M. Keller Label over at Western Bitters News

Re-posted from Rick Simi’s  Western Bitters News

posted by Millers Extra

California Wine Bitters – Label Detail – courtesy Western Bitters News – Millers Extra

M. Keller Label over at Western Bitters News

16 January 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAHere is what remains of a California Wine Bitters label. This broken wine type bottle was dug a few years ago, and provides some insight on this great bitters. It is apparent that Keller bottled the California Wine Bitters in plain bottles either prior to, or subsequent to the embossed version.

Notice how the embossed bottle mirrors the label almost exactly…the “chevron” insignia is also depicted in the same place on the label as on the embossed bottle.

This is a “chicken or the egg” question as to which came first. Any thoughts?

California Wine Bitters – Embossing Detail – courtesy Western Bitters News – Millers Extra

C 24  CALIFORNIA WINE BITTERS, Circa 1863
CALIFORNIA ( cu ) / WINE BITTERS ( cu ) motif geometric design /
M. KELLER / LOS ANGELES ( cu ) // c // // s // motif MK monogram in shield // c //
L…M. Keller’s Celebrated Los Angeles Wine Bitters
12 1/4 x 3 1/2 (7 1/4)
Round, ARM, Green and Aqua, Applied mouth, Very rare
Note: Made in 1863 only.
Keller_C24_CalWnBit1875Com_BBS_10

1875 M. Keller & Co. advertisement for California Wine Bitters – Bitters Bottles Supplement

My bottle (pictured below) originally appeared for sale in the Elmer Smith collection and was a Ray Frederick bottle. It is also Ex: Robert Frank. One dug in a old mining camp near Desert Hills, Arizona, 35 miles from Apache Junction. Four specimens were found near New Hampshire. These must have had an Eastern Agent. St. Louis Directory 1871 McGrade Thomas dealer in California wines and brandies, sole agent for M. Keller’s Celebrated Los Angeles California Wine Bitters, wines, brandies and champagnes.

California Wine Bitters – Meyer Collection

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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