University Medicines was a patent medicine company located in New York City. The patent medicine company was apparently affiliated with a entity known as the New York Medical University. University Medicines was listed in the New York City business directories beginning in 1873 with the company located at 6 & 8 University Pl. The proprietor of University Medicines, and apparently the gentleman depicted upon the essay, was J.W. Scott. The University Medicines essay was approved by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on February 2, 1871; however, no stamps were issued. This was likely due to the death of Mr. Scott. On March 9, 1870, Joseph Carpenter wrote to University Medicines to express his regret upon learning of the death of Mr. Scott, and to remind the company of the outstanding balance due Joseph Carpenter for engraving the essay.

University Medicines Essay
Although no stamps were issued to University Medicines, the company’s handstamp cancel is known upon 2nd issue proprietary stamps.

University Medicines Proprietary Cancel
Like many other patent medicine producers, University Medicines issued an almanac.

University Medicines 1873 Almanac