Home : eBay Center : What Sells : Antiques : Science & Medical

What Sells: Science & Medical Antiques

Most online marketplaces place restrictions on the sale of the following items:

• Alcohol: Some older medicine bottles contain alcohol. eBay, for example, permits the sale of such containers, even if they have been opened and still contain alcohol, so long as the container is more valuable than the contents. If you sell a container with alcohol, you should put a disclaimer in your listing stating that the contents should not be consumed. Don’t empty the contents, as this may lower the value for collectors.
• Human Parts and Remains: Online marketplaces usually permit the sale of human skulls and skeletons for medical purposes only; no other body parts may be sold. Animals and animal parts are also allowed, so long as they aren’t in violation of state or federal regulations (see Appendix A for more information about animal sales).
• Prescription Devices and Drugs: Most online marketplaces do not permit the listing of any controlled drug or item that requires a prescription from a licensed practitioner (such as a doctor, dentist or optometrist) to dispense. This does not apply to antique items that are sold as collectibles, such as vintage eyewear.

The websites below contain articles, photographs and other resources that will help you identify medical and scientific antiques:

• http://www.medicalantiques.com/
• http://www.collectmedicalantiques.com/
• http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/

Additional resources include:

• American Surgical Instruments, and Surgery: an Illustrated History by James M. Edmonson, Ph.D. The leading resource on American surgical instruments.
• Antique Medical Instruments by Elizabeth Bennion (out of print but can be acquired on Amazon). Provides extensive early European and English instrument information.
• Antique Medical Instruments by Keith Wilbur, M.D. By far the best beginner’s book and reasonably priced.

Assessing the condition of a human skeleton is difficult, and is best left to a professional, but for most other medical and scientific antiquities the following signs of wear should be noted:

• Scratches and scuffs
• Broken or chipped glass (microscope lenses, etc.)
• Rusted hinges on cabinet doors
• Torn, faded or discolored labels on bottles and jars
• Missing parts (ask the owner of the good if they know if the item is complete)
• Fraying or cut electrical cords

Unless you’re very knowledgeable about an item, it’s generally not wise to test old electrical items; you run the risk of damaging the item, not to mention hurting yourself. Instead, state clearly in your listing that the item has not been tested and is being sold “as-is”.

Keep antiques in a well-ventilated room, away from children, pets, smoke and cooking odors. Never place an item in direct sunlight; cover it with a sheet or better yet, keep the windows covered. Don’t place items next to heating vents or air conditioners, either, since temperature/humidity changes can cause damage.

Some shipping carriers have restrictions on shipping alcohol and other flammable substances; check with your carrier prior to listing an item for sale.

When you ship an item containing liquid, it’s wise to seal it in a Ziplock bag to prevent fluid from leaking during shipping.

If an item includes a case, place the item in the case, pack the case in bubble wrap and place it into a bed of packing peanuts for shipment.

As with furniture, the size and delicacy of a medical or scientific antique might require special shipping. It’s best to determine the shipping method in advance and to include an estimate of the total shipping cost in your listing.

Most online marketplaces place restrictions on the sale of the following items:

• Alcohol: Some older medicine bottles contain alcohol. eBay, for example, permits the sale of such containers, even if they have been opened and still contain alcohol, so long as the container is more valuable than the contents. If you sell a container with alcohol, you should put a disclaimer in your listing stating that the contents should not be consumed. Don’t empty the contents, as this may lower the value for collectors.
• Human Parts and Remains: Online marketplaces usually permit the sale of human skulls and skeletons for medical purposes only; no other body parts may be sold. Animals and animal parts are also allowed, so long as they aren’t in violation of state or federal regulations (see Appendix A for more information about animal sales).
• Prescription Devices and Drugs: Most online marketplaces do not permit the listing of any controlled drug or item that requires a prescription from a licensed practitioner (such as a doctor, dentist or optometrist) to dispense. This does not apply to antique items that are sold as collectibles, such as vintage eyewear.

The websites below contain articles, photographs and other resources that will help you identify medical and scientific antiques:

• http://www.medicalantiques.com/
• http://www.collectmedicalantiques.com/
• http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/

Additional resources include:

• American Surgical Instruments, and Surgery: an Illustrated History by James M. Edmonson, Ph.D. The leading resource on American surgical instruments.
• Antique Medical Instruments by Elizabeth Bennion (out of print but can be acquired on Amazon). Provides extensive early European and English instrument information.
• Antique Medical Instruments by Keith Wilbur, M.D. By far the best beginner’s book and reasonably priced.

Assessing the condition of a human skeleton is difficult, and is best left to a professional, but for most other medical and scientific antiquities the following signs of wear should be noted:

• Scratches and scuffs
• Broken or chipped glass (microscope lenses, etc.)
• Rusted hinges on cabinet doors
• Torn, faded or discolored labels on bottles and jars
• Missing parts (ask the owner of the good if they know if the item is complete)
• Fraying or cut electrical cords

Unless you’re very knowledgeable about an item, it’s generally not wise to test old electrical items; you run the risk of damaging the item, not to mention hurting yourself. Instead, state clearly in your listing that the item has not been tested and is being sold “as-is”.

Keep antiques in a well-ventilated room, away from children, pets, smoke and cooking odors. Never place an item in direct sunlight; cover it with a sheet or better yet, keep the windows covered. Don’t place items next to heating vents or air conditioners, either, since temperature/humidity changes can cause damage.

Some shipping carriers have restrictions on shipping alcohol and other flammable substances; check with your carrier prior to listing an item for sale.

When you ship an item containing liquid, it’s wise to seal it in a Ziplock bag to prevent fluid from leaking during shipping.

If an item includes a case, place the item in the case, pack the case in bubble wrap and place it into a bed of packing peanuts for shipment.

As with furniture, the size and delicacy of a medical or scientific antique might require special shipping. It’s best to determine the shipping method in advance and to include an estimate of the total shipping cost in your listing.