During the early part of the Civil War it was the Embalming Surgeons that performed the embalming procedure. Most of the men were military surgeons, some were civilian surgeons that took up the trade and became Embalming Surgeons. Dr. Thomas Holmes, considered the “Father of Modern Embalming”, was from New York where the chemicals were developed, patented and manufactured in the North. Dr. Holmes had developed a process by which a liquid could be injected into the body to preserve it for an extended period of time. The veins would be pumped full of this liquid to arrest and prevent decay, making it possible to ship the body home. As officers and enlistedmen were killed in battle, more and more families wanted their loved ones remains returned for a funeral service and burial. With the new embalming process this became possible.

The cased set has nine identical amber colored liquor bottles with the patent inside screw glass stopper. These bottles have the Samuel A. Whitney patented (January 1^st 1861) inside thread finish that accepts a glass threaded stopper. These earlier style stoppers have the standardized soft rubber gasket at the top of the stopper which sealed against the top lip surface of the bottles. Seven bottles have the gasket intact, one has remains and one missing the gasket completely. All stoppers in perfect condition. Bottles measure 10 ¾” tall by 3” wide. Six of the bottles in perfect condition.  Two bottles have minor chips to the lip. One has a good size chip to lip.

Two smaller identical amber colored liquor bottles with the Whitney Patent inside screw stopper. Both stoppers in excellent condition, one with the soft rubber gasket, one missing it. both bottles in perfect condition. Small pre-printed label with number “11” and other one number “12” attached to bottle. Bottle measures 9” x 2 3/8”. Last bottle is an amber colored Bitters Bottle – “A.H. FLANDERS M.D. NEW YORK / RUSH’S / BITTER’S” embossed on the sides. Bottle in perfect condition, measures 9” x 3”.

Middle compartment of the case which houses the two smaller bottles has a tin screw top container which still has some type of hardened chemical inside and measures 6 1/8” x 3” x 1 ½”. In perfect condition. Inside has a blue felt bottle protector. Remains of wallpaper on lid. Wood box painted red with edges of box trimmed in metal which has been painted black. Leather carrying handles intact on both sides. Leather dry. Box measures 11 3/8” high x 14 ¾” wide x 11” deep. Wood in excellent condition. Keyhole cover made of brass with embossed American wing spread eagle. Brass lid catch intact.

The only cased set of embalming bottles we have ever seen.    [ws]

Extra shipping required.

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