ANTIQUE LOCAL ISLE OF WIGHT DISPENSING BOTTLE
POLLARD & RAMAGE, RYDE (c. 1910s–1920s)

PRICE: £58

An exceptional and deeply evocative piece of local Isle of Wight social and pharmaceutical history. Standing at 21.5cm tall (excluding closure), this transparent glass utility bottle features a striking, historically accurate silhouette that subtly tapers outwards towards the shoulder. The base is embossed with an intricate, intertwined manufacturer's monogram (resembling letters K, B, and C) alongside the factory mould code "801". The neck retains its original historic cork stopper, driven halfway into the neck by the hands of a period chemist.
This remarkable specimen features a fascinating narrative layering, boasting two distinct period labels that tell the story of early 20th-century medicine distribution. The topmost label is a printed brown rectangular strip (approx. 10cm x 2cm) displaying bold black serif typography: "TINCT. CALENDULAE", followed by a "DOSE - 5 TO 20 minims" note, and anchored to the historic London wholesale manufacturer: "WILLOWS, FRANCIS, BUTLER & THOMPSON, 40 Aldersgate St., London"—an entity established under this exact name in 1904.
Layered directly beneath is a beautifully preserved, cream-coloured local dispensary label (6cm square with cut corners). It features an immaculate handwritten ink inscription: "Tinct. Calendulae", underlined with two vivid red strokes, followed by explicit custom compounding instructions: "USE 50% TINCT & 50% S.V.I. FOR EXTERNEL USE" (referencing Spiritus Vini Iatrici / medical alcohol). The bottom is cleanly printed: "Pollard & Ramage, Ltd, Dispensing Chemists, 23, High Street, RYDE", perfectly placing this bottle in the heart of Ryde's commercial heritage.
Adding ultimate gravity for advanced curiosity cabinets, the vessel remains a living artifact, containing approximately 5.5cm of its original, amber-hued historic liquid formulation from a century ago.

Condition:
The antique clear glass is in overall excellent structural condition with no major chips, cracks, or heavy clouding. The dual paper labels are beautifully preserved, with the local Ryde label remaining flawlessly legible. The original cork is stable and tightly secured. A museum-grade regional centerpiece offering immense atmospheric power for an elite Scientifica gallery.

Dimensions:
  • Height: 21.5cm (excluding cork)
  • Base Diameter: 7.0cm

Please note: This historical artifact is sold strictly as a decorative and collectable object for display. It contains genuine century-old chemical compounds and is not intended for any modern medical, cosmetic, or practical use.

Shipping Information:
  • Shipping is available at the buyer's expense.
  • We routinely use Royal Mail Tracked 24 for parcels up to 20kg to ensure secure, traceable transit.