Interesting Medicines #4

Dr. Wadsworth's Dry Up for the Catarrh (H.H. Burrington) Prov. RI
This is a nice early medicine from the 1860s-70s.  While the name sounds odd, catarrh was essentially a serious case of runny nose. 

Caswell Hazard & Co. Newport, RI and New York (round apothecary shape)
There are lot of rather nice Caswell Hazard & Co. bottles, but as far as rarity goes, this one is almost never seen.  Also a surprising fact, the cobalt Caswell Hazard bottles with the Latin motto Labor Omnia Vincit are actually fairly common, while clear and amber examples are rather rare.

Caswell Mack & Co. Laborn Omnia Vincit New York & Newport
After the original partnership of Hazard & Caswell, the company became Caswell Mack & Co. in 1861.  They were the first to use the iconic square bottles most often found in cobalt.  The rarest color known is this example, which the LRBC website describes as "weak tea".

Wm. E. Clarke Infant Soother Providence, RI
William E. Clarke became famous from his popular Hunt's Remedy, but that wasn't all he sold.  For a while he was producing an infant soother, but it apparently failed, as I have only seen a picture of one in the last 16 years.

Jos. Clough & Co. Lauraline Providence, RI
While listed as a medicine, this is in fact a hair bottle.  As I have not seen one before, it must be quite rare too!

Interesting Medicines #3

Barbour's 18 Broad St. Nesterly/Westerly, N.Y., R.I.
Barbour's Pharmacy must have been driven nearly insane by the utter incompetence displayed by the engraver of the bottle manufacturer they chose.  Close to 40% of their bottles with the 18 Broad St. address say NY instead of RI, which is a pretty big error.  Less commonly seen is a version that spells Westerly as Nesterly.  Also documented is an example with a backwards A in Barbours.  I wonder if anyone got fired for these blunders!

Jas. H. Barker Universal Malaria Cure Providence, RI
Rhode Island cures are some of the rarest out there, and this one is no exception.  So far I have only seen a label-only example.  Malaria was the most popular disease that doctors and quacks offered to cure in RI, with 3 known.



Alfred Barth Malaria Cure Providence, RI
Another very rare cure!

Mrs. Baxter's Indian Bitters Prov. RI
This bottle holds the title of the rarest bitters from RI.  It is so rare that the only example hasn't been seen since the 1980s.  It was recently offered for sale (with no picture).  The listing did provide some good details, including the fact that our listing on the LRBC website was wrong, stating it as Dr. Baxters, when it was in fact Mrs. Baxter.


Dr. Bullock's Nervous Debility Encephaline Providence, RI
This is a very rare bottle that is not to be confused with the fairly common Dr. Bullock's Nephreticum.  Again, besides being documented, I have never seen this bottle.

Interesting Medicines #2

Dr. S. Arnold's Rose Compound (Woonsocket, RI)
Dr. Seth Arnold was one of the most successful proprietors of patent medicines in RI.  While his most famous preparations were a Balsam and Cough Killer, his Rose Compound was a flop.  It was one of his earlier preparations, and only comes pontiled.

Balch's Calcined Magnesia Providence
Joseph Balch was an early pharmacist in Providence.  Calcined magnesia was a popular preparation at the time, and big brands like Husbands and Henrys dominated the market.  Mr. Balch must have tried to cash in on this popular product, but appears to have failed.  The bottle is so rare that I can't even find a picture of it!


Doctor Bannon's Red Root Balsam (Westerly, RI)
The successor to the Walter Price "drug empire" in Westerly enjoyed continued success as he dominated the market.  Along the way he found time to put out some of his own patent medicines, including a Red Root Balsam.  What makes it interesting is that it is the only "red root balsam" ever sold in the US.  This rare bottle comes in a small 5-1/2" size as well as a giant 10-1/2" size.

Thomas J. Bannon Druggist Westerly, Watch Hill, and Narragansett Pier, RI
This is the only RI bottle to have three towns embossed on it.  He was only in Narragansett for a couple years before closing up shop and going back to Westerly.



Barber's Indian Vegetable Jaundice Bitters Providence, RI
This is one you don't want to mistake for the very common Atwood's Jaundice Bitters, which looks very similar in appearance.  RI bitters are hard to come by, and when you make it an Indian bottle as well you have a nice bottle!
Note:  This bottle has also been reported with a pontil as well, but the claims have not been proven.

Interesting Medicines #1

American Pharmacal Co. Providence, RI
This small and unassuming bottle makes up for it's plainness by being highly mysterious.  I was not able to find a single mention of the "American Pharmacal Co. (or any variation, like Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical) anywhere online or in city directories.  And as to what "Tone" is, I am also stumped!

David Andrews Vegetable Jaundice Bitters Providence, RI
Out of all of the RI bitters bottles, this is the most iconic of the lot.  The large distinctive tombstone shape gives it a commanding presence, and is certainly not a commonly found style.  A very rare bottle to begin with, I would guess it would be nearly impossible to dig an intact one due to the size and thinness of the glass.

C.E. Angell 220 Cranston St.
Yes, at first glance this bottle is nothing remarkable.  What makes it special is that is the only RI pharmacy bottle from a woman.  Clara E. Angell must have been pretty ambitious to secure a job that was completely dominated by men at the time!

E.P. Anthony Providence, RI Citrate of Magnesia
E.P. Anthony bottles are very common, but with success often comes diversity.  Dr. Anthony used his success to purchase a small number of custom embossed Citrate of Magnesia bottles.  While a common style to find in the bottle world, there are only two RI citrate of magnesia bottles, making them quite hard to come by.


J.B. Archambault Woonsocket, RI Long Life Tonic
Here's a perfect example of a quack medicine bottle.  It was highly doubtful that Mr. Archambault had any medical training.  He simply mixed a few herbs with a narcotic or alcohol and presto!  If it didn't kill you, it might make you feel better.  His claim of "Long Life" is particularly laughable since we now know that no concoction can make you live longer.

About this Blog

Welcome to my newest blog!  This one will focus on RI bottles that are listed, but stand out from the rest of the crowd.  They might have a wild name, unusual shape, or colorful history.  I will start with bottles that I own, and once I finish those, will touch on some that I don' have.