A superb and highly collectible antique Birmingham Union Dispensary poison bottle, produced in striking deep cobalt-blue glass.
The bottle is boldly embossed: BIRMINGHAM UNION DISPENSARY features the distinctive POISON identification.
The bottle has an unusual hexagonal shape with heavily ribbed sides, giving it a particularly attractive and substantial appearance. The deep cobalt-blue glass is especially striking when held up to the light.
Historical Interest The Birmingham Dispensary was established in 1794 and later occupied purpose-built premises on Union Street, Birmingham. The dispensary provided medical treatment and medicines and forms an interesting part of Birmingham's medical history.
Rarity / Auction Reference This appears to be a particularly scarce institutional pharmaceutical bottle. Importantly, a 4.6-inch cobalt-blue Birmingham Union Dispensary Poison Bottle was previously offered at a specialist antique bottle auction in October 2023 and achieved a mighty price for the item.
This is therefore a fantastic opportunity for collectors of: • Antique poison bottles • Victorian pharmaceutical bottles • Medical antiques • Birmingham history • Cobalt-blue glass • Antique British bottles • Institutional / dispensary memorabilia Measurements Height: approximately 4.6 inches / 11.7 cm
Condition Overall good antique condition with strong, crisp embossed lettering and beautiful deep cobalt-blue colour. theres a small chip to rim of bottle but still, a gorgeous and such scarce item to own.
The bottle has a noticeable lip flake to the upper rim/lip, as clearly shown in the photographs. The chip does not appear to extend down the neck. There are also general signs of age, handling and surface wear consistent with an antique glass bottle.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as these form an important part of the description.
The base is also shown in the photographs. Please note: This is an antique glass bottle intended for collecting/display purposes only and should not be used for storing food, drink, medicines or other substances. A genuinely unusual and highly decorative piece of British pharmaceutical history, and an excellent addition to a specialist antique bottle collection.
Please see photographs for full condition and details.