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Vintage Pharmacy Show Globe 3-Pc Apothecary Display 12.75" Original Stopper
Vintage Pharmacy Show Globe 3-Pc Apothecary Display 12.75" Original Stopper
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$249.00 USD
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$249.00 USD
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Wonderful vintage three-piece glass pharmacy / apothecary show globe in a desirable miniature countertop size, retaining its fitted teardrop-shaped glass stopper, believed original to the piece.
Fully assembled, the show globe measures approximately 12.75" tall and weighs approximately 1 lb 2.4 oz.
This is a true stacking show-globe form consisting of two separate liquid chambers and a stopper. The large lower globe is formed as one continuous piece with its pedestal base, while the smaller upper globe has a projecting glass plug that nests into the neck of the lower globe. The stopper then fits into the neck of the upper chamber.
APPROXIMATE MEASUREMENTS
OVERALL ASSEMBLED
• 12.75" tall
• 1 lb 2.4 oz total weight
LOWER GLOBE / INTEGRAL PEDESTAL
• 7.75" tall
• Approx. 3.5" wide at globe
• Weight: 15.8 oz
• Pedestal base is integral to the globe and is not a separate piece
UPPER GLOBE
• 4.25" total height when removed
• Approx. 3.75" exposed height when assembled
• Approx. 1.75" wide at globe
• Lower insertion plug seats approximately 1/2" into the lower globe
• Weight: 2.0 oz
GLASS STOPPER
• Approx. 1.75" total height
• Approx. 1.5" exposed when assembled
• Just over 1/2" wide at widest point
• A little under 1/2" of the stem inserts into the upper globe
• Weight: approx. 0.6 oz
Because the upper globe and stopper nest inside the pieces below them, the individual component heights should not be added together to determine the assembled height. The direct assembled measurement is approximately 12.75".
HISTORY & CONTEXT
Pharmacy show globes were historically displayed by druggists and apothecaries as highly recognizable symbols of the pharmacy trade. The glass chambers were traditionally filled with brightly colored liquids, creating an eye-catching display in pharmacy windows and interiors.
Show globes were produced in many sizes, from monumental window displays to smaller countertop examples such as this one. Multi-tier examples allowed different colored liquids to be displayed in the separate chambers.
Based on its form, molded construction, scale, and manufacturing characteristics, this example appears consistent with early-to-mid 20th-century American pharmacy show-globe production, likely circa 1930s-1950s.
Both globe sections display vertical mold seams, and a corresponding seam is also visible on the glass stopper. The stopper was found with the piece, fits properly, and closely matches the glass and manufacturing characteristics of the two chambers; it is therefore believed to be original, although no maker documentation accompanies the piece.
American glass manufacturers including Owens-Illinois and the earlier Whitall Tatum company are historically documented producers/suppliers of pharmacy show globes. No maker's mark has been located on this example, however, so it is being offered as maker unidentified and is not specifically attributed to either company.
CONDITION
Very good vintage condition. No chips or cracks observed. Glass shows normal light surface wear/scuffing consistent with age and use.
The molded seams and natural variations visible in the glass are manufacturing characteristics rather than damage.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the construction, glass, fitted sections, stopper, and condition in detail.
A particularly charming and display-friendly example of an historic pharmacy show globe - substantial enough to have wonderful presence, yet compact enough for a shelf, cabinet, desk, apothecary collection, or vintage pharmacy display.
Fully assembled, the show globe measures approximately 12.75" tall and weighs approximately 1 lb 2.4 oz.
This is a true stacking show-globe form consisting of two separate liquid chambers and a stopper. The large lower globe is formed as one continuous piece with its pedestal base, while the smaller upper globe has a projecting glass plug that nests into the neck of the lower globe. The stopper then fits into the neck of the upper chamber.
APPROXIMATE MEASUREMENTS
OVERALL ASSEMBLED
• 12.75" tall
• 1 lb 2.4 oz total weight
LOWER GLOBE / INTEGRAL PEDESTAL
• 7.75" tall
• Approx. 3.5" wide at globe
• Weight: 15.8 oz
• Pedestal base is integral to the globe and is not a separate piece
UPPER GLOBE
• 4.25" total height when removed
• Approx. 3.75" exposed height when assembled
• Approx. 1.75" wide at globe
• Lower insertion plug seats approximately 1/2" into the lower globe
• Weight: 2.0 oz
GLASS STOPPER
• Approx. 1.75" total height
• Approx. 1.5" exposed when assembled
• Just over 1/2" wide at widest point
• A little under 1/2" of the stem inserts into the upper globe
• Weight: approx. 0.6 oz
Because the upper globe and stopper nest inside the pieces below them, the individual component heights should not be added together to determine the assembled height. The direct assembled measurement is approximately 12.75".
HISTORY & CONTEXT
Pharmacy show globes were historically displayed by druggists and apothecaries as highly recognizable symbols of the pharmacy trade. The glass chambers were traditionally filled with brightly colored liquids, creating an eye-catching display in pharmacy windows and interiors.
Show globes were produced in many sizes, from monumental window displays to smaller countertop examples such as this one. Multi-tier examples allowed different colored liquids to be displayed in the separate chambers.
Based on its form, molded construction, scale, and manufacturing characteristics, this example appears consistent with early-to-mid 20th-century American pharmacy show-globe production, likely circa 1930s-1950s.
Both globe sections display vertical mold seams, and a corresponding seam is also visible on the glass stopper. The stopper was found with the piece, fits properly, and closely matches the glass and manufacturing characteristics of the two chambers; it is therefore believed to be original, although no maker documentation accompanies the piece.
American glass manufacturers including Owens-Illinois and the earlier Whitall Tatum company are historically documented producers/suppliers of pharmacy show globes. No maker's mark has been located on this example, however, so it is being offered as maker unidentified and is not specifically attributed to either company.
CONDITION
Very good vintage condition. No chips or cracks observed. Glass shows normal light surface wear/scuffing consistent with age and use.
The molded seams and natural variations visible in the glass are manufacturing characteristics rather than damage.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the construction, glass, fitted sections, stopper, and condition in detail.
A particularly charming and display-friendly example of an historic pharmacy show globe - substantial enough to have wonderful presence, yet compact enough for a shelf, cabinet, desk, apothecary collection, or vintage pharmacy display.
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