Civil War era Dyottville Embossed Cylinder Bottles

Civil War era Dyottville Embossed Cylinder Bottles

29 September 2012

PRG” Incoming email and material related to the Class of 1846 – West Point Bottle post

“Hi. This is just an FYI. There are at least two more Dyottville cylinder whiskeys out there with seals. One says in script letters ELS. It is a very dark green. Last I knew, there were two of these known. The other says Renault & Co. Cognac – 1805 – W.H.Y. It’s the only one I’ve ever heard of. I owned these and the 1846 piece in the past. Love that Philly glass!” 

Jerry “DYOTT” Dauphinais

Readers: I am looking for some more pictures of Dyottville cylinders with the seal embossings similar to the above picture. The copy may vary with different dates, with or without the ‘W’, Renault & Co. Cognac – 1805 – W.H.Y., and ELS. Please forward for inclusion into post. Also curious about the history as some call these ‘Harvard’ commemorative bottles while others ‘West Point’.

I don’t know if I have a photo of Renault piece but here is a couple of shots of the ELS piece. Jerry

Jerry also sent me pictures of the book ‘AN EXPOSITION OF MORAL AND MENTAL LABOR, ESTABLISHED AT THE GLASS FACTORY OF DYOTTVILLE‘, by T.W. Dyott, M.D. Jerry recommends the book and has put it on CD (see cover image below). This made me want to look back at some Dyottville information and look more closely at the embossed Dyottville cylinders.

Dyottville began as a novel experiment in factory labor. In the early 19th century, Dr. Thomas Dyott initiated a new system of “moral and mental labor” in order to undercut European-made glass, which was of a high quality yet very expensive.

What at title for a boot on Dyottville! It seems like Dr. Dyott was way ahead of the curve in glass manufacturing and labor practices (Read: Boys in Glass Houses – Taking on the Mannerisms of Men). I found some great supporting information in the article Dyottville Glass Factory by Ian Charlton of Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Glass works of T.W. Dyott – Historical Society of Pennsylvania – 1832

1821 exterior image of Dr. T. W. Dyott’s office in Fishtown/Kensington neighborhood. Advertisement reads: “Approved Family Medicines, which are celebrated for the cure of most diseases which the human body is liable: prepared only by the sole proprietor, T. W. Dyott, M. D. Grandson of the late celebrated Dr. Robertson of Edinburgh – Historical Society of Pennsylvania

In the mean time…I have put together a gallery of the rather popular, collectible and colorful Dyottville cylinders.

Base embossed cylinders, some Dyottville – photo Brian Shultis

Circa 1860 Philadelphia Whiskey: DYOTTVILLE. This is an exceptional example of a Dyottville Glassworks cylinder whiskey having an applied taper collar top (see base picture below) – bottleland.com

Dyottville Glassworks cylinder whiskey base embossing (see bottle above) – bottleland.com

Iron pontiled Class of 1846 Dyottville cylinder

Three Patent Dyottville Whiskey Quart Cylinders – eBay dendirtyd

Iron pontiled Olive Green Patent Dyottville Whiskey Quart Cylinder – eBay dendirtyd

The Civil War era (1860-1870) bottle is also embossed with the same DYOTTVILLE GLASS WORKS PHILA. base embossing as the bottle above. It has the original label indicating that it was used for brandy. It also has an applied mineral finish, was made in a 3-piece mold, lacks any evidence of air venting, and has a “smooth” (non-pontil scarred) base. – sha.org

Same DYOTTVILLE GLASS WORKS PHILA. as above showing base embossing and shoulder detail – sha.org

Same DYOTTVILLE GLASS WORKS PHILA. as above showing applied double taper lip detail – sha.org

Embossed PATENT on front shoulder and DYOTTVILLE GLASSWORKS PHILADA on the base, Yellow, Smooth Base, 11 1/4”H x 3 1/4”W, BIM, Applied Double Taper Lip, American Circa 1860s, This is the lightest yellow Dyottville whiskey I have ever had. – AntiqueBottles.net (Chris Rowell)

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.
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