The United Kingdom’s largest private collection of antique apothecary items is headed to auction, featuring a remarkable, fully intact Victorian pharmacist’s shop. The Cotswold Auction Company will host this unique sale, showcasing “pills, potions, and an array of intriguing remedies” from the early Georgian through late Victorian periods.
At the heart of the collection is a circa 1880 pharmacist’s shop, complete with a grand mahogany display cabinet bearing an original glass label proclaiming “Proprietor of Hackett’s Glycerine of Roses Vegetable Pills Blood Purifier &c.” The sale also includes numerous apothecary drawers, jars, and two sizable mortar and pestles. Noteworthy items include a rare glass hanging carboy dating back to 1890, assorted glass pharmacy signs, and an almost complete set of “Chemist and Druggist” journals spanning from 1853 to 2015—one of only two known worldwide.
This extraordinary collection was meticulously amassed over decades by Professor Darrin Baines, a health economics expert. His passion transformed his early Victorian townhouse in Leominster, Herefordshire, into a treasure trove of pharmaceutical history, providing an immersive backdrop for his research on the evolution of pharmacy.
READ MORE: New High-End Restaurant La Petite Bar and Grill Opens with Gala Night Near Dowdeswell Reservoir
READ MORE: M5 Cotswolds Designer Outlet Store Map Unveiled Ahead of Preview Week Opening
Professor Baines explains: “Collecting pharmaceutical objects gave me insight into how the profession developed—from early Georgian bottles to Victorian-era artifacts. Each item tells a story and serves as a tangible link to the past, immersing me fully in that history.”
The impending auction follows Professor Baines’ decision to sell due to a house move after his home on Etnam Street was sold.
Auctioneer Lindsey Braune expressed excitement about the sale: “It’s an honor to auction Professor Baines’ extraordinary collection, clearly a labor of love. We hope these captivating pieces will find new custodians who appreciate their historical value.”
The collection occupies a substantial portion of the Cirencester saleroom, which will be open for public viewing ahead of the auction.
The Cotswold Auction Company’s sale, centered on this apothecary collection, is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, and Wednesday, June 25. Interested parties can inquire by calling 01285 642420 or emailing [email protected].