The concept and use of graduation marks molded into pharmacy bottles dates
back to 1866 (possibly earlier) (Griffenhagen and Bogen, p. 36, cited in my
previous response). In that year, George Stoekel was given a patent for the
discovery.  The Bitters that Bill Lindsey referred to was probably
Mischler's Herb Bitters.  This Bitter's bottle was graduated in ounces and
refers to Stoekel's patent, which was also used on French Square bottles
initially.  The Griffenhagen and Bogard reference also states that
"Eventually there were many styles of graduated prescription bottles,
especially after 1900."  The Illinois Glass Co. Catalog of 1903-1904 shows
several.
Allen Vegotsky
----- Original Message -----
From: "LOCKHART BILL" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: "cc" intervals embossed on pharmaceutical bottles


> Andrew and anyone else who may be interested:
>
> Knowing the type of finish might also help a bit.  If it is the type of
bottle I think it is, I
> would guess at 1900 to mid-1920s.  If enough people with catalogs from
companies
> that made drug store bottles would check, we could probably pin down a
fairly close
> date set.  Anyone game to look?  Drug store bottles are not one of my
strongest
> areas, but I will check at home.
>
> Bill Lindsey and I were discussing this a while back, but I could not find
my records
> on it.  So, I e-mailed Bill, and his reply is below.
>
> I do not believe there is any solid citation available for this phenomenon
yet.
>
> Bill
>
> ---------------
> Hi Bill.........
>
> I remember the discussion thread about graduation marks on druggist
> bottles, but don't remember anything else.  I looked back through my
> emails (only back a couple months on this new ISP) and can find some
> references, but no dating information.
>
> I looked back through my printed emails and find only the reference to the
> Gould Amendment and volume labeling....i.e. that the 1913-1914 legal
> labeling requirements may have been the beginning of the graduation marks.
> That also fits fairly well with what I've seen for the most part....most
> graduation markings are on druggist bottles dating from the teens (like
> the labeled one I have which is dated 1915, but mouth-blown).  I have not
> seen any that date to the late 19th century that had graduation marks,
> though there are a few other bottles that have some version of that. There
> was at least one 1870's to 1880's bitters bottle that had these markings,
> but they were really "dose" marks...can't remember the name off the top of
> my head though.)
>
> Also, in my looking around various bottle books with decent dating
> (company) information, there are few embossed, mouth-blown prescription
> druggists that post-date about 1920 and all these typically had graduation
> marks.  (I do have a couple that I'm sure date no earlier than the mid
> 20's that are mouth-blown and have the graduation marks.)
>
> Not sure that is what you were looking forward...will look some more and
> let you know of any success.
>
> Bill
> -------------------
>
> > Greetings, listfellows. I have exhausted my own resources in trying to
> > track down information on manufacturing dates for pharmaceutical
> > bottles that have embossed intervals on the side of the bottle that
> > measures the volume in cc's. The specific bottle fragments I have with
> > this embossing had a volume of 6 cc's, was clear glass and machine
> > manufactured, and has a partial mark on the base: "/-ENS/-3/". Any
> > help on this would be appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Andrew R. Sewell, MS, RPA
> > Principal Investigator
> > Historic/Industrial Archaeology
> > Hardlines Design Company
> > 4608 Indianola Avenue
> > Columbus, Ohio 43214
> > (614)-784-8733
> > fax: (614)-784-9336
> > www.hardlinesdesign.com