Antique Acker’s English Remedy Cobalt Blue Medicine Bottle – W.H. Hooker & Co. New York, 1800s Patent Medicine

Produced by W.H. Hooker & Co. in New York during the late 19th century, Acker’s English Remedy was marketed as a cure for throat and lung ailments—a common “patent medicine” claim before federal regulation. These cobalt blue bottles feature bold embossing and compact rectangular forms, designed for visual impact and brand recognition. The rich color not only provided UV protection but also signaled medicinal quality. Before the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act, such remedies frequently contained alcohol or herbal extracts, making them both therapeutic and tonic. Today, Acker’s bottles remain favorites among collectors for their vivid glass, strong embossing, and connection to the height of America’s patent medicine era.