My new pickups.. Need help on a few California druggist bottles

[strongdude85]

So I found these today in some shops in San Diego Area.... These 3 druggist bottles I found, I can find zero information on, and I have a feeling, especially this San Diego one, that they are rare. I also got the 12 sided pontiled one for only $3. San Diego drug was $3, and the Stockton and San Jose ones were $5. I really think I got some steals here. Let me know what you guys think, and info on the value of these druggist bottles is much appreciated.

 

[botlguy]

I had a tough time reading the embossing in the pictures. A tip for you and everyone in the future. Help us out by placing the picture so the embossing is readable without turning ones head sideways. Post in your text EXACTLY how the embossing reads. Variants differ in rarity / value. The STRAHLMANN-MAYER / DRUG CO. / SAN DIEGO is rated as common The CARSON - RILEY DRUG CO / COR. 2ND & SANTA CLARA STS. / SAN JOSE, CAL. is unratedThe HOLDEN DRUG CO. / COR MAIN & EL DORADO STS. / STOCKTON, CAL. is also rated as common. If it had graduated amount on the corners it would be Very Scarce. In my opinion you did just fine and may have gotten a steal on the San Jose, the jury is still out on that one. The others you probably paid a bit less than the going rate depending on local desirability. Tough call on value of local pharmacies. Size is important also. I would always pay more than you did for pharmacies from my two areas of interest. Jim

 

[botlguy]

I had a tough time reading the embossing in the pictures. A tip for you and everyone in the future. Help us out by placing the picture so the embossing is readable without turning ones head sideways. Post in your text EXACTLY how the embossing reads. Variants differ in rarity / value. The STRAHLMANN-MAYER / DRUG CO. / SAN DIEGO is rated as common The CARSON - RILEY DRUG CO / COR. 2ND & SANTA CLARA STS. / SAN JOSE, CAL. is unratedThe HOLDEN DRUG CO. / COR MAIN & EL DORADO STS. / STOCKTON, CAL. is also rated as common. If it had graduated amount on the corners it would be Very Scarce. In my opinion you did just fine and may have gotten a steal on the San Jose, the jury is still out on that one. The others you probably paid a bit less than the going rate depending on local desirability. Tough call on value of local pharmacies. Size is important also. I would always pay more than you did for pharmacies from my two areas of interest. Jim

 

[Robby Raccoon]

If it's Stockton, it might have been seen in The Big Valley show from the 1960s. [8|]

 

[strongdude85]

thank you and sorry for not taking better pics/writing it out. bummed on the san diego one, for someone reason i thought that was the good one. what exactly does unrated mean? rare maybe?

 

[botlguy]

The introduction in Edrick Miller's book states that:" Some bottles have not been rated due to insufficient information". My take is that means it is probably / possibly rare. Again though, rarity MAY not mean valuable and also value is subjective. Good luck, keep poking around. Jim

 

[Dansalata]

I HAVE A SIMILAR SAN JOSE DRUGGIST BUT IT ONLY SAYS RILEY DRUGS 2ND AND SANTA CLARA,IT APPEARS NEWER THAN YOURS,I KNOW MINE IS COMMON BUT DONT KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT YOURS..LORDBUD CAN HELP YOU HE COLLECTS SAN JOSE MEDS AMONG OTHER THINGS..NICE PICK UPS!!!

 

[2find4me]

Regardless of value, you got some nice bottles!Maybe you can find one of these to go with your Holden Drug Co. eBay.

 

[Lordbud]

Unfortunately the vast majority of San Jose druggists are in fact common, including yours. San Jose was dug heavily during the late 1960s/early 1970s -- as was Stockton. Your Holden Drug example is 1900-1910 and very common. If you collect local or California druggists you got yours for good prices.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

strongdude85 I normally stick with soda bottles but because I'm from San Diego this thread caught my eye. I have seen a lot of the STRAHLMANN-MAYER / DRUG CO. / SAN DIEGO bottles around and don't place much value in them. All of the locals have one and they were produced by the jillions. However, here's a San Diego medicinal bottle to keep your eyes peeled for. I paid $8.00 for it a couple of years ago and later traded it for a $250.00 soda bottle from a local collector. This bottle was made in about four different sizes, all of which are considered rare and valuable locally. A. L. Boehmer / Eagle Drug Store / San Diego, California