The Johnnie Walker Box and the Dr. Wheeler’s – or You’ve Got to be Kidding Me!

Posted on 19 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Hi Ferdinand:

Have been following your latest posts picturing the fancy squares and have really enjoyed them. Maybe by coincidence, I just picked one up 3 days ago. Here in southern California we do not find much to brag about in bottles, especially when searching them out in antique shops.

Well, imagine my surprise when I decided to check out a brand new shop in my hometown, just a few miles down the street. Sitting on a table was this very modern “Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whiskey” cardboard box with the hinged lid half open. Nestling comfortably inside this fancy silk lined box was an aqua colored bottle which appeared to be out of place. Closer inspection revealed a fancy, rope-cornered square, embossed “Dr. Wheeler’s Tonic Sherry Wine Bitters“. “This can’t be real”, I thought. It was just too perfect, looked brand new. Sparkling clean, no crudity, other than the obvious applied top, no chips, scratches, wear, etc. But, with a price tag similar to what I would pay for a couple of Hostetter’s, I couldn’t lose! The shop owner was not in, and his kids could not tell me where he got the bottle. Oh yes, the seller must have thought the bottle would look nicer with the brand new wine bottle cork he inserted in the top!

Anyway, just before I set down to send you this email and photos of the bottle, I checked Peachridge and found that you just posted photos of your Dr. Wheelers bottle. Still thought you might enjoy seeing another one, especially since it is a new, fresh find.

Dennis Rogers

PRG : Read Fancy Gent Series – Roped Squares – Dr. Wheelers Tonic Sherry Wine Bitters

Dr. Wheeler's Tonic Sherry Wine Bitters - Dennis Rogers

Dr. Wheeler's Tonic Sherry Wine Bitters - Dennis Rogers

About Ferdinand Meyer V

Ferdinand Meyer V is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and has a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Ferdinand is the founding Principal of FMG Design, a nationally recognized design consultation firm. Ferdinand is a passionate collector of American historical glass specializing in bitters bottles, color runs and related classic figural bottles. He is married to Elizabeth Jane Meyer and lives in Houston, Texas with their daughter and three wonderful grandchildren. The Meyers are also very involved in Quarter Horses, antiques and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past 6-year President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors and is one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.
This entry was posted in Bitters, Digging and Finding, Humor - Lighter Side, News and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to The Johnnie Walker Box and the Dr. Wheeler’s – or You’ve Got to be Kidding Me!

  1. IXL says:
    19 November 2011 at 6:53 pm

    Incredible find Dennis! Weird coincidences happening here:

    A Clubhouse shootout is announced for the Auburn, CA Show…then nine great examples are dug in Nor Cal.

    Ferdinand posts a series on roped-cornered bitters, INCLUDING a Dr. Wheelers… then you find a perfect one in a most unlikely location of the country in a modern Johnnie Walker box.

    Let’s start a post on amber and green Cassin’s so some lucky dude can find a cache of six mint ones under a rock somewhere!

Leave a Reply