Antique Tippers Vitalis Amber Veterinary Medicine Bottle – B.C. Tipper & Son,

Antique Tippers Vitalis Amber Veterinary Medicine Bottle – B.C. Tipper & Son, Birmingham – c.1910s–1930s

Suggested price: £38.00

Displayed with other bottles illustration only for sale separately

19 cm tall

7 cm round at base

A wonderfully characterful piece of early veterinary and agricultural history, this antique dark amber glass bottle once contained Tippers Vitalis, an animal tonic produced by B.C. Tipper & Son of Birmingham.

The bottle is particularly appealing for its rich brown/amber glass and strongly moulded lettering reading:

“TIPPERS VITALIS – THE BEST DRINK FOR ALL ANIMALS”

Vitalis was sold as a veterinary “diffusible stimulant”, intended for livestock and other animals. The Science Museum collection includes a Tippers Vitalis bottle under precisely this description, confirming its place among Britain's historic veterinary preparations.

B.C. Tipper & Son

B.C. Tipper & Son operated the Veterinary Chemical Works in Birmingham, manufacturing and marketing preparations for the agricultural and veterinary trades. Period advertising for the firm promoted Vitalis under the memorable slogan “The Best Drink for All Animals”, with the product advertised at sixpence per dose. Contemporary advertising also records the company having received a Silver Medal at the Royal Cornwall Show.

The firm clearly invested heavily in memorable advertising: surviving B.C. Tipper & Son promotional posters are now collectable in their own right, including the wonderfully titled “Tipper's 3 Tips!” campaign for its Birmingham Veterinary Chemical Works.

Jersey Heritage also holds a Tippers Vitalis animal medicine bottle in its museum collection and identifies the manufacturer as B.C. Tippers & Son Ltd, reinforcing the historical association with British farming and animal husbandry.

Age

We would date this example broadly to the early 20th century, probably c.1910s–1930s. Surviving examples are generally described as pre-Second World War, and period agricultural advertising confirms that Vitalis was already being actively marketed during the early decades of the century.

The dark amber glass gives this example considerably more decorative presence than the more commonly encountered clear versions.

Condition

In good antique condition with surface scratching, rubbing and minor marks associated with age and use. The moulded advertising remains remarkably clear and attractive. There are no obvious major chips or cracks visible in the photographs.

A cracking little survivor of British farming history – ideal for a collection of antique bottles, veterinary memorabilia, agricultural advertising or country-house curios, and equally good simply displayed on a shelf amongst old apothecary bottles.

Price: £38.00

Period: Early 20th century, c.1910s–1930s

Maker: B.C. Tipper & Son, Birmingham

Product: Tippers Vitalis veterinary animal tonic

Material: Dark amber/brown moulded glass

Origin: England

Ordinary clear examples can be found considerably cheaper, but dealer examples with good embossing and closures are offered around the £30–£40 mark, while an amber example described as dating to 1915 has recently been offered at £55. This rich dark amber example has much more visual appeal than the basic clear bottles.