early 20th century american antique medical pressed glass druggists' conical-shaped measure fabricated by the whitall tatum company, philadelphia, pa. the oversized laboratory glassware was recently salvaged from a locally run chicago area pharmacy that recently closed its doors after nearly 120 years of business. the conical measure is a freestanding tapered cup with pedestal base and a single notch along the top for easy pouring of liquids. the lightly etched and/or wheel-cut graduated markings along the side provide for an accurate measurement of volumes of fluid. the antique apothecary conical glassware was used when compounding (i.e., preparation of extemporaneous medicaments) by the pharmacist. the unit of measure is "cc" or cubic centimeter; a measurement of volume as opposed to weight measured by milligrams. nearly all of the glassware salvaged was fabricated by whitall tatum. the conical measure is free from cracks, chips or breaks. the whitall tatum company, or "whitall tatum”, was one of the first glass factories in the united states. located in millville, new jersey, the company operated from 1806 through 1938. their location was ideal for making glass due to the abundance of silica-based sand in southern new jersey. in 1838, john m whitall of philadelphia became a partner in the glass works business which was the company's headquarters. in 1845 after his brother israel franklin whitall joined, the firm became whitall, brother & company. later, edward tatum also joined the partnership and in 1857 the name was changed again to whitall tatum & company and later in 1901 to whitall tatum company. i.f. whitall and edward tatum headed the company after john m whitall retired in 1865, and the ownership was passed to their descendents. whitall tatum produced bottles, jars, and vials throughout much of the 19th century. in addition, the company developed several innovations in formulas used to make the glass, and in the manufacturing methods for bottles. at first bottles were cast in metal molds, which left a casting line. ceramic and wood casts were later developed to eliminate the casting line. whitall tatum mass-produced special-order prescription bottles for hundreds of pharmacies, such as smith & hodgson in downtown philadelphia, embossed or etched with their names and addresses. in 1901 the company name was changed to whitall tatum company and the manufacturer markings became "w.t.co.", and for a decade from the 1920's on, the trademark became a "w" and "t" inside a triangle. several conical measures available. priced individually. measures 7 1/2 inches in height x 3 1/2 inches in diameter.