Page 16 - Pharmacy History 29 July 2006

Seal oval
Patented January 24, 1888) – Rarely seen with Australian trade names, and the early patent date probably gives
a clue as to why. The patent for this would have run out in 1902 and WT were promoting newer and ‘better’ styles of bottles. Since WT really only hit full stride in Australia by the end of the 1890s this bottle was probably already a low priority. 9 sizes: 1⁄2 oz- 16 oz.
Millville rounds
Virtually a round section bottle with one flat side for embossing. This shape, named after the site of the WT Glassworks was another early patent (1878) and it seems by 1902 (some 10 years after the patent had lapsed) that this was no longer a popular pattern. Not a common shape in Australia.
9 sizes: 1⁄2 oz-16 oz.
Penn ovals
(Patented Jan. 18, 1898) – Another shape seen often in Australia, usually in clear/aqua glass but also some blues exist. Has a rather more intricate shape than most other prescription bottles with a small sort of pedestal style base. 10 sizes: 1⁄2 oz-32 oz.
Baltimore ovals
Similar to Manhattan ovals but with a more sloping, rounded shoulder and slightly wider at the base. Associated mainly with earlier WT bottles in Australia – i.e. 1890s. 11 sizes: 1⁄2 oz.-32 oz.
Double Philadelphia ovals
Effectively the same as the Baltimore Oval but with Curved sides another shape usually seen on earlier WT bottles in Aus. 10 sizes: 1⁄4 oz.-16 oz.
16 ■ Pharmacy History Australia
Drug ovals
Standard oval shape medicine bottle. The oval shape seems to have been very popular throughout the 19th Century but by the late 1890s was going out
of favour with preference given to the newer designs. 9 sizes: 1⁄2 oz.-16 oz.
Union ovals
Oval shaped but with a thick ridge running down both sides from the base of the neck to the bottom of the bottle. An early design, featured in the 1880 WT catalogue as well. Unusual design seen rarely on embossed bottles in Australia. 10 sizes: 1⁄2 oz.-32 oz. Base Mark – A/W.T. & CO./U.S.A. Circa 1890s-1902.
French square
Standard square
section bottle seen
in a large variety
of colours and
made by virtually
every glassworks
that produced
prescription bottles.
Australian bottles
can be found in
this shape in cobalt
blue, amber, emerald
green, clear, aqua
and amethyst. Often
these have the most
exquisite designs
and trade marks
embossed on them
and are probably
more regularly found
in large sizes than
any other shape. 23
sizes available: 1 drachm-64 oz.
Blakes or oblongs
Standard rectangular chemist prescription bottle. Although offered by WT this shape is definitely more regularly seen from MGW.
11 sizes: 1⁄2 oz.-32 oz. (Also available in a ‘tall’ style with the same 11 sizes). Blakes style bottle. Base Mark – W.T. & CO./I/U.S.A. Circa 1890s-1902.
Panels
Common ‘cough cure’ shape and usually found in the 3-4 oz. sizes. Not a common shape with the WT base mark but certainly used by several chemists around the country. 12 sizes: 1⁄2 oz.-16 oz.
Tablet bottles
Unusual to find these embossed with chemists names; actually made in a variety of shapes, all with threaded tops and metal caps. 7 sizes/styles: 2-7 drachms.
Bottle sizes and orders.
For the bottles described in this article the following were the minimum orders (in 1902) available for embossed bottles in various sizes.
0.5 oz and 1 oz – 72 Dozen (864); 2 oz – 60 Dozen (720);
3 oz – 48 Dozen (576);
4 oz – 36 Dozen (432);
6 oz – 30 Dozen (360);
8 oz – 24 Dozen (288);
10 & 12 oz – 18 Dozen (216);
16 oz – 12 Dozen (144);
24 oz – 10 Dozen (120);
Quart (32 oz in American sizes) –
8 Dozen (96).
No minimum orders are given for prescription bottles in the 64 oz (half gallon) size which was apparently available in the French square style bottle, but for other similar sized bottles the minimum order is quoted at four dozen or only 48 bottles. This (in general) fits with the fact that large size bottles command higher prices in bottle collecting circles because much smaller numbers of the large bottles were produced.
Note these order numbers are only relevant to customers who wanted embossed bottles.
WT also sent out mixed boxes of bottles but they clearly state that ‘Customer’s name etc., can be blown on the bottles when ordered in Original Package lots’ the quantities of which are described above.
References
1. Drug, Perfume & Chemical Bottles 1902, Photocopied reprint, Antiques Research Publications, 1967;
2. Whitall, Tatum & Co. 1880, American Historical Catalogue Collection, The Pyne Press, 1971;
3. The Glass Gaffers of New Jersey, Adeline Pepper, 1971;
4. Bottle Makers and their Marks, Julian Harrison Toulouse, 1971.
We are extremely grateful to Travis Dunn and David Bruce for permission to reproduce this article from the Australian Bottle and Collectables Review July/August/September 2006, produced and edited by Travis Dunn.
WH Hudson, Chemist, Corowa, Poison. 3 oz. French Square style bottle. Base Mark – W.T. & CO./U.S.A. Circa 1890s-1902.
volume 3 ■ no 30 ■ NOVEMBER 2006
TH Ready, Chemist, Rutherglen. Mortar and Pestle in wreath embossed. 2 oz. Penn Oval style bottle. Base mark – W.T. CO./C/U.S.A./PAT. JAN. 18 1898. Circa 1901-1906.