Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters
27 February 2014 (R•082314) (R•051818)
Here is a odd handbill (below) from my collection representing Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters. The piece pictures the trade mark for the brand. My question is, is the Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters related to Dr. Langley’s Root and Herb Bitters? Looks like both Langley bitters may have been competing in some of the same markets. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find the family connection. Very mysterious.
The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:
L 19 LANGLEY’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS
LANGLEY’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS NEW YORK
Dr. J. H. Langley & Company, Proprietor New York
New York City Directory lists at 207 Fulton Street
The Courtland County Democrat (New York) October 15, 1869
Handbill with beautiful graphics for ‘Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters’ with
‘Price Current. A. D., 1867.’ – Meyer Collection
Flyer put out by J.H. Langley for his new Rocky Mountain Bitters. In it, Langley cautions the reader not to confuse his Rocky Mountain Bitters with the well known J.O. Langley’s Root and Herb Bitters. In the flyer, Langley alludes to his “Vegetable Bitters”. It apparently was his first attempt at a bitters medicine. It is another unlisted Bitters. – Gourd Collection
Here is an advertisement below for Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters from the Marshall County Republican (Plymouth, Indiana) in August 12, 1869. At the bottom of the ad it says, “Manufactured Only At The Proprietary Medicine Warehouse of Dr. J. H. Langley & Co., 207 Fulton Street, New York. Sold by all Druggists and Grocers throughout the Country.” Note the appearance now of “Dr.”.
Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters advertisement – Marshall County Republican (Plymouth, Indiana), August 12, 1869
Look at this tall, single column advertisement below for Rocky Mountain Bitters, Rocky Mountain Bitters Company, 207 Fulton Street, New York from The Sumter Watchman, May 04, 1870. Notice the absence of Langley’s name. Interesting.
Tall, single column advertisement for Rocky Mountain Bitters, 207 Fulton Street, New York. Notice the absence of Langley’s name and inclusion of Rocky Mountain Bitters Company – The Sumter Watchman (Sumterville, S.C.), May 04, 1870
Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Beverage – The Standard Tonic Bitters of America advertisement (see below)
Ferdinand, I picked this up recently. It is an exact match for the bottle described in the last advertisement in your 2014 write-up of the Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters. It was bought in Rochester, New York, so this matched the location of the address listed in the advertisement as well. I have never seen one of these before. It is a striking and big bottle and could not have been cheap to manufacture with the big ground stopper. Brandon DeWolfe, P.E.
