Radam's Microbe Killer Bottle Value Guide

The Radam's Microbe Killer bottle is a quintessential artifact of the American patent medicine era, famously marketed by German immigrant William Radam as a cure for all diseases. Despite being a fraudulent mixture of diluted sulfuric acid and red wine, these vessels remain highly collectible for their connection to 19th-century medical history.

What Is Radam's Microbe Killer Bottle Worth?

The typical price range for Radam's Microbe Killer Bottle is $90 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The preservation level of the original paper label significantly impacts the $90 valuation.
• The intensity and clarity of the blue glass color, with deeper hues often commanding higher interest.
• Overall glass condition, including the absence of chips, cracks, or heavy internal clouding.
• Historical provenance and the completeness of the bottle's original closure or contents.

How to Identify Radam's Microbe Killer Bottle?

• Look for the distinct vibrant blue glass coloration characteristic of late 19th-century production.
• Verify the presence of the original paper label, which typically features Radam's name and the 'Microbe Killer' branding.
• Check for the 1880-1900 era manufacturing marks, such as a tooled lip or specific mold seams on the glass body.
• Confirm the embossed lettering on the glass, which often accompanies the paper label on authentic specimens.

History of Radam's Microbe Killer Bottle

William Radam, a German immigrant to the United States, began marketing his 'Microbe Killer' in the 1880s, claiming it could cure all diseases from cancer to consumption. This product was essentially diluted sulfuric acid and red wine, yet it gained immense popularity before being exposed as a fraud. Despite being a 'cure-all' quack remedy, these bottles are significant historical artifacts, representing an era of unregulated patent medicines in America.