Submitted by aarAdmin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 00:00
An unusual collection of rare 19th century English glass apothecary specie jars easily exceeded catalogue estimates when they went under the hammer at Melbourne-based Leski Auctions May 13 sale.
Part of a bigger sale that included radios and other collectables, the jars belonged to retired Elsternwick pharmacists Geoff and Sue Szwarcbard who spent years tracking them down to build a collection that paid tribute to the dramatic changes over the ages in how chemists prepared and dispensed their medicines, ointments, powder and pills.
Their collection also included point-of-sale advertising signs, storage jars, pharmaceutical scales, carboys and medically related objects – much of which was on show in their Elsternwick pharmacy and the subject of animated conversation among their customers.
The highest figure of $16,000 on a $1500-$2500 estimate was paid for a specimen labelled “PURE DRUGS” with black ground and gilt decoration (lot 14) but many of the other specie jars were almost as impressive.
A Maw & Co of London, complete with coat of arms and the word “MAGNESIA” emblazoned across the front (lot 13) was knocked down for $12,000 – more than five times its high catalogue estimate – while lot 3, an “ADVANCE AUSTRALIA, PURE DRUGS” specimen was a credible $11,000 on its $2500-$3500 estimate.
Other high fliers included a rare pair of display pedestals titled “DRUGS” (lot 4) with a return of $10,000, a “HIPPOCRATES” antique jar on a mottled burgundy background (lot 22) and a specimen featuring reverse painted portrait decorations and green marbled finish (lot 6) – each selling for $9000.
Additional notable results were the $8000 paid for a “PURE DRUGS” jar emblazoned with the English coat of arms (lot 23) and a York Glass Co British coat of arms and “MAGNESIA” labelled specimen (lot 2) that sold for $8500.
