Page 31 - BBR July 5 2020 Auction

125. WILLIAM RADAMS MICROBE KILLER JUY. 8ins tall. An exceptionally rare stoneware container for the famed (?) William Radams Microbe Killer medicine in the style of a t.t. salt glazed whisky jug style. Features a white applied plaque to belly depicting the ‘classic’ man beating skeleton registered pictorial trade mark in a distinctive black transfer. Various base
marks. We believe there are just two examples of this, and this the only mint one. (9.5/10) NR £800-1200+
Nineteenth century America tuberculosis accounted for approx one in tenth deaths,
more commonly known as ‘consumption’ , effecting all ages, often resulting in debilitating illness. William Radam, one
off Americas most renowned
Victorian quack doctors, claimed
“all diseases have a single origin”
and marketed his ‘Microbe Killer’
claiming it could “cure all known
diseases.”
The product cost virtually nothing
to produce but resulted in huge
profits worldwide, playing upon a
widespread fear of the ailment. His medicine was sold in a range of containers from square bodied glass bottles (American & English versions found in amber, aqua & less than a handful in green glass) to a range of pottery flagons.
The Pure Food & Drug Act of 1912 disclosed this, and many other such ‘cure alls’ were bogus!
126. ALICSALUTICE QUACK CURE BOTTLE. 5ins tall
rectangular medicine bottle shape with facetted corners & chunky/
square lip. In an extraordinary ‘dark rose
amber’ glass. Three lines of vertical embossing ‘ALICSALUTICE REGD/ THE CURE FOR ALL/ RHEUMATIC PAINS’ (company based in Glasgow, Scotland).
The handful of very rare coloured glass examples so far found (less than 6?) have all been in a golden Warners kind
of amber glass colour. Never heard of one in this hue - an extremely rare, possibly unique,
offering? (9/10) NR £120- 150+
127. FREEBLOWN LABELLED PHIAL.
4.3ins tall. Wonderful cylindrical early glass phial in a smokey green
glass. Fabulous flared lip & equally
fine base pontil. Remnants of original
string around neck. Label (attached later) for ‘J F Hart/ Pharmaceutical/
Chemist/ Ross’
with familiar ‘Man
of Ross’ pict. t.m.
- some paper wear
& spotting. Great characterful piece. (bottle 10/10, label 8/10). NR £150-200+