If you collect antiquarian medical or pharmaceutical books, the decision usually comes down to three questions: Is the title genuinely scarce? Is the content meaningful to your collection? And can you accept the physical condition of a 130-year-old volume? The 1887 Lochman's DOSE AND PRICE LABELS, listed at USD 1,175.00, forces exactly those trade-offs. It is not an everyday bookstore find, and its niche subject makes it a focused purchase rather than an impulse item.
Quick verdict
For collectors who specialize in 19th-century pharmacy reference works, this hardcover is a strong candidate. The description states this copy is one-of-a-kind on the internet at this time and that the only other known copy sits in the Library of Congress. That scarcity supports the price, but the book shows its age: the top third of an unspecified page or cover area was torn off, and there is minimal writing inside. You are paying for rarity and historical content first, not for pristine condition.
Who it suits
This book suits a serious antiquarian book buyer who wants a primary source from the era when pharmacists relied on printed dose and price labels. The author, C.L. Lochman, produced a second edition that was rewritten, thoroughly revised, and enlarged, according to the listing. The publisher is Dunlap & Clarke in Philadelphia, and the binding is hardcover, with the original English-language edition confirmed. If your collection covers early North American pharmaceutical practice, this piece fits naturally.
It is less suited to someone seeking a visually flawless display piece or a general history book with broad reading appeal. The subject matter is practical and technical, and the condition issues can be a dealbreaker for condition-focused collectors.
What stands out from the listed details
The most compelling feature is the stated rarity: the description notes the only other copy is in the Library of Congress. For an antiquarian buyer, that kind of institutional comparison is meaningful. The second-edition status and the "Collector's Edition" special attribute add to the narrative, as does the stated place of publication, Philadelphia, which places the book in a notable hub of late-19th-century medical publishing.
Another standout is the specificity of the content. The book focuses on dose and price labels, a niche aspect of pharmacy practice. Instead of a broad general medical text, you get a glimpse of how pharmacists organized and communicated the dosing and pricing of remedies in 1887. That focus can make it a rewarding research piece.
Meaningful trade-offs to weigh
First, condition. The listing explicitly mentions that the top third was torn off. Anyone paying USD 1,175.00 should be comfortable with a damaged copy, no matter how scarce. Second, the writing inside is minimal, but that can also mean the previous owner left few distracting marks. Third, the very specificity that makes this book a treasure for a pharmacy-history specialist also narrows its appeal if you ever resell it.
Also, note that the title says "OOAK" (one of a kind), a claim that refers to online availability at this time. That is not the same as saying no physical copies exist elsewhere; the Library of Congress copy proves other copies exist. So weigh the phrase as an online scarcity signal, not absolute uniqueness.
Bottom line
Lochman's Dose and Price Labels 1887 is a credible investment for the right collector. It pairs extreme scarcity with a clear historical purpose, and the listed price reflects a niche audience rather than a mass-market antique. But the torn top and the very narrow content mean you should buy it because you want the substance, not because the book is pristine. If your collection has room for an imperfect but genuinely rare pharmacy reference, this one is worth serious consideration.
Lochman's DOSE AND PRICE LABELS 1887 Pharmacy Collectibles Antiquarian Book
This is the single item under review, listed at USD 1,175.00. It is a hardcover, English-language, original second edition published in Philadelphia by Dunlap & Clarke. The author, C.L. Lochman, rewrote and thoroughly revised this edition, adding an appendix on new remedies. The special attributes include Collector's Edition and Second Edition. The listing describes it as one-of-a-kind online, with the Library of Congress holding another copy. The trade-off is condition: a torn top third, minimal writing, and age-related wear that is typical of a book from 1887. This copy is for a buyer who prioritizes rarity and subject depth over pristine condition.
