original c. 1870's intact chicago privy dug aqua blue-colored glass "genuine fluid extract" embossed medicinal bottle with four-sided arch top panels

reference only
Out of stock
SKU
UR-21556-15
henry t. helmbold, philadeplhia, pa.

 

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freshly dug original and intact c. 1870's wood-lined privy dug aqua-blue colored "genuine fluid extract" sand-pontiled medicinal bottled distributed by henry t. helmbold, phiadelphia, pa. h.t. helmbold’s "genuine fluid extract" was among the more extensively advertised medicinal products of the 19th century. a self described “doctor,” henry t. helmbold introduced his extract of buchu in 1850. an eccentric man, helmbold’s marketing campaign extended along the entire route of the newly completed union pacific railroad. “who has not heard of buchu?” inquired one agent. “why, this magic word adorns every dead wall, fence, rock and telegraph pole from the atlantic to the pacific.” in the decades after the civil war, painted patent medicine slogans appeared on rocks, walls, trees, and private sheds and fences. these displays were often enormous and installed with disregard for property rights. the leaves of the buchu plant, a small woody shrub, had long been used in south africa by indigenous peoples as a traditional medicine. by 1840, the herb was officially recognized in america’s pharmacopoeia for irritations of the bladder and urethra and for disease of the prostate. however, helmbold’s recipe, labeled “genuine fluid extracts,” was a watered-down concoction of buchu with cubebs, licorice, caramel, molasses, peppermint – and, of course, alcohol. it was advertised as “a specific remedy” for an implausible laundry list of ailments: general debility, mental and physical depression, imbecility, and confused ideas. also on the list: hysteria, diseases of the bladder and kidneys, emaciation, constipation, epilepsy, and paralysis. with descriptive treatises on the horrors caused by “excesses in married life, early indiscretion, or self abuse," his "miraculous" formula could remedy, this bringing in great profits for helmbold. prone to excessiveness, helmbold moved his philadelphia establishment to new york. there, he constructed a $250,000 “temple of pharmacy,” dubbed the most “buchuful” structure on broadway. it featured marble floors, perfume- and soda-dispensing fountains, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and tweeting canary birds. underneath this facade of grandeur, helmbold started to drink in excess, and was said to be “often crazy drunk.” over time, he deteriorated and was confined no less than seven times to an asylum, with intermittent recovery and relapses. in 1892, the inventor of “genuine fluid extracts” died in his 66th year at his new jersey seaside residence, where he had once entertained famous dignitaries, including president ulysses s. grant. the privy dug bottle contains a long and crude (slightly bent) neck with applied collar. the slightly recessed arch top or "tombstone" shape panels are found on each side of the bottle. the embossed lettering is very crisp and legible to the naked eye. some interior discoloration and/or stains evident. free from cracks, breaks or chips. excellent overall crudity.

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