Historical information
O. J. Lawson & Son was a pharmaceutical firm operating out of Fitzroy, Victoria during the first half of the 20th century. Its maker's mark indicates that the bottle was manufactured in 1935. Handwriting reveals that the specific poisonous substance within (at least originally) was Calamine Lotion, a medication made from powdered zinc oxide and used to treat mild itchiness.
Significance
A well-preserved example of the products of a Victorian pharmaceutical company as used in the local area, revealing their systems for labelling dangerous substances.
Physical description
This item is a tall 8-ounce (approximately 237 ml) brown glass bottle in the shape of a rounded truncated triangular prism. On the rounded face is a label with printed text in red and handwritten text in ink. On the reverse, a warning label is embossed in the glass alongside a pattern of two grids of 68 crosses each. A cork remains in the mouth of the bottle. The bottom of the bottle also features embossed text and what might be a logo.
Inscriptions & markings
Reverse, In Glass: "NOT TO BE TAKEN"
Label, Printed: "O. J. LAWSON & SON / PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTS / POISON / 102-4 Gertrude Street, FITZROY / Phone J 3401"
Label, Handwritten: "14 [years?] Violet 2% / Lot. Calamine [and?] [unclear]"
Glass, Bottom: "M423 / 0 / 8 OZ /M"
Glass, Bottom, Near Edge: "H / [0?] / [0?]"
