The Rushton & Aspinwall Compound Chlorine Toothwash

New York

25 March 2014

Sandor Fuss (Denver) tipped me off to watch an incredible bottle that is making hay in the latest Norman C. Heckler Auction 108 that is currently on line and accepting bids. Wow, was he right. Look at the form, crudity and mouth treatment of this killer medicine! Let’s take a closer look at the Rushton & Aspinwall Compound Chlorine Toothwash from New York. The Heckler description is as follows. All pictures of the Rushton & Aspinwall are from Heckler including the green example that sold at a previous auction.

Lot: 28 “Rushton & / Aspinwall / New-York” – “Compound / Chlorine / Toothwash” Medicine Bottle, probably a Stoddard or Keene glasshouse, New Hampshire, 1840-1860. Rectangular with beveled corners, yellow amber with an olive tone, wide tooled flared mouth – pontil scar, ht. 6 inches. L/P plate 10, 4th row, #5 Strong embossing. Unusual and attractive mouth treatment. Fine condition.
Estimate: $7,500 – $15,000 Minimum bid: $3,750 Current Bid: $19,000

Norman Heckler notes that the current yellow amber example is “probably a Stoddard or Keene glasshouse” piece. The gorgeous green example pictured above could be from Willington Glass Works according to Hecker. Their auction description:

A “Rushton & / Aspinwall / New – York” – “Compound / Chlorine / Toothwash” medicine bottle, probably Willington Glass Works, West Willington, Connecticut. Circa 1840 to 1860. Rectangular with beveled corners, bright green with a slight yellowish tone, tooled flared mouth – pontil scar. Extremely rare and possibly unique example. There are two molds for the Rushton & Aspinwall bottle. This bottle is the rarer of the two molds and unique in its color.

If you look carefully, you will see that both molds are represented in this post.

Rushton & Aspinwall Compound Chlorine Toothwash – Heckler

Rushton & Aspinwall Compound Chlorine Toothwash – Heckler

Rushton & Aspinwall Compound Chlorine Toothwash – Heckler

Rushton & Aspinwall Compound Chlorine Toothwash – Heckler

Rushton & Aspinwall

Tod von Mechow, in his excellent and comprehensive web site, Soda and Beer Bottles of North America states that “Rushton & Aspinwall were leading druggist of their time in New York City. In 1827, William L. Rushton opened a drug store at 81 William Street, which was previously the dry goods store of Reuben & Henry M. Sikes. James S. Aspinwall does not appear in the directories prior to the partnership.”

Tod mentions that “Rushton and Aspinwall joined forces in the late 1830s at the 81 William Street location.“ Actually, Rushton and Aspinwall were listed as partners in 1830. Todd further states, “In 1833 they opened a second location at 110 Broadway. It is important to note that they moved their William Street store from 81 to 86 William in 1835 and in 1836 they added a third location at 10 Astor House”.

Read More: Early Soda & Mineral Water Bottles, New York City, New York, Rushton & Aspinwall

What is fascinating is how long this product dates back to. This 1833 advertisement below states that Low & Reed’s had the Original and Genuine Compound Chlorine Tooth Wash. It was sold by Rushton & Aspinwall, Druggists on 81 William Street.

Low & Reed’s Original and Genuine Compound Chlorine Tooth Wash advertisement. Sold by Rustton & Aspinwall, Druggists, 81 William st. – The Evening Post (New York City), March 2, 1833

Below is a receipt from James S. Aspinwall in 1862. If you look closely, it says formerly Rushton & Aspinwall, 1830. This partnership was early. It would be interesting to see if any Low & Reed bottles exist.

Bought of James S. Aspinwall, druggist, 86 William Street. Formerly, Rushton & Aspinwall, 1830, Thomas & Maxwell, 1847, [formerly] J. T. Maxwell, 1855. – The Library Company of Philadelphia, May 22, 1862