Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil Bottle Value Guide

The Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil bottle is a staple of early 20th-century pharmacy history, famous for its iconic embossed logo of a fisherman carrying a massive cod. Developed by Bowne and Scott in New York, these clear glass vessels are highly collectible due to their distinctive graphic branding and association with vintage health tonics.

What affects the value of Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil Bottle?

• Condition of the glass, specifically the absence of chips, cracks, or 'cloudiness' from burial.
• The sharpness and clarity of the embossed fisherman logo and lettering.
• Presence of original paper labels or the original cardboard packaging which significantly increases rarity.
• Market demand for medical advertising pieces from the 1876-1940 period.

How to Identify Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil Bottle?

• Look for the detailed embossed image of a fisherman with a large codfish draped over his back.
• Verify the 'Scott's Emulsion' text embossed vertically or horizontally on the glass body.
• Examine the glass for a clear, heavy composition typical of the 1920-1940 production era.
• Check the base for maker's marks or mold numbers consistent with United States glass manufacturing.

History of Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil Bottle

Scott's Emulsion was first introduced in 1876 by Samuel W. Bowne and Alfred B. Scott in New York. This cod liver oil preparation was famous for its distinctive creamy texture and its memorable logo depicting a fisherman carrying a large codfish on his back. It was marketed as a health tonic, particularly for children and those recovering from illness, promising strength and vitality. The brand's distinctive bottles with the embossed fisherman became a ubiquitous sight in medicine cabinets and pharmacies, making them popular collectibles today.