1870s Apothecary & General Store Ledger Book, Chemicals & Oils Record

This is a rare 19th-century handwritten ledger from approximately 1870, likely originating from the Shakopee, Minnesota area. Its marbled cover and intact binding have survived over 150 years, making it a remarkable example of frontier-era business record-keeping.The ledger is almost completely filled with handwritten entries documenting a wide range of goods sold and stocked in a small-town general store. While it includes standard dry goods and household items, what makes this ledger particularly special is its apothecary and chemical inventory, offering a unique glimpse into the medicinal and perfumery practices of the late 19th century.Measures approximately 20 x 31 cm. Apothecary & Chemical HighlightsThe ledger records numerous chemical compounds, medicinal products, and essential oils, including: • Chloroform • Cyanide • Oxalic acid • Acetic acid • Citric acid • Gallic acid • Powdered borax • Iodine • Red bark (cinchona)Essential oils and botanicals: • Peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, rosemary, bergamot, cedar oil, spruce oil • Wormwood, sassafras, fireweed, citronella, sweet almond oil • Cologne and other perfumery ingredientsThese entries provide a fascinating window into 19th-century pharmacy, perfumery, and medicinal practices, making this ledger highly desirable to collectors of medical ephemera, local history, or antique business records.Other ContentsIn addition to apothecary items, the ledger also includes general store goods such as cigars, brandy, pork, lampshades, flaxseed, sulfur, pearl barley, and other everyday items of the era. The combination of medicinal, chemical, and general merchandise records makes this ledger a rich and unique historical document.Condition • Binding: Intact • Pages: Clean, legible, well-preserved • Exterior: Expected wear for a 150+ year-old ledgerThis nearly fully filled, early Midwest apothecary and general store ledger is a rare find and would make an exceptional addition to any collection of historical ephemera, pharmacy artifacts, or 19th-century Americana.