September 15, 16, & 17, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Lot #2045:
1850S NAUTICAL MEDICAL CHEST.
After 1790 American ships were required to have a chest assembled by "an apothecary of known reputation and accompanied by directions for administering the same" for treating medical emergencies that could arise at sea. This example has 23 glass bottles containing a variety of medications to treat a variety of issues. Many of them still have their leather wrapper, glass stoppers, and labels denoting contents and dosage. There are also a number of mixing tools, including a glass beaker, several glass cylinders, porcelain mortar and pestle, and brass mixing stick. The bottom drawer slides out to reveal more glass straws and two rods, a checklist of medication that to be compared against, and a copy of a a Medical Manual by Dr. Rhomas Ritter, with instructions for dosage, administration, and medical techniques to be used at sea. The rear of the book with a large "Ship (unclear, due to deterioration) / Medical Book" and a second notation that reads "Ship Hilton Boston 1851". Case with a vacant escutcheon in top lid, underside CONDITION: Good, with typical age related staining and scuffs throughout, including some chipping at door. Interior lid relined, shield on face a later addition. Bottles are whole and complete with evidence of evaporation throughout, some of the leather has torn, while others appear unopened and still bound with cord. Book with age related deterioration, which has obfuscated the name of one ship. A very interesting example.
Item Dimensions: 15" X 9" X 9"