This lot is a set of 20 of the same NOS new original stock (not reproduced) vintage drugstore gummed (lick ‘em) medicine bottle labels. Back in the day, a druggist (most weren’t registered pharmacists then) sold all kinds of substances, medicinal, household, and industrial, and some were poisonous. That’s what these labels were for. There’s room for the druggist to jot down the name of the substance, but there’s no ignoring the skull and cross bones on the top two corners. Even young children could see them.

These labels measure 1.5 x 2.5 inches (3 x 5 cm) with dry adhesive on the back. They probably date from the 1930s and 1940s – there’s no telephone number on the label from a Rexall Drugstore in Harrisville, W.V. They were manufactured by McCourt Label Cabinet Co. in Bradford, PA and meant to be used in wooden drugstore label cabinets sold by the company. Perfect for labeling real poisons in the house or stuff that should be poisonous. You know, like your partner’s kidney and Lima bean salad or the mac ‘n cheese that’s been in the back of the refrigerator for who knows how long.

Be creative. How about the leftover pizza on the living room coffee table or that almost empty can of Coke in the bathroom? The labels could feature in a recreated drugstore, hardware, general, or mercantile store, as part of old-fashioned medicine cabinet display, or combined and framed as bathroom décor. We think they would be a hoot at Halloween. Can you imagine a buffet with each food item written in the middle. Shipped free in the US. Check out our drugstore and other advertising collectibles at www.ebay.com/str/agitpropshoppe

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