Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Apothecary Drawers

Object Number

2019-101-1

Description

Square apothecary or pill drawers used in Murphy's Pharmacy, Litchfield, CT. Wooden box formed at top, bottom, and sides of 1/2" thick wood board, joined at edges with finger joints. Back of box made of a wood board attached at interior. Four vertical drawers inserted into box. Each drawer is attached by a metal hinge to a vertical piece of wood that slides on a simple interior track, allowing the drawers to be pulled fully out and rotated to left for easier access. Drawers have adjustable interior shelves, vertical metal drawer pulls, and metal framed for inserting a label. Exterior surface of box and drawers is stained a dark, rosewood color. Numerous newspaper articles, postcards, and product stickers are attached to the top and back of drawers. Customer names and account numbers written on the wood in pen and pencil. Manufacturer label at bottom of left-most drawer. Drawer units designed to be stacked.

Provenance

Removed along with other items from Murphy's Pharmacy on West Street, Litchfield, after the business closed in 2019.

Comment

Murphy's Pharmacy began as the Marley Pharmacy, opened by William Marley after the left the business partnership of Crutch & Marley located farther up West Street. The pharmacy was purchased by Joseph Murphy sometime between 1948 and 1951. MANUFACTURER: Incorporated in 1909, the L.F. Dettenborn Company produced store fixtures, shipping cases, lab furniture, etc. from its location on Sheldon Street in Hartford.