Author Archives: Ferdinand Meyer V

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, Inc., 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. Ferdinand 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 gardening (Peachridge Gardens), antiques (Peachridge Collections), and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past three-term president of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, a long-time board member, FOHBC 2021 Hall of Fame, and one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.

A. Lambert Bitters – Philadelphia

Posted on 14 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A. Lambert Bitters – Philadelphia 14 October 2018 (R•110318) Nick Downs posted some great pictures of an “A. Lambert’s Bitters Philada” cylinder from Philadelphia over on the Antique Bitters Bottles Facebook page. His pictures are below. I cropped away the … Continue reading →

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Harry Johnson’s 1882 Bartender’s Manual

Posted on 13 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Harry Johnson’s 1882 Bartender’s Manual 13 October 2018 It was interesting to come across and read online the New and Improved Illustrated Bartender’s Manual or How to Mix Drinks of the Present Style. It was published in New York City in 1882 … Continue reading →

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Red Cross Bitters

Posted on 13 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Red Cross Bitters 13 October 2018 Here is a really cool, circa 1870, patent medicine label (below) that the Library of Congress is holding for William B. Dorman’s Original Red Cross Bitters. Pictured is a crusader in armor with a … Continue reading →

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Looking at Spanish Bitters

Posted on 12 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Looking at Spanish Bitters 12 October 2018 R•041219) The Library of Congress holds this great advertising patent proof lithograph label for Gainer’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters (above) being transported by a passenger train, steamboat and horses and wagon emblazoned with the … Continue reading →

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PE-RU-NA For Catarrh – The Great American Fraud

Posted on 8 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

PE-RU-NA For Catarrh – The Great American Fraud 08 October 2018 Yesterday, I put together a post on TO-NI-TA which reminded me of PE-RU-NA. Early 1900 fraudulent medicines with similar graphics treatment in their names, similar bottles, and the same time … Continue reading →

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TO-NI-TA – Dr. Lorentz’s Mucous Membrane Bitters

Posted on 7 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

TO-NI-TA – Dr. Lorentz’s Mucous Membrane Bitters 07 October 2018 I found some neat newspaper advertising for TO-NI-TA, Dr. Lorentz’s Mucous Membrane Bitters that made me pause and want to know what To-Ni-Ta means. Best I can figure is a play … Continue reading →

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Dr. Frank’s Laxative Tonic Bitters

Posted on 1 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Frank’s Laxitive Tonic Bitters If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. 01 October 2018 Now here is a cool bitters bottle that up until now, … Continue reading →

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Loranger Globe Bitters – What is your Story?

Posted on 25 September 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A. Loranger Globe Bitters – What is your Story? 25 September 2018 (R•092618) (R•092718) (R•100518) I received an email and pictures this morning from John Throop. “Hi Ferd – was happy to find this Loranger Globe Bitters jug on eBay … Continue reading →

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Dr. Michael Cox’s Bitters – Pittsburgh

Posted on 23 September 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Michael Cox’s Bitters – Pittsburgh H. Obernauer & Company 23 September 2018 I’d forgotten about my Dr. Michael Cox’s Bitters with the three embossed cocks until somebody posted a picture of an example on PRG Facebook the other day. … Continue reading →

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Dr. Varena’s Japan Bitters – From Tokyo to Peoria

Posted on 21 September 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Varena’s Japan Bitters – From Tokyo to Peoria Lion Manufacturing Company 21 September 2018 Here is a later bitters bottle that never really gets talked about. There is an example in the current Glass Works Auctions | Auction #124 … Continue reading →

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