Antique Scott’s Emulsion Cod Liver Oil Bottle

This is an antique glass bottle manufactured for Scott’s Emulsion of Cod Liver Oil with Lime and Soda. The bottle is made of heavy, aqua-tinted (light blue-green) glass, likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1890-1910). It features a tall, rectangular body with rounded corners, a sloping shoulder, and a narrow neck ending in a flared finish. The primary distinguishing feature is the embossed trade mark on the front face, which depicts a fisherman (the 'man with the fish') carrying a large Atlantic cod over his shoulder. Text above the image reads 'SCOTT'S EMULSION' and below it reads 'COD LIVER OIL WITH LIME & SODA'. The condition shows signs of 'ground find' aging, including significant surface clouding or sickness, light mineral deposits, and internal hazing that creates a frosted appearance. While there are no large chips or cracks visible in the image, the glass possesses natural air bubbles (seeds) indicative of period manufacturing. The presence of the iconic fisherman logo marks this as a classic piece of American quack medicine/pharmaceutical history.

I have examined the digital representation of this Scott’s Emulsion bottle. This piece is an authentic examples of late 19th-century pharmaceutical packaging, characterized by the 'man with the fish' trademark—an iconic image in American advertising history. The aqua-tinted glass and visible seeds (air bubbles) are consistent with period blowing techniques. However, the specimen exhibits significant 'sickness' or etching from long-term burial. This surface clouding is permanent and cannot be washed off, which substantially reduces the aesthetic appeal and subsequent market value. While the embossing remains crisp, the lack of clarity in the glass places this in the lower tier of collectible specimens. Comparables for this common bottle in 'dug' condition typically fetch between $15 and $25 at antique trade shows or online auctions. In contrast, examples with 'mint' original luster or the original paper labels can command $100 or more. The high production volume of Scott’s Emulsion during the 1890s means rarity is low; value is driven almost entirely by condition. Please note that this appraisal is based on visual data only. A physical inspection is necessary to check for 'flea bites' (tiny chips) along the flared lip and base which would further devalue the item. Authentic provenance or a history of the find site would add anecdotal interest but likely not change the fiscal valuation given the bottle's high survival rate. No scientific testing is required as the manufacturing marks are consistent with known mass-production standards of the era.