Vintage Maybe an older hand-painted large heavy oak/board apothecary sign. Wow!!! Although this sign may not be from 1851? It has definitely got some age, is handmade and painted, and looks amazing displayed with apothecary bottles, etc. (see pictures for sale separately). Some age-related wear; can be hung or free-standing. Amazing, probably hand-carved mortar and pestle decoration.
Wm (William) Blundell name
46 cm wide
61 cm tall
3 cm depth
 
 
Apothecaries were early pharmacists who dispensed herbs, spices, and other remedies from a shop, a role that evolved from ancient "storehouse" keepers to the formal Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, chartered in 1617 to regulate medicines and ensure quality. They manufactured and sold drugs, initially under the supervision of grocer guilds, before gaining independence and evolving to diagnose and prescribe alongside their dispensing duties, ultimately becoming the forerunners of modern general practitioners in the UK and Ireland.
Origins of Apothecaries
Ancient Roots: The word "apothecary" comes from apotheca, Latin for "storehouse", referring to a place where commodities like spices and herbs were stored.
Mediaeval Period: In mediaeval England, apothecaries were known for their knowledge of plants and herbs, mixing and selling remedies to the public.
Guild Control: Initially, the manufacture and sale of medicines were controlled by the Company of Grocers, a guild of merchants.
Evolution and Regulation
Worshipful Society of Apothecaries: Apothecaries separated from the Grocers' Company to form their own society in London in 1617, the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.
Regulation: This new society was given powers to regulate the sale and manufacture of drugs, conduct inspections, and ensure drug quality.
Apprenticeship: An apothecary had to complete a seven-year apprenticeship to gain this title.
Changing Roles
Prescribing Rights: In 1704, the Society won the Rose Case, granting apothecaries the power to prescribe medicines as well as dispense them.
Broader Medical Role: This expanded role moved them closer to the role of a modern general practitioner, making them regulated practitioners of medicine in addition to compounding and dispensing drugs.
Legacy
Forerunners of GPs: In Britain and Ireland, the apothecary's ability to diagnose and treat patients positioned them as forerunners of the general practitioner.
Professionalisation: The development of pharmacy colleges and professional associations in the US and other countries, building on the apothecary tradition, promoted a distinct profession of pharmacist.