embossed pharmacy symbols

Lordbud · Oct 29, 2008

Everyone is familiar with the monogrammed initials found on druggist bottles.

How about the different recurring themes and symbols also embossed on various different "picture" druggist bottles?

What about these embossments and their meaning:

The serpent coiled around the mortar & pestle.
(Both an S.F. and a Tampa druggist bottle are currently on ebay embossed with the coiled serpent, plus the Tampa druggist has a "man in the moon" embossed as well, see photo)

The owl embossed on various different druggists (as well as the famous Owl Drug Co. of SF).

All the embossing is on a long belt looped at the bottom with a buckle.

A heraldic ("royal-looking") lion holding a sceptre next to the mortar & pestle.

Comments and ideas are encouraged!

Lordbud · Oct 29, 2008

Here is a decent rotated pic of the G. Leipnitz bottle from San Francisco with the coiled serpent. I'd be bidding if I didn't already have an example of this one. Leipnitz produced several embossing variations but only used the serpent with this particular mold. All kinds of filagree and address info make this really attractive as far as druggist bottles go.

GuntherHess · Oct 29, 2008

the serpents come from the caduceus. the mortar and pestle are pretty obvious.
not sure what the history of owl drug co is but would like to hear it.

Wilkie · Oct 29, 2008

ORIGINAL: Lordbud

Here is a decent rotated pic of the G. Leipnitz bottle from San Francisco with the coiled serpent. I'd be bidding if I didn't already have an example of this one. Leipnitz produced several embossing variations but only used the serpent with this particular mold. All kinds of filagree and address info make this really attractive as far as druggist bottles go.

Thanks Jason for the heads up. This is one I don't have so I will be bidding on it. It's a nice bottle and one that I haven't seen before.

cobaltbot · Oct 29, 2008

Wow, those are sweet looking Pharms, thanks for the pics!

Wilkie · Oct 29, 2008

ORIGINAL: GuntherHess

the serpents come from the caduceus. the mortar and pestle are pretty obvious.
not sure what the history of owl drug co is but would like to hear it.

â€œthe Owl Drug Company opened its doors in 1892 in San Francisco, dispensing medicine, soda, pills and poisons in its own distinctive bottles. The company's success led to its expansion to a dozen states. It was eventually purchased by Rexall Drugs. During its heyday, the Owl Drug Company produced cobalt blue, green and clear bottles embossed with its owl logo sitting on a mortar bowl.â€

As for the owl symbol, I searched and searched and the only thing I found is that the owl stands for wisdom/education in the western world. Couldn't find anything specific as to why some pharmacies used it unless they just wanted to stand apart as and educated industry???

GuntherHess · Oct 29, 2008

the owl has always been a symbol of wisdom. I guess that relates loosely to a pharmacy.
I was wondering if maybe the owl and moon symbols indicated they were open late at night?

cookie · Oct 29, 2008

Here's a pharmacy bottle, HEPBURN'S FLUSHING PHARMACY -with owl....

Wilkie · Oct 30, 2008

ORIGINAL: cookie

Here's a pharmacy bottle, HEPBURN'S FLUSHING PHARMACY -with owl....

That's a nice one. Does it have a city name on it or do you know where it's from? I wonder what a "flushing pharmacy" is?

Delta Digger · Oct 30, 2008

Nice Meds LordBud..specialy the Leipnitz..love the local bottle..

embossed pharmacy symbols

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