Incoming email from Dave Maryo (Los Angeles Historical Bottle Club). I really enjoyed and was impressed with this story. Thanks Dave!
Hi Ferd,
Just saw a story on seltzer bottles on MSNBC. Thought you might like to see it. http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/11/11604855-seltzer-delivery-man-practices-bygone-craft-in-new-york-city?lite
Dave
A popular and favorite figural bitters to many collectors is the Suffolk Bitters put out by Philbrook & Tucker in Boston, Massachusetts. Perfectly proportioned and detailed, the pigs usually come in an exciting range of ambers and yellows with some having a definite olive tone. The glass usually has color variations depending on looking at different areas of the pig form and glass thickness. The examples with applied double collar mouths complete the bottle from snout to tail. What a great bottle!
Figural bitters pigs – American Glass Gallery
Carlyn Ring & W.C. Ham in Bitters Bottles note the following:
Joseph W. Philbrook was born in Bradford, Vermont on 12 November 1836. His father was Alfred S. Philbrook and his mother was named Susan. Philbrook married Emma C. Bacon on 15 December 1863 in Boston, Massachusetts. They had two Children, Charles (or Clark) and Anna. Charles would later clerk for his father.
J. W. Philbrook surfaces first as a junk dealer in Boston in 1859-60 at 275 Causeway. During the Civil War, he was listed as a Private in 1863 with the Massachusetts Volunteers, Company F.
From 1865-74 or so, we see Joseph W. Philbrook & Herman Tucker partnering as Philbrook & Tucker grocers at 103 and 105 Blackstone in Boston. This partnership and locale is embossed on the Suffolk Bitters figural pig. The “Suffolk” in this case means Suffulk County, Massachusetts and not Suffolk, Virginia as one might first guess.
By 1874, Tucker is gone and we see Joseph W. Philbrook listed as selling groceries and liquors at 103 and 105 Blackstone. His son, Charles C. Philbrook was a clerk.
Joseph W. Philbrook filed for bankruptcy 0n 03 April 1874 and died on 15 May 1875 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was only 38 years old.
It is interesting that Ring & Ham note a surviving label reading,
In introducing these bitters to the American public we do not claim that they will cure every ill that man is heir to. They are the production of a celebrated English chemist, are purely vegetable and are composed of roots and herbs of forest growth. To the dyspeptic, the bilious, and debilitated they have no equal. As an appetizer the invigorating of this tonic are unsurpassed.
Has anyone seen this label from 1870? I sure have not. I also have seen no advertising or reference to the product in my searches. I have put some pictures of pigs in the pen below for your enjoyment. These are awesome figural bitters bottles!
Reproduction bottles were also made. Read: 1970’s Suffolk Pig reproductions, but way cool…
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, Bright lemon yellow through the body shading to a warmer tone with a hint of topaz through the head and almost a clear yellow through the hind feet – American Glass Gallery Auction 8
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, Brilliant yellowish hue with touch of green. Color changes front to back – Meyer Collection
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, Lemon yellow – Meyer Collection
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, Golden amber in the head shading to a bright honey color through the body and virtually yellow in the feet – American Glass Gallery Auction 8
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, Bright yellow. There is a really cool wave of glass crossing the body that adds character – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON – Antique Figural Bottles Hall of Fame – David Jackson
Yellow-Amber “PHILBROOK & TUCKER SUFFOLK BITTERS” Pig-form Flask, “Boston,” c. 1870, with applied double round-banded collar, embossed lettering, lg. 9 3/4 in. – Skinner (PRG: color description and estimate at $400-$600 way off as this sold for $4,250,.00). This is a fantastic light shade of yellow!
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON – photo Love Auctioneers
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, Yellow with black speckles – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON – yellow with an olive tone in the facial features where the glass is more dense, applied double collared mouth – Norman C. Heckler & Company
SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, bright orange amber, bordering a yellow amber through the base and mouth area. This one has the rare squared collar “medicine type” top. – BottleShow.com
“SUFFOLK BITTERS – PHILBROOK & TUCKER / BOSTON”, (Ring/Ham, S-217), Massachusetts, ca. 1865 – 1875, medium olive yellow shading to almost clear in the feet, 10” long, smooth base, applied double collar mouth. Ex. Dr. Burton Spiller Collection, Paul Hadley Collection. – Glass Works Auctions
“J – & I – E – M” Turtle Ink, America, 1865 – 1890. Clear medium blue green with a teal tone, cylindrical with domed shoulders and offset neck, sheared mouth – smooth base, ht. 1 5/8”, near mint; (two shallow sliver-type flakes at the side of the neck below the fine horizontal rim and a little interior residue that would likely easily wash out, otherwise perfect). Similar to C#627. Outstanding color, beautiful example.
“J - & I – E – M” Turtle Ink - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 68
Pattern Molded Inkwell, twenty vertical ribs, probably America, 1825 – 1845. Brilliant clear olive with a bright yellowish almost lime tone, outstanding reddish striations swirling from the neck through the base, square, sheared mouth, blowpipe pontil scar, ht. 1 3/8”, near mint; (a tiny pinpoint bit of roughness and a small 1/16” flake on the edge of sheared mouth, otherwise pristine). C#1116. An extremely rare, possibly unique pattern molded ink. The color and striations are exceptional! Provenance: Ex. William Covill Collection.
Pattern Molded Inkwell - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 69
Pattern Molded Inkwell - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 69
Pattern Molded Inkwell - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 69
“Estes – N.Y. – Ink”, America, 1847 – 1860. Brilliant olive yellow, 8-sided umbrella form, inward rolled mouth, blowpipe pontil scar, ht. 3 1/8”, near mint; (a little faint exterior wear, otherwise perfect). Similar to C#117. A very scarce mold, exceptional, absolutely stunning color! In addition, the glass is highly whittled and filled with tiny seed bubbles giving it plenty of character and eye appeal. Provenance: Ex. Bob Mebane collection (#591), and pictured on the cover of the Mebane catalog. As noted in the text of the Mebane catalog, the description states, “one of the best”, and we would have to agree!
“Estes – N.Y. – Ink” American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 70
“Estes – N.Y. – Ink” American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 70
“Estes – N.Y. – Ink” American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 70
Umbrella Ink, America, 1840 – 1860. Brilliant medium to deep cobalt blue, 8-sided umbrella form, sheared and inward rolled mouth – delicate blowpipe pontil scar, ht. 2 ½”, near mint; (just a touch of expected light exterior wear). Form similar to C#129. Gorgeous color and clarity, nice whittled wavy glass, a beautiful example! Read more about this great little ink, and the young collector who had the great fortune of finding it, in the May issue of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector! As noted in AB&GC, this fantastic little ink bottle was dug by a young collector in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, this past year. Amazingly, the bottle only needed a light cleaning by hand with soap and water and has never been tumbled! A clean, bright example that could easily pass for an attic find!
Umbrella Ink - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 72
Umbrella Ink - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 72
Umbrella Ink - American Glass Gallery Auction 8 - Lot 72
Read More: Two simply stunning inks in drop dead colors
Read More: Small Inkwell Bottles Page
Read More: The “Star of Baltimore”
Read More: More on Harrison’s Columbian Inks
John Pastor, pictured with Liz Maxbauer above, had this great little flask called a Charter Oak at the 2012 Baltimore Bottle Show (Read further: A Salute to the 2012 Baltimore Antique Bottle Show) this past March. It was part of a preview series of bottles for their upcoming American Glass Gallery Auction 8, which is occurring now and is online (visit auction).
Sandor Fuss (Denver, Colorado) took me over to the Pastor | American Glass Gallery booth and showed me this exquisite little gem. I typically like the larger quart and pint sized historical flasks but have to admit, good things can come in smaller sizes. This flask is drop dead gorgeous!
Sandor Fuss holding the Charter Oak (eagle side) at the 2012 Baltimore Bottle Show
GII-60 - Eagle – “Liberty” / Oak Tree Historical Flask as reviewed at the 2012 Baltimore Bottle Show - American Glass Gallery
Seeing the bottle again online refreshed my memory of the Baltimore moment and made me want to develop this post and find out a little more on the Charter Oak.
[Wikipedia] The Charter Oak was an unusually large white oak tree growing, from around the 12th or 13th century until 1856, on what the English colonists named Wyllys Hyll, in Hartford, Connecticut. According to tradition, Connecticut’s Royal Charter of 1662 was hidden within the hollow of the tree to thwart its confiscation by the English governor-general. The oak became a symbol of American independence and is commemorated on the Connecticut State Quarter.
1908 Postcard showing the Charter Oak Hartford, CT
The American Glass Gallery Auction #8 description:
Eagle – Liberty / Oak Tree Historical Flask, America, 1825 – 1835. Bright yellow green, sheared mouth – pontil scar, half pint, very near mint; (a small flake or bit of roughness on one of the raised beads near the base, on the reverse, otherwise attic mint). GII-60. A scarce mold in an extremely rare and desirable color with only one other example known to exist in a similar shade. An exceptional little flask with great eye appeal!
GII-60 - Eagle – “Liberty” / Oak Tree Historical Flask - American Glass Gallery
GII-60 - Eagle – “Liberty” / Oak Tree Historical Flask - American Glass Gallery
Here are two more examples of this beautiful flask in aqua.
EAGLE - "LIBERTY" / OAK TREE, (McK# GII-60), aquamarine, pontil scar, half-pint, sheared and fire polished mouth, a mint flask with some expected wear at the high points. American, 1820-1840, scarce. This desirable little Charter Oak flask is a better than normal example of its type with good mold detailing and some glass crudity. Although it is not known with certainty where it was blown, we are of the opinion that this is a Pittsburgh made flask - Jeff and Holly Noordsy
EAGLE - "LIBERTY" / OAK TREE, (McK# GII-60), aquamarine, pontil scar, half-pint, sheared and fire polished mouth, a mint flask with some expected wear at the high points. American, 1820-1840, scarce. This desirable little Charter Oak flask is a better than normal example of its type with good mold detailing and some glass crudity. Although it is not known with certainty where it was blown, we are of the opinion that this is a Pittsburgh made flask - Jeff and Holly Noordsy
GII-60, CHARTER OAK LIBERTY, Eagle, Half Pint, Great Aquamarine, Historical Flask - eBay
GII-60, CHARTER OAK LIBERTY, Eagle, Half Pint, Great Aquamarine, Historical Flask - eBay
GII-60, CHARTER OAK LIBERTY, Eagle, Half Pint, Great Aquamarine, Historical Flask - eBay
Michael George posted a really nice picture (see above) of a Dr. I. Newton’s Anti-Bilious Bitters package directions with an I. Newton’s Panacea Purifier of the Blood bottle, both from Norwich, Vermont which prompted a search for information.
Israel Newton was born in Colchester, Connecticut on 28 May 1763 to James Newton III and Hannah Downs. Israel married Lucy Child (1760–1831) and had nine children including Calvin Newton (1787–1789), James Newton (1789–1798), Persis Newton (1791–1841), Lucy Newton (1793–1828), George Newton (1795–1841), Lodema Newton (1797–1831), Hannah Newton (1799–1838), Maria Newton (1805–1823) and Calvin Porter Newton (1805–1850).
In 1765, pioneers spent their first long winter on the banks of the Connecticut River in the section of wilderness that would become the town of Norwich, Vermont. These settlers and their families fought hard to turn the rough terrain into a thriving farming and manufacturing community that would soon boast 20 school districts and a prominent military academy. Although winters were harsh and the demands of daily chores were never ending, the residents of Norwich still found time to lead full and varied lives. The manufacturing and military communities are gone now, but that fascinating past will come alive in these remarkable images of Norwich families at work and at play. (Images America – Norwich, October 26, 1998 by Margaret Cheney McNally and Francis L. Niles
Israel Newton lived and operated out of Norwich, Vermont for over 70 years and as his newspaper advertising in 1805 states, he was the inventor of well known medical preparations such as Newton’s Essence of Peppermint, Patent Effence of Tanfly, Tooth Ache Tincture and Eye Water which he sold in small glass vials. His early bitters, in the same 1805 advertising were Elixir of Health (stomach bitters pills) and Lady’s and Gentlemen’s Cordial Bitters. His Elixir of Health pills were put-up in boxes and meant to be dissolved in rum.
He said his medicines were from his Botanic garden and that he used various kinds of Medical Roots and Herbs in their preparation. For payment for his wholesale and retail business, he would offer generous terms of credit and take “neat flock in the month of May and beef in the month of October” and that “English Goods will be received for exchange”.
Read: Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Bitters Pill Box
He apparently was a self-educated physician who was gifted with medicinal skills and was known far and wide for his patent medicines that sold extensively for many years throughout New England, New York and Pennsylvania. In the preface of a small personal notebook he wrote that he’d been engaged in medicinal research for 25 years but “I did not attend the practice of medicine”, and “for several yeas I kept an apothecary shope.”
In 1814 newspaper advertising he was selling Dr. Newton’s Genuine Essence of Wormwood and Essence of Hemlock where you would get vials of the medicine and put 20 to 40 drops in a mixture of molasses and spirits so you could “Bath your stomach in it”. By 1832, his son Calvin P. Newton had succeeded his father and was selling Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Wine Bitters. Eventually the bitters pills would be substituted with embossed bottles of the same, probably around 1846 which makes this one of America’s oldest embossed bitters bottles.
Newton held many town offices, and in 1814 represented the town in the general assembly. He was a prominent member of the Congregational church, of which he was one of the deacons for about twenty-five years, beginning in 1812. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and the last of those soldiers to die in Norwich.
Besides his medicines, which were valuable, Newton was an inventor and also built church organs. He was gifted with rare mechanical skill, which he exhibited in many ways to the benefit of mankind. Israel Newton passed away on 16 January 1856 in Norwich at seventy-three years of age.
Dr. I. Newton’s Anti-Bilious Bitters, much improved of late. A pleasant cordial stomach bitter, prepared under the particular direction of I. Newton, Norwich, VT. They are also for sale in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and by the druggists generally… Israel Newton.
Lot: 90 “I. Newton’s / Panacea / Purifier / Of The / Blood / Norwich, VT.” Medicine Bottle, probably a Stoddard glasshouse, Stoddard, New Hampshire, 1846-1860. Cylindrical with eight indented panels, medium yellow olive, applied sloping collared mouth – pontil scar, ht. 7 1/8 inches; (1/8 inch flake from lower panel edge, two shallow flakes from base edge the largest being 3/16 inch). AAM pg. 381 Generally fine condition. Strong embossing. Rare. Estimate: $6,000 – $12,000 Minimum bid: $3,000 Price Realized: $6,435 – Heckler Auction #118
Lot: 90 “I. Newton’s / Panacea / Purifier / Of The / Blood / Norwich, VT.” Medicine Bottle, probably a Stoddard glasshouse, Stoddard, New Hampshire, 1846-1860. Cylindrical with eight indented panels, medium yellow olive, applied sloping collared mouth – pontil scar, ht. 7 1/8 inches; (1/8 inch flake from lower panel edge, two shallow flakes from base edge the largest being 3/16 inch). AAM pg. 381 Generally fine condition. Strong embossing. Rare. Estimate: $6,000 – $12,000 Minimum bid: $3,000 Price Realized: $6,435 – Heckler Auction #118
Lot 1: “I. NEWTON’S – PANACEA – PURIFIER – OF THE – BLOOD – NERWICH, VT.”, (Odell, pg. 264), Vermont, ca. 1835 – 1845, yellowish ‘old’ amber, 7 1/2”h, pontil scarred base, applied double collar mouth. Pristine perfect condition, good glass whittle, plenty of seed bubbles and no trace of wear! This is the very rare variant with the misspelled Nerwich instead of Norwich embossing. Winning Bid: $ 13,000 (21 Bids) Estimate: $ 7,000 – $ 9,000 – Glass Works Auctions | Auction #124
Lot 1: “I. NEWTON’S – PANACEA – PURIFIER – OF THE – BLOOD – NERWICH, VT.”, (Odell, pg. 264), Vermont, ca. 1835 – 1845, yellowish ‘old’ amber, 7 1/2”h, pontil scarred base, applied double collar mouth. Pristine perfect condition, good glass whittle, plenty of seed bubbles and no trace of wear! This is the very rare variant with the misspelled Nerwich instead of Norwich embossing. Winning Bid: $ 13,000 (21 Bids) Estimate: $ 7,000 – $ 9,000 – Glass Works Auctions | Auction #124
I believe both of these products to have been produced at the nearby Keene Marlboro Glass Factory. Advertisements from the local 1838 newspaper describe the embossed bottles. Stoddard was not in operation at that time. – Michael George
Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham in Bitters Bottles also note a N 25, I. NEWTON’S JAUNDICE BITTERS NORWICH, VT bottle that I do not possess. I am looking for a good example to go with some of my collateral pieces.
1846 Newton’s Anti-Bilious Bitters Handbill – Meyer Collection
Norwich, Vermont: January, 1846, 12″ x 17 3/4″. Intended to be packaged with boxes containing medication. Sheet contains four handbills with description and directions for use of bitters and 4 bottle labels. The “prophylactic power” of the concoction is extolled.
c. 1846 Bitters – Label & Handbill – Printers Sheet for Dr. I. Newton’s Anti-Bilious Bitters – Meyer Collection
Original four labels for Dr. I. Newton’s Anti-Bilious Bitters. Four each of the front and the back labels for bottled bitters. Uncut. Approx: 18 x 12 inches.
Dr. I. Newton’s anti-bilious bitters, much improved of late: a pleasant cordial stomach bitter, prepared under the particular direction of I. Newton, Norwich, Vt by Newton, Israel, Publication date 1846
Aqua Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Bitters, ex. Ken Aldrich Collection. – Jeff Noordsy
Tim Henson forwarded me an email and pictures of an interesting bottle that I have not seen before. I love the ‘Rheumatism & Gout Annihilator’ part. New Orleans bottles are always fun to look at. There is a fantastic example of a DR. HYDE’S SOUTHERN STOMACH BITTERS from New Orleans in the current American Glass Gallery | Auction #8. The Hyde’s reminds me of the famous New Orleans DR. DE ANDRIES SARSAPARILLA BITTERS. Both the Hyde’s and the De Andres are pictured further below. All three of these bottles have similarities. Tim’s email…
N. JENKINS N.O. RHEUMATISM & GOUT ANNIHILATOR - Tim Henson
N. JENKINS N.O. RHEUMATISM & GOUT ANNIHILATOR - Tim Henson
N. JENKINS N.O. RHEUMATISM & GOUT ANNIHILATOR - Tim Henson
N. JENKINS N.O. RHEUMATISM & GOUT ANNIHILATOR - Tim Henson
Advertisment for Jenkins from April 17, 1878 Galveston Daily News - Jim Schmidt
Advertisement from The Louisiana Democrat - May 8, 1878 - Jim Schmidt
American Glass Gallery Auction 8 catalog cover. The Dr. Hyde's is pictured on the cover.
DR. E.C. HYDE'S – SOUTHERN STOMACH BITTERS – NEW ORLEANS, America, 1860 – 1870. Golden amber, rectangular with domed shoulders and fancy columned corners, applied sloping collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 8 7/8”, R/H #H222. An extremely rare bitters, possibly the only known example in undamaged condition. The form is similar to a building with columns. Originally discovered in a box of bottles at a yard sale in Terre Haute, Indiana (with its original cork and corkscrew!) - American Glass Gallery Auction #8 - ex: Jeff Burkhardt
DR DE ANDRIES SARSAPARILLA BITTERS | E.E. RUSHA NEW ORLEANS - Meyer Collection
Read More: Crescent Bitters from Crescent City
Read More: Steinfeld’s French Cognac Bitters Unearthed in NOLA
Read More: Dr. E. C. Hydes Southern Stomach Bitters – New Orleans
Sometimes I get emails and posts on my Peachridge Glass facebook page with little more than just a photograph, which happened in this case. It parked for a day or so until I really looked at the rather nice photograph and smiled. The only caption was:
I asked the sender, a Dennis Humphrey from Northport, Alabama; “Dennis…so what Bitters bottle did you purchase?”. Dennis replied…
Read more about pineapple bitters: Pineapple Bitters – The Different Variants
I then asked Dennis for the story and received the following…
[PRG] What a nice story. There is so much depth and enthusiasm everywhere I look in our antique bottle and glass hobby. Thanks for sharing Dennis and good luck with your digs and may you find the Coleman’s you note. Send me a picture of your pineapple so I can add to the post.
W & Co Pineapple Bitters that Dennis purchased with the Coca-Cola sale on eBay – Dennis Humphrey
Read more on Coca-Cola on Peachridge Glass:
I Bet None of You All Have Been to this Bottle Museum Yet!
1915 Coca-Cola Prototype Bottle and Concept Sketch
The Coca-Cola Bottle Collectors Club
Pair of DR. A.W. COLEMAN’S ANTI DYSPEPTIC AND TONIC BITTERS from a Florida collector
From Mobile, Alabama, DR. A.W. COLEMAN’S ANTI DYSPEPTIC AND TONIC BITTERS – Meyer Collection
The Aprils (that is John April and Charles Aprill (2 l’s) have continued to dominate the airways with their phenomenal INK posts of late. It has really been hard for me to keep up with the quality bottles and pictures that have been wowing so many people on facebook.
1853 Harrison’s Columbian Perfumery & Ink Advertisement
I personally like grouping these photographs as it allows me to compare bottles, lip treatment, sizes, embossings etc. and add support images if possible. Just look at the Harrison’s examples below and decide for yourself, that these two gentlemen deserve a moment of applause for sharing such great pieces. In most cases, these Columbian’s are extremely rare and desirable ink bottles.
Read More: Two simply stunning inks in drop dead colors
Read More: Small Inkwell Bottles Page
Read More: The “Star of Baltimore”
HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKS, cylinders on left, panels on right. 9 in all. The two small paneled Harrison’s are just fine. Not as common as the cylinders. Mebane had the larger. He never did get a good tiny one. The half gallon is ex: Charles Gardner collection. The three 12 panel inks on the right are scarce. Harrison really did use very pretty bottles – Charles Aprill
Gorgeous green, 4″ tall, open pontil HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – John April
Two large gallon inks embossed HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK. Look at the expanded mouth example and the scale next to the two National Bitters (Ear of Corn figurals) – Mitchell Collection
Three small paneled HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKS in different colors – John April
Two small paneled HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK’s. Not as common as the cylinders – Charles Aprill
Gallon HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – Sandor Fuss Collection
Two extremely rare, HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK’s with near complete labels – Charles Aprill
HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK, cylindrical, 7 1/4″ high, medium blueish green, extremely rare and possibly unique in this color – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Extremely rare, HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK, brilliant sapphire blue, octagonal, pontil scar, 1 7/16″H, inwardly rolled mouth, a mint bottle with somewhat weakened embossed lettering. American, probably blown at the Whitney Glass Works, Glassboro, NJ, C. 1850, extremely rare color – Jeff & Holly Noordsy
Gallon HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – Mike Newman Collection
Rare HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN – INK, medium green, octagonal, tubular pontil scar, 1 5/8″ H, inwardly rolled mouth, American, C. 1850, rare color. Blown from green Jersey bottle glass, this delightful little ink is a super example of a very tough to find bottle. Typically blown in pale shades of aquamarine, this colored example is quite uncommon and undeniably beautiful – Jeff and Holly Noordsy
Gallon HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – OldBottleCollector.com
Range of HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKs in aqua. Note labeled examples on ends. Mitchell Collection
5″ Harrison paneled master & 4 1/2″ cylinder – Charles Aprill
4 1/2″ o.p. Harrison’s – John April
It is kind of a gray-blue rainy day here in Newport News, Virginia. What a nice time to post some blue fish bottles. Charles Aprill posted his blue fish last night on facebook. We talked three or so years ago about his example and I wrote about it in the FOHBC Bottles and Extras. Here both blue fish bottles appear on the same page!
Blue Fish Bitters - Aprill Collection
Spread 2 - Exploration & Documentation
*as reprinted from The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) Bottles & Extra Magazine. November-December 2009.
Download PDF: Article_2
[Excerpt from article] As you may be aware, I was fortunate enough to obtain the classic Cobalt Blue Fish Bitters recently in a private transaction. This bottle came from the Don Keating collection thru an intermediary. This addition to my collection was very public and I believe created much positive publicity because I chose to be open and display the bottle on my table at the Pomona National FOHBC Show this past August.
With the publicity generated, this opened the doors for gathering information about this bottle. Through discussions and e-mails I have been able to gather the following valuable information to digest:
1) During the recent FOHBC Show, a trusted collector shared that this same bottle was discovered many years ago in Waupaca, Wisconsin on a farm. The bottle was being used to feed Liniment to a horse. A bottle collector discovered this and purchased the bottle for $500.00 and flipped it for $1,000.00. During the open Bitters Forum at the show, other collectors shared stories of the next series of owners.
2) The elusive owner of the only other known Blue Fish bitters contacted me and confirmed that their bottle lip is offset, ie. R/H F46. The owner looked at it again at my request and in good light and with a magnifying glass confirmed that there is no ‘The Fish Bitters’ embossing on the gills. Their bottle has a sheared lip. They further stated that their bottle ‘came from Elvin Moody (Ohio) many years ago’ and that ‘he had purchased it at a Skinner’s auction in Bolton Mass. in the mid 80′s’ he believed.
3) From another e-mail, ‘That fish appeared at the 1976 EXPO in St. Louis. I recall that the rumor then was that it had been purchased for the princely sum of $5,000.00. The good old days’.
Cobalt Blue Fish Bitters - Meyer Collection
Read More: World Famous Cobalt Blue “The Fish” Bitters
The western Bitters collectors, which is a strong, passionate group, have reactivated their desire to determine the TOP 20 WESTERN BITTERS. This task was done some years ago apparently.
This is somewhat of a challenge without defining qualifications such as:
What is a western Bitters?
Are we talking about a specific Bitters brand?
Should the word Bitters be on the bottle? on the label?
Are we talking about Bitters molds too?
Historical significance?
Eye appeal?
Desirability?
Rarity?
Voting pre-qualification?
Should points be used?
Extra points if the bottle has California, San Francisco etc embossed on bottle?
I suppose, in the end, this all has to weigh in when you cast your vote. Without a doubt, the major qualification should be that ‘the bottle was made at a Western (California) glass works’ such as Pacific Glass Works or San Francisco Glass Works.
Here is the post (see below) from Dale Mlasko from Oregon, that got me involved as I hold many nice western Bitters myself. I tried not to post mostly green bottles. The bottles are anonymous though many of us can determine the owners. I thought about making all bottle pictures black and white but that was painfully difficult to do. I also am asking for better pictures if they are available and looking for a Dr. Hauseman’s German Bitters (flask) picture or actual bottle!
Please send me an email of your top 20 for RANKING compilation or post on this site or Western Bitters News. I suggest we announce at the FOHBC 2012 Reno EXPO.
[from Western Bitters News]
Recently I was reviewing older posts on this blog, and came across the “Western Bitters Survey”. I also noticed that this survey was compiled without the internet, and prior to the forum Western Bitters News. Being mainly western bitters focused in my collecting, and the apparent increase in the popularity in these gorgeous and historically significant bottles, I thought that perhaps this survey of the top 20 western bitters could be tabulated by anyone who has the ability to post their top 20. Just thought it would be interesting…Dale R. Mlasko
For what it’s worth, here is mine…
Some bitters are great, but just not in the “western” way…Bryant’s, Catawba, etc. Dale
AT & Co (embossed monogram in oval on shoulder), Very interesting neck design. BITTERS not embossed on bottle. Assumed Bitters product. Colors range from amber to olive amber and yellows. Exciting color runs possible. AT stands for Asher S. Taylor. Not listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C Ham’s Bitters Bottles or Bitters Bottles Supplement.
AFRICAN STOMACH BITTERS, R/H numbers A15, A16 and A18. Also embossed SPRUANCE STANLEY & CO on A16 and A18. A San Francisco product. Round, amber bottle. Look for crude examples with applied top.
ALPINE HERB BITTERS (motif shield with monogram TT&CO), R/H A37. Square, amber bottle. Look for examples with an applied top.
DR. BOERHAAVE’S STOMACH BITTERS, R/H B133. Square, amber, yellow-olive and green. Extremely rare. Siegfried & Philip Wertheimber & Louis Waterman, San Francisco.
CALIFORNIA BITTERS R/H C12. Tapered, amber rectangle. One complete example known. Broken and re-assembled examples exist.
CALIFORNIA WINE BITTERS, R/H C24. Round cylinder that comes in exciting shades of green. A Los Angeles Bitters. Label reads M. Keller’s Celebrated Los Angeles Wine Bitters
CASSIN’S GRAPE BRANDY BITTERS, F.P. Cassin, San Francisco, California. base viola shape, sensuous bottle. R/H C78 and C79. Great colors and color range possibilities. Two primary different molds.
CHALMER’S CATAWBA WINE BITTERS R/H C119 (C119.5 missing SUTTERS OLD MILL). One example known of C119.5. Good looking, round, aqua cylinder with motif-oval with cabin in woods. Look for character. SPRUANCE STANLEY & CO PROPRIETORS
GRAD PRIZE BIOTTERS, L…Dr. Cooper’s Celebrated Grand Prize Bitters, R/H G89, Louis Taussig Co, Sole Agents, San Francisco, California
DR THOS HALL’S CALIFORNIA PEPSIN WINE BITTERS, R/H H11, Square, amber. Look for examples with applied top.
DR HARVEY’S BLOOD BITTERS. R/H H67. Rectangular, rounded amber bottle with sunken panels. Thought from Salinas or Fresno, California.
DR. HAUSEMAN’S GERMAN BITTERS, R/H H70, Extremely rare, amber square. Looking for picture of flask with the same name.
DR. HENLEY’S EYE OPENER, Extremely rare cylindrical quart. Very limited production. Not listed in R/H
DR.HENLEY’S WILD GRAPE ROOT IXL BITTERS, R/H H85. One of a series of Dr. Henley round cylinders with various embossings.
LACOUR’S BITTERS SARSAPARIPHERE, R/H L3, Three distinct variants. Round, lighthouse patterned favorite among collectors, Nice color range for runs.
E.G. LYONS & CO. MANUFACTURERS SANF. CO., not embossed BITTERS. Very rare square. Not listed in Ring & Ham. Backward ‘N’. Good color range.
DR. MILLER’S RATAFIA (motif of pegasus) DAMIANA SIEBE BROS. & PLAGEMANN S.F. SOLE AGENTS PACIFIC COAST, R/H M90, round, amber, whiskey shape. Bottle embossed with a sphinx.
O.K. BITTERS, Extremely rare, cylindrical quart. An unsuccessful product for Dr. Henley.
OLD MAN’S STOMACH BITTERS / MARCUS SASS, R/H O42. Extremely rare, amber square. Possibly one complete known example.
OREGON CHITTUM BITTERS | DR. G.W. BROWN’S, recent find, only know example, unlisted. Amber square.
ORIZABA BITTERS | J. MARISTANY JR., R/H O88, odd shaped amber rectangular Bitters. Extremely rare.
PERUVIAN BITTERS (motif monogram in shield W&K), J.C. Wilmerding and Calvin W. Kellogg, San Francisco, California. R/H P66, Amber square. Look for applied top examples. Typically in amber, there are known examples in clear, aqua and SCA.
L…Dr. Place’s Cundurango Bitters, embossed CUNDURANGO two sides. R/H P106, Geo. W. Chesley & Co., Sacramento, California. Square comes in interesting shades of amber, green and aqua. Possibilities for color run.
DR. RENZ’S HERB BITTERS, R/H R36-R38. Large and small letter variants. Great color range. Very popular square Bitters.
ROSENBAUM’S BITTERS, Very rare square listed as R93 and R94 (Typographic differences). Color groups possible.
SALUTARIS S.F. BITTERS, Extremely rare, round lady’s leg. Green. Shoulder and base embossed.
G.A SIMON’S MEDICATED AROMATIC BITTTERS, R/H S112, Extremely rare square. Amber, puce and yellowish green. Only a few undamaged specimens.
STOCKTON’S PORT WINE BITTERS (motif monogram SW TRADE MARK), popular amber, rectangular bottle. R/H S198
V. SQUARZA (Vincent Squarza), Presumed Bitters not listed in R/H. Cobalt blue pint, applied square collar. Labeled Bitters. No many known examples.
ALEX VON HUMBOLDT’S STOMACH BITTERS, Very rare square, R/H V31.Hazlett & Miller, agents for the United States. Nice color possibilities with amber, yellow, green and yellow olive.
L…Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters. A rather common bottle but still a favorite with collectors. Nice color range possibilities. Base embossed. Not embossed BITTERS.. R/H W11
E. WIDEMAN & J. CHAPPAS, Spelled incorrectly. Assumed Bitters. Maker of ALPINE HERB BITTERS. Round cylinder. Shoulder embossed. Good colors in the less than 10 complete specimens known.
DR. WONSER’S U.S.A. INDIAN ROOT BITTERS, W146, Strong, round bottle with ornate fluting on shoulder and rings on neck. Great color possibilities. Highly popular and collectible.
DR. WONSER’S BITTERS U.S.A., square, aqua version of the popular Dr. Wonser’s Bitters. Very rare, Aqua. R/H W145.
WORMSER BROS (motif bullseye) SAN FRANCISCO, popular western barrel. Usually in amber, yellow and green (extremely rare). R/H W162.5
YERBA BUENA BITTERS | S.F. CAL, popular flask usually in amber, aqua and green. Extremely rare. R/H Y3-Y4.
