Chosi's Stabler - Leadbeater Page

Stabler - Leadbeater Apothocary

Company Names, addresses, dates:¹

Edward Stabler, King & Fairfax Sts, Alexandria VA (1792-1796)
Edward Stabler, 107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1796-1819)
E. Stabler & Son, 107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1820-1829)
E. Stabler & Son, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1829-1830)
William Stabler, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1831-1839)
William Stabler & Co., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1840-1843)
William Stabler & Bro., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1844-1851)
John Leadbeater, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1852-1856)
J. Leadbeater & Son, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1857-1859)
Leadbeater & Co., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1850-1864)
E.S. Leadbeater & Co., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1865-1868)
E.S. Leadbeater & Bro., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1869-1891)
E.S. Leadbeater & Sons, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1892-1902)
E.S. Leadbeater & Sons Inc., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1903-1915)
Leadbeater Drug Corp., 105-107 S. Fairfax St. Alexandria VA (1916-1933)
Stabler-Leadbeater Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria VA (1939-present)

Notes:
Edward Stabler started the business in 1792. His son William took over in 1831. John Leadbeater was Willaim Stabler's brother-in-law, and he took over the business in 1852. His son Edward S. Leadbeater took over in 1860. The shop closed down in 1933 during the depression. Today it's a museum. ²

Bottles:

	book # (unlisted) This is an aqua 6.0" unembossed bottle with label: label: E.S.LEADBEATER & SONS / Druggists / FAIRFAX STREET, ALEXANDRIA, VA. / ESTABLISHED 1792. The left side of the label has a fancy picture with a ribbon that says "PURITY" and "ACCURACY", as well as a circle that says "LABOR OMNIA VINCIT", which is latin for "hard work conquers all".
	book # 304 (in medicines section) Left is a clear 6.5" bottle, right is a sun-colored-amethyst 5.75" bottle. Both are embossed: vertical: E.S.LEADBEATER & SONS / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / ALEXANDRIA VA / EST'D 1792
	book # 304 (in medicines section) This is a large (9") version of the bottles above. It is embossed: vertical: E.S.LEADBEATER & SONS / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / ALEXANDRIA VA / EST'D 1792
	book # 304a (in medicines section) This is a clear 6.5" bottle, embossed the same as the bottles above, but with a label: vertical embossing: E.S.LEADBEATER & SONS / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / ALEXANDRIA VA / EST'D 1792 label: LEADBEATER'S / (picture of lion using a mortar & pestle) / SPIRIT / TURPENTINE / GUARANTEED UNDER THE FOOD / AND DRUGS ACT, JUNE 30, 1906. / GUARANTY NO. 973. / A VALUABLE EXTERNAL / REMEDY, AND EXTENSIVE- / LY USED IN ARTS. / PUT UP BY / E.S. LEADBEATER, / AND SONS / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / 105 & 107 S FAIRFAX ST. / ALEXANDRIA, VA. / ESTABLISHED 1792
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 4.75" unembossed bottle with label and box: label: EXCEL / PAIN EXPELLER / Contains not over / 50% ALCOHOL / ... / Prepared for / E. S. LEADBEATER & SONS / Wholesale Druggists / FAIRFAX ST., ALEXANDRIA, VA. / Established 1792 box: EXCEL / PAIN-EXPELLER / ... GAURANTEED UNDER / FOOD AND DRUGS ACT / OF JUNE 30,1906 / ... / Prepared for / E. S. LEADBEATER & SONS / Wholesale Druggists / FAIRFAX ST., ALEXANDRIA, VA. The back of the label on the bottle has 3 sections - one is in Polish, one is in Czech, and one is in Hungarian.
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 7" unembossed bottle with worn-off label and box: box front: COMPOUND FIGS AND SENNA SYRUP / Contains 5% Alcohol and Caramel / A MOST DELICIOUS FRUIT SYRUP / Highly relished for its agreeable taste / REGULATES STOMACH DIORDERS / Overcomes Habitual Constipation / A REMMEDY FOR TORPID LIVER and BOWEL COMPLAINTS / AN EXCELLENT DOMESTIC REMEDY / Distributed by / E. S. LEADBEATER & SONS / Wholesale Druggists / Fairfax St., Alexandria, Va. / Established 1792 box right side: Syrup of Figs and Senna Compound / An Agreeable but certain Laxative / Guaranteed by the Manufacturer under the Food and Drugs Act, June 30, 1906 ... Since the label is so worn off, I have no proof that the bottle depicted came in the box depicted, other than the fact that they were sold together.
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 7" unembossed bottle with worn-off label and box: box front: TRADE MARK ESTABLISHED 1792 / Syrup Ipecac. / DOSE - ... / Manufactured by / E.S. Leadbeater & Sons, / Wholesale Druggists, / 101 to 107 S. FAIRFAX STREET. / ALEXANDRIA, VA. box right side: PREPARED FROM THE BEST MATERIALS / AND / WARRENTED ABSOLUTELY PURE / We Challange a Comparison with any Brand on the Market. box left side: LEADBEATER'S HOWSEHOLD REMIDIES / Dr. Murphy's Croup Syrup / Whooping Cough Syrup / Rice's Worm Drops / Pain Panacea / Lubricating Liniment / Beef, Iron and Wine with Celery / Beef, Iron and Wine / Comp. Syrup Hypophosphites / Wine Coca / Vegegable Pills box rear: E.S. LEADBEATER & SONS, / IMPORTERS / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / AND / MANUFACTURING / PARMACISTS / ... / Standard Pharmaceutixal Preparations, INCLUDING: / Laudenum, Paregoric, Tincture Iron, Tincture Arnica, Tincture Iodine, Spirits Camphor, Bateman's Drops, Godfrey's Cordial, Syrup Squills, Castor Oil, Sweet Oil, Syrup Ipecac, Spirits Turpentine, Sweing Machine Oils, Elixirs, Syrups, &c., &c. ... Since the label is so worn off, I have no proof that the bottle depicted came in the box depicted, other than the fact that they were sold together.
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 3.5" unembossed bottle with label: label: LEADBEATER'S / SYRUP / IPECAC / ALCOHOL 10% / DIRECTIONS / ... / PUT UP BY / LEADBEATER / DRUG CORP.
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 5.375" unembossed bottle with a colorful label: label: LEADBEATER'S / PURE / EXTRACT / (picture of vanilla beans) / VANILLA / FOR FLAVORING / ICE CREAM, CUSTARDS, / JELLIES, PASTRY, ETC. / WARRENTED SUPERIOR QUALITY / PREPARED BY / E. S. LEADBEATER / & SONS / ALEXANDRIA, VA. / ESTABLISHED 1792
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 5.375" unembossed bottle with a label: label: LEADBEATER'S / (picture of lion leaning on a mortar & pestle) / CAMPHORATED / OIL / FOR EXTERNAL / USE AS A / LINIMENT / PUT UP BY / LEADBEATER / DRUG CORP. / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / ALEXANDRIA, / VIRGINIA
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 5.25" unembossed bottle with a label: label: LEADBEATER'S / SPIRIT / (picture of lion leaning on a mortar & pestle) / CAMPHOR / ALCOHOL 85% / ... / E.S. LEADBEATER / & SONS / ... / ALEXANDRIA, VA. / ...
	book # 304b (in medicines section) This is a clear 5.375" unembossed bottle with a label: label: LEADBEATER'S / PURE / (picture of lion leaning on a mortar & pestle) / TINCT. IRON / DOSE... / PUT UP BY / E.S. LEADBEATER / & SONS / 105 & 107 S FAIRFAX ST / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS / ALEXANDRIA, VA. / ESTABLISHED 1792
	book # 305 (in medicines section) This is a clear 5.7" bottle embossed: vertical: E.S.LEADBEATER & SONS / ALEXANDRIA, VA.

Old Labels:

	This 1"x2" label is c.1831-1839. It says: label: BEST RED BARK / WM. STABLER, / Druggist, Fairfax street, / ALEXANDRIA.
	This .75"x2.5" label is c.1845-1851. It says: label: WM. STABLER & BRO., Chemists & Druggists, / Fairfax street, Alexandria, Va.
	This 1.25"x2.5" label is c.1845-1851. It says: label: WM. STABLER & BRO., / Chemists & Druggists, / FAIRFAX STREET, / ALEXANDRIA, VA.
	This 1"x2" label is c.1852-1856. It says: label: JOHN LEADBEATER, / Successor of Wm. Stabler & Bro., / FAIRFAX STREET, / ALEXANDRIA, VA.
	This 1"x2.5" label is c.1857-1859. It says: label: JOHN LEADBEATER & SON. / STABLER'S OLD STAND, ESTABLISHED 1792. / FAIRFAX STREET, ALEXANDRIA, VA.
	This 1"x2.5" label is c.1857-1859. It says: label: JOHN LEADBEATER & SON, / Stabler's Old Stand, established 1792. / Nos. 5 & 7 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria, Va.

Other related stuff:

	I think this is a fan, although it's pretty small (3.25" diameter). It's circa 1869-1891, and it's made of cardboard, and it says: front: E. S. LEADBEATER & BRO., Alexandria, / VIRGINIA / Ask for the "AMERICAN ENTERPRISE" An Illustrated Family Newspaper. --- FREE. along the bottom edge: COPYRIGHTED 1878 BY WEMPLE & KRONHEIM..." rear: ALWAYS RELIABLE / TRY IT / ALTRHROP'S / Constitutional / TONIC! / CURES ALL BLOOD DISEASES, / CHILLS, DYSPEPSIA, BILIOUSNESS. / Gives Clear Complexion. / BRINGS / VIGOR HEALTH.
	This is a circa 1869-1891 3"x4.5" card (front & back shown). It says: front: Presented by / E. S. LEADBEATER & BRO. / SEE OTHER SIDE rear: ESTABLISHED 1792 / E.S. LEADBEATER & BRO., / DEALERS IN / DRUGS, PAINS, OILS, / ... Nos. 5 and 7 Fairfax Street, / ALEXANDRIA, VA. ...
	This is a label, circa 1892-1915. It says: label: ONE DOZEN / LEADBEATER'S / (picture of the drug store & drug warehouse) / STAND. CINNAMON / MANUFACTURED BY / E.S. LEADBEATER & SONS, / WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS, / 101-103-105 & 107 S. FAIRFAX ST., / ALEXANDRIA, VA.
	This is a 5.5"x5.5"x8.5" wooden box circa 1892-1915, with an ornate label on one side. It says: label: PACKED FOR / E. S. LEADBEATER & SONS / Wholesale Druggists / ALEXANDRIA, VA. / (eagle grasping a ribbon that says "PURITY STRENGTH") / CREAM TARTAR Stamped on one end of the box in black ink is "6 LBS NET".
	Today, the Stabler-Leadbeater apothecary is a museum at 105-107 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA (about a block off of King Street in old town Alexandria).
	Here's a view of 105-107 S. Fairfax Street from across the street. The two addresses are connected together - the right side is where you enter the gift shop, then you can take a tour of the left side and the upstairs.
	1853 Letter This is folded up letter from someone in Aldie VA to John Leadbeater, dated 1853. My attempt to transcribe what it says is: outside: (3 cent stamp) / John Leadbeater, / Druggist / Alexandria / Va / (red postmark circle that says ALDIE JAN 4 Va.) inside: Aldie Va. Jany 3rd 1853 Dr Sir, Please send , for stages, one of Mrs. Betts' or Mrs Carters, or some other utero - abdominal Supporter, well approved by the experienced medical men. It is for a negro woman & the inclosed tape is her measure, horizontally just above the hips. If after a few days tried it should not relieve the uterine displacement I should be very thankful for the privilege of returning it. And I will then order a prepary. I suppose you have several varieties of the catler in shape, size and material. So soon as you shall render a statement of my act I will send a check for the amount. In the interim, send the bill for the leeches. Yrs resp'y, Tho. M Boyle
	1869 Receipt This is a receipt for E.S. Leadbeater purchasing lumber from the Smoot & Perry, datd May 26, 1869. My attempt to transcribe the handwritten portions is: 1869 Apr 19 40 ft 3x4 Scantling 2 � 1.00 " " 137 " 4/4 W Pine Culls 3 � 4.80 " " Hauling .25 " 20 110 ft 3x4 & 2x6 y Pine 2 � 2.75 " 21 55 " 4x8 ?? y Pine 3 � 1.92 " " 1 Bbl Cement 2.00 " " 126 ft 3in N C Pine 3 � 4.41 " " 100 " 4/4 W P leulls 3 � 3.50 " " Hauling .25 " 22 52 ft 4x10 ?? y Pine 3 � 1.82 " 26 24 " 2 in y Pine 2 � .60 " " 12 " 2x4 " " 2 � .30 May 6 10 " 5/4 y Pine flooring 3 � .35 $25.20 May 14 102 ft 4/4 y Pine returned 3 � 3.57 $21.63 May 27 49 ft 6/4 w Pine 3 � 1.72 " " Hauling .25 $23.60 49 ft 6/4 w Pine returned 1.72 $21.88
	1882 Envelope/Letter This is an envelope & letter that appears to be from Edward S. Leadbeater in Alexandria VA to his cousin Edward R. Stabler in Maryland. My attempt to transcribe the handwritten portions is: envelope: (postmark ALEXANDRIA VA OCT 5, 3-cent stamp)/ Edw R. Stabler / Brighton, / Montgomery Co. / Md. letter: Alexandria, Va., Oct 5th 1882 Dr Edward, Enclosed check for $55.00, being balance in my hands from the $135.00 interest received last July. We are extra busy just now in the store, and every night from 8 to 10 or 11 I am at Janney & Co's store assisting in pricing their stock. We are all well. Sis returned Tuesday evening. With love to all from thy affec' cousin Edw. S. Leadbeater
	1894 Receipt This is an 8.25" by 13.75" receipt, dated "NOV 13 1894". The heading says: ... EDWARD S. LEADBEATER, CLARENCE C. LEADBEATER, EDWARD S. LEADBEATER JR. JOHN LEADBEATER / Alexandria, Va. NOV 13 1894 / ESTABLISHED 1792 / Mr W.H. WENER / JEffersonton Va / (picture of Leadbeater building) / BOUGHT OF / E.S. Leadbeater & Sons / WHOLESALE IMPORTERS AND DRUGGISTS. / 101-107 So. Fairfax st ... The list of items bought includes: Glycerine, Sarsaparilla, Carbolic Acid, Oil Peppermint, Logwood, Castor Oil, Sweet Oil, Potash, Electric Paste
	1896 Receipt This is similar to the 1894 receipt above. It's an 8.25" by 13.75" receipt, dated "FEB 14 1896". The heading says: ... EDWARD S. LEADBEATER, CLARENCE C. LEADBEATER, EDWARD S. LEADBEATER JR. JOHN LEADBEATER / Alexandria, Va. FEB 14 1896 / ESTABLISHED 1792 / Mr W.H. Werner / JEffersonton Va / (picture of Leadbeater building) / BOUGHT OF / E.S. Leadbeater & Sons / WHOLESALE IMPORTERS AND DRUGGISTS. / 101-107 So. Fairfax st ... The list of items bought includes: Turpentine, Train Oil & Can, Lindseed Oil, Diluted Prussic acid, Calomel
	1898 Receipt This is similar to the 1894/96 receipts above. It's an 8.25" by 13.75" receipt, dated "Dec 3 1898". The heading says: ... EDWARD S. LEADBEATER, CLARENCE C. LEADBEATER, EDWARD S. LEADBEATER JR. JOHN LEADBEATER / Alexandria, Va. DEC 3 1898 / ESTABLISHED 1792 / Mr W.H. Werner / JEffersonton Va / (picture of Leadbeater building) / BOUGHT OF / E.S. Leadbeater & Sons / WHOLESALE IMPORTERS AND DRUGGISTS. / 101-107 So. Fairfax st ... The list of items bought includes: Oil Peppermint, Electric Stove Polish
	1898 Check This is a check dated December 13, 1898, from "E.S. Leadbeater & Sons, Wholesale Drugists". It is written to the "Arlington Chem. Co." for $115.78, and it's signed by "E.S. Leadbeater & Sons".
	1899 Receipt This is an 8.25" by 5.5" receipt, dated "Jan 17 1899". The heading says: ... EDWARD S. LEADBEATER, CLARENCE C. LEADBEATER, EDWARD S. LEADBEATER JR. JOHN LEADBEATER / Alexandria, Va. JAN 17 1899 / ESTABLISHED 1792 / Mr. W.H. Werner / Jeffersonton Va / ...
	1900 Receipt This is an 8.25" by 13.75" receipt, dated "MAR 17 1900". The heading says: ... EDWARD S. LEADBEATER, CLARENCE C. LEADBEATER, EDWARD S. LEADBEATER JR. JOHN LEADBEATER / Alexandria, Va. MAR 17 1900 / ESTABLISHED 1792 / Mesrs J.M. Hatcher & Co / Deleplane Va / (picture of Leadbeater building) / BOUGHT OF / E.S. Leadbeater & Sons / WHOLESALE IMPORTERS AND DRUGGISTS. / 101-107 So. Fairfax st ... The list of items bought includes: Yagers Liniment, Murray Charcoal Tabs, Empty Caps, Alcohol & bottle, Stuarts Tabs, Wampole's Emulsion, Citrate J Q & S, Hoods Sarsap., L & Sons 16 oz, Rubifoam, Vapo Cresoline, Swampt Root 5%, Syrup Figs, Haudolice, Rsst twine, Flax Seed, Absorbine, Colgates Palm Soap
	1907 Envelope This is an envelope postmarked Decmber 14, 1907. It is addressed to A.C. Reid & Co, Upperville VA, and has E.S. LEADBEATER & SONS printed for the return address.
	1908 Receipt This is an E.S. Leadbeater & Sons receipt from 1908. It looks like A.C. reid & Co from Delaplane, VA bought an empty drum for $8 on Sept 29, 1908.
	1908 Receipt This is another E.S. Leadbeater & Sons receipt from 1908 for goods bought by A.C. Reid & Co of Deleplane VA. The date is May 30, 1908 and it lists various items (White Japalac, Putty,k Turpentine, Vulcan Matches & Three in One Oil).
	1908 Receipt Similar to the receipt above, this is another E.S. Leadbeater & Sons receipt from 1908 for goods bought by A.C. Reid & Co of Deleplane VA. The date is April 7, 1908 and it lists what appear to be paints.
	Here's a view of 101-103-105-107 S. Fairfax Street as depicted on a Leadbeater label circa 1900.
	Here's my attempt to photograph the same view of 101-3-5-7 S. Fairfax Street as above (photo taken July 2014).
	This is a postcard showing the interior of the apothecary museum.
	This postcard is from a painting by William Loechel, depicting the interior of the Leadbeater apothecary in 1859, with Lieutenant J.E.B. Stuart bringing news of John Brown's raid of Harpers Ferry to Colonel Robert E. Lee. It's postmarked 1961.
	This is a postcard showing the entrance to the apothecary museum.
	This is a postcard showing the entrance to the apothecary museum, from a different angle than the postcard shown above.
	This is a postcard showing a drawing of the apothecary during colonial times. The date on the back is from 1952 (5-7-52).
	This modern postcard has 3 different pictures, depending on how you tilt it. I tried to capture all 3 views in the 3 photos. The 3 views are: (1) closeup view of the bottles on the shelf, (2) current view of the drugstore-museum, and (3) old view of the drugstore.

¹ Article in the June-July 2007 issue of the Potomac Pontil newsletter
² Information from this web site

Back to my drugtstore bottle home page.

This page last updated on November 7, 2024.