Antique ORION ' S LOTION VEGETABLE COMPOUND FOR HORSES & CATTLE Brattleboro, VT
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:1411612 |
We are very pleased to offer an antique (1870s-80s) clear veterinary medicine bottle, embossed on the front panel, "VEGETABLE COMPOUND FOR HORSES & CATTLE", on one side panel, "ORION'S LOTION", and on the other side panel, "BRATTLEBORO". The company was founded by Orion Clark, a respected citizen and barber in the town of Brattleboro, Vermont. He was subject to bouts of depression and insanity brought on by debts incurred in the production of this compound, which claimed to be a re...medy for human hair loss as well as a topical lotion for cattle and horses. Clark lost a considerable amount of money in his failed ventures, and he eventually hanged himself as a result. The entire story can be found at the following website, and is quite interesting reading:
brattleborohistory.com/merchant-manufacture/orion-clark.html
Here is an excerpt from the text:
"Some 14 years ago he invented a "lustre" and "lotion" for man and horse, and he went into a wild speculation to make a fortune from it. He sold his shop and put all his money, a few thousands which he had saved from hard work, into the scheme; all the country around Brattleboro was plastered with showy hand-bills bearing a picture of the constellation Orion; a fine advertising wagon was fitted out; and whole columns taken in several newspapers. The result was the loss of all he had, and a load of debt; but he went to work, paid up like a man, and had got well started towards prosperity when he sold out last fall and invested in patent rights."
This large, mold-blown bottle, with an applied lip, measures 8-1/2" tall by 3" across by 2" wide. It's in good(+) as-found condition with light surface wear and a large shallow flake chip on the base (see photos) that doesn't affect the display. There are air bubbles and defects common to this type of early utility glass. A desirable and very rare addition to an antique Vermont veterinary medicine bottle collection!
The winning bidder pays shipping costs. Good luck, and thanks for looking!
00082
brattleborohistory.com/merchant-manufacture/orion-clark.html
Here is an excerpt from the text:
"Some 14 years ago he invented a "lustre" and "lotion" for man and horse, and he went into a wild speculation to make a fortune from it. He sold his shop and put all his money, a few thousands which he had saved from hard work, into the scheme; all the country around Brattleboro was plastered with showy hand-bills bearing a picture of the constellation Orion; a fine advertising wagon was fitted out; and whole columns taken in several newspapers. The result was the loss of all he had, and a load of debt; but he went to work, paid up like a man, and had got well started towards prosperity when he sold out last fall and invested in patent rights."
This large, mold-blown bottle, with an applied lip, measures 8-1/2" tall by 3" across by 2" wide. It's in good(+) as-found condition with light surface wear and a large shallow flake chip on the base (see photos) that doesn't affect the display. There are air bubbles and defects common to this type of early utility glass. A desirable and very rare addition to an antique Vermont veterinary medicine bottle collection!
The winning bidder pays shipping costs. Good luck, and thanks for looking!
00082
