π AUTHENTIC 1884 WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS BILLHEAD β W.H. SCHIEFFELIN & CO.
Original NEW YORK PHARMACEUTICAL INVOICE dated MAY 26, 1884, from W.H. SCHIEFFELIN & CO., located at 170 & 172 WILLIAM STREET, corner of Beekman Street.
This is a TRUE WORKING DRUG TRADE DOCUMENT with clear, legible handwritten itemization and full accounting.
βΈ»
ποΈ HANDWRITTEN ITEMIZATION WITH PRICES (DIRECT FROM DOCUMENT)
β’ πΏ Lee Balsam (bagged) β 4 @ $1.67 = $6.68
β’ π¬ Bradford Cigarettes β 2 @ $2.00 = $4.00
β’ π Gum Opium β 5 @ $4.00 = $20.00 π₯
β’ βοΈ Bismuth Arrow Root β 10 @ $0.40 = $4.00
β’ π Fluid Extract of Coca (Wt. No. 58) β 1 @ $12.00 = $12.00 π₯
π THIS IS THE COCA LINE β clearly written as FLUID EXTRACT OF COCA
β’ πΏ Gentian Root β 5 @ $0.10 = $0.50
β’ πΏ Bruised Calumba Root β 3 @ $0.20 = $0.60
β’ πΏ Red Clover Heads β 3 @ $0.20 = $0.60
βΈ»
π° TOTALS & ACCOUNTING
β’ π Merchandise total: $39.78
β’ β Prior / carried balance: $6.68
β’ π΅ FINAL TOTAL: $46.46
βΈ»
π₯ KEY HISTORICAL CONTENT (WHAT MAKES THIS PIECE)
β’ π FLUID EXTRACT OF COCA (clearly identified line item)
β’ π GUM OPIUM present in same order
β’ πΏ Strong mix of BOTANICAL ROOTS + CHEMICAL PREPARATIONS
β’ π¬ Inclusion of CIGARETTES adds crossover interest
π This is a TEXTBOOK PRE-FDA DRUG TRADE DOCUMENT showing exactly what pharmacies were stocking in the 1880s.
βΈ»
ποΈ HISTORICAL CONTEXT
β’ W.H. Schieffelin = major 19TH CENTURY DRUG IMPORTER & WHOLESALER
β’ Represents REAL INVENTORY FLOW of apothecaries
β’ Direct connection to COCA, OPIUM, AND BOTANICAL MEDICINE ERA
βΈ»
π¦ CONDITION
β’ Original fold lines from use
β’ Light age toning consistent with 1880s paper
β’ Strong ink and excellent readability
β’ Clean, displayable piece with authentic wear