Warren Mortimer Watson and his German Balsam Bitters

GermanBalsamBitters

GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS

Most known examples were dug from one hole in Oakland, California.

Apple-Touch-IconAA really rare, opaque milk glass, German Balsam Bitters is making an appearance at the Glass Works Auction #99 “Madness in Manchester” event that will culminate in a live auction on 20 July at the 2013 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show. It is interesting to note that this is considered a “western” bitters. There remains some questions relating to ‘if this bottle was made out west’ or shipped to the west from Germany for distribution?

Glass Works lot #19 reads as follows:

19. “GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS / W. M. WATSON & CO. / SOLE AGENTS FOR U.S.”, (G-19), California, ca. 1875 – 1890, opaque milk glass, 8 7/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth, perfect condition. One of only a very few American bitters bottles that were made in milk glass.

There is quite a bit of information on W. M. Watson over at Western Whiskey Tool Top Gazette.

Read: Warren Watson

Read: And the mists of time cleared

GermanBalsamBittersHam

Illustration of German Balsam Bitters – from Bitters Bottles by Carlyn Ring and W. C. Ham

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is:

G 18  GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS

GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS / W. M. WATSON & CO. / SOLE AGENTS FOR U.S. // f // f  // f //
9 x 2 7/8  (6 3/4) 7/16
Square, Milk glass, LTC, Applied mouth, Rare
Only Western embossed milk glass bitters bottle. *Wichmann includes Berliner Bitters as second
Warren M. Watson had a liquor distributor business in Oakland, California from 1880 until 1905.
Most known examples were dug from one hole in Oakland, California.

WatsonInvoice

Invoice/Statement. Description: White paper, black etched graphic of grapes and back printing – “W. M. Watson Co., Inc. Wine Growers and Dealers in California Wines & Brandies“, San Francisco, sale to Henry Boyle, Port Costa, dated Aug. 27, 1898, partial notary stamp impressed in top right corner. – Oakland Museum of California

GermanBalsamBittersWichmann

German Balsam Bitters image within The Best of the West Antique Western Bitters Bottles by Jeff Wichmann

GermanBalsamBittersLabel

German Balsam Bitters label pictured within The Best of the West Antique Western Bitters Bottles by Jeff Wichmann

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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