Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters – Bangor, Maine

Posted on 6 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters – Bangor, Maine

Caldwell Sweet & Bro. Druggists and Apothecaries

06 February 2015 (R•020715)

Yet another dandelion bitters, this time put out by Caldwell Sweet & Brother in Bangor, Penobscot, Maine. We are now talking about Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters.

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

L 138 LYMAN’S DANDELION BITTERS

LYMAN’S DANDELION BITTERS // F // C. SWEET & BRO. / BANGOR, ME // f //
Caldwell Sweet & Bro., Druggist and Apothecary, 2 Main Street
10 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 (6 3/4) 3/8
Rectangular, Aqua, NSC, Tooled lip, 3 sp, Extremely rare
Label: A tonic and blood purifier. A combination of dandelion, persimmon bark, sarsaparilla, yellow dock, gentian and mandrake with other roots and barks, making it a medic(ine) superior to any in the market for jaundice, dyspepsia, headach(e).

There is also an listing in Bitters Bottles for an older bottle.

L 137 L … Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters // b // S.B.W. CO.
Caldwell Sweet, Wholesale and Retail Druggist, Bangor, Maine
6 1/2
Round
Older then the previous

Caldwell Sweet

Caldwell Sweet was born around 1850 in Bangor, Maine. He and his brother were both natives of the city and sons of Abel S. and Abbie B. (Clark) Sweet, who had moved, while each was single, from Atkinson and Damariscotta, respectively, to Bangor, where they were married.

Bangor, Maine in 1875

Caldwell Sweet seemed destined to be druggist. He initially clerked in a drug store in Bangor at B.F. Bradbury in 1869 and then moved to J.F. Patten in the same capacity. Sweet was prosperous in business from the beginning. In 1873, starting with a total capital of five hundred dollars, he partnered with N. S. Harlow, as Harlow & Sweet, in a drugstore just opposite his eventual 2 Main Street address. He sold out his interest after about a year, and engaged in the same line of trade under the old Harriman House, on Main street, which burned down, where he partnered in February 1874 with Isaiah S. Emery, the firm name being Sweet & Emery. They too burned down in December 1874 which marked a good time to dissolved the partnership. Caldwell Sweet then took over the business at 2 Main Street, one month later now, in 1875.

Sweet&Emery_Bangor_Daily_Whig_and_Courier_Fri__Apr_3__1874_

Sweet & Emery copartnership formed on February 14, 1874 notice – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Friday, April 3, 1874

In March, 1877, Caldwell Sweet added his brother, Abel S. Sweet, Jr., who had some experience with him in the business, as a partner. Their trade steadily increased, and they had one of the finest drug stores in Eastern Maine, with perhaps the largest prescription business in the city. They were also largely in the wholesale trade, commanding purchasers not only from the Penobscot, but the Piscataquis and Aroostook Valleys, and other parts of the State.

Advertising Display Sign, polychrome lithograph on oil cloth, “Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters for the Liver and Kidneys,” “Caldwell, Sweet & Bros., Bangor, Maine,” showing a horse-drawn sled with 2 men pursued by wolves, 19/20th century. Provenance: From the Matawamkeg Maine estate. – The Cobbs Auctioneers

The Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters starts showing up in advertising in 1883 and ends in 1886. Unfortunately I have no idea who Lyman was though there is a Lyman, Maine which is southwest of Bangor. Two advertising examples are represented below. The brothers said that Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters was not a patent medicine which is interesting. They said it was a simple, safe, specific remedy and tonic for diseases of the blood, liver, kidneys, skin and stomach. I guess you had to take something else for a headache, but no, there bottle label says it will cure a ‘headach’ though they spelled it wrong.

I also have not personally seen any examples of this bottle as it is extremely rare.

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Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Monday, July 9, 1883

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Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Monday, April 21, 1884

All of these fine trade cards are from bitters ephemera authority Joe Gourd who graciously helps support many of my bitters posts. We can date these cards to 1883 to 1886 because of the 2 Main Street address.

Here are few later pieces below that indicate that Caldwell Sweet Company changed yet again in 1906 when they were incorporated. We can see listings for the company all the way into the 1920s.

1918 Caldwell Sweet Company receipt – eBay

From the Leading business men of Bangor, Rockland and vicinity : embracing Ellsworth, Bucksport, Belfast, Camden, Rockport, Thomaston, Oldtown, Orono, Brewer“, 1899

Caldwell Sweet & Bro., Wholesale Druggists, and Dealers in Surgical Instruments and Dental Goods, Corner Main Street and West Market Square. Those extremely fortunate individuals who, possessing a combination of rugged health and extreme good luck, are consequently enabled to entirely dispense with medicines of any kind, are wont to assume a superior air, and declare that drugs do more harm than good, but we have noticed that when disease does overtake them, they are generally apt to cry as loudly for pills and potions as anybody. It is foolish to deny the importance of drugs in civilized life, and, indeed, it is amply proved by the number of houses handling the same, one of the largest Bangor concerns of this kind being that conducted by Caldwell Sweet & Bro., at No. 2 Main Street, and 22 and 24 West Market Square. This was founded in 1874, and has attained its present high standing in the mercantile community solely by dint of hard and persistent work, honorable business methods, and particularly by handling only strictly reliable articles. The firm is made up of Messrs. Caldwell Sweet, and A. S. Sweet, jr., both these gentlemen being natives of Bangor. Three floors and a basement are occupied, 20 x 61 feet in dimensions, as well as a storehouse having the same number of floors and measuring 30 x 70 feet. It will be seen that ample accommodations are at hand for an immense stock, but large as they are, they are fully required, as the magnitude of the wholesale and retail trade done by this house necessitates the carrying of a heavy and varied assortment. In addition to their other goods, they carry a full line of everything needed for the most thoroughly equipped dental rooms in the land, and have been appointed agents for the S. S. White Dental Manufacturing Co., and also carry a complete assortment of their goods, the best to be found in the market, while at the same time they furnish supplies from other well-known manufacturers. Messrs. Caldwell Sweet & Bro. keep constantly on hand the best quality of Nitrous Oxide Gas. Their arrangements are such that they will be able to furnish dentists with their supplies at the same rates they would pay if they ordered direct from the manufacturers. In the filling of orders from dentists out of town they have the aid of a practical dentist. The firm are proprietors of the well-known and popular preparations Salvatine, Keuchen Cura, Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters, Lee’s Liniment and Warren’s Balsam, and report a very large sale of these goods,as well as of Surgical Instruments, of which they handle the latest improved types.

Select Listings:

1850: Caldwell Sweet born in Bangor, Maine.

1869: Caldwell Sweet, clerk, boards 147 French – Bangor, Maine City Directory

1869: Caldwell Sweet, clerk, B.F. Bradbury, boards 147 French – Bangor, Maine City Directory

1870: Caldwell Sweet, age 20, Merchant, Bangor, Maine – United States Federal Census

1873: Caldwell Sweet (Harlow & Sweet), apothecary, 4 Smith block, bds 147 French – Bangor, Maine City Directory

1875: Caldwell Sweet drug store founded in Bangor, Maine, Apothecary, 2 Main, h 151 French – Bangor, Maine City Directory, History of Penobscot County, Maine

1876: Caldwell Sweet, Apothecary, 2 Main – Maine Business Directory

1877: Caldwell Sweet & Bro. in March 1877. Brother, Abel S. Sweet, Jr., Apothecaries, 2 Main – Bangor, Maine City Directory, History of Penobscot County, Maine

1879-1884: Caldwell Sweet & Bro., Apothecaries, 2 Main – Bangor, Maine City Directory

1880: Caldwell Sweet, age 30, Druggist, Bangor, Maine – United States Federal Census

1883: Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement (see above) – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Monday, July 9, 1883

1884: Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement (see above) – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Monday, April 21, 1884

1895: Advertisement (see below), For Divers, White Pine Cough Balsam by Caldwell Sweet – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Monday, February 4, 1895

CS_Bangor_Daily_Whig_and_Courier_Mon__Feb_4__1895_

For Divers, White Pine Cough Balsam by Caldwell Sweet – Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, Monday, February 4, 1895

1898: Caldwell, Sweet, 7 West Market sq, Bangor, Maine – A Practical treatise on thialion (a laxative salt of lithia)

1906: Caldwell Sweet, Wholesale Druggists and Manufacturing Pharmacists founded 1906

1910: Caldwell Sweet, age 59, Druggist, Bangor, Maine – United States Federal Census

1920: Caldwell Sweet, age 69, Merchant, Drug Business, Bangor, Maine – United States Federal Census

Dandelion & Wild Cherry Bitters – Iowa

Posted on 5 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dandelion & Wild Cherry Bitters

Farmersburg and McGregor, Iowa

05 February 2015 (R•110715)

The Dandelion & Wild Cherry Bitters has been sitting on a shelf in my aqua bitters room since 2004 when I secured it in a Glass Works Auction. A plain but really neat bottle that is rather old. This is another installment in our Dandelion Bitters series.

There are actually three embossing variants; one has “AND“, the other “AND” and the other “&” between DANDELION and WILD CHERRY BITTERS. It would be pretty cool to have all three together but rather difficult to achieve as all three variants are extremely rare. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

D 14 DANDELION AND WILD CHERRY BITTERS

DANDELION / AND (slanted) / WILD CHERRY BITTERS // c //
7 3/8″ x 2 3/4 (4 3/4)
Round, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

D 14.5 DANDELION AND WILD CHERRY BITTERS

DANDELION / AND / WILD CHERRY BITTERS // c //
7 3/16″ x 2 13/16 (4 5/8)
Round, Aqua, DC, Extremely rare
Farmersburgh, Iowa
The spelling of Farmersburgh was changed to Farmersburg around 1878. (should be removed)

D 14.7 DANDELION & WILD CHERRY BITTERS

DANDELION & WILD / CHERRY BITTERS // c //
8 3/4″ x 3 1/8 (6)
Round, Aqua, CM, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

Extremely rare Dandelion & Wild Cherry Bitters – Meyer Collection

DANDELION & WILD CHERRY BITTERS. D-14. 7 ¼” Applied top. And yet another bitters in aqua. So many of these are in great condition, this one grades a 9.2 with a little scratching. The slanted AND is an anomaly and never seen before on any example known according to consigner. – American Bottle Auctions

Partially labeled Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters. The label reads, DANDELION AND WILD CHERRY BITTERS, PRICE 25 CENTS, S. HUNTINGTON, PROPRIETOR, FARMERSBURGH, IOWA – Collecting Bottles by State, The Ioway, Mike Burggraaf, 2003 Bottles and Extras

Samuel Huntington and Farmersburg, Iowa

Not much is known about Samuel Huntington other than that he was a dealer in patent medicines and a druggist in Farmersburg, Clayton County, Iowa in 1862 when he was first promoting his Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters. There is also a Huntington’s Writing Fluid and a Lightning Fly Killer mentioned in period advertising. Two advertisements below supports this statement. Interesting that one advertisement for Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters is from a St. Paul, Minnesota newspaper and the other is from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. You have to remember that these were Civil War years and record keeping was laxer and the men usually were sparse and few between.

The Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters were first sold in Farmersburg in 1862 for 25 cents for pint bottles and 50 cents for quart bottles. By 1863 the pint bottles were being sold at 50 cents and the quart bottles for 75 cents. Later in McGregor, in 1865, they were increased to 75 cents for pints and 1 dollar for quarts.

The Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters were first sold in Farmersburg in 1862 for 25 cents for pint bottles and 50 cents for quart bottles. By 1863 the pint bottles were being sold at 50 cents and the quart bottles for 75 cents. Later in McGregor, in 1865, they were increased to 75 cents for pints and 1 dollar for quarts. I guess that was Civil War inflation. I have never seen the smaller size. Huntington said that his bitters contained the best Roots, Barks and Herbs and were best used for liver ailments.

Samuel and Henry Huntington seem to disappear after 1865. I am sure at some point they will show up elsewhere. Some might be tempted to relate this brand to the Dr. Huntington’s Golden Tonic Bitters from Portland, Maine in 1876. This is a different brand.

Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement, S. Huntington, Proprietor, Farmersburg, Clayton County, Iowa – St. Paul Daily Express, June 6, 1863

The small town of Farmersburg is just west of McGregor, Iowa where Huntington sold the bitters in 1863. Farmersburg was first called Windsor when it was surveyed in 1856. The name Farmersburg was given by Thomas Street, a son of General Street, when he was in command here. Street and others laid out the plat for a village on what is commonly known as the old Billy King land, south of National, very near where Mr. Crosby put down on his map “Ancient Farmersburg.” They gave the name of Farmersburg to this place, which name was first given to the post office and then to the township.

The first settlement was made in 1846, by Peter Eastman, on the J.P.L. Clark place, section 13. Other early settlers were W. Barber, D. Barber, M. Vansickle, Joseph Tassro, Obediah Brown, John Francis, James Jones, William Linton and M.B. Sherman. The township was organized in 1850.

The village of Farmersburg was surveyed in March, 1858, by Norman Hamilton. The first building erected on the site of the village, was built in 1848 by Alva Hazen, and was built of logs. It was soon after converted into a school-house, and used as such for sometime for the surrounding community. The next building was erected by Joseph Shaft, on the corner of section 22, and was afterward fitted up by A.M. Cortis for a residence. The next house was built in 1852 by Silas T. Woodward, one of the early pioneers of Farmersburg, and now a resident of Elkader. He built it for a store, and purchased a few dollars worth of goods at Prairie du Chien; but he never opened store, and used his building as a school-house, while he performed the duties of teacher. In 1853, P.R. Moore brought from Galena the first goods of any note, purchased the building of Mr. Woodward, and opened the first store in the village.

The first blacksmiths were Messrs. Peter & Slaughter. W.W. Goodwin came soon after. He has followed his trade for twenty-six years. Mr. Alger was the first shoemaker. He is now in Dakota. A saw-mill was built in 1855, by William Harrar. This burned down, and was rebuilt by Calvin Miller. It is now used as a store-house and stable. The school is graded into two departments. It was begun twenty-six years ago. The teachers are Lucy Kingsley and Inez Woodward. [Farmersburg Township History, Clayton County, Iowa]

D&WCB_Cedar_Falls_Gazette_Fri__Sep_22__1865_

Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement, S. Huntington, Proprietor, McGregor, Iowa – Cedar Falls Gazette, Friday, September 22, 1865

Samuel Huntington and McGregor, Iowa

As noted above, Samuel Huntington must have moved from Farmersburg to McGregor, Iowa in 1865 as he was selling his Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters in advertisements with a McGregor address as you can see in the advertisement above. In 1865, The Iowa State Gazetteer also lists a H & S Huntington and a S. Huntington & Co., (Henry and Samuel Huntington) as dealers in Patent Medicines and Drugs. Davenport, Iowa was also listed with McGregor, Iowa. In 1879, Huntington’s Celebrated Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters, from Dubuque, Iowa was listed in the Internal Revenue Record and Customs Journal.

Birds eye view of McGregor, Iowa in 1869

McGregor was founded as MacGregor’s Landing in 1847 by Alexandar MacGregor, a descendant of Rob Roy MacGregor, and the area around MacGregor’s Landing was settled by the extended family. In 1849 it was reported that the original MacGregor seal and signet were owned by Alex MacGregor. The Scots Gaelic clan seal was inscribed, “S’ Riogal Mo Dhream/ Een dhn bait spair nocht”, which was interpreted as “Royalty is my race / End do and spare not“. The signet was a bloodstone from Loch Lomond, and was sketched by William Williams.

McGregor, Iowa in 1870

Since 1837, MacGregor had been operating a ferry across the Mississippi River between Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and the present site of McGregor, Iowa. MacGregor planned the new city as a six block development, and it was quickly populated, being incorporated as McGregor in 1857. In that same year, the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad finished building a railroad track from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, thus connecting Lake Michigan with the Mississippi River by rail. McGregor quickly became a major commercial center, and served as a hub where grain from Iowa and Minnesota could be transported across the Mississippi and sent on to Milwaukee via railroad. More railroads were built to connect McGregor with cities further west, and the city of North McGregor (now Marquette, Iowa) was established just north of the city to serve as the city’s railroad terminus. After reaching McGregor from the west, trains were disassembled and railroad cars were ferried across the Mississippi to continue on towards Lake Michigan.

John Goedert Meat Market, 322 Main St., McGregor, IA. Installed over an 1850s building in 1889, this two-story complete front by Mesker Brothers Iron Works is virtually the same today as it appears in this historic photo from 1902. Image courtesy of Barbara Corson.

During the 1870s, the population of McGregor exploded to over 5,500 as the city became the busiest shipping port west of Chicago. In 1874, the system of ferrying railroad cars across the river between North McGregor and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, was brought to an end when Prairie du Chien businessman John Lawler commissioned the construction of a permanent pontoon bridge to connect the two cities’ rail lines. As the need for men to disassemble and ship trains across the river disappeared, the city’s population began to decline. Today the city’s history is preserved in its downtown business district, which contains many buildings constructed during the city’s boom years. Because of its colorful history and location beside the Mississippi River, the city has become a popular summer tourist destination, and it is known for its many antique stores. [Wikipedia]

DWCB_The_Manitowoc_Herald_Thu__Aug_21__1862_

Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement, S. Huntington, Proprietor, Farmersburg, Iowa – The Manitowoc Herald, Thursday, August 21, 1862

Select Listings:

1862: Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement, S. Huntington, Proprietor, Farmersburg, Iowa – The Manitowoc Herald, Thursday, August 21, 1862

1863: Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement (see above), S. Huntington, Proprietor, Farmersburg, Clayton County, Iowa – St. Paul Daily Express, June 6, 1863

1865: Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement (see above), S. Huntington, Proprietor, McGregor, Iowa – Cedar Falls Gazette, Friday, September 22, 1865

1865: H & S Huntington, Retail Liquors, Apothecaries, 76 Bxxxy – United Stated IRS Tax Assessment

1865: H & S Huntington, S. Huntington & Co., (Henry and Samuel) Patent Medicines, Drugs, Davenport also McGregor – Iowa State Gazetteer

1879: Huntington’s Celebrated Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters, Dubuque, Iowa – Internal Revenue Record and Customs Journal, 1879

Bond’s Dandelion Bitters – Fort Wayne, Indiana

Posted on 4 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Bond’s Dandelion Bitters – Fort Wayne, Indiana

1868. — XX. — S-Y-L.

04 February 2015

A short post this morning looking at yet another unlisted bitters. This time it is the Bond’s Dandelion Bitters from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The bitters is dated 1868 along with the support advertising. There is scant material and information available and certainly no surviving bottle examples, at least that I am aware of.

I posted the top clipping from the Iron County Register (Ironton, Missouri) in 1889 to remind us how strong some of these bitters products really were. Read the copy as it is kind of amusing as they were drinking some form of Dandelion Bitters.

“Imagine our misery, last Saturday, when we looked upon the streets and saw eight or ten young bloods in a weaving way…”

William J. Bond was born on 23 December 1845 in Madison, Indiana. The first directory listing has him listed as a dealer in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, dye stuffs, etc. in 1866 at the southwest corner of Main and Calhoun Streets in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The next year he is partner with James C. Nones at Bond & Nomes and they are listed as wholesale and retail druggists and dealers in paints, oils, varnishes, glass and dye stuffs at 95 Columbia Street in Fort Wayne.

In 1868, Bond was the Sole Proprietor of Bond’s Dandelion Bitters and also magically becomes a Chemist. James Nones must not have been his partner anymore. He advertised and sold his bitters for one dollar a bottle at 95 Columbia Street. He reported that his bitters contained the active principles of Dandelion, Sarsaparilla, Peruvian Bark, and other Barks, Herbs, and Roots. Bond said his bitters contained no whiskey but used a pure California Wine as a preservative agent. Yeah sure. He also called it a tonic and said that it cleansed the blood and liver. In his advertising, Bond stated that every one of his bottles came with a beautifully engraved label and a signature from the proprietor. He cautioned against counterfeits and said his bitters only came in a bottle and was not to be bought by the gallon or barrel. He mentions no embossed typography so we are looking at a labeled bitters.

William Bond was into selling volume as you will see in the advertisement below where he gives a range of bottles from one to six, and states that the various quantities would cure just about anything. I think I would have ordered and regularly taken six bottles just to have my bases covered.

In 1875, W. J. Bond moved to the southeast corner of Colerick and Fairfield Avenue in Fort Wayne. In 1877 he is located at northwest corner of Locust and Fairfield Avenues selling drugs and notions. In 1878 the concern is renamed W. J. Bond & Sons as sons William H. Bond and Marshall S. Bond join him in business. By 1883 it is W. J. Bond & Son with a son, Seth M. Bond, working with him.

So we have an unlisted, labeled bitters and little information. Maybe we can add to the post with more information. I also can not figure out what 1868. — XX. — S-Y-L. means? Maybe it means buy 20 bottles and it will “Save Your Liver”. Maybe it meant, I am 20 years old and after I make a quick fortune, I will “See You Later”. I doubt it. What do you think?

BondsDandy_Fort_Wayne_Daily_Gazette_Sat__Jul_25__1868_

Bond’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement, W. J. Bond, Chemist, No. 95 Columbia Street – Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, July 25 1868

BondsDandy_Fort_Wayne_Daily_Gazette_Sat__Feb_8__1868_

Bond’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement – Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, February 8 1868

The new listing for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

Newspaper Advertisement
B 139.7 BOND’S DANDELION BITTERS, Price, One Dollar per Bottle
Prepared and Sold by W. J. Bond, Chemist, No. 95 Columbia Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, February 8, 1868

Select Listings

William J. Bond

1845: William J. Bond born 23 December 1845, Madison, Indiana

1866: W. J. Bond, Dealers in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Dye Stuffs, etc. s w c Main & Calhoun – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1867: Bond & Nones (William J. Bond and James C. Nones) wholesale and retail druggists, and dealers in paints, oils, varnishes, glass and dye stuffs, 95 Columbia – Allen County Gazetteer

1868: Bond’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement (see above), W. J. Bond, Chemist, No. 95 Columbia Street – Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, July 25 1868

1868: W J Bond, drugs &c. 95 Columbia, h 175 Clinton – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1872: W J Bond, Drugs, Medicines, etc., 13 E. Columbia, h 190 E. Wayne – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1873: W J Bond, druggist, paints oils &c, h 190 E. Wayne – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1875-1876: W J Bond, druggist, s e cor Colerick and Fairfield ave, res 107
Fairfield ave. – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1877: W. J. Bond, Drugs and Notions, n w cor Locust and Fairfield ave, res same. Bond Marshall S, bookkeeper W J Bond, bds same., Bond Wm H, clerk W J Bond, bds same. – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1878-1879: W. J. Bond & Sons (Wm J, Wm H and Marshall S), drugs and notions, 108 Fairfield ave – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1883: W. J. Bond & Son (Wm J and Seth M), drygoods, 42 Calhoun – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

Dandelion Bitters – The Great Herb Blood Remedy

Posted on 3 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dandelion Bitters – The Great Herb Blood Remedy

John H. Sheehan & Company, Utica, N.Y.

03 February 2015

The other day I noticed a Dandelion Bitters advertising trade card on eBay that I was not familiar with. The bitters was put out by John H. Sheehan & Company in Utica, New York. There are quite a few Dandelion Bitters, a number of them we have posted about before including:

The Beggs’ and their Dandelion Bitters

Dr. J.R.B. McClintock’s Dandelion Bitters – Philadelphia

Dr Grant’s, Dandelion Bitters, New York. (Unlisted)

When I saw this trade card image, I contacted bitters ephemera collector Joe Gourd who promptly provided most of the trade cards for this post. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles Supplement is as follows. The listing will need to be updated with the bottle information.

Trade Card
D 10.5 DANDELION BITTERS, John N. Sheehan & Co., Sole Agents, 155 Genessee Street, Utica, N.Y.

The Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club (MVABC) has this low resolution example pictured above posted on their website. Thanks to Marianne Dow for reference. According to the club, this aqua example was dug in a Utica dump and they caption with the pictured example, “Could this have been a Sheehan Dandelion Bitters bottle?” Probably so.

Here is another listing in Bitters Bottles that is also supposed to be related to John H. Sheehan. I believe this bottle should not be attributed to John H. Sheehan but should be attributed with the XXX Begg’s Dandelion Bitters of Chicago.

D 12 XXX DANDELION BITTERS

XXX / DANDELION / BITTERS // f // f // f //
Manufactured by John H. Sheehan & Co. 155 Genesee St. Utica, New York
7 1/4 x 3 1/4 x 1 1/2 (5 1/4)
Rectangular – strap side, Amber and Clear, LTC, Tooled lip, Scarce
Lettering reads base to shoulder.
Trade card has art work by Kate Greenway. Directory of Utica 1906.

D 12: XXX Dandelion Bitters (I believe this bottle should not be attributed to John H. Sheehan but should be attributed with the XXX Begg’s Dandelion Bitters of Chicago) – Meyer Collection

John H. Sheehan

John H. Sheehan was born in County Clare, Ireland on 16 March 1838. He lost both of his parents at an early age and came to America when he was about six years old with an elder sister and settled initially in Troy, New York. He attended public schools in Troy and finished with a higher education degree in Utica, New York. When he was fourteen years old, he worked in the drug store of Uriah H. Kellogg as an errand boy. Grove & Hamilton druggists succeeded the Kellogg drug store four years later where Sheehan worked for a short time after. Next Sheehan, in 1857, worked for Dickinson, Comstock & Company who were wholesale grocers and druggists. In 1865, Sheehan became a partner. He worked in this capacity until 1868 when he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Peter Vidvard. Vidvard & Sheehan sold wines and liquors and were located at 45 and 47 John Street. They continued in business until 1878.

In January, 1878, Mr. Sheehan started his own wholesale and retail drug business located at the Oneida National Bank building. This building burned down along with his drug business on June 10, 1886. In 1884, Sheehan partnered with an employee, Charles S. England and Philip Sweeney and the firm name was changed to John H. Sheehan & Co. In the fall of 1886, John H. Sheehan & Co. relocated to 167 Genesee Street, purchasing the site from one of the heirs of the late John Carton. The Dandelion Bitters would have been made in this time period.

Their drug store business was described as follows in The Mercantile and Manufacturing Progress of the City of Utica, N.Y. and Environs in 1888:

The premises occupied for the business are newly constructed, and have been built with a special reference for the conduct of the enterprise. The building is substantially constructed of brick, is very handsome and striking in its appearance, and has every convenience about it which in the least degree would facilitate the advantageous display, or the economic handling of the stock. The lot upon which it stands is 170 feet long with a width of 231 feet in front, and 33 feet in the rear. The front floor is devoted to the retail trade and offices, and in the rear to the wholesale operations. The prescription business is also attended to on this floor. The second floor is devoted to the storage of the stock of proprietary medicines, perfumes, chemicals, fancy goods, &c., and the shipping operations are here carried on. The third floor is used to store powdered drugs, herbs, roots. barks, &c., and on the fourth floor may be found a large stock of druggists’ glassware and sundries, and in addition here is the laboratory, where a variety of elixirs, tinctures, &c., are manufactured. The fifth floor and basement are used for general storage. Messrs. John H. Sheehan & Co. are importers and dealers in everything in the way of drugs, chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations from the most eminent manufacturers, also standard proprietary medicines, dyes and dye stuffs, druggists’ sundries, glassware, fancy articles, paints, oils, varnishes, brushes, the finest wines and liquors for medicinal purposes, and indeed everything required for the complete equipment of a first-class drug establishment. In each and every department the stock will be found ample, varied and of the highest quality and selection. The firm supply a trade throughout Central and Northern New York, and the exigencies of their business require the services of about thirty assistants, including three commercial travelers on the road.

In 1891, Sheehan would partner with a fellow named Martin W. Kelly and the business was called Sheehan & Kelly at 167 Genesee Street. Later in the 1900’s the business was again called John H. Sheehan & Co. and they were still located at 167 Genesee Street.

John H. Sheehan & Co., Druggists, Utica, N.Y. advertising trade card – eBay

John H. Sheehan & Co., Druggists, Utica, N.Y. advertising trade card reverse, 167 Genesee Street (prob 1887 to 1908) – eBay

A profile from the period said that Mr. Sheehan was a Democrat in politics, a successful business man, and was charity commissioner for one year, being appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joseph Fass. He was a member of Fort Schuyler Club and took an active interest in the welfare of the city of Utica. On September 13, 1865, he married Josephine Francis Schaler, step-daughter of Peter Vidvard, and they had six children: Dr. John P., a physician of Utica; Edward J., of the Sheehan Fruit Syrup Company, of Utica; Robert S., who died April 15, 1894, aged twenty-one; Frederick Paul, a student at Fordham College in New York city; and Josephine Catherine and Agnes Emily, students in Mrs. Piatt’s Ladies’ Seminary of Utica.

John H. Sheehan retired in 1908 but kept an office, from which he managed his real estate holdings, which seem to have been extensive. His wife passed away in 1920 and he followed in 1924. According to Fred Capozzella at the Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club, several of Sheehan’s children are also known to collectors. One son, John P. (1868-1945), was a physician and liquor dealer, best known from his Sheehan’s Malt Whiskey bottles, in several sizes. He was also a malt rectifier and dealt in drugs, medicines, and paints. He was educated at Georgetown University and the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, but seems to have been primarily a merchant. He was involved with the Sheehan Fruit Syrup Company, along with his brother Edward J. (1870-1919).

Advertisement for a DeWolf’s Dandelion Bitters being sold by John. H. Sheehan & Company, 153 and 155 Genesee Street – The Utica Daily Observer, 1886

John H. Sheehan & Company was also selling a DeWolf’s Dandelion Bitters in 1885 and 1886. At first I suspected that the DeWolf’s was the predecessor of Sheehan’s own version of Dandelion Bitters. This may not be so as there are advertisements in the early to mid 1900’s for DeWolf’s being sold by Sheehan. The advertisement for the DeWolf’s does say, “The Great Herb Blood Remedy” just as the Dandelion Bitters so I suspect, after all, it is the same brand. Thanks to Marianne Dow for this lead.

A labeled John H. Sheehan & Co., Fine Old Hickory Bourbon Whiskey, 167 Genesee address – Oneida County History

Read about another bitters from Utica: Dr. Sawens Life Invigorating Bitters

Select Listings:

1838: John H. Sheehan born in County Clare, Ireland on 16 March 1838.

1862: John H. Sheehan (clerk Dickenson, Comstock & Co.) bds Central Hotel – Utica New York City Directory

1865: John H. Sheehan (Dickenson, Comstock & Co.) bds Central Hotel – Utica New York City Directory

1870: Vidvard & Sheehan (P. Vidvard and John H. Sheehan) wines and liquors, 29 and 31 John – Utica New York City Directory

1877: Vidvard & Sheehan (Peter Vidvard and John H. Sheehan) wines and liquors, 45 and 47 John – Utica New York City Directory

1878: P. Vidvard advertisement (see below) – Utica Daily Observer, July 27, 1878

Vidvard_utica-daily-observer-july-27-1878

P. Vidvard advertisement – Utica Daily Observer, July 27, 1878

1879: Sheehan forms his own wholesale drug and liquor business, at 155 Genesee Street (see below). Excelsior Drug Store advertisement from 1880.

John H. Sheehan advertisement at 155 Genesse Street – 1880

1880: John H. Sheehan & Co., wholesale and retail drugs and liquors, 155 Genesee Street – Utica New York City Directory

1883: John H. Sheehan & Co., (John H. Sheehan, Charles S. England and Philip Sweeney), wholesale and retail drugs and liquors, 155 Genesee Street – Utica New York City Directory

John H. Sheehan & Co., Wholesale and Retail Druggists, 167 Genesee Street, 1880 Utica New York City Directory

1886: Advertisement for a DeWolf’s Dandelion Bitters being sold by John. H. Sheehan & C0mpany (see below)

1887: John H. Sheehan & Co., (John H. Sheehan, Charles S. England and Philip Sweeney), wholesale and retail druggists, 167 Genesee Street – Utica New York City Directory

John H. Sheehan & Co., Wholesale and Retail Druggists, 167 Genesee Street, 1887 Utica New York City Directory

1891: Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! advertisement, Sheehan & Kelly, 167 Genesee Street

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! advertisement, Sheehan & Kelly, 167 Genesee Street, 1891

1906-1908: John H. Sheehan & Co., wholesale druggist, 167 Genesee – Utica New York City Directory

1910: John H. Sheehan, Physician, office 31 Devereux, also John P. Sheehan & Co. (John P. Sheehan) Sheehan’s Malt Whiskey, 35 Devereux – Utica New York City Directory

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, Medicines & Cures, Remedy, Trade Cards | Tagged advertising, bitters, Blood, card, Dandelion, DeWolf, Dow, drug, Druggist & Drugstore, Gourd, Greenway, grocer, Herb, Kelly, liquor, Meyer, New York, Remedy, Sheehan, trade, Utica, Vidvard, Wine, XXX | Leave a comment

Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters – Taunton, Massachusetts

Posted on 2 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters – Taunton, Massachusetts

01 February 2015 (R•110715)

I thought it might be a good idea to circle back and find out who A. L. Willard was from Taunton, Massachusetts. He was known best for his Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters. He used advertising cards to market his concoction and many of the them said that his bitters were a sure remedy for Dyspepsia, Indigestion, and Loss of Appetite. Many of his trade cards said, “A stitch in time saves nine” Everybody likes them and recommends them. Try them.”

“A stitch in time saves nine” Everybody likes them and recommends them. Try them.”

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

W 119 WILLARD’S GOLDEN SEAL BITTERS

WILLARD’S / GOLDEN SEAL / BITTERS // c //
A. L. Willard Druggist and Apothecary Weir Village, Taunton, Mass.
7 3/4 x 3 x 1 3/4 (5 1/2)
Oval, Aqua, NSC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Rare
Trade Cards available

A.L. Willard, Taunton, Mass. Jamaica Ginger bottle – eBay

Abel Lyman Willard

Abel Lyman Willard was born in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts on December 10, 1829 and was the Son of Samuel Willard and Charlotte Lincoln. He was married to Eliza Ann Lane and was the brother of Charles Willard.

Willard started his apothecary shop and drug store in Weir Village on West Water Street around 1855 in Taunton, Massachusetts. Taunton was settled in the 1600s along the Taunton River. Weir Village (also known as “The Weir”) is a village of the city of Taunton located about one mile south of the city center on the banks of the Taunton River, near the point where it becomes tidal. The village takes its name from fishing weirs which were placed across the Taunton River from pre-colonial times until the early 20th century, to catch herring (also known as “alewifes”). Taunton was an early manufacturing center for products made of iron. In the 1800’s, Taunton was an important railroad junction town with a number of industrial interests. The Mason Machine Works was established at Taunton by William Mason in the 1840’s. The company was a large employer of the community in the manufacture of textile mill machinery and railroad locomotives.

47 West Water Street was in Weir Village. A. L. Willard’s drug store would have been within the white rectangle on the opposite side of the street from the Taunton River.

Willard operated his drug store on West Water Street until he sold out to E. T. Borden & Co. in 1882. His primary seller was Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters. He sold the bitters for 38 cents a bottle or three bottles for a dollar. Later Willard would serve as a City Alderman in Taunton from 1877 to 1879 and again in 1882. He died in Taunton on April 26, 1892.

E. T. Borden & Co., Wholesale Druggists and Apothecaries, No. 47 West Water Street. A leading and representative Taunton house in its particular branch of commercial activity is that of Messrs. E. T. Borden & Co., druggists and apothecaries, at No. 47 West Water Street. The house was founded by A. L. Willard in the year 1859, and the present proprietors succeeded in 1882, and in the period elapsed, through the energy and executive ability devoted to its management, an extensive and prosperous business has been developed. The commodious salesroom is furnished in a style of appropriate elegance, and the stock of pure drugs, chemicals, surgical appliances, proprietary medicines, toilet and fancy articles stationery, etc, is large, comprehensive, and complete. Due care and attention are given to the compounding of physicians’ prescriptions and family remedies. The house has a large and lucrative city and suburban trade, and several clerks are kept busy in the transaction of the extensive general business. Messrs. E. T. Borden and A. H. Standish, composing the firm, are natives of Taunton and practical and skillful druggists, and in the able and popular conduct of their enterprise they have won the highest regard of both professional and business circles.

Leading Manufacturers and Merchants of Eastern Massachusetts, 1887

ADVERTISING TRADE CARDS

The “Spring”, “Summer”, “Fall”, and “Winter 4 card set is a subset of a 32 card group. The same 4 cards are repeated 8 times with different colored foregrounds and backgrounds. It has taken me 30 years to gather the entire group. It is a reminder to me of how these cards were collected by little children for their scrapbooks back in the 1880’s. Something like collecting your entire favorite baseball team cards for a particular year. – Joe Gourd

SPRING: Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

SUMMER: Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

FALL: Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

WINTER: Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – ebay

Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Front Weir Junction: Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Reverse Weir Junction: Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Read about more Golden Bitters:

Golden Eagle Bitters – Augusta & New York

Golden Bitters on a Rainy Day

Dr. White’s Compound Golden Seal Bitters

The triangular Balsdons Golden Bitters – Early New York

Geo C Hubbel & Co – Unlisted Variant – Golden Bitters

Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters – American Bottle Auctions

Select Timeline

1829: A. L. Willard born in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts on December 10, 1829.

185o: A. L. Willard, Militia, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 28 May 1850.

1855: A. L. Willard, age 26, druggist, wife Elisa A. Willard, Taunton, Mass. – Massachusetts, State Census, 1855

1855: A. L. Willard, apothecary, W. Water st., h First st. – Taunton, Massachusetts City Directory

1855: A. L. Willard marriage to Eliza Ann Lane on April 15, 1855

1857-1861: A. Lyman Willard, apothecary, 25 West Water also Samuel Willard, grocer, 37 West Willard – Taunton, Massachusetts City Directory

1859: A. L. Willard, Apothecary, 25 West Water – Taunton, Massachusetts City Directory

1866: A. L. Willard, apothecaries, Staples block, West Water – Taunton, Massachusetts City Directory

1877-1879, 1882: A. Lyman Willard, Alderman – History of Bristol County, Massachusetts

1878: Willard & Lane, Apothecary (A. Lyman Willard and A. F. Lane) 47 West Water – Taunton City Directory

1882: E. T. Borden & Co., Wholesale Druggists and Apothecaries, No. 47 West Water Street take over from A. L. Willard

1892: Death A. Lyman, Taunton, Massachusetts on April 26, 1892

Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Trade Cards | Tagged Abel, advertising, Apothecary, bitters, Bordon, cards, drug, Druggist & Drugstore, golden, Gourd, Lyman, Massachusetts, seal, Taunton, trade, Weir, Willard | Leave a comment

Is the Hunyadi Janos Saxlehner’s Bitterquelle a bitters bottle?

Posted on 1 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Is the Hunyadi Janos Saxlehner’s Bitterquelle a bitters bottle?

01 February 2015 (R•020215)

No, the Hunyadi Janos Saxlehner’s Bitterquelle is not a bitters bottle so let’s get that out-of-the-way, right quick. Most new bitters collectors, including myself, remember seeing a Bitterquelle either at a bottle show or on eBay and wondering if this was a bitters bottle. Many of us were intrigued by the embossing on the bottom of the bottle but wondered why there were so many and why they rarely sold, and if so, for only a dollar to two.

I saw the top most images of the two young girls on a French advertising postal card on eBay and immediately liked it. Pretty cool art. This inspired this post. Let us look at the bottle first which is round and based embossed. By looking closely at the label you will see a Hunyadi Janos portrait and the words. “Natural Mineral Water”. So there you go, the Bitterquelle is a mineral or spring water and not a bitters.

Hunyadi Janos Bitterquelle

Andreas Saxlehner

The Hunyadi Janos Bitterquelle was made by the Andreas Saxlehner Mineral Spring Water Company of Budapest, Hungary. Notice how they cover both bases by saying “Mineral” and “Spring” water. Mr. Saxlehner made a fortune from his “bitterwater”, and built up a family palace on the Andrássy Avenue. He was born in Pest in 1815 and died in the unified city of Budapest in 1889. The Hunyadi Janos natural purgative water occupied a significant niche in the market of United States medicines and cures at the time of the Spanish-American War and was the inspiration of many copycats.

Read: On Beyond Holcombe: Andreas Saxlehner’s Hunyadi Janos Natural Mineral Water

The brand was named after Hunyadi Janos (John Hunyadi) (1407-1456), the 15th century Hungarian military hero renowned for driving the Turks out of the Balkans in his time, and lifting a Turkish siege of Belgrade shortly before his untimely death from plague. Buda had been known as a site for medicinal springs and baths even in Roman times, it was Saxlehner himself who bought the spring and the surrounding land in 1863 from the peasant who discovered the water’s healing properties.

Description of the Engraving. The spring from which the Hunyadi Janos Water is obtained is situated in a valley which belongs in its entirety to Mrs. Saxlehner, (Firm of Andreas Saxlehner, forming a closed-in estate of some 125 acres. Seen from the Dobogé mountain the establishment with its numerous buildings offers a magnificent coup d’oeil. In the foreground is seen the principal block. comprising the bottling rooms, along with the reservoirs into which the water is brought from the wells through underground pipes. The wells, which are upwards of a hundred in number, are securely covered in by wooden structures and are thus perfectly protected against all external influences. The bottles are filled by means of a specially-devised patent apparatus. When corked and capsuled the bottles are dispatched on small railways to the capacious magazines in the vicinity of the filling rooms. Immediately adjacent to this block is the machinery shed which provides the motive force for the manufacture of the packing cases as well as the packing material, in addition to driving the dynamos which serve to light up the whole factory. Immense stables, extensive coach-houses for the vehicles and fire extinguishing installation, a canteen for the workmen, store houses for empty bottles &c complete the establishment. A special branch of the railway places the establishment in direct communication with the station Budapest-Kelenfold. The bottles containing the water are thus dispatched direct from the spring to all parts of the world. – Hunyadi János Natural Purgative Water Drawn from Saxlehner’s Bitter-water By Andreas Saxlehner, Budapest

Marketed as an “aperient,” aka laxative, the mineral water claimed medicinal qualities, including “organic diseases resulting from a fatty degeneration,” for the organs of “respiration and circulation,” for “the evil consequences of indiscretion in diet,” and the keystone – helpful in relieving hemmorhoids.

The 24 ounce, dark-olive-green glass bottle is representative of the many “Bitterquelle” mineral water bottles found across the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Often recovered at historic sites, the Hunyadi Janos brand was a popular European import, and spurred many domestic knock-off brands. Most commonly found in the U.S. between 1870 and 1920 or so.

THE HUNYADI JANOS

NATURAL APERIENT WATER.

INTRODUCTION.

HUNYADI JANOS water has been a household word wherever the sun of civilization shines, for more than a quarter of a century. This fact in itself is a proof of its superior quality. The law of evolution holds good of mineral waters not less than of organised beings; in the struggle for life only the fittest survive. A worthless thing may be puffed into momentary notoriety, but a lasting reputation is acquired only by genuine merit. On its first introduction Hunyadi Janos at once took rank as the best among the waters of its class, and this position it has maintained ever since. Doctors proverbially differ, but when they do agree their unanimity is wonderful, and in nothing is this rare unanimity more strikingly displayed than in the emphatic verdict of approval which has been returned by the medical profession of all countries in regard to Hunyadi Janos Water. No remedy of its kind can show such an array of scientific testimony of the highest order in its favour; the very leaders in the medical world have borne witness to its supreme excellence. When we find men of such undisputed eminence in their several lines as Professor Rudolph Virchorv (clarum et oenerabile nomen), Professor Jas. Moleschott, of Rome; Professor vorz Esmarch, of Kiel; Professor Lombroso, of Turin; Dr. Chas. Fauvel, of Paris; Professor Frederick T. Roberts; Dr. Lewis A. Sayre, of New York; Professor William A. Hammond, late Surgeon General of the United States Army; Professor von Bamberger, of Vienna; Professor Varzlair, of Liege referring to Hunyadi Janos in warm and even enthusiastic terms, nothing more is needed to show that in point of medicinal properties it must be something quite out of the common. And these are only a few chosen almost at random from among living celebrities; a complete list of those who have spoken in praise the water would include almost all the foremost representatives of medical science in the Old World and the New. A still more convincing proof of the high estimation in which the Hunyadi Janos water is held by doctors is that they not only prescribe it to their patients, but they take it themselves, showing a degree of faith in its virtues that they by no means have in all medicines which they use.

Hunyadi János Natural Purgative Water Drawn from Saxlehner’s Bitter-water

By Andreas Saxlehner, Budapest

Label notice Hunyadi Janos Mineral Water – Hunyadi János Natural Purgative Water Drawn from Saxlehner’s Bitter-Water by Andreas Saxlehner, Budapest

Here are a couple of nice collateral pieces below.

From Bitters ephemera authority Joe Gourd

Ferd,

But wait there’s more…. Read your post with interest. But note that in the Bitters lists that I sent you, I identified a Saxlehner Huyadi Janos Bittersalzquelle as an unlisted bitters. This information was taken from the LABEL in the post card featured in your post. (I have the same card in my collection, see below). I was, however, mistaken in my identification. You were correct in saying that Bitterquelle is not a bitters. Turns out that Bittersalzquelle translates to EPSOM SALTS. (I will correct the list in the next version).

HOWEVER, I do believe that Hunyadi Janos did, in fact, manufacturer a Bitters. Look closely at the back of the trade card attached. They made a product called Saxlehner Huyadi Janos Naturliches Bitterwasser. (Until now, an unlisted Bitters). Says it’s good for constipation, What do you think?

Have a great day…………Joe

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Bottling Works, Ephemera, History, Medicines & Cures, Mineral Water, Postage, Trade Cards, Water | Tagged Andreas, Aperient, Bitterquelle, bitters, Bottle, Buda, Budapest, card, French, Hungary, Hunyadi, Janos, Laxative, Mineral, postal, Saxlehner, spring, water | Leave a comment

Daily Dose | February 2015

Posted on 1 February 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

FEBRUARY | 2 0 1 5

Saturday, 28 February 2015

Tilton’s Dandelion Bitters post updated with new information.

Friday, 27 February 2015

Sorry, swamped with work. Heard from Pittsburgh collector Chip Cable on the Boerhaves Holland Bitters post. See Update with some very interesting material.

Design for Houston Antique Bottle Show flyer. Rumor has it that two big time bitters collectors from Oregon and Wisconsin will be visiting Peachridge and the show. Wouldn’t that be cool!

Saturday, 21 February 2015

Pretty Cool Canteen. Added to Historical Canteens – Canteen Figural Bottles. Not sure but maybe it prompted me to watch GETTYSBURG from The History Channel last night. Three most intensive, destructive and deadly days in American History. Directed by Adrian Moat. Check it out. Awesome. Very interesting segment on Marylanders fighting Marylanders.

Friday, 20 February 2015

Working on this art for “The Battle of Chattanooga” Bottle Competition. (Colored, Sauces (peppersauce, ketchup, durkees, oyster, etc.) and the Best Bottle South of the Mason Dixon Line. Visit Show Page.

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

WOW WOW WOW: Hey Ferd, see if this Bitters smokes your socks? I recently acquired this bottle from Bitters collector Howard Crowe. It is a “Russ’ St. Domingo Bitters” New York. It is a vivid grass green. My pictures do not do this bottle justice to say the least. Howard says he has never seen another Domingos in this color either at a show or in an auction. He acquired the bottle through Jim Hagenbach’s Auction in early 1990s. This bottle has a 60 year pedigree. 1960s & 70s Tip Boyd, Leavittsville, Ohio. Elvin Moody,
Wellington, Ohio 70 & 80s. Chris Batdorf, Manastee, Michigan 80s. Howard Crowe 90s until 2015. Now proudly in the Beatty collection. – Gary (Beatty)

PS: I forgot to say Howard Crowe is from Gold Hill, NC. Would you please include that as I listed the whereabouts of this bottle over the years with the other collectors. Thanks, Gary

Read: Russ’ St. Domingo Bitters – New York

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

We have the “Our Own Southern Bitters” in house for the auction. Attached you will find our photos. Maybe an announcement on the site?? Thanks, Jim (Jim Daniel with Daniel Auctions, Official FOHBC Chattanooga National Auctioneer.

Read: Our Own Southern Bitters – Memphis

Read: More on C.H. Ebbert & Co’s OUR OWN SOUTHERN BITTERS

Monday, 16 February 2015

Price’s Aromatic Stomach and Tonic Bitters post updated with advertising from 1870 and 1871. Thanks to Corey Stock.

Hey Ferdinand, here’s a bottle that I’ve had laying around. Thought I’d send you a picture of it. I believe it to be a newer machine made bottle but still cool with original label and packaging – Martin Van Zant

PRG: This appears to be unlisted Martin.

Saturday, 14 February (Valentines Day) 2015

G’day Ferdinand, Thought you might like to see a couple photos of a rare bitters I bought at auction last week in Australia. Apparently it was dug at a bottle depot site near the docks in Melbourne here & would date from late 1880s-early 1890s?

It’s a strange looking thing and stands very tall !! I think they also come in green but I’ve never seen another white one before.

Cheers =)
Simon Cronk
Australia

Friday, 13 February 2015

Well today is Friday the 13th! Hope you do not have paraskevidekatriaphobia. Not sure how to pronounce it? NPR offers this handy audio guide.

Anybody happen to notice that McKelvy’s Stomach Bitters that appeared and was sold in a snap on Jeff Wichmann’s American Bottle Auctions Sale Page? His description: McKelvy’s Stomach Bitters, Applied top, with Wm McC & Co. 8 7/8”. (M 59). Here’s a rare bottle that also comes in a true blue. We are only aware of two selling at auction, the other example was aqua. This has the applied top and was made at McCully Glass Works in Pittsburgh. A super condition example, really no distractions to speak of, we happened on a grouping of very rare aqua bitters. Grades a 9.7.

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Stoudt’s Dandelion Bitters mentioned on matches. First for me. From the Joe Gourd Collection. This would be S 206.5 in Bitters Bottles and noted as a 7 3/4 inch tall rectangular, cobalt blue, screw top bottle.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Down in Greenville and Asheville SC today for business. A nice part of the country. Glad I am not in Boston with all their snow!

Received the following very interesting e-mail from Peter Schaf who allowed me to share. This guy really has it covered for Abbott’s Bitters.

Dear Mr. Meyer,

Thank you for your very informative site! I very much appreciate the work that you have done and the stories and photos often continue to fuel my life-long passion for antique bottles and glass.

My passion for bottles finally brought me to the spirits industry, where I partnered with an old friend (who is also a bottle collector), to create a company dedicated to finding or recreating lost liqueurs, bitters and vermouths for craft bartenders and enthusiasts, originally specializing in absinthe.

Over many years, we had amassed a collection of Abbott’s Bitters bottles and antiques and set upon a quest to recreate it, based on its tremendous popularity in cocktails up to the 1950’s.

You can find our story and some of our research at: abbottsbitters.com

As you are a native of Baltimore, where the Abbott’s company was located, I might imagine that this maker could have some personal interest for you as well.

Although we have considerable documented information and antiques concerning Abbott’s, we have had a difficult time finding the truth regarding the founding and closure of the company. We also have not found an original bitters recipe from C. W. Abbott or know of any existing, although there is one person claiming to have found a 1860’s recipe signed by a member of the Abbott family that he is claiming to be the original recipe. For several reasons, we have our doubts.

Through research of US census reports and Baltimore City directories, it would appear that some of the early history and founding dates of the company, and the original release of a product called ‘Abbott’s Angostura Bitters’, may have been partially fabricated or presented in a misleading fashion in Abbott’s marketing. Yes, imagine that from a 19th century bitters maker!

We also cannot find a definitive date of the closure, nor conclusive reason for the product’s demise (though many have concluded it was the FDA banning of one of the assumed ingredients Tonka Bean, that we aren’t convinced was ever even in the product). I have my own theories, based on the long-running legal feud between Abbott’s and Siegert’s Angostura Bitters’ original US representative, J. W. Wupperman on the use of the word ‘Angostura’ in the product’s name.

We have also never seen an original bottle or label of Abbott’s Angostura Bitters (without the post -1899 Pouring Man image on it) with the label similar to Siegert’s Angostura Bitters.

Read at PRG: Abbott’s Aromatic Bitters – A Later Bitters with Class

Read at PRG: The Wizard of Oz and Angostura Bitters

Read at PRG: Looking at the Morning Star Bitters – Baltimore

My question for you is, if I may ask, do you have any historical documentation on Abbott’s Bitters that you might like to share, outside what you have on your site, or have you ever come across early (pre-1890) bottles or labels from C. W. Abbott such as the one on the 1898 invoice or 1901 envelope on your site? Based on the Baltimore City business directory, we are fairly convinced that Abbott’s father, C. F., first started working at the existing Morning Star Bitters company, founded around 1865, in the 1870’s, eventually bought it and transferred it to his son, C. W. by the beginning of the 1880’s., where the named was changed to C. W.. Abbott & Co. This would contradict the dates often seen on Abbott’s invoices, labels and crates, etc., at least, in the sense that the C. W. Abbott Company and the product named C. W. Abbott’s Angostura Bitters had been created/founded in 1865, or 1872.

We also don’t know of any information that gives a definitive closure date for this company in Baltimore, sometime in the 1950’s.

In full disclosure, we have created what we think is a very close replica of Abbott’s Aromatic Bitters and are presently selling it. We did not take on this project lightly, nor purely for profit, as the research and attention to detail encompassed all our passion for history and antique bottles.

I should point out that the Abbott’s Bitters label on your site is actually one of our early label prototypes for the modern product. There was no recipe for the Manhattan Cocktail on the original label, and you will notice that it reads PETALUMA, CA and not BALTIMORE, MD on the left side. If you were not already aware, we are flattered that you might have confused our work for that of an original label or that you would include ours on your site. We had no intention to deceive anyone, (we now own the ‘Abbott’s Bitters’ trademark and could legally work under the d.b.a. of C. W. Abbott, but chose not to) we also changed the CW Abbott signature on the lower right side to TF Spirits. There is some consternation that we did trademark the name, but we were not the first to try to trademark it in modern times (in 2002, by the Sazerac Company, though they failed and produced no final product under any name), and eventually, if it could be done by another company, it would have been.

We are surrounded by many modern products that carry original names that are hardly a shadow of their original specs or intentions and are proud to protect the integrity of the original quality of the bitters and its artwork.

Excuse me for this lengthy e-mail, should it not be of interest to you, especially since in the world of bottle collecting, Abbott’s Bitters bottles are not at all ‘stars’. However, I felt that if someone could shed more light for our studies, and as I eventually would like to write a book on this history, I would look to a fellow bottle collector of your esteem, knowledge and connections, for your input.

Thank you very much for your time.

all the best,

Peter Schaf

www.tfspirits.com

www.granclassico.com

www.abbottsbitters.com

U.S. Importer: Anchor Distilling Co.

www.anchorsf.com

Facebook:

Troia Schaf – Tempus Fugit Spirits

Abbott’s Bitters

Twitter:

@TFSpirits

@AbbottsBitters

Monday, 09 February 2015

Working on some supplemental art for the FOHBC 2016 National Antique Bottle Convention in Sacramento, California as I need an image for the showing on the FOHBC Show Page.

Of the previous color work, this logo above seemed to get the most favorable votes from the bottle collecting populace. Need to run this all by the board and Show Chair. Let me know what you think.

Saturday, 07 February 2015

Ferdinand: I thought you might enjoy the enclosed photo which shows my great-grandfather Lieutenant John Joseph Jolly standing on a wooden aerial with the men under his command in front of Ladder 6 in 1913 next to the S. Rosenthal store. A friend of mine saw your post and knew of my photo, and sent your link to me. I have no doubt my great-grandfather and his men enjoyed some of the spirits sold therein.

Regards

John S. Jolly
Columbia, MD

Read: A pair of S. Rosenthal & Co. NYC bottles

Friday, 06 February 2015

Sad news. Just learning of bottle collector Steve Bird’s death. That is Jerry Forbes on the left and Steve on the right in Auburn in 2012.

Jeff Wichmann sales (Store Page)seems to have gone over well yesterday with the noon PST opening. Quite a few bottles were sold. The site was a little sluggish but no crash. Jeff adds, “We added some extra gigs to the RAM so it’s moving faster.”

Joe Gourd submits the following, “Good morning Ferd, Came across this photo of an early snake oil salesman in an eBay auction today. Not quite a “Bitters” item for my collection but a really cool card. Wonder who he was? Have a great day………” Joe

http://www.ebay.com/itm/c1868-OCCUPATIONAL-TRIUMPHANT-TINCTURE-QUACK-MEDICINE-BITTERS-SNAKE-OIL-SALESMAN-/221683106818?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339d57c402

Thursday, 05 February 2015

From Jeff Wichmann: If You Aren’t Doing Anything Thursday… You might check out our “For Sale” page. We will add a new grouping of bottles at 12:00 noon, different shapes, and colors and in almost every category. We painstakingly searched the world looking for the finest and rarest gems for our favorite people on earth; our customers! We hope there are some bottles you like and please, if you have any questions, call or email us. Our aim is to please so set your alarm for 12:00 noon Pacific Standard Time. Thursday February 5th at 12:00 Noon PST. As I check the website now I get…..

Error establishing a database connection

Ok, 4 minutes until the new bottles go on. Site is working fine. I’m in-between meetings so I can actually try right at 2:00 CST. We’ll see what happens!

Wednesday, 04 February 2015

The Dandelion Bitters post from Utica, NY was updated. Apparently John H. Sheehan also was promoting a DeWolf’s Dandelion Bitters.

Abel Da Silva reports 3 nice bottles at Invaluable.com

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/flora-temple-glass-1-quart-flask-double-stamped-17-c-4cb462cbec

http://www.invaluable.com/catalog/viewLot.cfm?lotRef=00f4dd0bde&scp=c&ri=43&wtchLt=true

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/two-glass-flasks-one-in-olive-green-with-masonic-316-c-b1c415990c

Latest FOHBC Board meeting notes posted here. Notes of Record

Tuesday, o3 February 2015

Hunyadi Janos Saxlehner’s Bitterquelle post updated with some insigne from Joe Gourd. Maybe Saxlehner really did put out a bitters? Back to Post

Looks like the Bond’s Dandelion Bitters from Ft. Wayne, Indiana may be unlisted? Here is an 1868 advertisement. Post in development.

Monday, 02 February 2015

Wow, what a game last night. So easy to second guess. Nice family event for us. Had fun and good food.

Bill Ham reports, “Ferdinand: There is a rare variant of the OLD HICKORY BITTERS on ebay. I got images to make drawings from the listing. It is the O 33 which doesn’t have drawings in the books.” – Bill

Heard about this bottle at last years Houston Antique Bottle Show: Read: An unlisted Old Hickory Celebrated Stomach Bitters – New Orleans

Sunday, 01 February 2015 (aka Superbowl Sunday)

Pick-em’. Tough choice. Looking forward to game. Working in a couple areas today. Bottles and Extras first draft review. Post on Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters and Hunyadi Janos Saxlehners Bitterquelle. Isn’t that a great marketing image below for this mineral water product which is often confused for a bitters.

Posted in Advice, Daily Dose, News | Leave a comment

Golden Bitters on a Rainy Day

Posted on 31 January 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Golden Bitters on a Rainy Day

31 January 2015

Just a simple post today as I look outside and prepare for the next front. It will rain for a day or so. I thought I would share some pictures of an aqua Golden Bitters by George C. Hubbel & Co. that looks at wet and rainy as could be. No, I just did not wash it, the storm is within the glass. Notice the extreme character of the glass which includes amber striations. I have included another of my Golden Bitters (clear day version) below for comparison.

Read: Geo C Hubbel & Co – Unlisted Variant – Golden Bitters

Golden Bitters (clear day) – Meyer Collection

RAINY DAY

Posted in Bitters, Photography | Tagged bitters, bubbles, character, day, golden, Meyer, rain, striation | Leave a comment

Golden Eagle Bitters – Augusta & New York

Posted on 29 January 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters – Augusta & New York

William H. Tutt

29 January 2015

Back in August 2011, I had the opportunity to visit with Mike Newman and his extraordinary bottle collection outside of Augusta, Georgia. You can read three historical posts below where I tried to capture the depth and quality of his rooms of wonderful bottles:

Read: Mike Newman Bottles – Downstairs

Read: Mike Newman Bottles – Upstairs Sodas

Read: Mike Newman Bottles – Upstairs Flasks

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters (left) and Old Carolina Bitters – Newman Collection

During this visit I had the chance to see two extraordinary bitters, that being the Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters and the Old Carolina Bitters. Both are pictured above, standing proudly together.

Read: 2 XR Augusta and Charleston Square Bitters Spotted

I followed up on the Old Carolina Bitters (read post). Today we are going to follow up on the Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters. All of the pictures in this post are from Mike Newman and they were recently provided to Bill Ham who is updating the Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters listing for the forthcoming Bitters Bottlers Supplement 2.

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters in yellow and an amber bottle base – Newman Collection

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters in amber bottom and yellow example – Newman Collection

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters in amber bottom and yellow example – Newman Collection

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters neck detail – Newman Collection

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters bottom detail – Newman Collection

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters neck and mouth detail – Newman Collection

Amber Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters shard detail – Newman Collection

Amber Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters shard detail – Newman Collection

Amber Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters shard detail – Newman Collection

Picture Comments from Mike Newman

“You noticed a broken example next to my good yellow one. I dug this bottle with Augusta, Georgia embossed on it many years ago. There is only one perfect example known, which was purchased for $4,000 over twenty-five years ago by Walter Smith. I had always assumed (incorrectly) that the only difference between the two was the city embossing on a third panel. After comparing them this morning, I see that the embossed panels are in an entirely different order. I am sending some photos, which should show the difference. It turns out that Augusta, GA is embossed on the panel opposite of Golden Eagle Bitters, where Dr. Tutt’s was embossed on my example. The Dr. Tutt’s embossing now shows up on the third panel between Golden Eagle Bitters and Augusta, GA. The variant without Augusta, GA embossed typically comes in a medium amber color, with my example being the only one known in a honey yellow color. I am guessing that there are maybe a half dozen undamaged examples known without the city name. My bottles measures 9 1/4 inches in height with a 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches square base. The neck is 2 inches long, meaning it measures 7 1/4 inches from base to where neck begins.”

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

T 71 f // DR. WM. H. TUTT’S // f // GOLDEN EAGLE / BITTERS //
9 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 (6 1/4) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 2 sp, Extremely rare.

T 71.7 DR. WM. H. TUTT’S // AUGUSTA, GA// GOLDEN EAGLE / BITTERS // f //
9 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 (6 1/4) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Extremely rare.
Same as T 71 except AUGUSTA, GA. appears on a third panel.

Bill Ham will be updating the listings when some additional measurements are obtained. The new entry for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 will direct to the “T” section for “TUTT’S” as one might suspect that this might have originally be cataloged under “G” for “GOLDEN”.

GOLDEN EAGLE / BITTERS

See DR. WM. H. TUTT’S GOLDEN EAGLE BITTERS

Dr. William Henry Tutt

William H. Tutt was born in Augusta, Georgia on August 31, 1823 and was a wealthy druggist and prominent physician in the south. He would graduate from the Augusta Medical College and later amass a sizable fortune as he became a manufacturer of patent medicines in both Augusta and New York City.

W.H. Tutt & Land Druggist, Augusta, GA Bottles

W. H. Tutt & Land Druggists, Augusta, GA bottles – Bill Baab Collection

W. H. Tutt & Land Druggists advertisement, 1870 (Augusta)

He would sell his concoctions by using well-placed advertisements in national newspapers for Dr. Tutt’s Liver Pills, Dr. Tutt’s Expectorant, Dr. Tutt’s Sarsaparilla and Queens Delight (pictured above), Dr. Tutt’s Improved Hair Dye and of course Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters, the main topic of this post. A few of those advertisements from New York are represented below.

Tutts_Goldsboro_Messenger_Mon__Apr_21__1873_

Various Dr. Tutt’s products being sold from his New York address – Goldsboro Messenger, Monday, April 1, 1873

Tutts_The_Atlanta_Constitution_Thu__Jan_21__1875_

Dr. Tutt’s Vegetable Liver Pills and Dr. Tutt’s Expectorant advertisement – The Atlanta Constitution , Thursday, January 21, 1875

Wm. H. Tutt & Land Wholesale Druggists, 264 Broad Street, Augusta Georgia advertising envelope, circa 1870 – philbansner.com

Dr. Tutt first started in the drug business in Augusta in 1850 or so and soon moved to 264 Broad Street taking on Robert Henry Land as a partner with Wm. H. Tutt & Land – Druggists. Dr. Tutt remained in the drug business until he moved to New York City in 1873 and engaged in the manufacture of proprietary medicines on a larger and broader scale. While in New York he retained his Augusta drug business as W. H. Tutt & Remsen. This was probably his wife’s father or brother as Dr. Tutt married Miss Harriet Remsen Bell in 1847. Although most of Tutt’s concoctions appeared to be manufactured in his New York plant, many bear Augusta’s name, indicating strong personal ties with his place of birth. Dr. Tutt moved his family back to Augusta in 1888 but continued his business in New York until he sold it in the mid 1890s.

W. H. Tutt Wholesale Druggist, Augusta, Georgia – 500 cases of Golden Eagle Bitters – Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia) December 28, 1870

The Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters with the Augusta embossing was most likely made first, probably in 1869 or 1870. It is extremely rare. The advertisement above shows 500 cases available of Dr. Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters, along with 100 cases each of Hostetters and Plantation Bitters.

The Bon Air Hotel that was opened by Dr. Tutt in Augusta on the “Hill” in 1892

On May 28, 1888 Tutt purchased the four acre Hillside estate of Mrs. Anna McKinne Winter in Augusta for $12,500. He would then build the Bon Air, as a summer retreat from New York for his family. This expansive four story Victorian inspired architecture would next become a winter resort for eastern millionaires and was named The Bon Air Hotel, opening on December 2, 1889, on the “Hill” overlooking Augusta. Tutt was also instrumental in the development of the Augusta Canal. Dr. Tutt would die on March 15, 1898 in Augusta but is remembered today.

TuttsGoldEag_The_Sumter_Watchman_Wed__May_25__1870_

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters advertisement –The Sumter Watchman, Wednesday, May 25, 1870

Tutts_The_Daily_Phoenix_Tue__Mar_15__1870_

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters advertisement – The Daily Phoenix, Tuesday, March 15, 1870

Tutts_Edgefield_Advertiser_Thu__Oct_31__1872_

Tutt’s Golden Eagle Bitters and some other popular bitters being sold – Edgefield Advertiser, Thursday, October 31, 1872

TuttsPills_The_Tarborough_Southerner_Thu__Apr_28__1898_

A very late Tutt’s Pills advertisement – The Tarborough Southerner, Thursday, April 28, 1898

Select Listings:

1823: William H. Tutt born in Augusta, Georgia, August 21, 1823.

1847: Dr. William H. Tutt marries Miss Harriet Remsen Bell of Lincoln County.

1854: Dr. W. H. Tutt, Druggist – The Southern Business Directory and General Commercial Advertiser

1859: William H. Tutt, member Augusta, Georgia City Council

1860: W. H. Tutt, Apothecary, age 37, Augusta Ward 1, Richmond, Georgia – United States Federal Census

1870: Tutt & Land, Druggists, Augusta, Georgia

1872-1874: William H. Tutt, Patent Medicines, 18 Platt – Goulding’s Business Directory of New York

1877: W. H. Tutt & Remsen (William H. Tutt and Rem Remsen), res. Elizebeth New Jersey, druggist, 264 Broad – Shoals’ Directory of the City of Augusta

1878: William H. Tutt, pills, 35 Murray – New York City Directory

1882: W. H. Tutt & Remsen (William H. Tutt and Rem Remsen), ret druggist, 812 Broad – Augusta, Georgia City Directory

1883: William H. Tutt, drugs, 35 Murray – New York City Directory

1898: Dr. William H. Tutt death (see below) March 15, 1898.

Posted in Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Postage, Sarsaparilla, Tonics | Tagged Augusta, Baab, bitters, Bon Air, Druggist & Drugstore, drugs, Eagle, expectorant, golden, Ham, hill, Hotel, Land, Medicine, New York, Newman, Patent, pills, Remsen, Sarsaparilla, Tutt, William | Leave a comment

Tilley’s Summum Bonum Bitters – West Haverstraw, N.Y.

Posted on 26 January 2015 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Tilley’s Summum Bonum Bitters – West Haverstraw, N.Y.

26 January 2015 (R•031215)

New York Central train station in Haverstraw, New York

The first thing I wondered here was why “Summum bonum” would be embossed on the Tilley’s Sunnum Bonum Bitters bottle from West Haverstraw, New York. Actually this was not my first thought. My first thought was being amazed that this bottle even showed up on Jeff Wichmann’s American Bottle Auctions Sale Page page. It sold in the blink of an eye to some lucky purchaser as the ABA web site locked up and I could not secure the bottle. Boy-oh-boy is this bottle rare. Only one recorded shard exists and there is scant information in Bitters Bottles.

“Summum Bonum Quod Est Magia, Cabalae, Alchymae et Artis,” 2004 Lithograph, 31 x 24 3/4 inches Edition of 20 Collaboration with Robert Williams Courtesy Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York

Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning “the highest good”, which was introduced by Cicero, to correspond to the Idea of the Good in Ancient Greek philosophy. The summum bonum is generally thought of as being an end in itself, and at the same time as containing all other goods.

West Haverstraw is a village incorporated in 1833 in the town of Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York. It is located northwest of Haverstraw village, east of Thiells, south of the hamlet of Stony Point, and west of the Hudson River.

A partial Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is listed below as only a fragment exists of this extremely rare bitters (see above). We can now update this information.

T 29 TILLEY’S SUMMUM BONUM BITTERS

TILLEY’S / SUMMUM BONUM BITTERS / WEST HEVERSTRAW, N.Y. //
Known from aqua fragment, Extremely rare
7″ tall

The new listing by Bill Ham for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

T 29 TILLEY’S / SUMMUM BONUM BITTERS / WEST HAVERSTRAW. N.Y. // sp // f // sp //
7 x 2 3/16 x 1 1/4
Rectangular, Aqua, NSC, Tooled lip, 3 sp, Extremely rare

TILLEY’S SUMMUM BONUM BITTERS WEST HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. Tooled top, 7”. (T 29) Here’s a bitters that is listed in Ring/Ham as being so rare only pieces have survived. There could have been others to appear however, nonetheless it is still extremely rare. Not a purple or green however, just an aqua medicine looking tooled top bitters that would fit in with any rare bitters collection. Condition is terrific, both sides of the panels are pushed in and the bottle appears quite crude. Grades a 9.7. – American Bottle Auctions Sale Page

Tilley Candidates

I am really having a hard time tying this bottle to a specific person in New York. West Haverstraw is a tiny town and this bitters was only made for a short run as can be surmised from no surviving examples. Here below are a few Tilley candidates. I suspect I may get some help solving this one so stay tuned.

Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, PC, KCMG (May 8, 1818 – June 25, 1896) was a Canadian politician and one of the Fathers of Confederation. Tilley was descended from United Empire Loyalists on both sides of his family. As a pharmacist, he went into business as a druggist. He was 13 in 1831 when he left to live in Portland with relatives and apprentice as a druggist in adjoining Saint John. In May 1838, a certified pharmacist, he went into partnership with a cousin, Thomas W. Peters, to open Peters and Tilley, “Cheap Drug Store!” When Peters retired in 1848 it became Tilley’s Drug Store, one of the more successful commercial operations in the city. By 1860 politics had taken over Tilley’s life, however, and he sold the business.

1889: Cedar Hill, The ice house for Tilley & Littlefield is well under way. – The Enterprise, Altamont, N.Y. October 12, 1889

1892: Allen’s “Commercial Organic Analysis,” vols, i-and ii. Tilley, 131 Albert Road, Middlesborough. – Oct. 15, 1892 THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST SUPPLEMENT

1898: C. E. Tilley, the druggist who assigned some six weeks since, and whose store on Reading Road was sold out, has obtained a position in the Board of City Affairs, Cincinnati – The Pharmaceutical Era, Volume 19

1900: Tilley and Littlefield noted as an ice house along the Hudson on the Albany County side. Producing 70,000 lbs of ice in 1900. – The Rockland County Times, Haverstraw, New York, December 29, 1900

Case Solved

Marianne Dow sent in the following Tilley Summum Borum (Bonum) Bitters Company advertisement that led to finding a second listing for Tilley’s Sonnum Borum Bitters. From these, we can see that J. B. Tilley organized the company in New Berlin, N.Y. and sold the bitters in 1900.

The Tilley Summum Borum (Bonum) Bitters Company at New Berlin, N.Y. – Paint, Oil and Drug Review, Chicago, Wednesday, July 18, 1900

Another listing for the company.

J. B. Tilley of New Berlin has organized a company announcement – De Ruyter Gleaner, Thursday, January 11, 1900

TILLY’S / SUMMUM BONUM BITTERS / WEST HAVERSTAW, N.Y.”, (Ring/Ham, T-29), New York, ca. 1880 – 1890, aqua, 7”h, smooth base, tooled lip. Two in manufacturing horizontal cooling stress fissures are located about midpoint in the neck, otherwise in perfect ‘attic’ found condition According to Bitters Bottles by Ring/Ham, this bottle is ‘known from an aqua fragment’, extremely rare. Here’s your chance to own the entire bottle! Summum Bonum is a Latin expression meaning ‘The Highest good’! – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 106

Posted in Bitters, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions | Tagged bitters, Bonum, Dow, Haverstraw, New Berlin, New York, Summum, Tilley, Wichmann | Leave a comment

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Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters – Bangor, Maine

Caldwell Sweet & Bro. Druggists and Apothecaries

06 February 2015 (R•020715)

L 138 LYMAN’S DANDELION BITTERS

L 137 L … Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters // b // S.B.W. CO. Caldwell Sweet, Wholesale and Retail Druggist, Bangor, Maine 6 1/2 Round Older then the previous

Caldwell Sweet

From the Leading business men of Bangor, Rockland and vicinity : embracing Ellsworth, Bucksport, Belfast, Camden, Rockport, Thomaston, Oldtown, Orono, Brewer“, 1899

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Dandelion & Wild Cherry Bitters

Farmersburg and McGregor, Iowa

05 February 2015 (R•110715)

D 14 DANDELION AND WILD CHERRY BITTERS

DANDELION / AND (slanted) / WILD CHERRY BITTERS // c // 7 3/8″ x 2 3/4 (4 3/4) Round, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

D 14.5 DANDELION AND WILD CHERRY BITTERS

DANDELION / AND / WILD CHERRY BITTERS // c // 7 3/16″ x 2 13/16 (4 5/8) Round, Aqua, DC, Extremely rare Farmersburgh, Iowa The spelling of Farmersburgh was changed to Farmersburg around 1878. (should be removed)

D 14.7 DANDELION & WILD CHERRY BITTERS

DANDELION & WILD / CHERRY BITTERS // c // 8 3/4″ x 3 1/8 (6) Round, Aqua, CM, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

Samuel Huntington and Farmersburg, Iowa

Samuel Huntington and McGregor, Iowa

Select Listings:

1862: Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement, S. Huntington, Proprietor, Farmersburg, Iowa – The Manitowoc Herald, Thursday, August 21, 1862

1863: Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement (see above), S. Huntington, Proprietor, Farmersburg, Clayton County, Iowa – St. Paul Daily Express, June 6, 1863

1865: Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters advertisement (see above), S. Huntington, Proprietor, McGregor, Iowa – Cedar Falls Gazette, Friday, September 22, 1865

1865: H & S Huntington, Retail Liquors, Apothecaries, 76 Bxxxy – United Stated IRS Tax Assessment

1865: H & S Huntington, S. Huntington & Co., (Henry and Samuel) Patent Medicines, Drugs, Davenport also McGregor – Iowa State Gazetteer

1879: Huntington’s Celebrated Dandelion and Wild Cherry Bitters, Dubuque, Iowa – Internal Revenue Record and Customs Journal, 1879

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Bond’s Dandelion Bitters – Fort Wayne, Indiana

1868. — XX. — S-Y-L.

04 February 2015

“Imagine our misery, last Saturday, when we looked upon the streets and saw eight or ten young bloods in a weaving way…”

Newspaper Advertisement B 139.7 BOND’S DANDELION BITTERS, Price, One Dollar per Bottle Prepared and Sold by W. J. Bond, Chemist, No. 95 Columbia Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, February 8, 1868

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William J. Bond

1845: William J. Bond born 23 December 1845, Madison, Indiana

1866: W. J. Bond, Dealers in Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Oils, Dye Stuffs, etc. s w c Main & Calhoun – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1867: Bond & Nones (William J. Bond and James C. Nones) wholesale and retail druggists, and dealers in paints, oils, varnishes, glass and dye stuffs, 95 Columbia – Allen County Gazetteer

1868: Bond’s Dandelion Bitters advertisement (see above), W. J. Bond, Chemist, No. 95 Columbia Street – Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, July 25 1868

1868: W J Bond, drugs &c. 95 Columbia, h 175 Clinton – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1872: W J Bond, Drugs, Medicines, etc., 13 E. Columbia, h 190 E. Wayne – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1873: W J Bond, druggist, paints oils &c, h 190 E. Wayne – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1875-1876: W J Bond, druggist, s e cor Colerick and Fairfield ave, res 107 Fairfield ave. – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1877: W. J. Bond, Drugs and Notions, n w cor Locust and Fairfield ave, res same. Bond Marshall S, bookkeeper W J Bond, bds same., Bond Wm H, clerk W J Bond, bds same. – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1878-1879: W. J. Bond & Sons (Wm J, Wm H and Marshall S), drugs and notions, 108 Fairfield ave – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

1883: W. J. Bond & Son (Wm J and Seth M), drygoods, 42 Calhoun – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

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Dandelion Bitters – The Great Herb Blood Remedy

John H. Sheehan & Company, Utica, N.Y.

03 February 2015

Trade Card D 10.5 DANDELION BITTERS, John N. Sheehan & Co., Sole Agents, 155 Genessee Street, Utica, N.Y.

D 12 XXX DANDELION BITTERS

John H. Sheehan

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1838: John H. Sheehan born in County Clare, Ireland on 16 March 1838.

1862: John H. Sheehan (clerk Dickenson, Comstock & Co.) bds Central Hotel – Utica New York City Directory

1865: John H. Sheehan (Dickenson, Comstock & Co.) bds Central Hotel – Utica New York City Directory

1870: Vidvard & Sheehan (P. Vidvard and John H. Sheehan) wines and liquors, 29 and 31 John – Utica New York City Directory

1877: Vidvard & Sheehan (Peter Vidvard and John H. Sheehan) wines and liquors, 45 and 47 John – Utica New York City Directory

1878: P. Vidvard advertisement (see below) – Utica Daily Observer, July 27, 1878

1879: Sheehan forms his own wholesale drug and liquor business, at 155 Genesee Street (see below). Excelsior Drug Store advertisement from 1880.

1880: John H. Sheehan & Co., wholesale and retail drugs and liquors, 155 Genesee Street – Utica New York City Directory

1883: John H. Sheehan & Co., (John H. Sheehan, Charles S. England and Philip Sweeney), wholesale and retail drugs and liquors, 155 Genesee Street – Utica New York City Directory

1886: Advertisement for a DeWolf’s Dandelion Bitters being sold by John. H. Sheehan & C0mpany (see below)

1887: John H. Sheehan & Co., (John H. Sheehan, Charles S. England and Philip Sweeney), wholesale and retail druggists, 167 Genesee Street – Utica New York City Directory

1891: Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! advertisement, Sheehan & Kelly, 167 Genesee Street

1906-1908: John H. Sheehan & Co., wholesale druggist, 167 Genesee – Utica New York City Directory

1910: John H. Sheehan, Physician, office 31 Devereux, also John P. Sheehan & Co. (John P. Sheehan) Sheehan’s Malt Whiskey, 35 Devereux – Utica New York City Directory

Willard’s Golden Seal Bitters – Taunton, Massachusetts

01 February 2015 (R•110715)

“A stitch in time saves nine” Everybody likes them and recommends them. Try them.”

W 119 WILLARD’S GOLDEN SEAL BITTERS

WILLARD’S / GOLDEN SEAL / BITTERS // c // A. L. Willard Druggist and Apothecary Weir Village, Taunton, Mass. 7 3/4 x 3 x 1 3/4 (5 1/2) Oval, Aqua, NSC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Rare Trade Cards available

Abel Lyman Willard

Leading Manufacturers and Merchants of Eastern Massachusetts, 1887

ADVERTISING TRADE CARDS

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1829: A. L. Willard born in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts on December 10, 1829.

185o: A. L. Willard, Militia, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, 28 May 1850.

1855: A. L. Willard, age 26, druggist, wife Elisa A. Willard, Taunton, Mass. – Massachusetts, State Census, 1855

L 137 L … Lyman’s Dandelion Bitters // b // S.B.W. CO.
Caldwell Sweet, Wholesale and Retail Druggist, Bangor, Maine
6 1/2
Round
Older then the previous

DANDELION / AND (slanted) / WILD CHERRY BITTERS // c //
7 3/8″ x 2 3/4 (4 3/4)
Round, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

DANDELION / AND / WILD CHERRY BITTERS // c //
7 3/16″ x 2 13/16 (4 5/8)
Round, Aqua, DC, Extremely rare
Farmersburgh, Iowa
The spelling of Farmersburgh was changed to Farmersburg around 1878. (should be removed)

DANDELION & WILD / CHERRY BITTERS // c //
8 3/4″ x 3 1/8 (6)
Round, Aqua, CM, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

Newspaper Advertisement
B 139.7 BOND’S DANDELION BITTERS, Price, One Dollar per Bottle
Prepared and Sold by W. J. Bond, Chemist, No. 95 Columbia Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, Saturday, February 8, 1868

1875-1876: W J Bond, druggist, s e cor Colerick and Fairfield ave, res 107
Fairfield ave. – Fort Wayne Indiana City Directory

Trade Card
D 10.5 DANDELION BITTERS, John N. Sheehan & Co., Sole Agents, 155 Genessee Street, Utica, N.Y.

WILLARD’S / GOLDEN SEAL / BITTERS // c //
A. L. Willard Druggist and Apothecary Weir Village, Taunton, Mass.
7 3/4 x 3 x 1 3/4 (5 1/2)
Oval, Aqua, NSC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Rare
Trade Cards available

T 71 f // DR. WM. H. TUTT’S // f // GOLDEN EAGLE / BITTERS //
9 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 (6 1/4) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 2 sp, Extremely rare.

T 71.7 DR. WM. H. TUTT’S // AUGUSTA, GA// GOLDEN EAGLE / BITTERS // f //
9 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 (6 1/4) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Extremely rare.
Same as T 71 except AUGUSTA, GA. appears on a third panel.