Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

13 November 2011

Apple-Touch-IconAAn obvious question in looking at ‘fancy squares’ is “What about the roped squares such as the classic Bakers Orange Grove Bitters, National Tonic Bitters and others etc.?

Personally I do not consider these roped corner Bitters as utilitarian squares but more of a transitional bottle somewhere between a square and a figural. Of course it is a square but looking at the fancy decorations such as the ropes and rivets, I am reminded of  a strong, fancy bottle emblematic of the growth of our country and the power of marketing a tonic in a manly shape and form. Look closely and you feel like the bottle is patterned after a classic early american bank safe.

The first bottle we will look at is the National Tonic Bitters. A proud bottle and a great looking pair in amber and aqua.

N 13  NATIONAL TONIC BITTERS
NATIONAL // f // TONIC BITTERS // f //
9 1/2 x 3 (7 1/4)
Square, LTC, Applied mouth, Roped corners, Amber – Extremely rare; Aqua – Scarce
Variant 11 dots one panel, 10 dots on remaining 3 panels

National Tonic Bitters in amber – Meyer Collection

National Tonic Bitters in aqua – Meyer Collection

National Tonic Bitters pair – Meyer Collection

Read further: The ‘Liberace’ of Square Bitters

Read further: A Couple of Fancy Gents

Read further: A ‘Fancy’ Bitters Square for Headaches

Read further: Dr. Goddin’s Compound Gentian Bitters on eBay

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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3 Responses to Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

  1. Warren Friedrich says:

    I think the Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters is a better example of a fancy square than the Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters.

    • Yes, almost identical to the National Tonic Bitters. What the Bakers lacks in detail is certainly made up in color variation. I’ll post on the Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters tomorrow. You going to Auburn? Hope to see you there.

  2. Froggy says:

    A pretty pair! Your “aqua” like mine; almost a teal blue. Great mold design on these “ropers”!

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