid measures about 3 inches in diameter, sports a marbled exterior and is in very nice condition with a few faint edge chips to the base. There is a slight variance in color between the top and base.

The WOODS CHERRY TOOTH PASTE pot lid measures over 2.5" in diameter, sports red printing on top and is in very good condition. This container has some small chips on the interior edge of the base.

Displayed together as a pair or individually, these dental pot lids will add visual interest and appeal to your collection!

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!

Presented in a frame is the highly colorful, visually-appealing and patriotic cover of an 83 page song book advertising BROMO-SELTZER. Prominently featured is the American flag waving beside the iconic, cobalt blue colored BROMO-SELTZER bottle!

This cleverly-designed image dates to the late 1890s to the early 1900s as it advertises the product as a CURE for all headaches. The passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act requiring that foods and drugs bear truthful labeling statements and meet certain standards for purity and strength, prohibited the previously popular and loose use of the word "cure" in product advertising from that point forward.

This delightful song book cover is framed in a 1930s era metal frame measuring 10" x 8". The graphics are quite sharp, and the paper appears aged, consistent with its 100+ years of existence.

Offered is a rarely seen Patent Medicine from Maine that is in unused, as-found condition and is complete with all of its original components: its wooden mailing tube, its colorful and decorative advertising insert, and its unopened corked bottle with intact label and contents. Simply a home run when considering a Patent medicine find!

The clear glass medicine tube sports a complete, highly decorative label marked "BALM OF TULIPS", "A SURE CURE for COLD SORES", inclusive of use directions, etc, and finally followed by "Dr. ROBINSON - FOXCROFT, Me."

The highly decorative advertising insert is quite colorful and beautifully lithographed adding additional interest to this "cure" medicine. The wooden shipping container has small, difficult to read print stamped upon its side, possibly noting "ROBINSONS SAFETY POSTAL PACKET"?

The bottle measures close to 3.75 inches tall and safely resides in the 5 inch long mailing tube. Dates to the 1880-1890 time period.

Offered is a scarce, vintage, boxed case of SS White Dental Burs from the 1920 era.

This awesome tool-of-the-trade includes many unused burs housed in their original, individual boxes! A detailed, complete label is pasted on the interior lid and is in good condition.

The hardwood case measures 11" L x 5.5" W x 3" H and has wear to the finish commensurate with age and use. A visually-appealing display piece that would enhance any dental instrument and artifact collection!

Offered is very visually appealing Veterinary Medicine Horse Cure Advertising Bag with wonderful graphics from the late 1800s. A very detailed and boldly executed image of an early American farmer with his sick horse brings to focus the unconditional need for this cure!

As noted on the bag, THE GIPSY COMPOUND CONDITION POWDERS were an all-purpose CURE invented by C.H. PROCTOR, of 13 Brown Street, Marlboro, Massachusetts. While the marketing description was specific to horses, the powders were additionally advertised as suitable for use with cattle, poultry, and swine as well! Truly an all-encompassing cure-all!

The paper bag has rich toning commensurate with its 120+ years of age and is in fine condition. Please note that the 3rd photo best demonstrates the actual color and toning. This bag is "new old stock" and was never unused. Measuring 15 inches high x 10 inches wide, this vintage piece would look absolutely phenomenal framed!

Offered for sale is a hard to find, turn-of-the-century, apothecary pharmacy bottle that stands 7.5 inches tall. The stopper is embossed with a large "W" signifying WRIGHT's Patent.

This unusual tincture bottle is in excellent condition. The bottle interior is clear and the stopper, which sports ground glass, is in very nice condition except for some unobtrusive interior edge chips and two very minor flecks on the (L) edge of the stopper.

A hard to find circa 1900 patent pharmacy bottle ready for your collection!

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.

Offered is a diminutive size, 19th century apothecary bottle labeled "SODA MINT". This bottle sports a hand-painted glass recessed label with gold embellishment! Soda Mint today is better known as sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, which is used in cooking, and medicinally to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion by neutralizing excess stomach acid.

This 5 inch tall wide mouth bottle is in fine condition. The ground glass stopper fits perfectly. The glass label is complete, has mild unobtrusive crackled paint and displays quite well. The base has embossing that notes "W.T.CO. USA.".

A darling little size that will fit with any collection.

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 choice, late 19th century, physician's, Homeopathic Medicine Case No. 1 from Parke Davis & Company.

It is a nearly complete example containing 23 of the original 24 screw cap empty vials! This example was most likely part of a set of 2 or 3 other matching cases offering various additional remedies as the gold printing on the flap notes the following: "TABLET TRITURATE CASE NO. 1. A partial printed label marked "ASSORTMENT A..." indicates that Parke Davis offered a large assortment of different homeopathic medicines.

Each cylindrical vial measures approximately 3 inches in length including the cap. The vials are nestled in the leather case with most of them sporting a small paper label that is hand written or printed upon. The fitted leather case measures 7" long x 1.5" wide x 3.5" high and shows wear commensurate with its use and its 120+ years of age. Modest loss to the flap closure is noted with general wear and mild loss of material. One flap is separated as seen in the photo.

A wonderful pharmaceutical relic representative of late 19th century homeopathic medicine!

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!

Offered is a fabulous pair of antique Apothecary Show Globes which includes one fancy Victorian style hanger. Photos provide close-up views of these intricately detailed, high-end show globes, and the 1891 photo from the WHITALL TATUM COMPANY catalog, establishes the age of these beauties.

The overall condition of the globes is very good with the imperfections and wear expected given their 130+ years of age. The decorative frames are sturdy and the globes hold water with ease. At some point long ago, the metal components were painted a gold/brass color. Today, the paint retains a delightful brass tone with an antiqued patina.

The attention to detailing and design of these show globe frames are second to none, pushing these show globes into a class by themselves. Note the intricacy and the elegance of design incorporated into both the show globe collar and the finial - simply outstanding!

The show globes measure 22 inches tall from the top of the crowns to the tip of finials. The exterior of the hand blown glass globes are in good condition. The interior of the globes note a modest yet common and unobtrusive haze which will not be visible when the globes are filled with the colored water of your choice. Additionally, the haziness should clean up if desired.

A singular, fancy wall bracket that swivels from side to side is included, measuring about 15" long x 9" high .

Acquisition of these rarely found, matching, beautifully stunning show globes is an opportunity not to be missed!

Offered is a very difficult-to-find and highly decorative group of six, matching, 19th century, iron, apothecary cabinet drawer pulls featuring stunning labels under glass!

Each wonderfully appealing drawer pull exemplifies the high style era of Victoriana design predominating the second half of the 1800's. Each pull measures about 4.7/8"W x 2 3/8"H x 7/8"D. The labels are reverse painted on glass, all-original and sport a lovely patina.

The condition of the pulls is very good with the exception of only one pull, VIBURN..., showing minor glass damage (see photo). Otherwise, some pulls have very minor paint loss, very faint superficial rust, and may need a slight cleaning of the glass, qualities which are consistent with 140+ year old antiques of the period that experienced consistent use.

Make no mistake, this matching set of stunningly-designed, label-under-glass style apothecary cabinet drawer pulls are a rare find in today's antiques market!