DOSE GLASS COLLECTOR
Inspector Bottom...
Written by Tracy Gerken
I am personally NOT a real big fan of the conical style embossed dose glasses. To me, they are difficult to display in a manner that allows the onlooker to fully appreciate the advertising. Having stated this opinion, I can say that I do own a few conical glasses that I consider to be very special. Amongst them is a conical glass from B.C. ABERNATHY / ORLANDO, FLA. Also, I enjoy owning one, suspected to be from Waynesboro, PA , which is marked--D.L. MILLER, DRUGGIST / 1887, 20th ANNIVERSERY, 1907—mainly for the reason that it commemorates a special occasion and it is dated with the year. There are a few other conical glasses that I own that really get my juices flowing (future newsletter topic entitled Two Little Indians), but most conicals just didn’t do anything for me… UNTIL RECENTLY! I have recently purchased a conical dose glass that has me quite excited. Yes, you can even say that it has floated my proverbial boat! At first glance, this conical glass with AMERICAN DRUG STORE embossed on the bottom (thought to be from New Orleans, LA), is similar to your run-of-the-mill conical dose glass. Only, upon further inspection when you turn the glass over, you see it has a picture of a medical cross embossed dead center under there!! What a surprise!! I would have never suspected that this embellishment was hiding there. This is the only conical dose glass that I know of, that sports a picture embossed on the bottom along with the advertising text. And you know how I like dose glasses with pictures embossed! Also, just think of the possibilities. How many others are out there? What images do they have lurking under there – logos, mortar and pestles, monograms, etc?!?! Suffice it to say, you can now call me “inspector bottom” when it comes to conical glasses. If you know of other conical dose glasses with pictures embossed, by all means, please email me.
Something for UNDER THE TREE...
Written by Tracy Gerken
When I was a kid and was asked by my Grandmother, "What do you want for Christmas this year," I'd often answer that "a little spending money would be nice." Her reply was always, "That wouldn't look good under the tree." She felt that there needed to be at least SOMETHING THERE. I suspect that it was just for the sake of appearance. Well, I've gone and bought an etched South Carolina dose glass to fill that hole "under the tree," so to speak. After recently acquiring a UTAH glass, my 50 state collection is only missing one thing-- an embossed SC glass. This etched SC glass isn't what I really wanted. But for now, "it will look good under the tree!" Now, I can say that I have one dose glass from each state, but my goal is STILL one EMBOSSED dose glass from each.
Wyoming Jigsaw...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Sometimes, the pieces of the puzzle come together so perfectly and we get a nice picture of the history of a drug store. This is true of the information gathered on the dose glass embossed FERRIS-MAGHEE DRUG CO. / RAWLINS, WYO. Puzzle pieces include (click on links to view):
Biographical information on Griffith H. Maghee (from page 730) (and continued on page 731) includes a colorful description of the Ferris-Maghee Drug Company. It appears in a 1903 book published by A.W. Bowen & Co. entitled,
Progressive men of the state of Wyoming: Illustrated. This book is like a Who's Who in the state of Wyoming at the turn of the century.
A photo of Dr. Thomas G. Maghee’s medical practice in Rawlins, WY was found on the web site of the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.
Dr. T.G. Maghee brought son Griffith to Rawlins as an infant. Also interesting is the fact that Thomas G. Maghee was listed as a retail druggist in a directory of Wyoming druggists dated 1892.An old photograph of the Ferris-Maghee Drug Co. located in the front corner of the Ferris Hotel building (see pic below) was found on the Wyoming State Museum website.
The history of Carbon County and Rawlins can be found spread amongst several interesting pages on the Wyoming Tales And Trails web site. They tell of how the town of Rawlins sprung onto the scene (pun intended, as you will read). Also, lots of historic photos can be seen here. You can learn how the railroad, cattle and cowboys, sheep and sheepboys, mining and the old Wyoming State Penitentiary all played a part in Rawlins’ early days.
One example is a photo of Front Street, circa 1907 and a birds-eye-view of the town against a scenic backdrop ("...where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope play").
Even with all of these pieces to the puzzle, one missing piece leaves a gaping hole – How involved was Mr. Ferris? The book Progressive Men of the State of Wyoming also featured a bio of the Honorable George Ferris (starts on page 575) (and continues on page 576). You read that Mr. Ferris was an important Wyoming businessman and statesman; however there was no mention of him being in the drug business. My theory is that the Ferris-Maghee Drug Co. included Mr. Ferris’ name only because the drug store was located inside the Ferris Hotel. Thus, Ferris was the location and Maghee was the druggist. Maybe someone has the missing piece of evidence that would complete this Wyoming jigsaw puzzle.
The Noog...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Call it what you like: Chatty, Chatt-town, Choo Choo City, Choo-choo town, Chattavegas, Chatta-FOOD-ga, Chewy Nougat (okay, I just threw that one in), Chattanoogy, Nooga, or the Noog. The Scenic City or River City is touted as the Gateway to the Deep South. This city with its unusual name and various nicknames just sounds FUN. And, it is! There are lots of things to see and do including the Chattanooga Choo Choo (It’s a train. It’s a song. It’s a hotel.), The Zoo at Warner Park, The Tennessee River, The Tennessee Aquarium, and nearby Lookout Mountain attractions (including the Incline Railway, Rock City, Ruby Falls) and much, much more. Speaking of fun? Check out these pictures of Moore & King Pharmacy: Drive-In Prescription Shop at 4515 Brainerd Rd. in Chattanooga that I found posted on Flickr.com by zeusface. I found them as I was trying to research an ACL dose glass that ended up in my possession. An internet advertisement for Moore & King states, "Moore & King has a local hometown history of over 100 years serving our community in professional retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical delivery services. We provide service in ... five locations." Note how the logo found on the glass also appears as a sign on top of the pharmacy itself. Okay, I know that this glass is not as old as other glasses that appear on this web site, and that it is not embossed. But, it is fun, just like a visit to Chattanooga, Tennessee!
Pre-Sleepy Dose Glass...
Written by Tracy Gerken
In the state of New York, on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, a little rural settlement was incorporated in 1874 as "North Tarrytown." As you would guess, it is north of the village of Tarrytown, NY. In the region’s early history, a Dutch colonist referred to the nearby Pocantico River as Slapershaven which means Sleepers’ Haven. The Anglicized version of this name, Sleepy Hollow, appears later and was given to the area which encompasses the river valley. It was eventually to become the setting for a short story published in 1820 by Washington Irving that introduced us to such memorable characters as Icabod Crane, Brom Bones Van Brunt , Katrina Van Tassel and the Headless Horseman. Fast forward to the 1990's when North Tarrytown's name was officially changed to Sleepy Hollow in honor of Irving's tale, The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Visit Plez Joyner’s PlezWorld Blog for a plot summary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and also a link to a recorded reading of the story. Plez also gives us an interesting account of growing up with The Legend.
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Taken from Plez Joyner’s blog, “plez sez: I grew up in Sleepy Hollow (the name of the town was changed from North Tarrytown to Sleepy Hollow in 1996), which is a small town about 20 miles north of New York City. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was trotted out every Halloween to scare the bejesus out of us in elementary school; what better way to get a good fright than to actually live and go Trick or Treating by the Old Dutch Church or near the old wooden bridge where Icabod Crane met his fateful end at the hand (or pumpkin) of the Headless Horseman. The ability to see and walk upon the actual sites in the legend made the story so much scarier to a young 7- or 8-year old kid while tagging along with my older brothers on Halloween night. Imagine being able to walk by the Old Dutch Church (which still stands), or Van Tassel, or the Tappan Zee Bridge, or Phillipsburg Manor (where my mother worked as a hostess). The name of the high school is Sleepy Hollow and their mascot is - you got it - the Headless Horseman (complete with pumpkin in hand). I attended Washington Irving Junior High School and Washington Irving's home (Sunnyside) was just up the road in Irvington, New York. Many a Halloween night, I could hear the Headless Horseman's steed's galloping hooves as they crossed the wooden bridge by the Old Dutch Church. I hope you enjoy the scare as much as I did."
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The dose glass that inspired this newsletter is embossed as follows: COMPLIMENTS OF/ W.H. / LEONARD / PHARMACIST / NORTH / TARRYTOWN / N.Y.
Dose Glass With A Coke Connection...
Written By Tracy Gerken
Like the venerable fly on the wall, this dose glass embossed JACOBS' PHARMACY / ATLANTA / GA may have witnessed the humble beginnings of the legendary drink (and empire) that is Coca-Cola. The refreshing tonic began as a syrupy mixture of coca-leaf and kola-nut extracts formulated by John S. Pemberton in his Atlanta home. It was brought to the soda fountain of Dr. Joseph Jacobs' Pharmacy, 2 Peachtree Street, smack dab in the middle of downtown Atlanta (an area known as Five Points). There the syrup was mixed with carbonated water (not by accident as legend has it) and first sold on May 8th, 1886. The invigorating drink sold for 5 cents a glass. Another similar Jacobs' dose glass exists which shows slightly different embossing that reads JACOBS' / PHARMACY / ATLANTA, GA. A third varient, also large sized glass, is embossed COMPLIMENTS OF / JACOBS' / PHARMACY / ATLANTA, GA.
Jacobs' Revisited...
Written by Tracy Gerken
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Since writing the previous newsletter which touched on Jacobs' Pharmacy's Coca-Cola connection, a couple of interesting tidbits of information have come to light. For starters is the fact that there is a third variant of the Jacobs' embossed dose glass (note that all are large sized). The following is a picture of all three side-by-side: |
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Secondly, the following background information was found on Jacobs (quoted from www.thebreman.org): |
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Jacobs Junior...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Recently surfaced, the 4th embossed variant from the famous Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta (see previous newsletters). This latest discovery is the first Jacobs’ glass to be found in the smaller size. It is unmarked on the bottom. The quality in not typical of the Whitall Tatum glasses. The rim is not as neatly finished, the lettering is crudely executed, and the slug plate is smaller and more round in shape than oval.
Just What The Doctor Ordered...
Written by Tracy Gerken
This dose glass mentions neither Pepper, nor Waco, but has been identified by Doyle Bailey as being from the Texas drug store where Dr Pepper was founded in 1885. It is embossed OLD CORNER DRUG STORE / PRESCRIPTION PHARMACY / ONLY THE BEST.
Per Wikipedia.com, the caramel-colored, carbonated soft drink (soda) "was formulated by German pharmacist Charles Alderton in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco. To test his new drink, he first offered it to store owner Wade Morrison, who also found it to his liking. After repeated sample testing by the two, Alderton was ready to offer his new drink to some of the fountain customers. Other patrons at Morrison's soda fountain soon learned of Alderton's new drink and began ordering a 'Waco'. Alderton gave the formula to Morrison."
So, who is Dr Pepper?.. Again, Wikipedia.com explains; "Before moving to Texas, Morrison lived in Wythe County, Virginia near a Dr. Charles T. Pepper, and may have been close to Pepper's daughter at the time. The name is also reinforced by being an obvious play on 'pep', i.e. providing quick energy to its consumer... Dr Pepper's flavor is allegedly derived from a mixture of soda fountain flavors popular when the drink was first devised... [T]he formula itself (with its twenty-three ingredients) is a closely guarded secret. There is a long-lived urban legend that Dr Pepper contains prune juice. However, according to the manufacturer, prune juice is not and never has been an ingredient of the drink."
Indeed, that irons out all the wrinkles on this interesting little dose glass (picture thanks to D. Bailey).
PS-- March, 2017. A second, larger sized, "Dr. Pepper dose glass" comes to light. This one embossed CASTLES & MORRISON / WACO / TEXAS / OLD CORNER DRUG STORE (photo at upper left and below on right). It sells for big bucks at auction.
Brazilian Fire...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Here is an unusual find. I acquired this dose glass embossed PHARMACIA PONTES / PARA'. To date, it is the second known glass from that Brazilian city. It is bottom marked W.T.CO. / D / U.S.A. It is about the usual size of a small W.T. dose glass, but not quite the usual shape (less tapered). On the back, it is embossed in Portuguese - COLHER DE SOPA (soup spoonful) and COLHER DE CHA' (teaspoonful). The seller told me that it had a spout, but upon inspection the rim looks too asymmetrical to be a spout. The top is definitely deformed or melted. This could have happened during manufacture or maybe in a fire. World Book Encyclopedia 2000 ed. says that "the [glass] mixture melts at 2600-2900 °F (1425-1600 °C) depending on its composition." Now, that's hot, hot, hot! I would imagine that if a dose glass got that hot, it would discolor or maybe break in the heating/cooling process. However, other than the oddly misshapen lip, the glass seems to be in good shape. Any thoughts or ideas?
A Little Old Couple From Hawaii...
Written by Tracy Gerken
The two known embossed dose glasses from Hawaii are both from the city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. One is embossed BENSON, SMITH & CO. / HONOLULU and the other, HOBRON DRUG CO. / HONOLULU, HI. Quoting from the 1971 edition of Hawaiian Bottles of Long Ago by Rex R. Elliott, concerning the collecting of embossed medicine bottles from HI, “Of the many wholesale drug companies in Hawaii at the turn of the century, only five are known to have used embossed bottles: HOLLISTER & CO., NEWMAN HOBRON & CO., BENSON SMITH, HILO DRUG, A. McWAYNE. These bottles came in a variety of sizes from one to ten ounces, and are known in clear glass only. A number of different size HOLLISTER’S and McWAYNE’S have been found, but the bottles of other druggists are scarce. Embossed on the bottoms of some of these medicines is: W.T. & Co. U.S.A.” This edition lists only the Hobron dose glass and includes a photo.
In the PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION AT THE FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING (1894), we find this entry regarding Hawaii in a section on pharmaceutical education and legislation in the principal countries of the world… "There are no laws or regulations except that the sale of poisons must be registered and the sale of opium and its preparations is forbidden. Physicians do most of their own dispensing. There are three drug stores in Honolulu, two of these being wholesale and retail, one exclusively retail. These are all owned by Americans and conducted on the American plan — Benson, Smith & Co., carrying a large stock. The U. S. Ph. is the recognized authority, although the British and German Pharmacopoeias are also used."
Mr. Smith Goes To Honolulu...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Internet research regarding Benson, Smith reveals only a couple of tidbits of information. In an 1886 journal of pharmacy, chemistry, material medica and allied sciences entitled THE WESTERN DRUGGIST (vol. VIII, 1886), “We have received from Mr. Geo. W. Smith, of Benson, Smith A: Co., Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands some very fine specimens of the leaves of Theobroma Cacao. These leaves are of magnificent proportions, varying from ten to fifteen inches in length. The tree is cultivated in these islands for its seeds, which yield "coca" and "coca-butter.'' … These islands are becoming noted for their products, and are exporting many articles to other countries. “Mr. Smith, who was formerly engaged in pharmacy in the United States, emigrated to Honolulu fourteen years ago, where his firm has won a leading position. He takes an active interest in his profession, and by way of pastime is prosecuting a course in The National Institute of Pharmacy, in which lie attained the highest average made in the first 100 examinations.”
About BENSON, SMITH & CO., LTD., Rex Elliott (in his aforementioned 1971 Hawaiian bottle collector's book) states that “BENSON SMITH, founded in 1883, is the oldest druggist still in business and was first located at 113 Fort Street in downtown Honolulu… Wasp’s Quarterly of 1898 had this to say: ‘… The house of Benson Smith Co. Ltd., wholesale and retail druggists is probably one of the most complete establishments of its kind outside of San Francisco. “The head of the firm came to the Islands in 1880, and in 1883 founded the present business. On January 1, 1898, the business was incorporated with Geo. W. Smith as president and manager and S.C. Ramsay as treasurer. The firm carries a large, varied and a complete stock of drugs and medicines, chemical apparatus, glassware, surgical instruments and appliances…”
Leave this
JAKE alone...
Written by Tracy Gerken
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On a bit of a depressing note, this information relates to the pictured dose glass embossed JAMAICA GINGER / CORDIAL / G.D. DOWS & CO. / BOSTON. |
"Jamaican Ginger Extract (known in the United States by the slang name Jake) was an early 20th century patent medicine that provided a convenient way to bypass Prohibition laws, since it contained between 70-80% ethyl alcohol by weight."
"Jake was not itself dangerous, but the U.S. Treasury Department, which administered the Prohibition laws, recognized its potential as an illicit alcohol source and required changes in the solids content of jake to discourage drinking. The requirement of at least 5 grams of ginger solids per cubic centimeter of alcohol resulted in a fluid that was extremely bitter and difficult to drink. Occasionally Department of Agriculture inspectors would test shipments of Jake by boiling the solution and weighing the remaining solid residue. In an effort to trick regulators, bootleggers replaced the ginger solids with a small amount of ginger and either castor oil or molasses."
"A pair of amateur chemists and bootleggers, Harry Gross and Max Reisman, worked to develop an alternative adulterant that would pass the tests, but still be somewhat palatable. They settled on a plasticizer, tri-o-tolyl phosphate (also known as tri-ortho cresyl phosphate or TOCP), that was able to pass the Treasury Department's tests but preserved jake's drinkability. TOCP was originally thought to be non-toxic; however, it was later determined to be a neurotoxin that causes axonal damage to the nerve cells in the nervous system of human beings, especially those located in the spinal cord. The resulting type of paralysis is now referred to as organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy..."
"In 1930, large numbers of jake users began to lose the use of their hands and feet. Some victims could walk, but they had no control over the muscles which would normally have enabled them to point their toes upward. Therefore, they would raise their feet high with the toes flopping downward, which would touch the pavement first followed by their heels. The toe first, heel second pattern made a distinctive “tap-click, tap-click" sound as they walked. This very peculiar gait became known as the jake walk and those afflicted were said to have jake leg, jake foot, or jake paralysis. Additionally, the calves of the legs would soften and hang down and the muscles between the thumbs and fingers would trophy.
Within a few months, the TOCP adulterated jake was identified as the cause of the paralysis and the contaminated jake was recovered, but it was too late for many victims. Some users recovered full or partial use of their limbs, but for most, the loss was permanent. The total number of victims was never accurately determined, but is frequently quoted as between 30,000 to 50,000. Many victims were migrants to the United States and most were poor and consequently had little political or social influence. The victims received very little in the way of assistance, and aside from being the subject of a few blues songs in the early 1930s, they were almost completely forgotten.
"Jake leg is a plot element in the novel Water for Elephants, where it appears to be quite accurately described." --info quoted from Wikipedia.
To read more from a non-Wikipedia source, click here... JAKE
No evidence was found that links Dows' Jamaican Ginger Cordial (see dose glass in part 1) to any of the poisonous, adulterated product.
Famous from the 49th...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Photo of Dr. F. W. Herms DDS and Mr. Loussac (on Right) on the Iditarod-Flat Creek Trail, 1912
This early photograph which belongs to the University of Alaska Fairbanks shows Mr. Loussac of CITY DRUG STORE / Z.J. LOUSSAC, PROP / IDITAROD, ALASKA. This picture is truely worth a thousand words, doesn't explain who Z.J. Loussac was? The Anchorage Public Library's web site best sums up this famous Alaskan figure, when they answer the question: Who was the Loussac Library named after? Their response follows:
"Zachary J. Loussac was a Russian immigrant who prospered in Anchorage with drugstores and investments in gold and coal mines. He was active in civic affairs and was elected mayor of Anchorage in 1948. He established a trust-fund which enabled Anchorage to build a new library building in downtown Anchorage."
Mr. Loussac used embossed dose glasses to advertise his Iditarod drug store, begging the golden question-- Are there dose glasses from his Anchorage store too?
Photo of Iditarod, Alaska from a distance. Lomen Bros # 867 Photo of River front, Iditarod, Alaska, 1911
Quoting Wikipedia: "Zachariah Joshua 'Zack' Loussac (1882-1965)... was born to Jewish parents in Pokrov (Vladimir Oblast), Russia in 1882. As an engineering student, he came under scrutiny for an interest in 'some of the more liberal literature of the time.' In 1907, Loussac fled Czarist Russia for Alaska, living in Nome, Unalakleet, Iditarod and Juneau before settling down in Anchorage in 1916 to open a drugstore at Fourth Avenue and E Street. He sold out of the drugstore business in 1942, and turned his efforts to philanthropy. In 1946, with the aid of Elmer E. Rasmuson, Loussac created and endowed the Loussac Foundation, 'dedicated to the promotion of recreational, cultural, scientific or educational activities in the Anchorage area.' The next year, Loussac was elected to the first of two consecutive terms as Mayor of Anchorage. In 1949, at the age 66, he married Ada Harper. It was his first and only marriage. In 1951, the Loussac Foundation underwrote the construction of a new, modern building to house the library at Fifth Avenue and F Street, replacing the older, cramped facilities at Fifth and E Street. In 1952, Loussac served as an Alaska Territory Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Over time, he also served as President of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the Pioneers of Alaska. The new library, which became known as the Loussac Library, opened its doors in 1955, by which time, Loussac had retired to Seattle... On July 13, 1962, Loussac joined the municipally sponsored 'Loussac Day' celebration to commemorate his 80th birthday. He died in Seattle on March 15, 1965. His ashes are interred in Angelus Memorial Park in Anchorage. The first Loussac library was demolished in 1981 to to make way for the William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center. In 1986, Anchorage opened a new four-story public library in midtown which was named the Z.J. Loussac Public Library.
Could it be? I Need ID...
Written by Tracy Gerken
A glass embossed COMPLIMENTS / OF / EASTMAN / DRUG STORE caught my interest because I thought that it might be from Eastman, GA, a small town in middle of our state. However, a pharmacy by that name was not mentioned in The Georgia State Gazetteer and Business Directory of 1896, nor was it in a 1927 directory either. A google search found only a few possibilities. One of the more interesting entries stated "Eastman Drug Store is the oldest pharmacy in Idaho. The history section of the store will feature stories and pictures of the old Oregon Trail. It is conveniently located in Soda Springs, Idaho." Roadsidetourist.com says "Eastman Drug - Soda Springs - This is the site of the oldest drug store in Idaho, complete with an old fashioned soda fountain." I could find nowhere that states when exactly this drug store was first established. Could it be that this glass is from ID? We may never know for sure, unless a local collector could confirm this. Most likely the glass is from Hot Springs, AR. Several issues of the ERA Druggist Directory list an Eastman Drug Store there and none listed in ID.
Drogueria Sarra...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Two dose glasses have been identified from DROGUERIA SARRA / LA MAYOR. One is clear and the other is a light green vaseline that glows under black light. Drogueria is a Spanish word for drug store, as Farmacia is Spanish for Pharmacy. Drogueria Sarra's address is Calle Brasil (Teniente Rey) 251, Havana, Cuba.
An interesting traveler's description can be found at tripadvisor.com. It states, "This art nouveau pharmacy is [now] short on drugs but long on design. Founded by a Catalan apothecary in 1874, it was built in the elaborate modernist style universally favored by 19th-century pharmacies. The carved wooden racks and shelves backed by murals painted on glass are especially ornate, and the ceramic apothecary jars, though probably empty, are colorfully painted. Also known as La Reunion..., this pharmacy was a famous meeting place, a sort of informal neighborhood clubhouse."(See photo from street).
An advertisement for the establishment can be seen in the following photo. This photo was found at www.rigobertomuniz.com/cuba.htm, a web page that describes pre-Castro Cuba. Regarding Drogueria Sarra, he states "Today, desperate Cubans ask for medications from exiled family and friends. When Castro took over, Cuba had numerous laboratories, the mayority owned and operated by Cubans, including Drogueria Sarra, the largest in the world [ie, La Mayor del Mundo]. Look at the poster of 'Sarra Drug Store' when it had 36 buildings with a total of 36,500 square meters and 320 employees. Today Sarra has only empty shelves and no customers." On the web site, he shows pictures of a once prosperous Cuba that was so important to Henry Flagler and so loved by Ernest Hemingway.
BEST IN SHOW - The Ultimate example...
Written by Tracy Gerken
What if you had 6 glasses from NY, which one would you display as your best example? It may be difficult to decide which one glass would take that honored place as the ultimate example to represent that state. Or, think about it like this: What if you had the chance to own one glass out of all of the known glasses from any one given state? Which single glass (if you could choose only one) would you choose? It would be a matter of choosing or buying the ultimate glass for that particular state. Having an entire collection that includes one ultimate dose glass from each of the 50 states may only be a fantasy, but it is fun to think about. Some collectors do strive for such a collection. There are many highly collectible dose glasses that will not meet all of the criteria of being an ultimate example. Some collectors buy glasses with the idea that they may later trade up or upgrade to a better example. DGCII member Peter Taylor has put together some ideas on making the difficult choice as to which one glass he would choose as the ultimate example, or as I like to call it, the BEST IN SHOW. Please read his newsletter below which defines THE ULTIMATE DOSE GLASS and also visit the PETER'S ULTIMATES tab found in the site contents to see Peter's ultimate dream list.
The Ultimate Dose Glass...
Written by Peter Taylor
The Ultimate Dose Glass would have the following characteristics – EMBOSSED; NAME OF BUSINESS; NATURE OF BUSINESS (DRUGGIST, PHARMACIST, DRUG STORE, ETC); PICTORAL, LOGO, MONOGRAM OR COLORED GLASS; NAME OF TOWN AND NAME OF STATE.
Up for the honor would be embossed glasses only - no acid-etched or painted label. Glass size does not matter. Either small or large tumbler type only considered. With regret, this does not allow for several outstanding spoon type dispensers, and conical examples from being considered. Name of Business [or druggist’s name] should be considered with unusual business names, those that tie in well with their logo, or elaborate, well detailed names being preferred. Glasses that include the nature of the business, with the more unusual being better, should be strongly considered for selection. As the main purpose of this endeavor is to compile a list comprising a representative dose glass from each U.S. State and Territory, it should only be fitting that each example should display the name of the city and name of the representative state. Unfortunately, this necessarily excludes some otherwise exceptional glasses from being included in the list. Whilst it may be easy to factually ascertain that a glass displaying only a city or town location belongs to a particular state, the main purpose needs to be adhered to in order to complete the list in the objective manner. Glass listings are sought of examples displaying an unabbreviated version of the State name, though not overriding the other essential features or pictorial consideration. An important feature that is just as desirable to State name; preference is given to those glasses that have, or combine, a pictorial image, company logo, dingbats, monogram of business initials, or is of colored glass in manufacture. The ultimate glass? Ideally - coloured and pictorial or monogrammed, with name of business or druggist, and name of city and state.
Before The Railroad Came To Town...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Before Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway came to town in 1912, you had to swim or sail to the island city of Key West, Florida. However, Key West was a bustling town even without a solid connection (no roads or bridges) to the mainland. In the late 1800s, Key West became the largest and richest city in Florida. By 1890, the city's population was 18,080 (not so different from 23,262 in 2006). Through the years, local industries included shipping, fishing, turtling, sponge diving, salt manufacturing, cigar making (by 1890, 129 cigar factories) and tourism. Key West had long been home to a US Navy military base. But, the most lucrative of all trades was "wrecking" or shipwreck salvaging. Many ships fell victim to the coral reefs off Key West and the Florida Keys. It was salvaging valuable cargoes which led Key West to become the wealthiest town per capita in the U.S.A.
Flagler (of Standard Oil fame) envisioned Key West becoming a major link for trade with Cuba, Latin America, and the west via the Panama Canal which was under construction. Flagler's overseas railroad Key West extension proved to be more complicated (from an engineering standpoint) and costly than expected. However, Flagler was able to complete the feat the year before his death in 1913.
I am proud to be the owner of a dose glass embossed TYLER & FOGARTY / (pic of medical cross in a circle) / KEY WEST, FLA. Its W.T. & Co. bottom mark (pre-1901) dates this glass as a relic from the Southernmost U.S. city's pre-railroad days, when the only way in/out of town was in/on water. By the way, the Overseas Railway became the Overseas Highway US1 to Key West (using some of the same railbeds, bridges and tressels), only after parts of the railroad were destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.
NERBS Of Bliss...
Written by Tracy Gerken
DGC member Bill Errera has made a remarkable discovery. His example of the familiar OUR NATIVE HERBS glass by THE ALONZO O. BLISS CO. is a bit different. Not your usual garden variety HERBS were used to formulate the product to be measured in this dose glass, but the A.O.B. Co. used special “NERBS” to concoct this brew. Is it a secret family recipe or more likely a spelling error? The misprint turns Bill’s relatively ordinary dose glass into an extraordinary find. You may want to check the BLISS dose glass that might be in your collection to see if it is of the HERB variety or the rare NERB variety.
It also raises the question, how may other error glasses are known? Another error glass is a dose spoon embossed J.A. DARLINGTON / DRUGGIST / BUFFALO. In this case, the letter N is backward. Also, consider the Niagra Falls, NY glass in the previous newsletter. The druggist’s name is not centered at the top of the glass. Could this also be an error? It makes you wonder if these glasses would have been rejected by the druggists who commissioned them. Would they have paid good money for advertising that was flawed in this way?
From Opposite Sides of the Falls...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Niagra Falls, Ontario lies on one side and Niagra Falls, New York lies on the other. Of what, you may ask? Of the famous Niagra Falls waterfalls, of course. The three falls that make up Niagra Falls (American, Horseshoe and Bridal Veil Falls) are on the Niagra River which joins Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Also, between the two cities runs the international boundary seperating the USA and Canada. American and Bridal Veil Falls are on the United States side and Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian side. Niagra Falls, one of North America's natural marvels, is a popular tourist destination and is touted as the honeymoon capital of the world. I was lucky enough to find 2 dose glasses from opposite sides of the falls.
Give The U.S. Census A Schott...
Written by Tracy Gerken
A previous newsletter, A PLAY ON WORDS, called for any information regarding a dose glass which is embossed CHAS. V. SCHOTT / DRUGGIST / OPEN ALL NIGHT. A search through US Census data revealed the following:
1880 Federal Census --Chas. V. Schott is listed as a drug clerk in the Third Ward of Galveston County, Galveston, Texas. He is listed as a roomer at the home of Louis Beachanby. He gave his age as 28 years of age and was single. He was born in Germany.
1900 Federal Census --Charles C. (should be V.) Schott is listed as a drug clerk in the Tenth Ward of Galveston County, Galveston, Texas. He gave his age as 51 years of age, and was married to Mary E.(40 years of age), and had three children Justus E. (17), Leonora (14), and Ivy R. (10).
1910 Federal Census --Charles V. Schatt (either mispelled or incorrectly deciphered by the transcriber) is listed as a druggist in his own store in the Seventh Ward of Galveston County, Galveston, Texas. He gave is age as 59, and was a widow. Living with him were his daughter Ivy (19) and his niece Minnie (30).
1920 Federal Census --Chas. V. Schott is listed as the owner of a drug store in the Seventh Ward of Galveston County, Galveston, Texas. He gave his age as 69 years of age, and was a widow. Still living with him was his niece Minnie (41).
To back up this information, a different source found a 1927 reference to a J. Schott Drug Co., Inc. in Galveston, TX at 2011 Market. Could this be the son, Justice, mentioned in the 1900 census data? Further research may reveal that the 1867 artifact mentioned in the earlier newsletter was from the same store when owned by yet another Schott family member who pre-dated Charles. Maybe it was Charles' father (Justice's Grandfather)? It was common for drug stores to remain in a family by passing the business down through generations in such a way.
New Orleans Clean-Up...
Written by Tracy Gerken
In the past, this collector has always avoided dug and dirty dose glasses. Most dose glasses that we find have never taken the "dirt nap" that lots of antique bottles have. I believe the reason is their inherent usefulness. After the content of a bottle has been depleted, the uses for such a container are very limited. Therefore, many bottles were disposed of in privy holes, lakes/rivers or dumps. Target practice also seemed to be a common end to many bottles. However, dose glasses were handy to have around in the medicine cabinet or the kitchen to be used over and over again. So, lots of the dose glasses that we find are in "medicine cabinet mint" condition. There are those that may have gotten chips, cracks or wear from repeated use over many years. There is little one can do to restore the chipped/cracked glass, but the occasional glass found that has spent time underground can be cleaned. Cleaning by a professional bottle cleaner may add an additional $20 to $30 to the overall price of your dose glass, but in some cases it is money well spent.
Teal Appeal...
Written by Tracy Gerken
A collector can dream of the possibility of someday finding examples of dose glasses made from a variety of colored glass. Some of the most prized old bottles produced during the same era are collected in a rainbow of colors including cobalt blue, emerald green, milk white, yellow amber, plum puce, etc. For more on antique bottle colors, see www.antiquebottles.com/color.
Sadly, very few colored dose glasses have come to light. Even those druggists known to have beautifully colored bottles, ordered only clear dose glasses. One such example is Muegge The Druggist from Baker, Ore. whose bottles are a beautiful bright emerald green, but whose dose glasses are simply clear (pictured on the Sell/Trade page).
So, why are colored dose glasses so rare? I believe the reason is this: liquid inside of a colored glass is not easy to see. To get an accurate measure, it is essential to clearly see the medicine through the glass. Druggists and glassware manufacturers knew that colored glass rendered these practical little items virtually useless.
Luckily, there were (as always) some druggists who broke the mold. I was recently offered one such example in a lovely teal green. It is embossed vertically (also unusual, I might add)... E. FERRIS, M.D. / DRUGGIST / PARIS, ILL. My many thanks to Dan D.
Possibly The Biggest Ever...
Written by Tracy Gerken
I recently had the opportunity to buy the largest dose glass that I have ever laid eyes on. It is embossed "BOERICKE & TAFEL" / PHILADA / NEW YORK AND CHICAGO. This glass has graduated measurements up to 8 OZ or One Tumbler. On the bottom, it is embossed SHARON MANUFACTURING CO. / ACME / GRADUATED / MEDICINE / TUMBLER / PHILADA PA. The normal sized dose glass in the picture is dwarfed by the size of this huge glass. B & T has been around since 1835 and has itself been a giant in the field of homeopathic medicine. Read more about the company at http://www.homeoint.org/cazalet/boericke/story.htm
In the history of B & T, you will encounter the name Hans Burch Gram, another important figure (a pioneer, some say) in the realm of homeopathic medicine. It is from this German born New York physician that we get a fairly common dose glass embossed DR. GRAMS / MEDICINE / GRANDMOTHERS.
To me, homeopathic medicine is based on wierd science -- The Law of Similars. The theory is that ailments are cured by administering trace amounts of substances that if given in larger doses would produce similar symptoms in healthy people. For example, if normal doses of "compound X" results in a healthy person getting headache symptoms, then use "compound X" in very diluted doses to treat people who are ill with headaches. In other words, homeopaths believe that "like cures like." I told you it was wierd science! Remarkably, it is still alive and well, even today! For more info, search "Homeopathy" on Wikipedia.org
Dose Glass Reward
and Regret...
Written by Tracy Gerken and Bill Errera
Here is a great story by Bill Errera regarding a dose glass that he would like to add back into his collection. I think that we all have had similar episodes of "seller's regret." But, I doubt that anyone has a better story of a dose glass find. Thanks to Bill for sharing his story.
"That Dr. Ulmer's glass is one that I had many, many years ago. It was in mint condition and was given to me by a sweet old southern lady as a reward for finding her wedding ring with my metal detector. I was living in Pennsylvania at the time and was looking for coins at an old school house. This lady's Granddaughter came over and asked if I thought I could find a ring that was lost in her the yard several years ago. I said I could try and we walked to the house next door. Within five minutes I had the ring and the older lady was so happy, I think she would have given me the house if I asked for it. She invited me inside and insisted I except a reward. Well, when I came in I noticed a small curio cabinet hanging on the wall with a lot of odds and ends in it, also that little Dr. Ulmer's dose glass. I told the lady that if she insists I take something that I would happy with that little glass. Her reply was " you want that old thing?" I said yes, and then we were both happy. Sadly I sold it at the Baltimore bottle show a couple years later and I have not seen another since."
Bill Errera Bill's wanted dose glass is embossed DR. B.F.ULMER'S / LIVER / CORRECTOR / SAVANNAH, GA.
A Happy Ending: One For The Pocket...
Written by Tracy Gerken
This newsletter is a follow-up to a previous article. First, please scroll down and read the article entitled "Dose Glass Reward and Regret." See PRODUCT GLASSES page for related picture.
Postscript - 4/06 - BILL FINDS HIS DR. ULMER'S DOSE GLASS!! After the gavel dropped, an elated Bill is quoted to say, "I know one thing, I don't dare tell my wife how much I paid. She'll make me live in the barn. Actually I'm thrilled I got it, even though I paid way too much. This has been my hearts desire for many, many years and now my dreams have been fulfilled. I got two bottles that I told my wife I want to be buried with, now this little glass will have to be slipped in my pocket too. I plan on taking them with me!”
For the morbidly curious reading this, I know the question that is going through your mind at this very moment. And to answer, Bill states, “those bottles I won't part with are a Broadwell's Sarsaparilla, in a deep teal blue green color. This bottle was the only one known until a couple of years ago, when another was dug in Springfield, Ill. The other bottle is a Dr. Wynkoop's Katharismichonduras (embossed as one word), Sarsaparilla, New York. This bottle is cobalt blue and has a huge open pontil on the bottom.” A picture can be seen at the top of this article.
And for the digger out there that might be thinking the unthinkable, Bill says, “the only way he would get that bottle is to dig up my bones, and if he did that I would haunt him.”
I have a question for Bill. How much room is left in those pockets? He is finding some awesome "pocket worthy" product dose glasses. Instead of slipping his favorites into his pockets, he may have to pack a suitcase! Bill's next assignment from the author of this web site... Find a Broadwell's or Dr. Wynkoop's dose glass. Now that would be "ONE FOR THE POCKET!" Thanks goes out to Bill for sharing his joy.
A Dose Glass Grand Slam...
Written by Tracy Gerken
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In the world of sport fishing, a single angler may be lucky enough to experience a GRAND SLAM catch. That is the outstanding accomplishment of catching three different species of game fish in a single day. For example, an Atlantic offshore GRAND SLAM may consist of catching a marlin, a dolphin and a sailfish. For a fisherman to catch just one of these fine fish would be an exhilarating event, but to catch one of each… WOW!
A similar experience could happen to the dose glass collector; however, it is not likely to happen in the course of just one day. A dose glass grand slam is defined as the catch of one of each three different STYLES (spoon, conical, and tumbler) of embossed dose glass -- ALL ADVERTISING THE SAME DRUGSTORE. Is it fantasy or reality? You tell me, because that lucky event has yet to happen for this particular collector.
PS - And the answer is... REALITY! A dose glass grand slam has been identified in Edrick J. Miller's book entitled CALIFORNIA (EMBOSSED) DRUG STORE/PHARMACY BOTTLES & DOSE GLASSES, 5th Revised Edition, 2005. Mr. Miller lists the following glasses for a Butte County California pharmacy...
H.W. CREW / DRUG CO. / CHICO, CAL. (Spoon) H.W. CREW / GRADUATE IN PHARMACY / CHICO (Tumbler) H.W. CREW DRUG CO / CHICO, CAL (Conical)
A fine catch indeed, Mr. Miller. |
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Tell it like it is...
Written by Tracy Gerken
A couple of examples have surfaced that are embossed with a definition or name for the intended use of the glass. In other words, they tell the user the exact purpose of the glass, which is to measure a dose of medication (not a shot glass!). This will become clear when you consider the embossing on the two examples that follow:
JOHN F. BOX / MEDICINE GLASS / PULASKI, N.Y.
FENNER / MEDICINE CO'S. / DOSE GLASS / WESTFIELD, N.Y.
As in the BOX example, most period glass catalogs referred to these dose measures as medicine glasses. The Maris catalog called these glassesmedicine tumblers. I had not seen a reference to the term dose glass(which we use today), until Roger brought the FENNER example to my attention. You can see this glass in ROGER'S PICTURE GALLERY under the LINKS section of this web site.
A play on words…
Written by Tracy Gerken
There was probably no pun intended when Charles Schott’s patrons were presented with a “Schott glass,” although today we can only wonder. This druggist still remains an “unknown,” as I have yet to discover where his business was located. A Schott go-with recently appeared on eBay, but gave no further clue as to the city of origin. The item was an unusual spoon (bonbon spoon?) that had the wording OPEN DAY AND NIGHT (with embossed eye surrounded by sunbeams) and SCHOTT’S PHARMACY 1867 (with floral design in front). I believe this to be an earlier item from the same establishment, especially by the fact that both advertise that the pharmacist was available 24 hours a day. In some cases, druggists lived in the same building in which they worked, possibly upstairs over the drug store. They could be summoned during the night by ringing a bell if needed. However, Charles V. Schott still remains a mystery. Any information regarding the whereabouts of this druggist would be appreciated. See UNKNOWNS section of this website for other dose glasses that need to be identified. Dose glass is embossed:
CHAS. V. SCHOTT / DRUGGIST / OPEN ALL NIGHT
MYSTERY SOLVED! From 1920 US Federal Census data Chas. V. Schott is listed as the owner of a drug store in the Seventh Ward of Galveston County, Galveston, Texas. He gave his age as 69 years old. For further information, see newsletter GIVE THE US CENSUS A SCHOTT.
First Lady...
Written by Tracy Gerken
She may NOT have been the very first lady -- that was EVE. She may NOT have been the presidential first lady -- a la Martha Washington, et al. She may NOT have been the first lady druggist. However, she is the first (and only, to my knowledge) lady to be found on a dose glass.
This 'first lady' of dose glasses is LAURA GOODMAN / DRUGGIST / POST & BUCHANAN. Internet research reveals that Laura Goodman was a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy (1885). After college, she spent some time working in her brother’s drug store. Then, she moved to California (1895) to become the first woman to open a drug store in San Francisco, CA. So, you see, she was a 'first lady' of sorts.
Whereabouts Unknown...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Our best hope is that we find dose glasses embossed with the name of the city and state where the store was located. Those glasses that do not have this information are categorized as 'UNKNOWN' until further research identifies their origin. Unfortunately, and to the collector’s chagrin, some glasses list only the city where the store was located. A city without a named state sometimes makes for an 'unknown' dose glass, unless that city can be linked with only one state. For example, a glass embossed Los Angeles is most likely California, a glass embossed New Orleans is most likely Louisianna, and a glass embossed Atlanta is most likely Georgia. On the other hand, glasses embossed with a common city name and no mention of state (such as Springfield) could be from almost anywhere in the US. The worst offenders give absolutely no clue (neither city nor state) as to where in the world their business was to be found. To the frustration of collectors, all of these glasses get lumped in the category of 'unknowns.' However, unknowns can be fun to collect. See the UNKNOWN section of this web site for more information.
The 3 L’s of real estate…
Written by Tracy Gerken
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION... To remind its patrons where to go to spend their money, some druggists’ included location information as part of the advertising on their dose glass. This could be done in several different ways:
SPECIFIC STREET ADDRESS… Some glasses list the actual street name and numbered address:
E.F. SCHMIDT / 508 TRAVIS ST. / HOUSTON, TEX.
JONES BROS. / 1709 GRAND RIVER AVE / DETROIT
INTERSECTION... Some glasses state their address as being at the intersection of two streets. This was done by using ‘COR.’ (meaning “at the corner of”) or by using ‘and’ or ‘&’ in conjunction with the names of the two streets that converged at their storefront. From the fact that so many drug stores were located at major intersections, we get the ubiquitous moniker - “The Corner Drugstore.” Examples:
JAS.R.SMITH / PHARMACIST / BAUM ST. & EUCLID AVE. / PITTSBURGH, PA.
H. H. HOBERG / S.W. COR. / WADE & CUTTER / CINCINNATI
CROSS' DRUG STORE / CHICAGO AVE / COR. TOWNESEND ST / CHICAGO
LANDMARK... My favorites are those dose glasses that give their store’s location in reference to an important city landmark or another well known business or establishment. The most common way of doing this was to use ‘opp’ (meaning “opposite” or “across from”) or the word ‘opposite’ plus the name of the landmark, as in:
JACOB BAUR / DRUGS / OPP. “THE TERRE HAUTE” (Indiana, French for 'high ground')
EDWARD B. JONES / OPP. THE FOUNTAIN / MT HOLLY, N.J.
HASTINGS' / DRUG STORE / OPPOSITE / WAGON WORKS
C. & E. MARSHALL / CHEMISTS / OPPOSITE CRITERION / THEATRE / PARK STREET (Sydney, Australia)
LOUGHRAN'S / PHARMACY / OPP. POST OFFICE / FISHKILL-ON-HUDSON N.Y.
PHILIP MORGAN / DRUGGIST / NEARLY / OPP. POST OFFICE / LINDSAY, ONT. (Canada, notice 'nearly' opposite)
BUILDING… A few dose glasses mention locally well known buildings which actually housed their businesses (as opposed to being “across from”). The druggist simply used the name of the building to advertise their location:
KNIGHT / FILLS Rx's / RIGHT / 6th FLOOR / CENTURY BLDG. (St. Louis, MO)
Dr. O.W.F. SNYDER / Mc VICKERS THEATRE / CHICAGO
CURRAN & COLER / DRUGGISTS / POWERS HOTEL / ROCHESTER
It may have been very important to advertise your location to customers, especially in larger cities where competition was fierce and where it seems that there was a druggist on almost every corner. It may have been less important in a smaller 'one horse' or one drugstore town.
This And That...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Some dose glasses give us insight into the business operations of a turn-of-the-century drug store. My favorites are those that state a second service or product line that was offered to customers, besides the druggist’s usual prescription compounding service. This advertising was done by way of briefly mentioning the side line on the very limited space available on the glass. Here are some examples:
JOHN ARNOLD / DRUGGIST / AND / JEWELER / CHESTER, NEB.
B.H. DAVIS / DRUGGIST / & / GROCER / PALMYRA, N.Y.
SMITH'S / DRUG & BOOK / STORE / COSHOCTON
WILSON'S DRUG, BOOK & WALLPAPER STORE / GREELEY, COLO. (dose spoon)
COMPLIMENTS OF / BLADWORTH / DRUG / & / STATIONERY / STORE
BUCK & RAYNER / CHEMISTS / & / PERFUMERS / CHICAGO
From these glasses, we see that some drugstores carried jewelry, groceries, books, stationery, wallpaper and perfumes. In old wholesale druggists’ trade catalogs, we discover other popular side lines included soda fountain and ice cream treats, candy, cigars and tobacco products, painters’ and artists’ supplies, school and office supplies, toys and sporting goods, window glass and hardware, household sundries, and more. Etched glasses are sometimes more "wordy," occasionally giving us more information of this sort. From the examples below, we see that in addition to drugs and remedies, these drugstores dealt in cameras, fishing tackle, paints and oils. A wide variety of merchandise was sold by drug stores to meet the needs of their customers and to bolster sales. I look forward to these items showing up on future ‘THIS AND THAT’ dose glasses.
The Main Event…
Written by Tracy Gerken
Some dose glasses were made to advertise important events and given away either before or during the occasion. To add to the interest of these glasses, some have the date or year of the event embossed on the glass. Examples include…
MONMOUTH HOSPITAL / CARNIVAL / OCT. 7th TO 11th 1902
SOUVENIR / 1917 / NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE / PHARMACEUTICAL / CONVENTION / (mono WTCo) / PORTSMOUTH, N.H.
N.Y.S.P.A / 1900 / (dingbat) / COMPLIMENTS / OF / WHITALL TATUM & CO (Dose Spoon believed to be from a meeting of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association)
CLASS OF / '99 / Philadelphia / College / of / Pharmacy (Graduation)
CLASS OF / (monogram PCP) / '98 (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy graduation)
D.L. MILLER, DRUGGIST / 1887, 20th ANNIVERSARY, 1907 (Conical glass, store’s anniversary)
PCP, A Class Act…
Written by Tracy Gerken
Dose glasses may have been given to the graduating students of The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP), possibly by Whitall Tatum or the school itself. The first example is obvious, as it is embossed: CLASS OF / '99 / Philadelphia / College / of / Pharmacy. This glass is pictured to the right of this newsletter. The second is more subtle, but believed to be from the same institution. It is embossed: CLASS OF / (fancy PCP monogram) / '98. The first letter P in the monogram is backwards, most likely to give the logo balance or symmetry and added eye appeal. Both examples have W.T. & CO. embossed on the bottom. Were dose glasses issued for other graduating classes -- other years and/or other pharmacy colleges? PCP, founded in 1821, was the first school of pharmacy in the Western Hemisphere.
From the book entitled Great Moments in Pharmacy, by George Bender (1967), I quote: “Faced with two major threats: deterioration of the practice of pharmacy, and a discriminatory classification by the University of Pennsylvania medical faculty, the pharmacists of Philadelphia held a tempestuous protest meeting in Carpenters' Hall, February 23, 1821. At a second meeting, March 13, the pharmacists voted formation of: an association, which became The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy; a school of pharmacy; and a self-policing board. Sixty-eight pharmacists signed the Constitution of the first pharmaceutical association in the United States; American Pharmacy's first educational institution, bearing the same name, opened November 9.”
However, even late in the nineteenth century and early in the twentieth century, some druggists learned their trade by apprenticeship. Around the turn of the century, states began to regulate the practice of pharmacy. States started requiring the successful passage of state board exams for licensure. For more information, see the HARPWEEK article under the MORE/CARTOON page of this web site.
Click the link below to read an interesting article entitled, Pharmacy: A Brief History of the Profession...
A Rose,
By Any Other Name...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Some of this may be common knowledge, but here goes…
A Pharmacist is to the Pharmacy, as a druggist is to the drug store.
An apothecary is to the apothecary (or apothecary’s shop), as a chemist is to the chemist (or chemist’s shop).
‘Chemist’ is the term commonly used in English speaking Europe and Oceania to describe what we, in the US, call the pharmacist or pharmacy. The term druggist is still used in the US, mainly by older folks, and is becoming somewhat outdated. The term apothecary is seldom used anymore in the U.S. Some other rarely used terms include: pharmaceutist, pharmacopolist (in the 1913 Webster’s), dispensing chemist or dispenser, and pharmaceutical chemist. The cartoon-ish term ‘pill roller’ has been used in the past to refer to a druggist. This name resulted from the way in which pills used to be hand-made (cut, rolled into shape and finished) using several pieces of very low-tech equipment.
To make matters more confusing…
At the turn of the last century, many medical doctors were their own druggists, by dispensing their own medications. You also find that druggists were bestowed the title of Doctor (a term given out of respect). Being a druggist in those days did not always mean that you had graduated from a school of pharmacy. Some druggists advertised the distinction of being an actual pharmacy graduate (Ph.G). Nowadays, it is quite common to find contemporary pharmacists who have earned a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S. – don’t laugh) in Pharmacy. But currently, most graduates finish college with a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. These graduates have actually earned the title of Doctor (Pharm.D). With either degree, you have to put in hours as an intern and pass an exam given by your State Board of Pharmacy. It is only then that you become a licensed or registered pharmacist (R.Ph.).
Other names for the drugstore include prescription shop, prescription laboratory, dispensary, and medicine shop.
Picture Perfect...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Pictorial dose glasses, those with pictures embossed, are highly sought after by dose glass collectors. You will find images of some of the best known examples scattered throughout this web site. The interest comes in the variety of graphic images that can be found on these glasses which usually fall into the following categories:
PHARMACY RELATED IMAGES - Symbols of pharmacy practice can be found embossed on dose glasses. By far, the most common is the mortar and pestle. Of course, the mortar (the bowl-like vessel) and the pestle (the crushing tool) were pieces of equipment commonly used by druggists to compound prescriptions from raw ingredients, and thus became a sign of the trade. The style of mortar/pestle embossed on dose glasses can be found in wide variety, however the same or similar image of a particular style mortar and pestle can be found on many different glasses. The thinking is that a glass manufacturer may have used ‘stock’ images (images prepared similarly and used over and over again) to emboss different druggists’ orders. This would explain the similarity of many mortar and pestles pictured on multiple glasses from unrelated druggists. The medical cross (similar to the Red Cross’ emblem), another symbol, can also be found on several glasses.
MONOGRAMS - Monograms are fairly common images on dose glasses. Some monograms are so fancy that they can be considered pictorial. There will be more on monograms in a later newsletter.
PLANT OR ANIMAL IMAGES – Pictures of birds and other animals may be found. Birds were a popular choice for embossed images. The eagle (bald eagle is the national bird of the US) was used by several druggists as a symbol of strength and/or patriotism (see AMERICAN DRUG STORE / (pic spread winged eagle) / 1115 CANAL / NEW ORLEANS). The unique kiwi bird, national symbol of New Zealand, appears on a dose glass from there. Alright, Australia, where’s your EMU glass? The woodlark and the crow were birds used on two known US pictorials, most likely to reflect the company’s name (Woodard, Clarke's woodlark and J.F. Crow Drug Co.'s crow). But the owl takes top honor as the most common bird appearing on dose glasses (see The Owl Drug Co., Mouser The Druggist/Chetopa, KS and Owl Drug Store/San Bernardino, CA glasses pictured on this site). Many turn-of-the-century druggists used the owl in their store’s name or logo to denote wisdom. Other animals that can be found embossed on dose glasses include a boar's head, wolf, lion, and bees around a hive. Plants were common as druggist images due to the fact that many medications were plant based at the time. There were many remedies that used herbs as their main ingredient. A plant or animal may also have been used to indicate a region, state or country where the drug store was located, or the national origin of the druggist. One example being a dose glass embossed with the branch of an orange tree that was used by a pharmacist from a citrus growing area of California (see later article concerning Charles E. Weck from Riverside, CA).
COAT OF ARMS - Some pictorial glasses may include coat of arms, heraldic shields or crests. There is much interesting symbolism depicted in these various designs, which may be quite elaborate and meaningful. This type of design is particularly European in origin, but then again, there were lots of European immigrants and influence in the US at the turn of the century. Aside from the possibility of finding US glasses with such detailed elements, several Australian glasses have very ornate shields or English coats of arms (see Australian Dose Glass page of this web site). See http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm to interpret some of the symbols on this type of glass.
OTHER IMAGES – Dose glasses have been found with other images such as a thistle, a man’s portrait (Dr. Burkhart), and a lighthouse. The paper fan embossed on the PYLE/ BUTLER, MO glass was a popular Victorian image. The horseshoe on the ATKINS/GIRARD, KS glass was a common symbol for good luck. One Australian example has a feather plumed crown embossed.
COMBINATIONS - It should be noted that some pictorial dose glass are embossed with a combination of images. I cite these examples: M.M.Yorston (monogram and mortar/pestle), Woodard Clarke (bird on monogram), TODCo. (owl on mortar/pestle), J.F. Crow Drug Co. (crow on mortar/pestle) and W.Ford & Co. (lion stirring mortar/pestle). There is actually a monogram embossed inside the paper fan on the Pyle glass mentioned above, as is there a monogram under the horseshoe on the Atkins glass mentioned above.
POSSIBILITIES – Bottles being produced during the same era can give us some clue as to the possibility of images that we MAY someday find on dose glasses. Looking over the examples of embossed druggists’ bottles pictured in old Whitall Tatum Catalogs gives a collector great hope. The possible pharmacy related images may include a show globe, bowl of Hygeia, conical graduate, or caduceus. Animal pictorials include fish, snakes (on caduceus and bowl of hygeia), bear or phoenix bird. Other examples included flowers, anchors, Maltese cross and wreath-like logos (with picture or monogram in center). There’s no harm in hoping.
Text Me...
Written by Tracy Gerken
FONT:
Different fonts, typefaces or lettering styles can make for interesting differences between dose glasses. As a general rule, most glasses are embossed in block style, sans-serif capital letters.
The size of the font (the actual measurement of the lettering) seems to depend on the size of the glass and the amount of text or characters per line embossed on the glass. The font size may change on different lines of text. A smaller font size would be used to fit in a larger number of characters per line or to fit text into a particularly tight space on the glass (see the word ‘incorporated’ on The Quaker Drug Co. glass). A larger font size was sometimes used to emphasize certain words or lines of text.
A different lettering style or font design can give a different look or “feel” to a glass, which makes it more visually interesting. For example, there are some glasses lettered in all script or cursive. See the GRAYSON DRUG CO. / COMPLIMENTS / GRAYSON, KY. (go to links, 50 State Picture Gallery) and C.H. GUBBINS / APOTHECARY / 15th & RACE STS. / PHILA. (go to links, Tracy’s Picture Gallery) glasses. Some druggists used other very unique or decorative fonts to make their dose glasses more appealing. See the Galt Bros. glass in Roger’s Picture Gallery and the Foster’s glass pictured on the home page of this web site. As with font size, changes in font style are used to embolden or accentuate certain words or lines of text on a dose glass. See the PRESCRIPTION /MARMOR / SPECIALISTS glass at right and the J.C. Groome glass in Roger's Picture Gallery.
LINES:
The most basic advertising dose glasses (as detailed in an earlier newsletter) carry 3 lines of embossed text. However, two lined examples do exist. Two liners seemingly waste valuable advertising space (see COPELAND MEDICAL INSTITUTE / SEATTLE, WASH. example pictured here). A more efficient use of available space is seen in the examples embossed with a greater number of lines of text. Glasses with 4 or 5 lines are fairly common. One known glass has 7 lines of text and reads as follows: COMPLIMENTS / OF / KLEIN'S PHARMACY / 218 / CENTRAL AVE / HOT SPRINGS / ARK. It is these highly embossed glasses that tend be the most interesting. Not only do they provide more information about the druggist, they are usually more creative in the way that the information is presented on the glass. A one liner could not convey enough information to be considered an effective advertisement for the druggist. Also, one line would not be worth the time or effort by the manufacturer if the cost was based on the number of lines or words (as with printed classified ads). With that being said, there are, as always, exceptions. The Owl Drug Co. dose glass contains no text lines whatsoever. With such a large and well known establishment, I’m sure that the owl on mortar logo spoke volumes in itself.
The next logical question would be, "How is all of this information going to fit in this relatively small space?" Please see the newsletter entitled LAYOUT OF TEXT for the answer.
LAYOUT:
The arching layout of the text at the top and bottom is to conform to the rounded shape of the lettered slug plate used to emboss these glasses. This also helps to maximize use of the available advertising space. The layout of the text on the basic 3 line dose glass most often follows this formula: Top line of text arches up, middle line is straight, bottom line arches down. The layout of text on a 2-liner usually leaves a large blank space in the center of the glass, giving one the feeling that something is missing from the wasted space. This is seen in the example from COPELAND MEDICAL INSTITUTE / SEATTLE, WASH. (see links, 50 State Picture Gallery).
With the addition of more lines of text over the basic 3, the text layout gets more complicated. However, in most of these glasses you still find the top the bottom line arched. It would be the text sandwiched in between that may contain some variety. Here you may find straight line text, curved text (degree of curve may be same or different from top or bottom text), or text embossed on the diagonal. You may even find glasses employing a combination of these various text layouts. Example: JAS. R. SMITH / PHARMACIST / BAUM ST. & EUCLID AVE. / PITTSBIRGH, PA. (see links, Tracy’s Picture Gallery).
There are some glasses which bend these rules as well. These usually stand out in a collection. Especially noticeable are those few glasses in which there is no curved text at all. In these glasses the text may be all straight line or all set on the diagonal. See a straight line example below (THE / DRUGGIST, / J.W. ANDERSON / ROCKVILLE, / MO). An example set on the diagonal is THE / ALPERS / PHARMACY / N.Y.
Officially,
a dingbat…
Written by Tracy Gerken
The appeal of certain dose glasses is enhanced by the addition of small embossed ornaments of a purely decorative nature. Officially, these ornamental embellishments are called DINGBATS. This term is borrowed from the printing industry as defined by Wikipedia online [http://en.wikipedia.org]: “A dingbat is a ornament or spacer used in typesetting, sometimes more formally known as a ‘printer's ornament’. The term supposedly originated as onomatopoeia in old style metal-type print shops, where extra space around text or illustrations would be filled by ‘ding’ing an ornament into the space then ‘bat’ing tight to be ready for inking.” Dingbats can take many forms – small symbols or pictograms, special characters, bullets, arrows, lines, shapes or other diminutive decorations.
As in print, dingbats were added in the layout of some dose glasses. More often than not, these adornments were of an abstract design, some being no more than a straight or wavy line, curlicue or fleur-de-lis. However, some big and bold dingbats adorn a few glasses. You can see a pictured example from Roger’s collection on the right. For another bold example, see the CA glass in the ‘50 State Picture Gallery’ under the links section. Dingbat glasses are distinguished from pictorial glasses by the fact that the latter have larger, more well-defined pictures embossed.
In a sea of dose glasses embossed with only the most basic text, dingbats are viewed as welcomed additions by many collectors. Even the smallest of added detail makes for a more attractive specimen.
By the way, “Dingbat is also a slang term, no longer widely used, to describe someone who has a silly, foolish, or clownish demeanor. It was a favorite insult of the fictional character Archie Bunker in the 1970s television show All In The Family.” -- also quoted from Wikipedia.
Look for other dingbat dose glasses as you peruse this DGC web site.
Just Your Basic Dose Glass...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Interesting to note is the number of dose glasses with very similar embossings. It seems a standard format was employed for many US glasses: COMPLIMENTS OF / NAME / DRUGGIST / CITY, STATE or more simply NAME / DRUGGIST / CITY, STATE. As examples: COMPLIMENTS OF / DR. F. WINGER / DRUGGIST / EPHRATA, PA and B.D. RUPP / DRUGGIST / WAHOO, NEB. Others exist with only slight variations, like a street address substituted for the word DRUGGIST, as in: W.G. GRAUL / 2901 CHEROKEE ST. / ST. LOUIS, MO. The Australian standard seems to follow the formula: NAME / CHEMIST / MADE IN USA / CITY as in the example: P.D. BELCHER / CHEMIST / MADE IN U.S.A. / NORTH SYDNEY. Why so many Aussie glasses have MADE IN U.S.A. on the front remains a mystery.
You will spot more evidence of these 'basic' dose glasses as you browse this site. My database records show even more support for this idea. Could it have been unimaginative druggists/chemists OR unimaginative salesmen that were responsible for this phenomenon? Perhaps this was just the basic, standard, "base model" dose glass. Probably, with the addition of more lines of text or insertion of logos/pictures, the cost would have increased accordingly. This additional custom work surely would have meant more labor for the manufacturer. And, in some cases, an artist must have been employed in the making of the mold (see W. FORD & CO. example on the Australian page). Lucky for us, there were druggists/chemists willing to pay that extra cost to give us the varying array of glasses that we find in our collections today (see photo albums for some glasses that are downright extraordinary).
Usually, the fancier embossed glasses are more collectible and more expensive. However, this is not always the case. Some of the "Rare US State" glasses seen in the photo album are embossed with only the basics, yet would bring a premium price. Contrast them with the intricately embossed pictorial Woodard Clarke glass which is relatively common and often found at a very reasonable price.
Dose Glasses & Eyewash Cups: First Cousins...
Written by Peter Taylor
To further close in on a connection between glasses and eye cups, it is vital to also discuss their vast differences, as well as their similarities. Whereas glasses are mostly cup type and embossed on the face of the glass with perhaps the name of the drugstore, his store specialities, and in many cases it’s location, or, in special cases with an ornate monogram or perhaps a picture, and with the initials of the manufacturer on the base, we find that with only a few exceptions, drugstore eye cups were almost all pedestal type with only the name of the druggist and his location, all embossed under the baseplate. A number of extraordinary examples (but not always the case) depict an image of some form or another. Some eye cups and glasses share the same annoying feature of only being embossed with the name of the druggist or drugstore, thus making it difficult to pinpoint a location.
The relationship between eye cups and glasses? No doubt you are sensing a connection being drawn between the two. Both glasses and eye cups were drugstore items used by a druggist to promote his business. Some druggists may have used only glasses for such a purpose, and others may have used only eye cups to advertise his store. But some, elected to make use of both utilitarian objects. Other pharmaceutical items were marketed by glass manufactures in a similar manner and may also have been used by the druggist, but our matter of discussion is only of eye cups and glasses.
Although I have a more than basic knowledge of American drugstore eye cups, my understanding of American drugstore dose glasses is very limited, and to date I can only identify five drugstores which used both eye cups and dose glases – those being George B. Evans Apothecary of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and Woodard, Clarke and Co. of Portland Oregon, as well as James S. Robinson of Memphis Tennessee, C. H. Gubbins of Phila. PA, and Frank Nau of Portland Oregon. As well, there were several others which can't really be classed as drugstore examples - Shumates 7 Stores, Meinecke & Co. N.Y., and Newman Drug Co. Evans produced a ‘basic’ dose glass, but made use of various forms of embossings for his eye cups which were produced by several different glass makers, and included several pictorial types in blue glass which, contrary to the general rule, are fairly common. Woodard, Clarke and Co. produced a very delightful and decorative pictorial dose glass, with the same form of embossing utilised for their eye cup, which is known in clear and blue glass. I look forward to other examples of druggists using both items being brought to my attention.
The Whitall – Tatum Company were the predominant producers of drugstore dose glasses, whereas this domination is not evident amongst drugstore eye cups. Other prominent eye cup manufacturers were the Carr – Lowrey Glass Company, Maryland Glass Corporation, Cambridge Glass Company, amongst others.
It seems a popular quest with dose glass collectors to endeavour to obtain an example of a glass from each of the fifty States, and, appears to be quite attainable with some patience, diligence and a certain amount of capital expenditure. Eye cup collectors could only wish for such a challenge. It is obvious that glasses were by far the most popular choice amongst druggists as a means to advertise their business, and it is simple to understand the reason why. The name of their drugstore was right in the customers attention with the embossing on the face of the glass, but the poor old eye cup had it’s embossing underneath and out of plain sight. Hence the greater number of dose glasses to be found compared to eye cups. To date, I can only identify drugstore eye cups from twelve States – Pennsylvania, New York, California, Oregon, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Massachusetts, Tennessee, New Jersy, and Ohio. It would be a monumental task for any eye cup collector to possess one from each of these twelve States. But eye cups had the advantage of colour, to counteract the lack of prominent embossed identification. As much as I hate to disappoint, I believe it would be most unlikely to find any other than clear glass American drugstore dose glasses. That being said, there is a marigold example known, and on the basis of that colour alone, even without location identification, it must rate as an outstanding example.
Dose glasses share many features with eyewash cups, yet displayed in contrasting fashion.
Hoot! Hoot!
Written by Tracy Gerken
The Owl Drug Company is only THE MOST famous drug store among collectors! Items from Owl Drug are truely cross collectible as people with different interests seek to collect these same items. Quoting "Old Owl Drug Bottles and Others" (a 1968 collector's book), "The Owl Drug Store was created in 1892 and the first store was at 1128 Market Street, San Francisco [California]. The store continued to branch out until it became nation wide with stores in a dozen states and as far East as New York. The Rexall Drug Co. bought out the Owl chain in the 1930s..." All sorts of glass/bottles from The Owl Drug Company can be collected from prescription and medicine bottles, soda and poisons, pill bottles, dose glasses, and on and on. Most all of them have the characteristic logo embossed on the glass--an owl sitting on a mortar and pestle with T.O.D. Co. on the mortar. Some of the bottles just say The Owl Drug Co. and sometimes give the address (city) of the store. All together there are endless variations of this owl logo -- one wing owls, two wing owls, pot belly owl, long tail, short tail, no tail, etc. In general, items with the one wing logo are older (earlier) items. Collectors have given the different versions of the embossed owls different names according to their "look," including: Adonis, Grandpappy, Sarah, The Judge, Joe Cap & Gown, Chesty Dan, Nazi-Mova, Pot Belly Pete and Pretty Boy. Today, these bottles and other Owl Drug items are very highly sought after. Other items include paper ephemera such as receipts, advertising, stationary, calendars, catalogs, and so on. Three different variations of the TODCo dose glass can be seen here in the photo album under picture embossed glasses. The dose glass from Owl Drug Store in San Bernardino, CA (see US dose glass page), is not a TODCo store. It appears that many US pharmacies used the wise old owl in their names and on their logos. See link to Univ of Arizona College of Pharmacy Museum for TODCo's connection to the 1930s bad guy John Dillinger.
Welcome
First Member...
Written by Tracy Gerken
I wish to extend a welcome and thank you to our first DGC member, Peter Taylor of New South Wales, Australia. Peter is a long time collector of Australian antique bottles (with a particular interest in Australian water mixed cordials). He also has an eye for eye wash cups or eye baths and, of course, dose glasses. He has already taught me much about the Australian dose glass scene, some of which we hope to share with others on this web site. Please find Peter's contact information under the NON-US/AUSTRALIA tab if you have any question, information, or item that may be of interest to him. Thanks again to Peter for being the first official member of DGC.
Extras, Extras: Read All About 'Em...
Written by Tracy Gerken
Every once in a while, I will thin my collection by selling off my extra dose glasses. I often sell on eBay under the ID ihavetwins2. Keep an eye out for me there. Also, I would be willing to trade my extras for others that interest me. Feel free to contact me with your list of wants or extras. You can see my list of traders under the MY COLLECTION tab on this web site. Thanks for looking.