Reade Brothers & Co
This page shows the 'Egyptian Salve' pots originating from the Wolverhampton area.
Several variations of the Egyptian Salve pots exist, some of which are rarely seen, particularly the larger size ones.
The small sizes are quite commonly found, save for the Reade Brothers, High Street pot with the price of 13½d.
Reade Brothers, a chemist and druggist firm, first traded their Egyptian Salves from their High Street premises in Wolverhampton.
In 1877 the company moved to new premises in Victoria Street. In 1892, a business directory recorded the fact that the company began trading under the name of Reade Brothers & Co.
Furthermore, in 1896 a further name change was recorded in the Kelly's directory for the business, becoming Reade Brothers & Co Limited.
The first range of prices that appeared on the pots were 1/1½, 2/9 and 4/6.
The large size variation covering the cure of Sore Wounds, Burns, Scalds, Bad legs, Scurvy and Skin Diseases without the dark band around the top, shows the first price level as 13½d.
(actually the same price as 1/1½d) The variations with the dark band around the top do not show any prices at all.
The pots bearing the name Reade Brothers & Co, Manufacturing Chemists, Wolverhampton show price increases to 1/3, 3/- and 5/-.
A new discovery in 2012 is a small size pot bearing the name Reade Brothers, Chemists, High St, Wolverhampton with the early style print, showing prices of 13½, 2/9 and 4/6.
The pot is very similar in style to the large Victoria Street pot but has the earlier address.
Pot lids can also be found in different sizes for the product so the higher priced products are found in lidded pots, not ointment pots as such.
An article appears in BBR magazine no. 94 regarding the rare "High Street" variation.
Reade Brothers & Co No prices Large size 60 mm Very Rare |
|
|
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd No prices Large size 68 mm A mid size pot with the dark band accross the top Scarce |
|
|
Reade Brothers Chemists, High Street Small & Mid sizes Price 13½d & 2s 9d Exc. Rare (unique?) Very early pot |
|
 |
Reade Brothers & Co Chemists, Victoria Street Large size 59 mm Price 4s 6d Rare |
|
|
Reade Brothers Chemists, High Street Small & Mid sizes, 44mm & 58mm Price 13½d & 2s 9d |
| |
Reade Brothers Chemists, High Street Price 1/1½ Smallest size with the High Street address Rare |
| |
Reade Brothers & Co Chemists, Victoria Street Price 1/1½ Smallest size with the Victoria Street address |
|
 |
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd Manufacturing Chemists Price 1/1½ Common Smallest size with Manufacturing Chemists. |
| |
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd Manufacturing Chemists Price increase to 1/3 Scarce Smallest size with Manufacturing Chemists.
| | |
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd Manufacturing Chemists 'Trade Mark' at the top Small size NO PRICES Very rare |
|
 |
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd Manufacturing Chemists Two variations, one showing 'TRADE MARK at the top, the other without and a variation of the text also. |
| |
Reade Brothers
Two address variations for this style of pot,
'High Street' and 'Victoria Street' |
| |
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd The company also produced a product known as Indian Cerate for chapped hands. Here is a pot lid from the Wolverhampton based company which bears a nice locomotive pictorial Trade Mark image.
|
| |
Reade Brothers & Co
The Egyptian Salve Pot Lids
2/9 size for Reade Brothers & Co |
| |
Reade Brothers & Co Ltd
The Egyptian Salve Pot Lids
2/9 & 3/- sizes for Reade Brothers
& Co Ld
There is also a 4/6d size |  | |
Below are some images from a collection dedicated to Reade Brothers.
There are a series of 1970's or later items produced by the potter Portmeirion copying the original Advertising for Reade Brothers & Co Ltd.
Not produced to deceive I am sure but those that have an interest in Victorian collectibles should be aware they are NOT old !
A couple of items are shown below.
Auction Sales
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. variation, good condition save for some staining, sold on Ebay March 2011 for £27 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. variation, base chip, sold on Ebay May 2011 for £15 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. variation, hairline, sold on Ebay July 2011 for £29 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. & Manufacturing chemists (2 pots) sold together, both good cond, Ebay November 2011 for £28 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. variation, Excellent condition, sold on Ebay February 2012 for £23 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. variation, Excellent condition, sold on Ebay December 2012 for £51 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Victoria St. variation, Excellent condition, sold on Ebay Marchr 2013 for £48 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Manufacturing chemists good but stained condition, Ebay February 2012 for £4.47 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Manufacturing chemists good condition, Ebay December 2012 for £31 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Manufacturing chemists good condition, slight blurring, Ebay March 2013 for £19 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, 1/3d variation, Manufacturing chemists good condition, , Ebay March 2013 for £37 + p&p
- Egyptian Salve, Rare Large size Victoria St., good condition,, Ebay March 2013 for £206 + p&p
