3 Tiny Whitall-Tatum Cobalt Blue Druggist Bottles with Stoppers

$120.00

Three early cobalt blue druggist, apothecary bottles with stoppers.

Description

These little  cobalt blue bottles measure 4”,  3 1/2”,  2  3/4″. They are in mint condition with the exception (as shown) of the tip of the stopper in the 4″ bottle. The bases say: W.T.CO   4  USA   Buyer pays for mailing.

Whitall Tatum produced bottlesjars, and vials throughout much of the 19th century. Antique bottle collectors prize the Whitall Tatum druggistperfumechemicalreagent bottles, and other types of bottles. 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, and later ceramic and wood casts were developed for flint glass which allowed the glass to be molded without a casting line.Located in Millville, New Jersey, it was in operation from 1806 through 1938. The location was ideal for making glass because silica-based sand is plentiful in southern New Jersey, the Maurice River flowing through Millville provided a source of water, and plentiful forests provided energy for industrial processes. The Millville glass works was founded by James Lee and went through several changes of ownership. In 1838, John M. Whitall became a partner in the business. He lived in Philadelphia and worked at the company’s headquarters there. 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 again changed 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 descendants.

Whitall Tatum mass-produced special-order prescription bottles for hundreds of pharmacies, such as Smith & Hodgson in downtown Philadelphia, embossed with their names and addresses and also marked “W.T. & Co.” on the base. These mostly date from 1875 up to 1900. In 1901, the company name was changed to Whitall Tatum Company and the base marking became “W.T.CO.”.