Antique Frank E. Watson “Chloroform – Poison” Bottle – Clear/Aqua Glass – c.1900s–1920s
 
Description:
An antique American poison/pharmaceutical bottle with its original Frank E. Watson – Druggist & Stationer label from 214 West Main St., Greenville, ILL. The bottle is made in clear-to-aqua glass and features the classic ribbed “danger” panels with bold embossed “NOT TO BE TAKEN” and “POISON” warnings. These vertically ribbed poison bottles were widely used in the early 20th century to prevent accidental consumption, making this a textbook example of U.S. druggist packaging of the era.
The label is printed in vivid red with a skull-and-crossbones emblem and the text “CHLOROFORM – POISON” along with period antidote instructions. Bottles retaining original poison labels from small-town American chemists are increasingly uncommon, and the combination of embossing, aqua glass, and full label makes this a strong display specimen.
 
Features:
• era: c.1900s–1920s (early American druggist period)
• origin: Greenville, Illinois, USA – Frank E. Watson, Druggist & Stationer
• embossing: “NOT TO BE TAKEN”, “POISON” embossed on ribbed panels
• label: Original CHLOROFORM – POISON red printed label with skull emblem
• colour: Clear / light aqua glass
• shape: Cylindrical shoulders transitioning to elongated oval poison-panel body
• height: Approx. ~7 inches (see ruler in photos)
• base: Smooth base typical of early machine-made U.S. druggist bottles
• rarity: Labeled small-town American poison bottles are scarce and desirable
 
Construction / Materials:
• Early machine-made clear/aqua glass
• Ribbed poison-warning body panels to prevent accidental handling in low light
• Original early 20th-century red-and-black printed druggist label
• Thick-walled pharmaceutical glass typical of hazardous substances
Condition:

Good antique condition. The glass shows minor surface wear consistent with age but no major cracks or impact damage. Label retains strong colour and legibility, though with expected age-related wear and partial loss. Embossing is clean and crisp. A well-preserved example overall.
 
Type:
Antique American poison/pharmaceutical bottle – early 20th-century druggist collectible.
 
A striking labelled poison bottle from Frank E. Watson of Greenville, Illinois, representing a classic example of early U.S. pharmacy hazard packaging — an excellent addition for collectors of poison bottles, apothecary glass, or historic American druggist items.