Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines
Botanic Druggist, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York
27 November 2015 (R•113015) (R•072319-GWA Example)
Working in my “A’s” today trying to see if any unlisted bitters are parked in my “to do” folders. Here is a neat medical catalog that lists four Atkinson Bitters, two listed and two not. Thought it might be a good idea to sort this out for Bill Ham who is working on Bitters Bottles Supplement 2.
The products are from Dr. Asher Atkinson, who was a Botanic Druggist located at No. 230 Greenwich St between Barclay and Robinson Streets in New York. The piece is dated 1858.
Dr. Asher Atkinson was born in 1796 in Kingwood, Hunterdon, New Jersey. He died on July 11, 1865 in Claremount, New Jersey. One obituary said you get to the funeral: “The dummy railroad cars pass near the house, and leave the ferry every hour. The plank-road horse cars go within half a mile of the house.”

Medical Catalog Cover: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York
Medical Catalog Cover: Note reference to the following bitters:
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Atkinson’s Anti Dyspeptic Bitters, Price $1.00 per bottle. Not listed.
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Atkinson’s Anti Dropsical Bitters, Price $1.00 per bottle. Not listed.
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Medicines intended particularly for Diseases Incident to Females, Atkinson’s Emmenagogue Bitters, Price $1.00 per bottle. Bitters Bottles Supplement, A 106.2

Medical Catalog Page 2: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Medical Catalog Page 3: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Medical Catalog Page 4: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York
Medical Catalog Page 4: Note reference to the following bitters:
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Atkinson’s Anti Dyspeptic Bitters, Price $1.00 per bottle. A Remedy for Every Form of Dyspepsia or Indigestion Not listed.
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Atkinson’s Anti-Dropsical Bitters, Price $1.00 per bottle. A wonderful medicine in all dropsical cases and some Rheumatism. Not listed.

Medical Catalog Page 5: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Medical Catalog Page 6: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Medical Catalog Page 7: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Medical Catalog Page 8: Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York
Medical Catalog Page 8: Note reference to the following bitters:
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Medicines intended particularly for Diseases Incident to Females, Atkinson’s Emmenagogue Bitters, Price $1.00 per bottle. Bitters Bottles Supplement, A 106.2

Atkinson’s Chirayta Bitters (Page 1): Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York
Atkinson’s Chirayta Bitters (Page 1): Note reference to the following bitters:
Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York, Catalogue of Medicines, Atkinson’s Chirayta Bitters or Herb0-Tonic Elixir, Bitters Bottles Supplement, A 106.1

Atkinson’s Chirayta Bitters (Page 2): Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Atkinson’s Chirayta Bitters (Page 3): Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

Atkinson’s Chirayta Bitters (Page 4): Dr. Asher Atkinson’s Universal Family Medicines, Principal Depot, No. 230 Greenwich St., New York

A.D. ATKINSON – CHIRAYTA BITTERS / OR / NERVO TONIC ELIXIR – NEW YORK”, (Ring/Ham, A-106.1), (Odell, pg. 9), New York, ca. 1840 – 1860, aqua, 8 7/8”h, open pontil has a minor in-making chip, applied mouth. Perfect condition, good glass whittle. Extremely rare having only one auction listing. Ex. Dr. Greer Collection. Sidney Genius Collection. Chirayta or Chirayata, (the correct spelling), is an herb found mostly in the higher elevations of India. Like many other herbal remedies of that time it was supposed to cure various ailments. Many American proprietors took advantage of this using these claims to promote their ‘medicines’. This is one of a number of early pontiled medicine bottles with an ‘herb’ embossing. For the collectors of this type bottle, or for those who think they would like to be, this would a good start! – Glass Works Auctions | Auction #132
The new listing by Bill Ham for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2: