The Bottles of Pitcher’s and Fletcher’s Castoria – Popular Medicine for Children

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What is Castoria?

Samuel Fletcher of Cape Cod and educated at Harvard Medical School developed a formula of simple, non-narcotic ingredients for which he eventually was given a patent on May 12, 1868.  Likely the name emerged from the perceived positive health benefits of castor and cod liver oils.  The patent lists the ingredients as senna-leaves, bicarbonate of soda, extract of taraxicum, essence of wintergreen and sugar.  Senna leaves are still considered a useful laxative today – taraxacum (as it is commonly spelled today) is known to everyone as the dandelion.

The Pitcher’s Castoria Bottles

Most people will encounter rectangular-bodied aqua patent medicine bottles embossed on the side panels about 6″ tall, double collar tooled lip.  The embossing reads: DR. S. PITCHER’S // CASTORIA  There may or may not be markings on the bottom of the bottle.

These are extremely common  Repeat, extremely common!  These are so common that back in the 1970s (I think, need to research when) someone was advertising in Old Bottle Magazine trying to assemble enough of these bottles to build an outhouse from them!

There are several other variants known which are scarce.

(a) Front embossed ORIGINAL // DR. SAMUEL PITCHERS // CASTORIA, aqua, recessed panels, also about 6″ tall. Double collar tooled lip.  I have seen one example of this with an molded ring midway up the neck of the bottle.

(b) DR. S. PITCHER’S // CASTORIA // BOSTON MASS // PATD. MAY 12 68 The embossing is on the sides and front panels.  Square tooled lip.  Unmarked on base.  5-1/2″ tall.

(c) PITCHERS on both side panels.  BABY BRAND // CASTORIA on front panel.  5-5/8″ tall.  Aqua, tooled square lip.

The Pitcher bottles all date to the late 19th century – I do not recall ever seeing any that are machine made nor have I seen any in colors other than aqua.

Fletcher’s Castoria Bottles

The rights to the original Pitcher’s Castoria evolved to the control of Charles Fletcher in the late 1870s although it appears Fletcher’s name and his authorized signature did not appear until around 1890, if I understand Lockhart, et al. correctly.

With success came competition, and lawsuits.  Several companies brashly assumed the use of the word castoria and even Pitcher.

Today, most commonly you will find machine-made aqua bottles of a rectangular body which are embossed on the side panels Chas. H. Fletcher (in cursive) and CASTORIA.  Earlier tooled top examples are less frequently seen, however they are all quite common including those that retain original labels.

Like the Pitcher’s bottles, these are also extremely common.

Value of Old Pitcher’s and Fletcher’s Bottles

In short, not much.  The success of this product means there are literally thousands of examples to be found.  It is true that you will see the occasional example sell on eBay, sometimes for even $10-12 plus shipping.  However, note that most of the abundant listings never find a buyer.

The asking price for the less common variants falls in the range of $10-40, but this does not necessarily imply that there is a ready market at these prices.

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Advertising in the 20th Century for Castoria Medicine

Browse through newspaper advertisements in the first half of the 1900s and you will find ads everywhere for Castoria.  The ad budget must have been substantial.

castoria-newspaper-advertisement, Centaur Company Pitcher's Castoria

This ad touted the benefits of their product: “..prevents vomiting Sour Curd, cures diarrhoea and Wind Colic. Castoria relieves teething troubles, cures constipation and flatuency. Castoria assimilates the food, regulates the stomach and bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep. Castoria is the Children’s Panacea – the Mother’s Friend.”

Fletchers Castoria newspaper clipping, testimonials for Charles Fletcher castoria

Ths popular ad, picturing a boxed bottle of the Fletcher product, follows a common format of testimonials and includes the official signature of Charles H. Fletcher to warn off competitors.

Further Resources, Information and Photographs.

An thorough research paper by Bill Lockhart et al. on the history both Pitcher, Fletcher, legal entities and product information.

Historical Medical Library, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, The Dr. Fred B. Rogers Papers, “Dr. Samuel Pitcher (1824-1907): Cape Cod and Castoria” manuscript, letters, and research files, 1980-1981

Here is a photo of Samuel Pitcher taken later in life, with his wife Hannah “Auntie” Pitcher.

Today, the rights to Fletcher’s Castoria are owned by The Mentholatum Company – which markets the product as Fletcher’s Laxative.

Advertisements for Castoria for sale on eBay. (affiliate link, I may make a commission on sales there)

Find-A-Grave page for Samuel Pitcher who is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Hyannis, MA

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Restieaux’s Pill Bottles

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Back in the 1970s when I started collecting bottles, I bought a lot of a dozen Restieaux’s Pill bottles. I guess I must have sold or traded most of them away over the years, but recently found one in a box of bottles stashed away in the attic.

In case you are not familiar with these little bottles, they are clear, are just 1-3/4″ tall and are marked RESTIEAUX’S PILLS in a circular formation on one side.

pill bottle

 

Apparently, Thomas Restieaux, an apothecary shop owner in Boston at some point decided to market his own product in addition to filling prescriptions and selling medicines by other manufacturers.  I have no definitive proof that this is the same Restieaux but it seems very likely it is.  Labeled examples of this bottle are marked “Restieaux’s Gentle Liver Pills” and “Thomas Restieaux / Boston, Mass”

Note the trade card below which advertises Horsford’s Acid Phosphate, Rumford Chemical Works in Providence, RI but no mention specifically of his pill product.

Restieauxs-pills1

Restieauxs-pills2

 

The card lists Restieaux’s business as located at 29 Tremont Street in Boston, opposite the Boston Museum.

According to “An Old Boston Institution: A Brief History of the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society“, (of which he was a member) Thomas Restieaux was born in 1813 and was in business from 1835 until his death in 1887.  His son, Thomas Jr., was involved with the business and may have continued in the trade after this time.

 

 

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Selling Your Full Vintage and Antique Liquor Bottles

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It has been a common question over the years here at Historic Glasshouse – what to do with old or antique bottles of alcohol found in the back of a cabinet or stashed away in the basement, now covered in dust. In the earlier days of the internet, it was easy enough to list and sell such bottles like any other antique item.

Today that is not the case. Shipping options are very limited and some popular websites such as eBay and etsy specifically prohibit the individual from listing and selling alcoholic beverages. Further complicating matters are Federal and State laws which restrict the consumer from producing, selling and transporting alcohol-containing products.

What You Can Do

Your easiest solutions are probably local ones: put an ad on Craigslist, include the alcohol in your estate sale or contact a local auctioneer.

Some online resources may help:

Auctioneers
OldLiquors.com
MasterofMalt.com
TheWhiskeyExchange.com
Facebook Groups
Miniature Bottle Collector Events
websites on the “secondary market”

https://www.sellminibottles.com/

 

What to Avoid

Do not attempt to ship bottles of alcohol. Consumers are prohibited from doing at the US Post Office, at UPS and FedEx. Only approved businesses can ship via these carriers.  See this page for more information.

Do not list such bottles on websites without checking their Terms of Service first. eBay and etsy are examples of sites which prohibit alcohol; others may do so as well.

Miniature Liquor Bottles – Single Shot, Nip Bottles and Samples

Just because they are smaller does not mean the same rules do not apply.  Reach out to collectors and mini-bottle club sites.  Attending a show is a great way to meet with collectors and dealers.

UK Mini Bottle Club
http://www.theminibottleclub.uk/

Midwest Miniature Bottle Collectors’ (MMBC)
http://www.midwestmbc.com/

Jim’s Miniature Bottles
http://jimsbottles.com/

Consider the Contents Separately From the Bottle

Ask around online for feedback such as on our discussion forum.  The bottle may have value on its own, the value may lie mostly with the contents or possibly both.  How you approach selling will depend on the case, ie. in some cases dumping the contents may make the most sense.

For the bottle – How old is it?  Does it retain its full label and seal?  Is the label visually attractive?  Does the label indicate the vintage or age of the contents?  Does the bottle include its original packaging such a box?  What is the condition of the bottle?  Any chips or other damage?

For the contents –  Is the contents complete and is the bottle still sealed?  Is there a tax stamp still in place indicating the bottle has not been opened?  Are the contents clear or cloudy?

 

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Dr. Rogers Liverwort, Tar and Canchalagua

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Dr. Rogers and His Bottles

For bottle collectors, this one is something of an oddity thanks first to the odd word “Canchalagua” but also to its shape. Sizewise, the body of the bottle is a bit larger than most rectagular patent medicines and to the trained eye it will stand out from the crowd. The embossing is A.L. SCOVILL (side) / DR. A. ROGERS / LIVERWORT TAR / & CANCHALAGUA (front) and CINCINNATI (side).

Examples of this bottle are found with both smooth base and with pontil marks. Those with the pontil mark are embossed with NEW YORK instead of CINCINNATI. Almost all are found in aqua – a few are found in a deep blue-green aqua and command a much higher price as a result.

Laura Crowley writes about Dr. J. Kearney Rogers of New York City who was marketing this medicine from the grand Gothic Hall Building in 1851. She notes the building was torn down in 1856 which leads one to wonder – was it demolished because of neglect or simply because the property had become valuable enough to put a much larger building in its place? Was this a low-rent ruse or a fashionably expensive location?

In any event, Amon L. Scovill came to New York in the 1850s already a prosperous druggist and acquired several products including Dr. Rogers Liverwort, Tar and Canchalagua as well as Hall’s Balsam for the Lungs.

This web page seems to contradict Crowley by stating ths Scovill and a Henry Morrill were in partnership in 1849 selling the Dr. Rogers product in New York. Unfortunately, this person does not cite a source. He goes on to say that Scovill seems to have exited the firm by 1862 and returns again in 1867. This leads me to wonder whether the smooth base bottles which are marked Cincinnati are perhaps from this 5 year period – perhaps Scovill returned home and marketed his product for a time?

John F. Henry took over the brand in the early 1870s. Apparently, the company changed hands at least once again because I found that in 1919, the Williams Company of Cleveland, Ohio was charged for having shipped a case of this “misbranded” medicine. Federal authorities seized the shipment, claiming it was misbranded as specified by the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. Analysis of a sample showed that it consisted of “a sweetened aqueous solution containing small amounts of plant extractives, tar extractives, salicylates, alcohol and glycerin.” Apparently, the company got in hot water over their claims to “permanent relief of those Affections of the Throat, Lungs and Liver” ie. suggestive of a cure which was not allowed under the Act.

I do not know how long the product remained in production, but would not be surprised to find that the Federal inquiry led to its demise.

A Few Facts about Dr. Rogers Liverwort, Tar and Canchalagua

– In 1901, The Pharmaceutical Era reported that this product cost $1 per bottle or $7.50 per dozen.

– There were three pontilled (New York) examples in the Sam Greer collection – Lots 1468, 1469 and 1470.

– Examples are found embossed with both “NEW YORK” and “CINCINNATI” on the side panel.

– Most bottles are aqua. A few are known in a deep blue-green aqua color.

– Liverwort (Hepatica americana) is known an herbal remedy for liver disorder, indigestion, coughs, lung and respiratory issues.  Here is a modern liquid extract of the plant offered for sale.

– Canchalagua is a South American plant in the Sunflower family and is used as an herbal remedy. It is know for its positive affect on blood, liver and kidney functions.   Note that an entirely different plant in a different family which is native to North America shares this same common plant name.

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A Pickle in a Pickle

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The bottle shown below – a somewhat mid-size (seven inches) “Cathedral” pickle bottle turned up on eBay recently. What sets it apart from most others of its kind is the contents – a single whole pickle which I would call a dill. Contrast it from the much smaller gherkin pickles.

Open pontil 7″ pickle bottle with contents

The cork and wax seal seem old although the photo is not the sharpest but it suddenly makes me wonder – just what was the pickle content of such pickle bottles? I don’t recall ever seeing a labeled example of the earlier fancy pattern pieces. This one has an open pontil so it dates to the mid-19th century.

Might the contents be original? Or perhaps added at a later date? What do you think?

My only point of reference is later examples of smaller height (7 to 12 inches) of which I have seen with labels. The ones that come to mind, including the one I just found on eBay (seen below) refer to contents that are gherkins. This is easier to accept since such containers could hold a dozen or more.

Early 20th century pickle bottle with label

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Researching the company or person named on your antique bottle

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“What can you actually find out about the person or company named on an 19th century bottle?” In many cases, the answer is not much, or at least not much besides what a genealogist might find out.

I ask you to think about small business owners who you know in your town or neighborhood. How much really is written or published about them? Consider that in the 19th century, there was no such thing as a human interest article in a local paper. Many companies did not print much in the way of advertising – they relied on their local market to sell their goods. In short, it can be a major research effort to find any information.

Some sources of information:

  • The town / city historical society
  • The town’s library
  • City directories which often contained ads for businesses. Use to find when someone was in business. Find where business was located. If you get lucky, the ad may say something about the products sold.
  • State historical societies
  • Published genealogies.
  • Sanborn Fire Maps. Available back to the 1880s. Maps show precise diagrams of buildings on properties with property boundaries. Owners of properties are listed.
  • DIY genealogical research. Start with familysearch.org and ancestry.com
  • Books on antique bottles. There are lots of specialty books on bottles. Many are out of print. Many are not found on Amazon or book stores. You need to do some digging online to find what you need. Check ebay.com. Check abebooks.com
  • Auction catalogs. Some bottles, especially those of significant value, get special consideration in auction catalogs. Both American Glass Gallery and Glass Discoveries have done some great work in this regard.
  • Collectors of local bottles for your town, city, state or region.
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A Star Whiskey Variant

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This bottle recently caught my attention.  Why not?  It is puce in color, has an applied seal, an applied handle and is otherwise pretty amazing.  But it is not old.

 

Collectors will recognize this as a somewhat faithful copy (at least in general form) of the 19th century Star Whiskey bottle.  Original bottles are amber in color and have some other minor differences.

 

But here is the most interesting part, the marking on the base.

 

Look closely and you will see an indented area with the embossing “OI 1974.”  I believe this to be Owens Illinois.

I am not familiar with the bottle but it was made in the 1970s, an era of great interest in bottle collecting and a time when one say many a reproduction and modern “re-interpretation” bottle being produced.

Incidentally, the bottle sold on eBay in July, and fetched $62 plus shipping.

 

Here is another example in amber which is currently on ebay (August 2017)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/172843632590

From this auction, these photos show more detail regarding the manufacturer:

 

 

 

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Johann Hoff bottles – Value, Use and History

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Johann Hoff, The Bottle

johann hoff bottle in olive green

Your (very) basic Hoff bottle

Most people encounter a dark olive green bottle marked “JOHANN HOFF” on the bottle’s shoulder. Occasionally they are found in other colors. There are other variants which are described below. The typical Hoff bottle measures 7-3/4″ to 8″ tall with a body around 3 inches in diameter. Some have applied lips, others have tooled tops. These bottles date from the mid 19th century into the early 20th century.

What Was Inside?

The Hoff product was malt extract and was marketed as a medicinal tonic those who were convalescing, with general disability, the weak, nursing mothers, etc.  But the bottom line is this – this was an product containing alcohol, plain and simple. It was beer in medicinal packaging. Much like bitters, this was a clever way of selling alcoholic drinks to a public that wrestled with temperance and later, prohibition.

Collecting Hoff Bottles

The most common variant is the olive green bottle as described above which are marked JOHANN HOFF.  These are found in abundance, that is, they are very common.  This bottle probably makes my “Top 20 Most Common Antique Bottles of All Time” list.  As for value, good luck.  If you can sell one for even a few dollars, consider yourself lucky.

Less commonly seen are those in either a plain amber color, a light, translucent amber color as well as emerald green.  While these colors are less common (and emerald probably scarce) this really does not add much to their appeal.

Another embossing variant is marked JOHANN HOFF / BERLIN on the body of the bottle.  I consider these scarce.

Labeled examples are also scarce and will find greater interest.  As always, the condition of the label is really important to value.

I wonder whether the company continued selling the product into the teens and 20’s but perhaps in unembossed bottles.  One advertising piece claims the company was founded in 1847 but I do not have accurate final date for the company.  I do find them in the 1908 New York City directory as well as 1917-18.

Locations of business (in no particular order):

  • 152-154 Franklin St., New York, NY
  • 6 Barclay St., New York
  • 90 West Street

Looking for help with the value of your Hoff bottle?  Post photos and ask questions on our antique bottle forum.

The Hoff Marketing Machine

The Johann Hoff Company was fond of large advertisements in the periodicals of its time.  Below are samples of several ads which utilized the endorsements of famous names including actress Viola Allen, operatic soprano Nellie Melba, Olga Nethersole, and a variety of military generals.

Competition

The sheer number of these bottles found today suggests malt extract was a popular product.  The collector will find other similar shaped bottles both embossed and unembossed.  The image below shows two amber bottles – on the left has no markings, the right is marked on the base PURE MALT DEPT / CA KING / BOSTON MASS.  These two bottles date to the late 19th century.  A later example of the King bottle with full label can be found on this page on the Smithsonian Institute website.

Two malt extract bottles

Two malt extract bottles, unembossed and CA KING

CA KING embossing on base

CA KING embossing on base

A Bit of Bottled History

Johann Hoff was a nondescript product but contained a wildly popular stimulating beverage.  It is also counts itself in the minority of bottled products which may be best known for its legal battles, clever marketing, and huge popularity. That’s more than you can say about most antique bottles today..

 

Sources

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Volume 61, Page 1552, October 25, 1913.

Johann Hoff v. Tarrant & Co., The Federal Reporter, Vol. 71, Feb-March 1896, pp. 163-167.

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A. Trask Magetic Ointment Bottles

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The Trask bottles have always been a favorite of mine – I guess it is the magnetic cure aspect of the item that is most appealing.

Collecting the Trask Bottles

There are several variants – none is particularly common although a quick glance at eBay seems to turn up at least several for sale.

  • Perhaps the most frequently encountered is a small size, 2-1/2″ tall jar in aqua.  Smooth base. Body 1-1/2″ square.  Tooled square lip.  Chamfered corners on the body.  Embossed: A. TRASK’S / MAGNETIC / OINTMENT
  • Large size, aqua, smooth based, tooled lip.  Embossing same as above.  Height 3-1/4″ body 1-3/8″ square with chamfered corners.
  • Open pontil variant.  2-1/2″ tall, rolled lip.  Same embossing.
  • Flared lip open pontil variant.  Same small size and embossing but different lip finish.  Scarce.
  • Clear flint glass variant.  Tooled lip.  Smooth base but an earlier bottle.
  • Modern screw top bottle, label only.  See pictures below.
  • Have you seen other variants?  Let us know!

Competition

  • Dr. Wilson’s Magnetic Ointment – same 3-1/4″ tall size with the same body.  See photo below.
  • Might there be others?

Photos

Trask magnetic ointment

Dr. Wilson bottle on left, large size Trask bottle on right.

A crudely formed pair of Trask bottles recently seen on eBay.

Trask jar in paper wrapper seen on eBay. Date on wrapper suggests age 1912-20. The same graphic is used on almanacs of this era to advertise the product.

Modern Screw Top Example

The neat thing about this bottle (which turned up on eBay recently) is its label and the information it provides about the product.  The label states “Since 1846” and also says new label adopted 1939 so we get both clues on dating this example as well as the lifespan of the company.

We also get a list of ingredients:

  • Lobelia
  • Leaf Tobacco
  • Skunk Cabbage
  • Smart Weed
  • Rosin
  • Lard
  • Tallow
  • Oleostearine

Intended uses of the product:

  • For Superficial Congestion resulting from Exposure, Fatigue, and Exertion
  • Irritation
  • Irritability
  • Muscular Aches and Pains
  • Promote Healing
  • for Minor Superficial Injuries

 

Finally, the company.  Still D. Ransom, Son & Co. Buffalo, NY and Fort Erie, Canada.

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Homeopathic Qualities of Ingredients

Indeed Lobelia is cited for its ability to relieve problematic respiratory symptoms.

Tobacco or plants of the Lobelia genus may have healing properties – going against the negative impacts of smoking.

Medicinal properties of skunk cabbage or Dracontium foetidum.

I assume the other ingredients listed above are inactive…but cannot confirm this.

 

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