An apothecary sitting in his shop, sorting through materia medica, surrounded by paraphernalia of his profession. Engraving, ca. 1750.

[London] (Old Slaughters Coffee House St. Martins Lane Long Acre) : Accord.g to ye Act. To be had of T. Ewart, [1750?]

1 print : line engraving and etching ; platemark 25 x 19.1 cm

The apothecary. ... W. Shakespear inv. ; Dr. Rock sculp. Lettering continues: I do remember an apothecary, and hereabouts he dwells, which late I noted in tatter'd weeds, with overwhelming brows, culling of simples; meager were his looks, sharp misery had worn him to the bones: and in his needy shop a tortoise hung, an alligator sluft, and other skins of ill shap'd fishes, and about his shelves a beggarly account of empty boxes; green earthen pots, bladders, and musty seeds, remnants of packthread, and old cakes of roses where thinly scattered to make a shew

The attribution of the design to William Shakespeare and the engraving to Dr Rock is fictitious

Wellcome Collection 15904i