Identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
The lot contains numerous original medical and apothecary items with clear, verifiable printed labels and packaging. Explicit prescription dates of 1960 and 1972 are visible, alongside mid-century commercial packaging from known makers like Squibb, S.B. Penick, and Red Cross.
Story
This collection serves as a tangible timeline of 20th-century pharmacy, spanning from early botanical remedies packaged by S.B. Penick & Co. to the mid-century commercial pharmaceutical era represented by brands like Squibb. The secondary market for vintage apothecary items is highly segmented. Early 20th-century 'crude drug' botanical boxes and quack medicine packaging enjoy strong, consistent demand from medical historians and oddity collectors.
Maker / Origin
Various
Condition & Value
Based on the provided images, the packaging is in very good vintage condition. The labels on the glass bottles and tins are highly legible with minimal fading, and the cardboard botanical boxes retain their structural integrity. The paper prescriptions show expected age-toning but remain crisp and readable.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for vintage apothecary items is highly segmented. Early 20th-century 'crude drug' botanical boxes and quack medicine packaging enjoy strong, consistent demand from medical historians and oddity collectors. Conversely, common mid-century commercial tins (like aspirin or standard first aid) move slower and are typically purchased by decorators looking for shelf displays. Paper prescriptions have a dedicated niche, particularly when tied to specific local histories.
▲ Presence of S.B. Penick & Co. botanical boxes anchors the higher end of the ephemera market
▲ Legible, dated paper prescriptions (1960, 1972) appeal to local history and medical collectors
▲ Recognizable mid-century brands (Squibb, Red Cross) add decorative display value
▼ Unconfirmed contents — if the botanical boxes and bottles are completely empty, they lose the 'unopened' premium seen in top-tier comps
▼ Platform compliance — if original vintage pharmaceuticals are present, they may violate hazardous materials policies on mainstream sites like eBay
Best Venue
Split the collection into three distinct lots to maximize return on eBay or a specialized ephemera platform. Lot 1: The S.B. Penick botanical boxes; Lot 2: The paper prescriptions; Lot 3: The mid-century commercial bottles and tins. Selling them as a single mixed lot risks leaving money on the table, as specialized collectors rarely pay a premium for out-of-category filler.
Upside Potential
If the S.B. Penick boxes are confirmed to be unopened with their original contents, and the paper prescriptions can be tied to a historically significant local pharmacy or notable physician, the combined yield of the separated lots could approach or exceed $300.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.