Yerba Buena Bitters – A San Francisco Strap Flask

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Yerba Buena Bitters – A San Francisco Strap Flask

29 March 2012 (R•041417) (R•053019)

I was looking at the prices realized in the latest Glass Works Auction 94 that closed on 19 March 2012 and was reminded of Lot #211. How often do you see a labeled, boxed and full example of a Bitters bottle? This is refreshing because I am constantly on the hunt for information on elusive, rare Bitters bottles and many times, can not find much support information. Here we have it all. Makes me want to go back and look for some related advertising. I do have a question? Is the product named after San Francisco or the Yerba Buena plant?

211. “YERBA BUENA – BITTERS S.F. CAL.”, (Y-3), California, ca. 1890 – 1900, medium amber strapside flask, 9 3/4”h, smooth base, tooled mouth, 99% original front and back labels, contents and box. The bottle is perfect, the box is missing the top flap, but otherwise is in good condition. You can’t find a more complete example!

San Francisco Chinaman Carrying Supplies – circa 1870

Yerba Buena was the name of town that was renamed San Francisco

[Wikipedia] The earliest archaeological evidence of human habitation of the territory of the city of San Francisco dates to 3000 BC. The Yelamu group of the Ohlone people resided in several small villages when a Spanish exploration party, led by Don Gaspar de Portolà arrived on November 2, 1769, the first documented European visit to San Francisco Bay. Seven years later, on March 28, 1776, the Spanish established the Presidio of San Francisco, followed by a mission, Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores).

Upon independence from Spain in 1821, the area became part of Mexico. Under Mexican rule, the mission system gradually ended and its lands began to be privatized. In 1835, Englishman William Richardson erected the first independent homestead, near a boat anchorage around what is today Portsmouth Square. Together with Alcalde Francisco de Haro, he laid out a street plan for the expanded settlement, and the town, named Yerba Buena, began to attract American settlers. Commodore John D. Sloat claimed California for the United States on July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American War, and Captain John B. Montgomery arrived to claim Yerba Buena two days later. Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco on January 30 of the next year, and Mexico officially ceded the territory to the United States at the end of the war. Despite its attractive location as a port and naval base, San Francisco was still a small settlement with inhospitable geography.

Clinopodium douglasii, “Yerba buena”. Grows close to the ground in shaded areas

Yerba Buena is also a rambling aromatic herb of western and northwestern North America, ranging from maritime Alaska southwards to Baja California. The plant takes the form of a sprawling, mat-forming perennial, and is especially abundant close to the coast.

California Gold Miner

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

Y 4 f // YERBA BUENA // f // BITTERS, S.F. CAL. //
L … Dr. Warren’s Yerba Buena Bitters
H. Williams & Co., Proprietors, San Francisco, California
Yerba Buena was the name of town that was renamed San Francisco
8 1/2 x 3 1/2  x 2 (6 3/4)
Rectangular strap flask, Amber, LTCR, Tooled lip, Common, Aqua, Extremely rare
Trade Cards
Y 3 DR. WARREN’S YERBA BUENA BITTERS, Portrait on front of Dwight L. Moody, The American Evangelist (card 1) and Carlotta Patti (operatic soprano) (card 2). Compliments of H. Williams & Co. Proprietors of the Yerba Buena Bitters, 65 Montgomery Street. Reverse: Dr. Warren’s Yerba Buena Bitters, The Great Liver Invigorator and Blood Purifier. H. Williams & Co., Homer Williams, W. T. Leavitt, S. T. Foster, Proprietors, 65 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Crane & Brigham, Agents.

[Western Bitters News] The Yerba Buena Bitters. The longest produced western bitters known, from 1870-1920. The early ones have the famous curved R’s and come in some wild colors. Homer Williams and Alfred Wright established a veterinary and medicine business in San Francisco in 1869. They purchased the formula for a new product they thought would be a great seller. The formula was purchased from a S.F. doctor and it wasn’t long before the two began producing their own “Good Herb” or Yerba Buena Bitters. In 1880, after 10 years or so, The Paul O. Burn Wine Company of San Jose purchased the rights to the now famous Yerba Buena Bitters. They continued to sell it quite successfully for the next 27 years, until prohibition finally forced them to stop making it. “California Kid”

Dr. Warren’s // Botanic / Cough Balsam // S.F. Cal., 6 3/4 inches tall. This product was advertised in the 1870s and is thought to be Dr. Joseph S. Warren’s medicine. It was distributed by Homer Williams and Alfred Wright who established a proprietary medicine business in San Francisco in 1869. Homer became the sole owner and wealthy with Yerba Buena Bitters which was introduced in 1870, Homer’s Ginger Brandy and Warren’s Cough Balsam. Williams retired in 1880, and in the mid 1880s the Paul O. Burn Co., San Jose, purchased Yerba Buena Bitters, and Lash’s Bitters Co. purchased Homer’s Ginger Brandy. Dr. Joseph Warren was in the San Francisco directories from 1887 through 1900, but I do not know who took over the cough balsam. [Dr. Richard Cannon]

YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Glass Works Auction 94

YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Glass Works Auction 94

DR. WARREN’S YERBA BUENA BITTERS trade card, Portrait on front of Dwight L. Moody, The American Evangelist. Compliments of H. Williams & Co. Proprietors of the Yerba Buena Bitters, 65 Montgomery Street. Reverse: Dr. Warren’s Yerba Buena Bitters, The Great Liver Invigorator and Blood Purifier. H. Williams & Co., Homer Williams, W. T. Leavitt, S. T. Foster, Proprietors, 65 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Crane & Brigham, Agents. – Atwater Collection at the University of Rochester

DR. WARREN’S YERBA BUENA BITTERS, Portrait Carlotta Patti (operatic soprano). Compliments of H. Williams & Co. Proprietors of the Yerba Buena Bitters, 65 Montgomery Street. Reverse: Dr. Warren’s Yerba Buena Bitters, The Great Liver Invigorator and Blood Purifier. H. Williams & Co., Homer Williams, W. T. Leavitt, S. T. Foster, Proprietors, 65 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco. Crane & Brigham, Agents. – Atwater Collection at the University of Rochester

YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

Green YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Western Bitters News -Mike McKillop Collection

Pair of YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Mike McKillop Collection

Pair of YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Mike McKillop Collection

Pair of YERBA BUENA BITTERS – Mike McKillop Collection

Yerba Buena Bitters in aqua – American Bottle Auctions

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Ephemera, Flasks, History, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blue Mountain Bitters – Eastern or Western?

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Blue Mountains – Oregon

The “Great Wall” of Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania

Blue Mountain Bitters – Eastern or Western?

29 March 2014 (Updated-030314 Gourd Trade Card)

Apple-Touch-IconAHere is a tough to find, rectangular Bitters bottle that I can find no support information. No advertising, no labeled examples and certainly no clues other than the name Blue Mountain Bitters embossed prominently on the front panel. *See updated and new information below.

Starting with the embossed name, we know that there is the Blue Mountains in Oregon and we start to wonder. “is this a ‘Western’ Bitters” or just a Bitters tagging on to the lure of the chain of mountains.

“the Blue Mountains were a formidable obstacle on the Oregon Trail and was often the last mountain range American pioneers had to cross before reaching either southeast Washington near Walla Walla or passing down the Columbia River Gorge to end of the Oregon Trail”

[Addendum #1] There is also a Blue Mountain that is a ridge that forms the eastern edge of the Appalachian mountain range in Pennsylvania. It cuts across the eastern half of the state from New Jersey to Maryland, providing a distinct boundary between a number of Pennsylvania’s geographical and cultural regions. To its northwest side are the southern and central mountains and valleys, the “coal region,” and the Poconos. To its southeast side are the Cumberland Valley, the “capital region,” Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and the Lehigh Valley.

[Addendum #2] Mystery solved. I have a shipping crate (see below) for this bitters. On the ends it says “BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS THE GREAT TONIC” but on the sides it advertises another product, “DUBBLES DOUBLE DISCOVERY FOR THE BLOOD & LIVER Waynesboro PA. I haven’t done any research on this, but the name seems vaguely familiar. Andy Agnew

“BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS THE GREAT TONIC” but on the sides it advertises another product, “DUBBLES DOUBLE DISCOVERY FOR THE BLOOD & LIVER”, “Waynesboro PA.” – Andy Agnew

[Addendum #3] Trade card below from Joe Gourd mentioning Blue Mountain Bitters.

Blue Mountain back

Blue Mountain Bitters listed on advertising trade card (see reverse below) from S. E. Dubbel in Waynesboro, Pa. – Joe Gourd Collection

Blue Mountain front

‘A Boy’s Best Friend is His Mother’ on reverse of trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book listing is as follows:

B 128  BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS

BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS // f // f // f //
7 7/8 x 2 5/8 x 1 1/2 (5 1/2) 3/8
Rectangular, NSC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Amber – Very rare,
Aqua – Scarce, Clear – Rare

Longcreek, Oregon Storefront in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are a mountain range in the western United States, located largely in northeastern Oregon and stretching into southeastern Washington. Geologically, the range is a part of the larger rugged Columbia River Plateau, located in the dry area of Oregon east of the Cascade Range. The highest peaks in the range include the Elkhorn Mountains, Strawberry Mountain and Mount Ireland. The nearby Wallowa Mountains, east of the main range near the Snake River, are sometimes included as a subrange of the Blue Mountains.

Descent of western flank of the Blue Mountains, Oregon Trail, 1849

In the middle 19th century, the Blue Mountains were a formidable obstacle on the Oregon Trail and was often the last mountain range American pioneers had to cross before reaching either southeast Washington near Walla Walla or passing down the Columbia River Gorge to end of the Oregon Trail in the Willamette Valley near Oregon City.

BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

BLUE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

Read more on ‘Mountain’ embossed or themed bitters. All prompted by a request by Matthew Tigue Levant asking over on the facebooks Antique Bottles for Sale page, that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters

Dr. Black’s Rocky Mountain Bitters

Ulmer’s Mountain Ash Bitters Remedy

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters Advertising Trade Cards

Moosic Mountain Tansy Bitters

Dr. Langley’s Rocky Mountain Bitters

The only (as of now) Harz Mountain Herb Bitters

Alpine Herb Bitters – Western Mountain Themed Square

 

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Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters – Manchester, New Hampshire

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“Cures Liver Complaint, Sick Headache, Biliousness, Indigestion, Loss of Appetite, Colds, Fever and Ague, Coughs…

Cures Palpitation, Jaundice, Salt Rheum, Constipation, Dyspepsia, Humors, Diarrhea, Fever Sores, Colic…

 and all Diseases caused by an Impure State of the Blood.”

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters – Manchester, New Hampshire

29 March 2012 (R•030615) (R•032316)

Apple-Touch-IconAWow, I can just picture the concern and consternation felt by a housewife in Livermore, New Hampshire when trying to find some help for a toothache for her child, wondering if a bottle of Dr. Copp’s might be the cure?

White Mountains behind Main Street, Livermore, NH, circa 1900

Finally, a ‘Mountain’ embossed Bitters that we know where it came from, and have a little history to go with it.

Introducing Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters. That hasn’t been the case with the previous posts on the Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters, Dr. Black’s Rocky Mountain Bitters and Ulmer’s Mountain Ash Bitters Remedy. All prompted by a request by Matthew Tigue Levant asking over on the facebooks Antique Bottles for Sale page, that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

This has been surprisingly fun for me as I am a Bitters collator and I have many, many bitters that drive my bottle collecting passion. This gives me the opportunity to go back and look at the ‘Mountain’ embossed bottles that have not been talked about or looked at before in many cases. Some of these bottles, in my mind at least, are just as exciting as a fancy square or a proud figural which typically get so much more attention.

The Mt Washington and Presidential Range, White Mountain, NH

The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England.

Most of the area is public land, including the White Mountain National Forest as well as a number of state parks. Its most famous peak is Mount Washington, which at 6,288 feet, is the highest mountain in the Northeastern U.S. and home to the fastest surface wind gust (231 miles per hour), measured in the Northern Hemisphere. Mount Washington is one of a line of summits called the Presidential Range, many of which are named after U.S. presidents and other prominent Americans.

There are a couple of other important things I would like to mention regarding the Dr. Copp’s. First of all, and this is exciting, The Dr. Copp’s is embossed Manchester, New Hampshire which will be the location of the 2013 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show.

Secondly, I would like to call your attention to the two (2) photographic styles that I used to try to capture the embossing on this light aqua bottle. This was a very difficult assignment as you can imagine. In images 1 & 2 below, I used natural sunlight behind the bottle. In images 3, 4 & 5, I used a light box configuration beneath, behind and on the sides of the bottle. I find this task highly challenging and immensely gratifying when I can adequately catch and celebrate the bottle with good photography.

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book listing is as follows:

C 232  DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS
DR. COPP’S ( au ) / motif fancy shield with WHITE / MOUNTAIN / BITTERS / motif diamond with monogram JHC / J COPP & CO / MANCHESTER ( au ) / N.H. // c // // b // W T & Co     L…Dr. Coop’s White Mountain Anti-Bilious Bitters (see trade cards below)
8 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 (6 1/4)
Oval (Philadelphia), Aqua, NSC, Tooled lip, Very Scarce,
Drug Catalog: 1880, 1885 and 1892 Goodwin
C 233  DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS
DR. COPP’S ( au ) / motif shield enclosing WHITE / MOUNTAIN / BITTERS / motif diamond with monogram JHC / RINGS AMBROSIA CO ( au ) / WILTON / N.H. // c //
L…Dr. Coop’s White Mountain Anti-Bilious Bitters
8 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 (6 1/4)
Oval (Philadelphia), Aqua, NSC, Tooled lip, Very Scarce,
Drug Catalog: 1880, 1885 and 1892 Goodwin

Pictured below you will see my example which is from the Dr. James Carter Collection. It was purchased in a Glass Works Auction in February 2008. The Trade Cards represented below are also part of my collection.

Read More: Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters Advertising Trade Cards

(image 1) DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

(image 2) DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters advertising trade card (front)

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters advertising trade card (back)

(image 3) DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

(image 4) DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

(image 5) DR. COPP’S WHITE MOUNTAIN BITTERS – Meyer Collection

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters advertising trade card (front)

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters advertising trade card (back)

160_DrCopps_GWA

160. “DR. COPP’S / WHITE / MOUNTAIN (inside a shield) / “BITTERS / JHC (monogram) / J COPP & CO / MANCHESTER / N.H.”, (Ring/Ham, C-232), New Hampshire, ca. 1880 – 1890, pale aqua, 8 3/8”h, smooth base, applied mouth, 98% original label says, ‘Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Anti-Bilious Bitters’, etc. Paul Hadley Collection. – Glass Works Auctions

CoppsWhiteMountain_VariantSmall

Dr. Copp’s White Mountain Bitters variant (C 233) that is identical except below the JC monogram it is embossed “Ring’s Ambrosia Co,/Wilton, N.H.” – Brandon DeWolfe Collection

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Ephemera, FOHBC News, History, Photography, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Shoot-out Update – FOHBC Reno Expo 2012

Posted on 28 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

28 July 2012

A major, Antique Bottle and Glass, judged shoot-out, will occur at the FOHBC Reno Expo 2012. The event will be sponsored by a major Auction House (Norman C. Heckler). This will be a landmark chance and great opportunity to see many great examples together in one event which rarely happens. A cocktail event will occur simultaneously.

Rules are as follows:

1. All bottles will be displayed at the same time in a secure display showcase.

2. Displayer name will be on a sticker placed on the bottom of displayers bottle(s). Up to two (2) bottles per displayer in each category will be allowed.

3. Bottles must be signed in starting at 5:45 pm. Sign-in will finish at 6:30 pm. Judging will be at 7:00 pm.

4. A separate panel of three judges will be used for each of the primary categories.

5. Security will be provided. Only the person who signed the bottle in will be able to remove it from the display area.

6. Winners will receive an award and recognition in Bottles & Extras magazine and on the FOHBC web site.

7. Categories to be displayed and judged:

A. Drakes Plantation Bitters (4 log , 6 log and Arabesque)

B. J H Cutter Whiskey (#43 in Thomas Whiskey Book, Sole Agent, plain reverse)

C. Umbrella Inks (pontiled base, smooth base)

8. The event will be photographed, documented and represented in Bottles and Extras and the FOHBC web site.

The Shoot-Out will occur on Saturday Evening after the days show. The area will open at 5:45 pm. Tickets will be required. Attendees and Guests automatically include Reno EXPO Show Dealers, Displayers, Seminar presenters, FOHBC members from current membership list (join on the spot for admittance) and friends of the Shoot-Out Sponsors. Tickets will be provided and will be needed at event room door.

Join the FOHBC

 

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Bitters, Bottle Shows, Bottles and Extras, Club News, Figural Bottles, FOHBC News, Inks, News, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters

Posted on 28 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters

28 March 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAThere have been two (2) previous Peachridge Glass ‘Mountain’ post responses based on a question Matthew Tigue Levant asked over on facebooks Antique Bottles for Sale page, posting that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

“looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”

My first response and post, based on his question, was the extremely rare DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS – XR Square. The second post was on a far different looking bottle called ULMER’S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY.

This prompted a comment on the Dr. Black’s, “Beautiful example, it’s shame there is not a city and or state embossed on the bottle… is it from the Rocky’s or was it an eastern quack trying to capitalize on Western fever? And where can I hope to dig one?! I could swear I have seen a smaller size “Rocky Mountain Bitters”, (with that embossed in one line), with sunken panels. Possibly I’m confusing it with something else, the Sharp’s maybe? Thanks for posting Ferdinand” from Mathew Levant.

 “Possibly I’m confusing it with something else, the Sharps maybe?”

I do have an examples of a Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters that I won in a Glass Works Auction in 2003. It is probably the bottle that Mathew is referencing. Look at the upside down apostrophe in Sharp’s. That is pretty cool.

The bottle is rated Rare but it could be more than that, maybe Very Rare as I have not seen too many examples since 2003.

As with many older Bitters examples, I can not tell you much more than what is listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book which is as follows. We will have to wait until some advertising and/or a labeled example surfaces.

S 95  SHARP’S MOUNTAIN HERB BITTERS, Circa 1870 – 1880,

SHARP’S // MOUNTAIN HERB // BITTERS // f //
9 5/8 x 2 5/8 (6 1/2) 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Rare
Apostrophe upside down in Sharp’s

SHARP’S MOUNTAIN HERB BITTERS – Meyer Collection

SHARP’S MOUNTAIN HERB BITTERS – Meyer Collection

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ULMER’S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I did a post earlier today in response to Matthew Tigue Levant, over on facebooks Antique Bottles for Sale page, posting that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

“looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”

That made me pause and think a moment about my Bitters collection. The Dr. Black’s Rocky Mountain Biters, Blue Mountain Bitters, Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters and Mountain Root and Herb Bitters came quickly to mind. I suspect that there are others so when I reunite with my collection at home I will look.

So this morning I responded with a post on DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS – XR Square. Jeff Noordsy (see Jeff and Holly Noordsy) sent a comment attached to the post (I love when this happens) and said “Can’t forget one of my favorites, the elusive “Ulmer’s Mountain Ash Bitters.” Pontil as well!

“Can’t forget one of my favorites, the elusive “Ulmer’s Mountain Ash Bitters.”

Well. Jeff is right. I did forget. And guess what. I have a great example of this extremely rare, gorgeous, oddball, medicine styled aqua Bitters. As with many older Bitters example, I can not tell you much more than what is listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book which is as follows. We will have to wait until some advertising and/or a labeled example surfaces.

U 2  ULMER’S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS, Circa 1840 – 1860,

ULMER’S ( au ) / MOUNTAIN / ASH / BITTERS // REMEDY // c // NEW GERMAN //
7 1/2 x 3 3/8 x 2 (5)
Rectangular oval, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare
Unusual for a rectangular bottle to have two curved sides.

I did look up ‘Mountain Ash’ and found the following:

Mountain Ash is a name used for several trees, none of immediate relation.

It may refer to Eucalyptus regnans, the tallest of all flowering plants and other floral species, Fraxinus texensis, an ash tree species in Texas. Trees in the genus Sorbus in North America (mainly U.S.), which are often styled as mountain-ashes to convey their unrelatedness to true ashes.

Mountain Ash (Welsh: Aberpennar) also is a town and community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, deep in the South Wales Valleys of Wales. Mountain Ash is situated in the Cynon Valley and has a population of 7,039. Mountain Ash lies within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan.

Possibly dead ends here or maybe not. I’ll keep looking and keep my ears open.

ULMER'S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY - Meyer Collection

ULMER'S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY - Meyer Collection

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS – XR Square

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Matthew Tigue Levant over on facebook Antique Bottles for Sale posted that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

That made me think a moment about my Bitters collection. The Dr. Black’s Rocky Mountain Biters, Blue Mountain Bitters, Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters and Mountain Root and Herb Bitters came quickly to mind. I suspect there are others so when I reunite with my collection at home I will look. The Dr. Black’s which constitutes this post is Extremely Rare. I actually have two (2) examples from the Dr. James Carter Collection that was auctioned off by Glass Works in successive auctions back in 2008.

As with many cases, I can not tell you much more than what is listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book which is as follows. We will have to wait until some advertising and/or a labeled example surfaces.

B 116  DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS, Circa 1865 – 1875

DR W. H. BLACK’S / ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS // f // f // BLACK & RICHARDSON / PROPRIETORS // // b // B.F.G. CO.
9 x 2 3/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare,

(Example A) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

(Example A) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

(Example B) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

(Example B) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

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S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – A Semi-Cabin in Sapphire

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – A Semi-Cabin in Sapphire

Sometimes life repeats itself…

26 March 2012 (R•121218 – Info on Samuel Sherwood Smith) (R•040119 – Aprill example)

Apple-Touch-IconAIn this post I would like to explore the commonalities between the beautiful coloration and faceting of blue Sapphire gems, the S. S. SMITH JR & CO. figural, rectangular semi-cabin (that probably contained a bitters, whiskey or rye) from Cincinnati, Ohio and Bombay Sapphire Gin (my preferred Gin).

The chamfered bottle design of the S. S. Smith certainly reminds me of the gem we are familiar with and the Bombay Gin bottle. Sapphire is a color that responds well to light and can refract lighter and darker tones that are gorgeous. Who wouldn’t want to pick this bottle off the shelf of a merchant in 1870 or so. I know I can usually spot this color and brand in a field of many behind a bartender now.

Sapphire is the official birthstone for the month of September as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also one of the birth stones for the Zodiac signs of Pisces, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius. Sapphire is given as a gem for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries while a star sapphire is given on the 65th wedding anniversary.

Sapphire is the non-red variety of corundum (the red variety of corundum is ruby). A 9.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire is the second hardest natural mineral.

Blue is by far the most popular color for sapphires, but they can be almost any color, including yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple. Padparadscha is the name for a rare orange-pink variety of sapphire and has a higher value than blue sapphires.

Bombay Sapphire’s Ad Campaign is Projected & Infused with Imagination

In the Glass Works Auction 94 this past March 2012 (Ides of March Auction) (see picture below) one of these S.S. Smith gems showed up. An example has not made an appearance for years. These are really tough to come by. I purchased my example in 2006 (see pictures below) in a private transaction from an East Coast dealer and auctioneer. I wish I had more information on the bottle such as a label or advertising but alas, I can not find a thing. I have heard rumors of an amber example. [Updated with amber information below] Hopefully this post will ferret out some more information from my collector friends.

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

Glass Works Auction 94 “The Ides of March” Auction. Closed 19 March 2012.

This example sold for $4,312.50 including auction house premium. Most examples have sold historically (I have seen two or three including my own) for around $6,500 meaning someone really got a deal.

148. “S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O.”, (Denzin-SMI-21), Ohio, ca. 1870 – 1880, medium cobalt blue semi-cabin, 9 5/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth, perfect condition. For those of you who collect these popular semi-cabin bottles, this is a hard one to find, and gives you a chance to add some nice color to the collection!

S.S.Smith_GW98

“S.S. SMITH. JR. & CO / CINCINNATI, O.”, (Denzin SMI-21), Ohio, ca. 1865 – 1875, medium cobalt blue semi-cabin, 9 3/4”h, smooth base, applied mouth, about perfect (a few light scratches on the label panel). We sold this bottle in 1997 at the FOHBC auction in Jacksonville, Florida. – Glass Works Auctions – Auction #98

Lot: 54 “S.S. Smith. Jr.. & Co / Cincinnati.O.” Figural Whiskey Bottle, America, 1860-1870. Rectangular modified cabin form, medium cobalt blue, applied sloping collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 9 5/8 inches. Attractive form and color. Fine condition. Dr. Charles and Jane Aprill collection. – The Aprill Collection: Blue Bottles & Glass, Session I Premier Auction 172 – HECKLER

S.S.SmithAmber_GW_98

“S.S. SMITH. JR. & CO / CINCINNATI, O.”, (Denzin SMI-21), Ohio, ca. 1865 – 1875, golden amber simi-cabin, 9 5/8”h, smooth base, applied mouth, perfect conditino. Nice glass whittle, and considerably harder to find than it’s blue brother. – Glass Works Auctions – Auction #98

Samuel Sherwood Smith

Samuel Sherwood Smith was born on August 30, 1803 in Solon, Cortland County, New York. He was the son of Levi Smith and Hannah Holland and one of 11 boys from the couple. One newspaper article said he was the smallest, but lived the longest. He certainly accomplished a great deal in his life. He was married first to Margery (?) Smith in 1826 and then Elizabeth Andress Smith in 1832. Two of his children, S. S. Smith Jr. and Edwin Forrest Smith would eventually join him in the liquor business.

By 1820, Samuel Smith is found residing in Cincinnati, Ohio. U.S. Federal Census records do not list an occupation each decade until 1860 where he is listed as a merchant. I suspect Smith was a liquor dealer or some type of general merchant many of those years. That same 1860 federal record is missing S.S. Smith, Jr. who would have been 26 years old or so at the time. Edwin F. Smith was 18 years old at the time.

An article in the January 1995 edition of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine. mentions that the Booth family, part of an acting group, visited the Smith family in 1848 on an acting tour. Sol Smith, one of Samuels brothers, was an actor. John Wilkes Booth, then ten years old, was there, as well as the ten year old S.S. Smith Jr.

In 1862, we see the first listing of S.S. Smith & Company comprising of Samuel S. Smith and his son S.S. Smith, Jr. They are selling liquors at 56 West 2nd Street in Cincinnati. By 1869, it is S.S. Smith, Jr. & Company, Liquors located at No. 34 E. 2nd Street. They were dealers in fine bourbon and rye whiskeys. His partners were his sons Samuel and Edwin and Benjamin Ehrmen who had married his daughter Louise. Samuel Smith Sr. had moved on from the business by then and was now the president of a life insurance company.

In 1871, the following newspaper advertisement (below) appears in The Cincinnati Enquirer for S. S. Smith Jr., & Co. (S. S. Smith Jr., Edwin F. Smith and Benj. F. Ehrman) selling Wholesale Liquors at 58 W. Second Street in Cincinnati. Notice the “Proprietors of the Celebrated Morning Call Bitters.” Could this be the product in the bottle? Actually, I do believe this. This semi-cabin bottle shape now also found in amber, is basically the same form as many other bitters. Whiskey, rye and other spirits were typically bottled in round cylinder bottles. The only thing that casts doubt on this idea is another Morning Call Bitters being sold in Cincinnati around the same time period.

Read: A Morning Call Bitters Comparison

Samuel S. Smith (Senior) would continue in the insurance business. In 1876 and 1877, he is listed as the president of the Cincinnati Equitable Fire Insurance Company. He would die in 1885. Some type of fall hastened his death. His son, S. S. Smith Jr. would continue the business until 1876 or so. The following year he is listed as a travel agent.

Read more: S. S. Smith just Dug

Read More: Cincinnati Bitters Spotting – A cross reference of directories

Select Listings:

1803: Samuel Sherwood Smith born 30 August 1803, Solon, Cortland County, New York, Son of Levi Smith and Hannah Holland (1761–1814), Children of Samuel and Elizabeth: Edwin Forrest Smith, Louise (Smith) Ehrman, Sarah (Smith) Hinman, Charles Stembridge Smith, Child of Samuel and Margery: Ellen Smith – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
1820: Samuel Smith, Home in 1820: Cincinnati Ward 3, Hamilton, Ohio, Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820 – 1820 United States Federal Census
1830: Samuel Smith, Home in 1830: Cincinnati Ward 1, Hamilton, Ohio – 1830 United States Federal Census
1840: Samuel S Smith, Home in 1840: Cincinnati Ward 2, Hamilton, Ohio – 1840 United States Federal Census
1848: Article in the January 1995 edition of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine. The article mentions that the Booth family, part of an acting group, visited the Smith family in 1848 on an acting tour. John Wilkes Booth, then ten years old, was there, as well as the 10 year old S.S. Smith Jr. – Gary Beatty
1850: Samuel S Smith, Age: 46, Birth Year: abt 1804, Birthplace: New York, Home in 1850: Cincinnati Ward 2, Hamilton, Ohio, Household Members: Samuel S Smith 46, Elizebeth Smith 38, Ellen Smith 21, Marcus Smith 19, Samuel S Smith 16, Sarah E Smith 14, Edwin F Smith 9, Virginia Smith 7, Louisa Smith 2 – 1850 United States Federal Census
1860: Samuel S Smith, Merchant, Age: 56, Birth Year: abt 1804, Birth Place: New York, Home in 1860: Millcreek, Hamilton, Ohio, Post Office: Cincinnati, Dwelling Number: 1188, Family Number: 1319, Real Estate Value: 50,000, Personal Estate Value: 40,000, Household Members: Samuel S Smith 56, Elizabeth Smith 48, Edwin F Smith 18, Virginia Smith 16, Louisa Smith 12, Fanny Smith 9, Chas Smith 7 – 1860 United States Federal Census
1862: S.S. Smith & Co., (S.S. Smith & S.S. Smith, Jr.), Liquors, 56 west 2nd – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1869: S.S. Smith, Jr., Liquors, No. 34 E. 2nd St., S.S. Smith Jr. & Co. Dealers in fine Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys, 58 W. 2nd St.,partners were Edwin Smith and Benj. Ehrmen – 1869 City Directory of Cincinnati
1870: Samuel S. Smith, President Life Insurance Co, Age in 1870: 63, Birth Year: abt 1807, Birthplace: New York, Dwelling Number: 678, Home in 1870: Cincinnati Ward 14, Hamilton, Ohio, Personal Estate Value: 1000, Inferred Spouse: Elizabeth Smith (born England), Household Members (all born in Ohio): S Samuel Smith 63, Elizabeth Smith 58, Edwin F Smith 28 (Maker of Malt), Virginia Smith 24, Louisa Smith 21, Fanny Smith 19, Charles Smith 17 – 1870 United States Federal Census
1871-1872: S.S. Smith Jr. & Co. (S.S. Smith Jr., Edwin F. Smith and Benj. F. Ehrman), Wholesale Dealers in Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, &c., 58 w. 2nd. – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1871: Newspaper advertisement (below) S.S. Smith Jr., & Co. (S.S. Smith Jr., Edwin F. Smith and Benj. F. Ehrman), Wholesale Liquors, Proprietors of the Celebrated Morning Call Bitters, 58 W. Second Street, Cincinnati – The Cincinnati Enquirer, Saturday, November 4, 1871

1874: S.S. Smith Jr. & Co., (S.S. Smith Jr.) Wholesale Liquor Dealers, 58 w. 2nd. – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1876: S.S. Smith Jr., Liquors, h 105 Dayton – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1876-1877: S.S. Smith (Senior), President Cincinnati Equitable Fire Insurance Co., 1269 Race, Residence, 278 W.4th – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1877: S.S. Smith (Junior), Travel Agent, 249 W Pearl, h 105 Dayton – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1880: Samuel S. Smith, Fire Insurance Co. President, Age: 78, Birth Date: Abt 1802, Birthplace: New York, Home in 1880: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, Street: Huntington Block, House Number: 7, Dwelling Number: 182, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Elizabeth Smith, Father’s, Birthplace: New York, Mother’s Birthplace: New York, Household Members: Samuel S. Smith 78, Elizabeth Smith 66, Louisa Ehrmarna – 1880 United States Federal Census
1885: Samuel Sherwood Smith death: 5 Apr 1885 (aged 81), Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, Burial: Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, Section 77, Lot 4, grave 16 – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
1885: Newspaper notice (below) Samuel Sherwood Smith dead – St. Louis Post Dispatch, Wednesday April 15, 1885

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, Gin, Liquor Merchant, Spirits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glass Fishing Net Floats

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I have to say, I feel a little remiss when I have written and referenced vintage Glass Paperweights, Lightning Rod Balls, Target Balls, Marbles, Fire Grenades, Witch Balls, Fly Traps and Christmas Ornaments and have ignored the float subject. The common denominator of course, is the geometric ‘circle’, as all of these collecting objects are primarily round.

I am aware of glass fishing floats but I could not tell you much about them, hence this post. I am a glass lover so this is just another dimension to this great hobby. I wonder if there are any Bottle Collectors that collect Glass Floats? Let me know.

A Little History about Glass Fishing Floats

[from Glass Float Junkie] The use of the first glass fishing floats can be traced as far back as 1840. The Norwegians used a small egg-sized float onwhich they tied a fishing line and a hook. As the use of nets increased, Norway went on to produce other sizes of floats since glass was an economical method of supporting the nets and offered plenty of buoyancy. Many European countries soon began using glass floats. Trademarks or embossing began appearing on the floats to identify the users and manufacturers of the floats.

Most floats are shades of green because the glass used was primarily recycled sake bottles

Around 1910, far eastern countries, primarily Japan began manufacturing and using glass floats, hence their most popular name; Japanese Glass Fishing Floats. To accommodate different fishing styles and nets, the Japanese experimented with many different shapes of floats, from as small as 2 inches in diameter to the gigantic size of 20 inches in diameter. Most floats are shades of green because the glass used was primarily recycled sake (wine) bottles, but clear, amber, aquamarine, amethyst, blue and other colors were also produced. The most prized and rare color being a red, or cranberry hue. These were expensive to make because gold was used to produce the color. Other brilliant jewel tones such as emerald green, cobalt blue, purple, yellow and orange were primarily made in the 1920´s-30´s. The majority of the colored floats you will find for sale today are replicas.

The most prized and rare color being a red, or cranberry hue. These were expensive to make because gold was used to produce the color.

Cork and aluminum floats appeared around 1920. These soon began to replace glass floats since they were more durable and could provide holes or eye features that made net attachment easier and more reliable. As manufacturing techniques improved, plastic floats soon followed. Unfortunately for net fisherman, glass floats would often escape their nets. Today, millions of glass floats are probably still floating in the world’s oceans.  When tide and weather conditions are just right, you can find glass floats that wash up on the beaches of Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Sometimes, several may arrive together in the same location. Often, these floats roll safely onto shore or may be tangled in seaweed or other flotsam. Sadly, they also can be shattered if the float should land on a rocky coastline. During stormy periods they can be thrust hundreds of feet onshore and will remain there until some lucky hunter should find it.

Today, millions of glass floats are probably still floating in the world’s oceans.

[PRG] I’ve put together a collage of pictures that I found online…many of the really nice pictures were taken by Robi at lightinawormhole at Etsy.

Japanese Fishing Trawler – Note the glass floats across the top of the boat.

New England glass float – Steven James Anderson

Vintage Fishing Float Japanese Molded Glass – photo lightinawormhole

Vintage Glass Fishing Float – 13 Inch Netted with Taiwanese Marks – photo lightinawormhole

Floats in an old wire basket – photo For the Love of a House

Vintage Fishing Float Glass, 6 Inch Plus Collectible – BIG Beer Bottle – NW Glass Co  – “That was one magical moment I won’t forget” Robi @ lightinawormhole (photo)

Glass Fishing Floats – Painted Thread

Vintage Glass Fishing Float – Sea Foam Frosted – photo lightinawormhole

Rare Antique Vintage Japanese KAWAGUCHI Marked Glass Fishing Float with Netting – eBay

Vintage Glass Fishing Float – Finally Spring, 3 PC – photo lightinawormhole

Kamichia used to live in Alaska (she now lives on the Oregon coast) and would take plane trips to remote beaches and find the likes of this….Photo by Glass Float Junkie

Glass Fishing Float Vintage Japanese – photo lightinawormhole

Japanese Glass Fishing Floats found on Aleutian Islands

Glass Fishing Floats Vintage Collectible – photo lightinawormhole

A Collection of baseball-size floats still in their nets. Vintage Biltmore Hotel Silver tray.

Autumn’s Gaze’ are a lovely pair of hand blown, vintage Japanese fishing floats – photo lightinawormhole

Fishing Floats on a Dining Room Table – photo For the Love of a House

Here’s an unusually striking beauty, bringing together a light powder blue net with the stunning deep emerald green seal ‘button’ – photo lightinawormhole

Antique Japanese glass fishing floats/buoys via Froulala.com

hand blown Japanese collectible measures 3-7/16″ diameter or 10-7/16″ in circumference. – photo lightinawormhole

Wire basket holding a collection of colorful Japanese glass fishing floats

Posted in Fishing Floats, History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Woody Douglas Glass Photography Gallery

Posted on 25 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Woody Douglas

Periodically I like to stop and gather photography and create an online gallery because the work of a certain individual glass collector is so wonderful. Most recently I have created Galleries for Jeff and Holly Noordsy and Mike Holzwarth. Today, I would like to post a few photographs by Woody Douglas from Medford, Massachusetts. I only know Woody on facebook but wow, his photography, usually in windows with still lifes of glass, takes my breath away. They are full of emotional elements such as light, shadow and transparency. Each shot has an element of mystery. Woody really understands composition and natural light. Enjoy…

I typically expand these galleries on PRG with new pictures so check back…

The Darwin Collection – The design of most contemporary flasks is a rare example of a genetic mutation causing evolution to come to a grinding halt. Given a choice I would naturally select a flask from the early 19th century any day. – Woody Douglas

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Cologne, Decanter, Demijohns, Early American Glass, Flasks, Photography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment