Alfred, James, and Charles Langley were born in Staffordshire, England in the first quarter of the 19th Century and in 1849 followed the world to California in search of gold. Unlike most adventurers, they were unprepared for gold fever, but - being two chemists and an accountant - they were well equipped to treat fevers of another kind.
By the time the gold rush slowed to a ramble, the two eldest Langley brothers were ready to move on. Leaving Charles in San Francisco, Alfred and James travelled north with the new wave of gold seekers and wasted no time in opening the first wholesale and retail drugstore in the rapidly growing town of Victoria, British Columbia. Charles remained in San Francisco and was married to Helena who birthed one child, Charles Jr, born in 1857.
Following is what I believe to be the timeline of Charles Langley's doings in the wholesale drug business of San Francsico.
1854-1855: Hogg & Langley
1855-1861: C & AJ Langley
1861-1865: C Langley
1865-1869: Langley Crowell & Co
1869-1879: C Langley & Co
1880-Post 1900: Langley & Michaels
Charles Langley died on July 26, 1875 at the age of 51.
Based on the above timeline and Warren's research, we can safely deduce that the clear "C Langley" variant was blown in 1865 only while the aqua variant was blown after 1869 (but no newer than early 1870s based on emprivical analysis).
By the time the gold rush slowed to a ramble, the two eldest Langley brothers were ready to move on. Leaving Charles in San Francisco, Alfred and James travelled north with the new wave of gold seekers and wasted no time in opening the first wholesale and retail drugstore in the rapidly growing town of Victoria, British Columbia. Charles remained in San Francisco and was married to Helena who birthed one child, Charles Jr, born in 1857.
Following is what I believe to be the timeline of Charles Langley's doings in the wholesale drug business of San Francsico.
1854-1855: Hogg & Langley
1855-1861: C & AJ Langley
1861-1865: C Langley
1865-1869: Langley Crowell & Co
1869-1879: C Langley & Co
1880-Post 1900: Langley & Michaels
Charles Langley died on July 26, 1875 at the age of 51.
Based on the above timeline and Warren's research, we can safely deduce that the clear "C Langley" variant was blown in 1865 only while the aqua variant was blown after 1869 (but no newer than early 1870s based on emprivical analysis).
Thanks for the timelines Andrew, As you know there are also two sarsaparilla bottles from this company. The 9" tall "narrow" version which comes both applied and tooled. It has curved "R"s and is circa 1875-80. Then there is the monster 11" early sarsaparilla which is about as large as any western medicine. I believe it dates to about 1870-72. It is funny to sit the tiny little Langley's extract next to this huge Langley's sarsaparilla! One of the tinest early western bottles and the largest. both by the same company!
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