J. R. Spencer Druggist, Newport, ME

J.R. Spencer bottle, Newport Druggist

Check out this rare old embossed pharmacy bottle. Dating to the period from ca 1890 to1903, this fancy custom bottle was from druggist J. R. Spencer of Newport, ME. (See the listing here.)

This antique embossed cork-top bottle is faintly marked on the bottom “S B W CO” (from the Saltsburg Bottle Works Company of Pa).

J R Spencer was a leading druggist in Newport, Maine at the beginning of the 1900's. (There was at least one other pharmacist in Newport at that time. More information is here.)

J.R. Spencer's Druggist was a prolific user of advertising. His claims in 1901:

1901 advertisement for J R Spencer Druggist of Newport, ME

By 1902, his claims were more outrageous:

Partial label

"Spencer’s Headache Powders.The only one that cures with no bad effects which contains no opiates. J. R. Spencer, Prescription Druggist, 14 Mill St. Newport, Me."

"TAKE Spencer’s Vegetable Blood Purifier for that Tired Feeling Rheumatism, Kidney Diseases, and all diseases arising from an imperfect state of the blood."

In 1902, the business traded places with the barber shop and moved across the street. By 1904, a stationer's business was added.

After that, the online curtain draws closed on Mr. Spencer.

Salzberg Bottle Works mark circa 1900

From pharmacist to governor of Maine

Barrows & Barrows bay rum bottle

Sometimes the vintage paper of interest is attached to a bottle. Antique labels on bottles contain a wealth of information. Here is one such example: it is a bottle of bay rum, alcohol 58 per cent by "Barrows & Barrows, Registered Druggists, the Rexall Store, Maine Street, Newport, Maine." 

George M. Barrows was born in Hampton Maine in 1863. His background growing up was in the “wholesale potato business.” He studied at the Massachusetts College of pharmacy. Then he became a partner with another pharmacist in Brunswick, Maine.

In 1892, Mr. Barrow was married to Theo L. Jose. The following year he started his own retail drug business in Newport, Maine. That year his wife also gave birth to a son...

Lewis Orrin Barrows also graduated from pharmacy school. He joined his father as partner in 1917 and the business became “Barrows and Barrows.” Lewis served in various Newport town capacities and on the board of Newport Trust... Lewis eventually became the 57th governor of Maine, serving from 1937-1941. (Although Gov. Barrows moved to Massachusetts after serving as governor, Barrows & Barrows Rexall Drugs was still in Newport as of the late 1950's.)

The crescent moon mark by an unknown NE US or Canadian maker

The bottle itself is another mystery. It has a crescent moon maker's mark. This mark is occasionally seen on the bases of pharmaceutical and/or prescription bottles of northern New England and New Brunswick (just over the border in Canada). 

You can see that the bottle mold had a crack in it, too...

This bottle is for sale in my Etsy shop... See it here.