Bottle, Medicine, Emerson Bromo-Seltzer, Cobalt Blue Glass, Baltimore, USA, Antique, 1905

This antique cobalt blue apothecary bottle once held Bromo-Seltzer, embossed "Bromo-Seltzer Emerson Drug Co. Baltimore, MD" — a striking piece of American druggist history, now empty.

• Maker: Emerson Drug Co
• Materials: Cobalt blue glass, automatic bottle machine (ABM) molded, lug-top closure
• Dimensions: 5.0" tall, 2.0" diameter
• Origin: Baltimore, MD, USA
• Era: Antique, 1905–1920s (estimated)
• Condition: Very good antique condition. A large "dip" on the side appears to be a manufacturing flaw rather than a chip; not cleaned, as many enjoy the natural patina of old glass. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

Makes a lovely gift for a bottle collector, a history buff, or for display — a colorful addition to a windowsill collection or repurposed as a small bud vase.

The bottle shows two mold seams running to the top and a lug-top closure with the number "15" embossed on the base — details that, along with its automatic bottle machine (ABM) construction, help date it to between 1905 and the 1920s, though as with any dating estimate we encourage collectors to do their own research if precision matters. Bromo-Seltzer was introduced by Captain Isaac Edward Emerson around 1888 in Baltimore as a powdered headache remedy that became popular for hangovers and upset stomach as well. In 1907, Emerson opened the Maryland Glass Company to keep up with bottle demand, which went on to produce blue glass for other well-known brands like Milk of Magnesia, Vicks VapoRub, and Noxzema. Sodium bromide was pulled from the market in 1975 due to its toxicity, and Maryland Glass Corporation closed for good in 1981.

We also have a matching set of 2 smaller Bromo-Seltzer bottles — browse our shop for more antique apothecary bottles to round out your collection.