J. Lygnum & Sons
 
This page shows the 'J Lygnum & Sons Scurvy Ointment' pots, possibly originating from Manchester
 
 
The origination of the Lygnum pot is uncertain but as the majority of them have been found in the Manchester area, it is reasonable to assume that this may have been where they were produced.
 
John Lygnum was a Manchester based surgeon in the late 1790's and the wording on the pot indicates that the business was established in 1790. 
The ointment pots however date to around 1880-90.  The pots were very rare until a tip discovered in Altricham unearthed a large hoard of several hundred diluting the rarity. 

Good undamaged examples however remain scarce. Two print variations exist, one with much bolder lettering and the words 'Scurvy Ointment' are evidently much larger than the normal variation. 
The pot shape varies slightly also.

An article concerning the finding of some Lygnum pots appears in BBR magazine no. 87.
 
 

 





J. Lygnum

Scurvy Ointment

Price 1s 9d

Rare

Large print of  'SCURVY OINTMENT'


Lygnum
 
 





 J. Lygnum

Scurvy Ointment

Price 1s 9d


Lygnum
 
 




Here you can clearly see the print stye variation,
the rare variation is on the right.


Lygnum
 

 

Auction Sales
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, good condition, sold on ebay February 2011 for £37.50 +p&p
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, fine hairline, sold on ebay February 2011 for £16 +p&p  (very cheap!)
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, fine hairline, sold on ebay April 2011 for £25 +p&p
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, fine hairline, sold on ebay Nov 2011 for £20 +p&p
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, good condition, sold on ebay February 2012 for £42 +p&p
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, good condition, sold on ebay Dec 2012 for £46 +p&p
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, an example with 2 feint hairlines failed to sell on Ebay Jan 2013 - no bids
  • J. Lygnum,   scurvy ointment, base chip, sold Ebay March 2013 for £10.49 plus p&p

 A pot was listed on ebay in February 2013 with hairlines as a Buy it Now for £250 and subsequently did not sell. Vendor told me an antique dealer had said it was very rare and valued at that figure ! 
Another listed same month BIN for £45 also with airlines, did not sell.

 

 
Further information regarding these pots can be obtained from the Historical Guide to Delftware and Victorian Ointment Pots book produced by Messrs. Houghton & Priestley, page 101.