Language of The Apothecary


April 2026

Before modern packaging, before printed labels and regulated branding, the apothecary shop was a place of ritual, knowledge and quiet theatre. Shelves were lined with coloured glass bottles, their contents identified not in plain English, but in a language that carried centuries of medical tradition: Latin.

In the upcoming Nature, Culture & Curiosity Sale (ending 16 April), a remarkable group of Royal Pharmaceutical Society display bottles offers a glimpse into that world. Drawn from the collection of pharmacist Peter Green, whose career spanned the mid to late 20th century, these sets once formed part of working shop interiors in Filey and Malton. Today, they stand not only as decorative objects, but as echoes of a profession grounded in knowledge, precision and heritage.

Wines, Vinegars & Early Remedies

The blue glass set (Lot 17) presents a group of preparations rooted in older medicinal practice, each labelled in abbreviated Latin.

VIN: ACET: – Vinum Aceti, or vinegar wine, often used as a medicinal tonic
  • VIN: ANTIM: – wine of antimony, historically used as an emetic or purgative
  • VIN: XERIC: – sherry wine, frequently used as a base for medicinal infusions
  • VIN: FERR: – iron wine, prescribed as a tonic for anaemia and general weakness

These labels reflect a time when wine itself was a vehicle for medicine, used to dissolve and deliver active ingredients. While some of these treatments would raise eyebrows today, they represent an important stage in the evolution of pharmacology, where empirical observation met inherited tradition.

Elixirs: Medicines With a Softer Edge

The amethyst glass set (Lot 13) introduces a more familiar category: elixirs. Typically sweetened and flavoured, these preparations were designed to make medicine more palatable.

ELIX: THYM: – elixir of thyme, used for respiratory complaints
ELIX: CAMPH: – camphor elixir, associated with stimulant and antiseptic properties
ELIX: ANIS: – aniseed elixir, often used to aid digestion
ELIX: SENN: – senna elixir, a well-known herbal laxative

Here, the shift towards more refined, patient-friendly remedies becomes clear. These are medicines that not only treated ailments but considered the experience of taking them, an early step towards modern pharmaceutical practice.

Tinctures: Potent & Controlled

The green glass set (Lot 21) contains tinctures, alcohol-based extracts known for their potency and long shelf life.

Tr. OPII: – tincture of opium, a powerful painkiller and sedative
Tr. COCCI: – tincture of cochineal, derived from insects, used as a colouring agent and occasionally medicinally
Tr. CANNAB: – tincture of cannabis, historically prescribed for pain and anxiety
Tr. LOBEL: – tincture of lobelia, used for respiratory conditions

These labels speak to a very different regulatory landscape, where substances now tightly controlled were once part of everyday pharmacy. For collectors, they offer a fascinating insight into changing attitudes towards medicine and the substances considered acceptable in treatment.

Liniments: External Relief

The black frosted glass set (Lot 21) is marked by “LIN”, indicating liniments, preparations intended for external use.

LIN: AMMON: – ammonia liniment, used for muscular aches
LIN: ATROP: – atropine liniment, derived from deadly nightshade
LIN: CAMPH: – camphor liniment, a common topical treatment
LIN: CALCi: – lime liniment, traditionally used for burns and skin irritation

Unlike the earlier sets, these were not ingested but applied, reflecting the breadth of treatments offered within a single apothecary’s practice.

Waters: The Gentle Remedy

Finally, the white frosted glass set (Lot 10) contains distilled waters, among the mildest preparations in the pharmacist’s repertoire.

AQ: CINNAM: – cinnamon water
AQ: FOENIC: – fennel water
AQ: HAMAM: – likely hamamelis, or witch hazel water
AQ: ROSACae: – rose water

These were often used for soothing, flavouring or light medicinal purposes, and remain recognisable even today in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic contexts.


What makes this collection particularly compelling is its provenance. These bottles were not decorative reproductions but working objects, used and displayed within real pharmacies across decades of practice. They formed part of the visual identity of the chemist’s shop, reassuring customers through their order, colour and quiet authority.

Together, the five sets form a complete picture of the apothecary’s world, from potent tinctures to gentle floral waters. They reflect a time when medicine was as much about presentation and trust as it was about chemistry. Today, they offer collectors something equally valuable: a connection to a profession that balanced science, tradition and craft, all neatly contained within glass and gold lettering.

Explore more unique and extraordinary treasures in the full catalogue for the Nature, Culture & Curiosities Sale - Ends Thursday 16 April from 11AM.
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