U.S.A. Hospital Department bottles

U.S. Army Hospital Department bottles

31 March 2019

I’ve always wanted to create a gallery of U.S. Army Hospital Department bottles. The molds, colors and use during the Civil War and later years epitomizes the history and stunning glass in our hobby. I will update this post as more images become available.

There is some really great information on these bottles by Frank Sternad in Bottles and Extras and Robert J. Dalessandro on his Medical Antiques web site. That is also his picture of five U.S.A Hospital Department bottles at the top of this post.

Read: U.S.A. Hosp. Dept. by Frank Sternad

Read: U.S. Army Hospital Department Bottles by Robert J. Dalessandro


Jeff & Holly Noordsy Window Display

An incredible grouping of U.S.A. Hosp. Dept bottles on display – Jeff & Holly Noordsy


FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National | Shootout

Grouping of competing U.S.A. Hospital. Dept. bottles at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo shootout.

Three finalist U.S.A. Hospital. Dept. bottles at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo shootout.

Winning U.S.A. Hospital. Dept. bottle at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo shootout. 1st Place, Richard Siri


FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National | Educational Display

U.S.A. Hospital. Dept.display at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention & Expo – Henry & Cecilia Guillen


Individual Examples

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. With applied top. Star on base. 9 1/2″. A nice example in a very pretty green coloration, we don’t see these with this lime variation that often. This has a nice drippy top and good overall crudity. Here’s another good one if you don’t have the color. This is Almost Mint with just a hint of interior stain. A dazzler and worthy of any U.S.A. collection. – American Bottle Auctions

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. Applied top. Almost 9 1/2″. Here’s the color everyone is looking for, a cobalt blue variation with the applied square collar. Surely a rare bottle, it seems these and the aqua variants were the only quarts with this type collar and could possibly be the first of the U.S.A. bottles made. Regardless, this is a beauty and if you don’t have a blue quart, this may be the last one to come along for a while. A good one it is, too. It is a medium to light blue with a strong strike and lots of long beautiful whittle and overall crudity. This is a top example, which was recently lightly cleaned to perfection. Seriously folks, lots of whittle, perfect condition, crude top, a real gem that grades Almost Mint. – American Bottle Auctions

A U.S.A. HOSP. DEPT. bottle made for US Army. Applied top. When looking for the perfect hospital department bottle, simply a picture of this outstanding specimen might suffice. Crudely applied top, millions of bubbles, hammer whittled, and in an exotic light to medium citron. – American Bottle Auctions

Nearly 6″ in height with 1 3/4″ clear stopper. Embossing is within a 2 1/4″circle. This example we know was found just like it is now since the original stopper was still in it. It fits like a glove. This bottle is a mossy green, has good overall character and a few beautifully and strategically placed bubbles in the shoulder and throughout the piece. We were not aware, but were told by Mr. Peterson, the seller, that stoppers on most, or possibly all. of these type apothecary pieces were blown in clear durable lead glass. This makes sense since they were already making clear stoppers, why go to the trouble of trying to match a colored stopper for a bottle which would be thrown away anyway (safely–thank goodness). At any rate, this is a real nice example in Almost Mint condition. Any apparent roughness on lip or otherwise is simply a reflection of light.- American Bottle Auctions

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. on shoulder. 7 1/4″ with crudely applied lip and smooth base. A fairly light colored USA with simple overall texture on first glance. However, when held in your hand it has a good amount of unevenness to the glass. There are a few scratches but this piece is generally Near Mint and has never been cleaned. A brilliant and delicate color. – American Bottle Auctions

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. Wide mouth aqua. 7 1/2″. A good example of this well-known variant with the wide mouth, probably used for an infinite number of things involving medicine. This was recently cleaned and would grade Near Mint. Color on this is a bluish/green aqua with loads of whittle and a crudely applied top. A good one for the U.S.A. collection. – American Bottle Auctions

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. Quart with applied top. 9 1/4″. A fine apricot or light orange yellow example. This has a nice crude top and lights up any grouping. A good one if you don’t have this color, it is an Almost Mint bottle with some decent crudity. – American Bottle Auctions

Lot: 18 “U.S.A / Hosp. Dept” Medicine Bottle, America, 1860-1870. Cylindrical, medium cobalt blue, applied square collared mouth – smooth base with embossed “X” and center dot, ht. 9 inches; (1/4 inch open surface bubble on shoulder). AAM pg. 535 A rare, beautiful color with a highly whittled exterior surface. Generally fine condition. Dr. Charles and Jane Aprill collection. Price Realized: $9,360 – Heckler Auctions: The Aprill Collection: Blue Bottles & Glass, Session I Premier Auction 172

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. Quart with applied top. An aqua variant of this well known and popular bottle, these aqua variants are harder to find than some people think. Notice that this has the square applied collar similar to the blue example in this auction. In addition, the U.S.A. embossing is curved rather than straight across. This is a nice greenish aqua and has decent overall crudity. There is a tiny polished flake off the front lip, with still a tiny bit of roughness. Very hard to see. Has a little interior dirt. A good addition to any collection, if you don’t have the aqua quart yet, this could be the one. – American Bottle Auctions

USA / HOSP. DEPT (on front) – S D S (on base), Cylindrical,  9 1/4″ high, Golden yellowish with an amber tone, the applied top is a short blob above a short taper, bold embossing. Lots of bubbles in the glass, perfect conditions, fine example in a scarce color. – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

U.S.A. HOSP.DEPT. Applied top. Almost 9 1/2″. Now here’s a special bottle that we knew would be the belle of the ball. An emerald green with just a hint of moss, this bottle differs from the other quarts in a couple ways. First the embossing is a little larger if you compare it to the others. It is also more pronounced. In addition, it has what appears to be a pour spout, which we can’t say if it was done on purpose or just a fluke in production. Beyond those differences, the bottle is also one of the most whittled specimens we’ve ever seen. Just absolutely hammered with loads of overall crudity and character. The glass is easy to see through the middle and darker at the top and bottom. An incredible example, drippy top and all. Aside from a few very light and minor scratches, this one grades close to Almost Mint. A true beauty. – American Bottle Auctions

USA / HOSP. DEPT., yellowish amber, 9 1/4″ high, Smooth Base, nice crude “drippy” applied top, bold embossing, thousands of bubbles in the glass, pristine perfect condition, a very nice example, circa 1860-1870 – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Read More: The little blue U.S.A. Hospital Bottle

Read More: Civil War “USA Hospital Department” Bottle w/Pontil NR

About Ferdinand Meyer V

Ferdinand Meyer V is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and has a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Ferdinand is the founding Principal of FMG Design, a nationally recognized design consultation firm. Ferdinand is a passionate collector of American historical glass specializing in bitters bottles, color runs and related classic figural bottles. He is married to Elizabeth Jane Meyer and lives in Houston, Texas with their daughter and three wonderful grandchildren. The Meyers are also very involved in Quarter Horses, antiques and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past 6-year President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors and is one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.
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