John A. King – Druggist to Bank President

Posted on 10 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

King's front

John A. King – Druggist to Bank President

KING’S LIVER AND KIDNEY BITTERS

10 January 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAI like trying to imagine the lives of some of the people I am researching. I mean, of all the people in the world, how did one bitters brand come to be associated with one individual throughout an entire lifespan? How is a bottle I am interesting in, relate to and intersect with a man who was a farmer, messenger, teller, bookkeeper, treasurer, clerk, druggist, brewer and bank president? I also wonder, if I was living in the latter part of the 1900s, would I have put out a Meyer’s Bitters? Probably so!

Today’s post was inspired by trade card authority Joe Gourd (Chicago, Illinois) where he baited me with images of a rare card (pictured in this post) and said, “Got one more King’s Bitters to add to your list. It is a K 54, ‘King’s Liver and Kidney Bitters’. The card is not in such great shape, but can be proud of it’s Chicago connection.”

What Joe is referring to are recent posts on various, different, “King” bitters brands such as King’s Hop Bitters, King’s 25 Cent Bitters, and King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters.

King's back

Looking at the front and back of the card, I see a draped women carrying a wreath and strand of roses with copy marketing Austen’s Forest Flower Cologne, W. J. Austen & Co., Oswego, New York. I think I will save that cologne for another post as on the back I see the name, John A. King & Co., 51 Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois. The brand he is marketing is King’s Liver and Kidney Bitters.

John A. King was born in DeWitt Township in Onondaga County, New York and was the son of Ingron L. and Hannah (Hadley) King, also of New York though his mother may have been from Vermont. John was reared on a farm and at the ripe young age of 15, entered employment at a grocery firm in Syracuse, New York and quickly moved on to be a messenger and teller at Mechanics’ Bank of Syracuse. This is interesting as he would later be a bank president! From 1859 to 1861, John was a bookkeeper and later a treasurer at S.M. Nicholson & Company, distillers in Toledo, Ohio. This experience would lead him to the retail and wholesale area of the grocery and drug business.

Around 1865, King went to work with Samuel A. Tolman at Tolman & Pinkham and then became a partner in Tolman, Crosby & Co. when the firm turned from groceries to the wholesale drug trade. From 1869 to 1882 King was a partner at Tolman & King, working at 51 Lake Street in Chicago. In 1882, Tolman would sell out to King and the firm became John A. King & Co. They were noted as druggists. This would be when the King’s Liver and Kidney Bitters was sold. Unfortunately, as far as I know, no bottles exist. Hopefully, someone will prove me wrong.

In 1888 and 1889, King bought a controlling interest in McAvoy Brewing Co., only to sell the property to an English syndicate in 1889. From 1889 to 1903, King was president of Fort Dearborn National Bank at 187 Dearborn, in Chicago.

King was a Democrat and was a trustee with the Chicago Sanitary District. He belonged to the Illinois, Iroquois and Union League clubs while he resided at 431 Ashland Boulevard. His wife was Julia L King. They had two children, Nellie and Agnes. He lived a full life and he had his own bitters.

Representative King Milestones

1834: John A. King, born DeWitt Tp. Onondaga Co., N.Y., son of Ingron L. and Hannah (Hadley) King; reared on farm.

1849: entered employment at grocery firm of Syracuse at 15., later messenger to teller Mechanics’ Bank of Syracuse.

1859 – 1861: John A. King in Toledo, Ohio as bookkeeper and later treasurer, S. M. Nicholson & Co., distillers.

1865: Samuel A. Tolman (initially a grocer turns to the drug business), Tolman & Pinkham (1 year)

1866 – 1867: Tolman, Crosby & Co., (Samuel A. Tolman, I. F. Crosby and J. A. King), whol. druggists, 35 S. Water – Chicago, Illinois City Directory

1869 – 1882: Tolman & King (Samuel A. Tolman and John A. King), drugs whol., 51 Lake – Chicago, Illinois City Directory

1870: John A. King, age 36, wholesale druggist clerk, born abt 1834 in New York, Living in Chicago, wife is Julie L. King, both parents born in New York, children Nellie and Agnes, 1870 Federal Census

1880: John A. King, age 46, druggist, born abt 1834 in New York, Living in Chicago, wife is Julie L. King, both parents born in New York, children Nellie and Agnes, 1880 Federal Census

1882: Samuel A. Tolman sells out to John A. King

1882: John A. King & Co., (John A. King and Julius C. Eliel), drugs, 51 Lake – Chicago, Illinois City Directory

1885 – 1888: John A. King & Co., (John A. King), whol. druggist, 51 Lake – Chicago, Illinois City Directory

1888 – 1889: bought controlling interest in McAvoy Brewing Co., selling property to English syndicate in 1889

1889 – 1903: John A. King, pres., Fort Dearborn Nat. Bank, 187 Dearborn, h. 276 Ashland av. – Chicago, Illinois City Directory

1889 – 1891: trustee Chicago Sanitary District.

1916: died, 12 September 1916

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Cologne, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brophy’s Bitters – A Mailman and his Bitters

Posted on 8 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

B217_D

Brophy’s Bitters – A Mailman and his Bitters

Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois

08 January 2014

NokomisStreet

Apple-Touch-IconAThis post was inspired by an image provided by Jim May depicting Brophy’s Depot, which was a post office and establishment for selling Brophy’s Bitters. The brand is easily recognized by the large reversed star and crescent moon trademark painted on the façade, which advertised Brophy’s Bitters. Jim apparently lives in Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois.

BrophysIllus

Advertisement showing the Brophy’s Bitters establishment – 1874 Atlas of Montgomery County, Illinois (submitted by Jim May) From corner illustration, Map of Litchfield, Illinois Drawn from the Original Records, Publishedby Brink, McCormick & Co. (see below map)

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

B 217  BROPHY’S BITTERS

BROPHY’S BITTERS ( au ) motif – motif – name encased in crescent / 5 pointed
star within crescent / Trade ( sd ) MARK ( su ) / NOKOMIS ILLINOIS // f // f // f //
7 1/2 x 2 1/2 (5 1/2)
Square, Aqua, STC, Tooled lip, Rare

B217_Brophy'sBitters)

Brophy’s Bitters – Meyer Collection

Dennis P. Brophy

Dennis P. Brophy, son of Dennis and Julia (Galvan) Brophy, was born on March 3, 1832 in New York City. You can trace the Brophy ancestry back to Irish origin though both of his parents who were born in United States and came to New York City in 1762 and resided there until 1856.

Brophy lived in the city until about fourteen years old and received the basics of an early education. Upon the death of his mother in 1846, he moved to Philadelphia and engaged in the type foundry business as a mold maker. After about 18 months, he moved on to Baltimore and engaged in the same occupation, with Edwin Star, of the Sun Building (newspaper Baltimore Sun). Next he moved on to the Philadelphia Baltimore Rail Road (PBRR) as an assistant baggage master. He stayed at the railroad for about nine months and headed back to New York City and again worked in the type foundry business. Eventually Brophy had to quit his profession when his health declined from exposure to foundry acids. During this period he engaged in market gardening near Boston, working for James Young.

In the fall of 1856, Brophy, hoping for recovery, headed out west and stopped for a short time in Litchfield, Illinois (see map below) and worked for Calvin Howe and then worked in farming for Edwin C. Read, near Rosemond, Illinois. After six months he settled in the newly platted and surveyed central Illinois town of Nokomis.

Brophy, Dennis P

Dennis P. Brophy – Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900.

With the war of the rebellion breaking out and responding to the call of troops, Brophy volunteered in the 126th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Company F on September 4, 1862 and become a Postmaster during the Civil War. He was promoted to Full Corporal. He mustered out on July 12 1865 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Finding himself in Washington D.C. he was given a presidential appointment by President Andrew Johnson as Postmaster of Nokomis on August 25, 1865. He held that office until November 1, 1886. Later he became secretary of the Farmers Insurance Company, and held that position for a few years.

On September 17, 1868 Brophy married Susan Battles and they had two children, Nathaniel B. and Jennie A. who died young. Brophy and his wife were both members of the Baptist Church.

1880sMailMan

1880s tintype portrait of a mailman in uniform carrying leather satchel and a huge backpack of newspapers, parcels, etc. – Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs

By 1870, Brophy had become the proprietor of various medications, which he sold from his post office, also known as “Brophy’s Depot”. Even though he had the post office, the 1870 Federal Census lists his occupation as a druggist. Brophy’s Depot was easily recognized by the large reversed star and crescent trademark painted on the façade, which advertised his bitters. So now we have a mailman and his bitters. It is 1880 when the Federal Census lists him as a Postmaster.

Brophy actually had a number of mail patents for a mail bag, mail bag lock and label holder (pictured below).

BrophyMailBagPatent

D. P. Brophy Patent 331,472 for a Mail Bag – December 1, 1885

Brophy_LabelHolder

D. P. Brophy Patent 358,644 for a Label Holder – March 1, 1887

Brophy_MailBagPatent

D. P. Brophy Patent 331,474 for a Mail Bag Lock – December 1, 1885

During his experience in compounding medicines, he succeeded in making new preparations of bitters, having a seductive character. The product was very highly spoken of and noted as an anti-febrile and an anti-dyspeptic. Marketing at the time said, “This preparation he puts up himself, from the best and purest drugs, and keeps a supply on hand for the benefit of the affected.”

BrophysIllusX

Brophy’s signature trademark included a star known as a reverse or upside down pentacle or pentagram. The symbol is a bit mysterious as it is depicted in a way rarely observed during this time period in the Midwest. Typically the pentacle is depicted with the star having one point upwards, as a symbol of God and the triumph of good over evil. The pentacle having one point down, like the mark on Brophy’s Bitters has traditionally been interpreted as symbolic of the devil or the infernal and used in black magic.

The Brophy’s Bitters bottles date from about 1875 to 1876 when Brophy relinquished his appointment as Postmaster. During his retirement he even put out a book on patriotic and semi-religious poems. Brophy died on September 14, 1898.

References:
Biographical Sketches of Citizens of Montgomery County, Illinois
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois
Medical Mysticism on the Frontier: An Example from the Midwest
Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Civil War, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Doyle’s & Soule’s Hop Bitters – Rochester, N.Y.

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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Hop Bitters trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

The Doyle’s & Soule’s Hop Bitters

Rochester, New York

07 January 2014 (R•010814) (R•052315) (R•100518)

GoldCoins

$1,000 in gold will be paid for a case they will not cure or help.

RochesterFalls

Apple-Touch-IconA

Bitters trade card collector and authority Joe Gourd, has provided a series of Hop Bitters trade cards, a postal card and a pamphlet from his collection allowing us to look at the sometimes confused, Doyle’s Hop Bitters and Dr. Soule’s Hop Bitters from Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company in Rochester, New York. Joe’s e-mail is noted below:

Ferd, saw your post for Doyle’s Hop Bitters. It got me checking with Ring and Ham (Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement).

I have a number of trade cards that just say “Hop Bitters”. Some also say “Hop Bitters Co., Rochester, N.Y.” According to your post, these cards could be for Doyle’s Hop Bitters (D 93), Hop Bitters (H 171 L), or Soule’s Hop Bitters (S 145). Since they didn’t specifically say “Doyle’s”, I had catalogued them as “Hop Bitters” (H 171 L). But now I think they are more likely Doyle’s Hop Bitters*. And, because most trade cards were printed between 1880 and 1900, these cards are most likely some of Soule’s advertising. What do you think?

Joe

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Hop Bitters trade card front, Rochester, N.Y. – Joe Gourd Collection

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Hop Bitters trade card back, Hop Bitters Mfg. Co., Rochester, N.Y. – Joe Gourd Collection

PRG: Yes, Joe. These are Asa T. Soule cards from the Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company in Rochester, New York. Soule succeeded Doyle. Soulke also put out New York Hop Bitters.

Postcard

One Cent advertising postal card promoting Hop Bitters, Hop Bitters Mfg Co., Rochester, N.Y. – Joe Gourd Collection

DOYLE’S HOP BITTERS – John D. Doyle

John D. Doyle of Rochester, New York patented Doyle’s Hop Bitters in 1872. That same year he gave sole proprietorship to Asa T. Soule, a Quaker and long-time patent medicine salesman. Asa and his son Wilson devoted all their energies and money to immediately promoting the brand and evidently bought ownership from Doyle the following year and became the primary owner of the Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co., with Doyle receiving a small royalty.

For general debility, biliousness, nervousness, neuralgia, indigestion, fever and ague, liver complaint, mental depression and all kidney and urinary diseases. Compounded from hops, buchu, mandrake, dandelion, etc. Under the best medical ability existing.

D 93 lhBBS

D 93 – John D. Doyle, Proprietor and Manufacturer, DOYLE’S HOP BITTERS, Nos. 48 and 50 Mill Street, Rochester, N.Y., Nov 26, 1873 – Bitters Bottles Supplement

Doyle's Hop Bitters - Meyer Collection

Doyle’s Hop Bitters tonal color and hop leaf study run – Meyer Collection

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles for the Doyle’s Hop Bitters is as follows:

D 93  DOYLES HOP BITTERS
// s // DOYLES // HOP // BITTERS // 1872 //
sp // sp // sp // motif hop berries with leaves //
Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co. Rochester, N.Y. Toronto, Ont. London, England
9 5/8 x 2 3/4 (6 1/4)
Square, DLTC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, 4 sp, Amber – Common; Yellow and Yellow olive – Rare
Label: For general debility, biliousness, nervousness, neuralgia, indigestion, fever and ague, liver complaint, mental depression and all kidney and urinary diseases. Compounded from hops, buchu, mandrake, dandelion, etc. Under the best medical ability existing. Dosage in English and German.
DoylesHop_BaseE_Bender

“Here’s a photo of my Hop Bitters. What is cool is the base has a large E embossed on it. I have never seen another one, have you? Not a rare find but still interesting.” –  Jim Bender

Read More: Doyles Hop Bitters and some Exciting Variants

DoylesHopBitters_Roch_CD1873

Doyle’s Hop Bitters advertisement from John D. Doyle, Nos. 48 and 50 Mill St., Rochester, N.Y. – 1873 City of Rochester, NY Directory

John. D. Doyle

John D. Doyle of Rochester, New York patented Doyle’s Hop Bitters in 1872. That same year he gave sole proprietorship to Asa T. Soule, a Quaker and long-time patent medicine salesman. Asa and his son Wilson devoted all their energies and money to immediately promoting the brand and evidently bought ownership from Doyle the following year and became the primary owner of the Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co., with Doyle receiving a small royalty.

For general debility, biliousness, nervousness, neuralgia, indigestion, fever and ague, liver complaint, mental depression and all kidney and urinary diseases. Compounded from hops, buchu, mandrake, dandelion, etc. Under the best medical ability existing.

SOULE’S HOP BITTERS – Asa T. & Wilson Soule

AsaSoulemug

Asa Titus Soule was born in Duanesburg, New York on August 2, 1824 and died on January 17, 1890, at his home in Rochester. He was one of eleven children born to Enos and Mary Titus Soule. His early life was passed in comparative obscurity, but he became famous shortly after 1872, when he incorporated a company with a capital of $125,000 to manufacture a medicinal preparation, known as Hop Bitters. Soule strengthened the formula, changed the name to Hop Bitters, the invalid’s friend and hope, and moved the plant to Rochester in 1873. The product took off, and Soule eventually became a millionaire. He began to sponsor amateur sports, offering prizes. Baseball was gaining in popularity and Soule took on the city of Rochester team. Soon he bought the bankrupt club of Albany and re-named them the “Rochester Hop Bitters”; The local ballpark became “Hop Bitters Park”. Soule ventured into other sports promotions, none of which were very successful.

HopBitBB

Rochester Hop Bitters Base Ball Club photograph – Legendary Auctions

The sale of the Hop Bitters preparation reached astonishing proportions and led to the establishment of branch offices and laboratories in Toronto, London, Antwerp, Belgium and Melbourne, the sale being in turn stimulated by these agencies. Mr. Soule gained a fortune from his industry, which he invested mainly in lands in Kansas, where, at one time, he controlled a whole county.

Asa was married to Marilla S. Hubbard in September 1852. His son, Wilson Soule was born in South Butler, Wayne county, New York on September 4, 1854 and died in Rochester in July 25, 1894, in consequence of injuries received from a runaway accident. Wilson attended schools in the country and one at Lyons, New York, until nearly of age, and then in 1873 joined his father in the manufacture of Hop Bitters, becoming secretary of The Hop Bitters Co. After his father’s death in 1890, he retired to give his whole attention to the management of an estate, which included not only lands but the securities of irrigating canal companies, railroads and banks. Mr. Soule was a man of generous nature and gave liberally from, ample means to charities and education. Married in 1881 to Miss Frances Parkhurst, he became the father of Martha, Ethel and Asa Titus Soule. He was a member of the Rochester, Whist and Genesee clubs and of the Knights of the Mystic Shrine.

HopBittersOnWall

Hop Bitters poster at Newcastle on Tyne in England in 1880. – submitted by Billy Embleton

Asa was somewhat of an eccentric in many ways including the way he advertised their medicines and perhaps that’s what made him a fortune by the 1880s. Soule also had very large interests in Western Kansas ands thereunder of Soule College at Dodge City and the president and owner of the First National bank there. He also owned more than half the town of Ingalls, which became the county seat of Gray County. When H. H. Warner, out of Rochester began making inroads into his medicine business. Soule returned and went on to very successful.

The glass bill for bottles was $40,000 to $50,000 yearly, and from 70,000 to 80,000 boxes were used in the shipment of goods, which were handled by 30,000 dealers.

Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company

HBMC

Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co. – The Industries of the City of Rochester, 1888

As noted above, Asa T. Soule was the president of the Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company and Wilson Soule was the secretary. This is noted on the advertisement below. Their company was located on Mill Street in Rochester, New York and occupied four floors. The trade was general, including England, France, Belgium, Holland, Australia and South America. The annual advertising bills were $170,000 to $180,000. The glass bill for bottles was $40,000 to $50,000 yearly, and from 70,000 to 80,000 boxes were used in the shipment of goods, which were handled by 30,000 dealers.

Soule_HopBittersAd_1878Rochester

Hop Bitters advertisement from Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co., A .T. Soule, Pres. and Wilson Soule, Sec’y, No 50 Mill St., Rochester, N.Y. – 1878 City of Rochester, NY Directory

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

S 145  DR SOULES HOP BITTERS
// s // DR SOULES // HOP // BITTERS // 1872 //
sp // sp // sp // motif hop flowers & leaf // b // 5913 ( ) //
9 1/4 x 2 11/16 (6)
Square, Amber, Yellow and Yellow Olive, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Common
See note at Doyle’s. Also manufacturers of Dr. Soule’s Pills.
S145_DrSoules_X

The very similar, Dr. Soule’s Hop Bitters – Meyer Collection

Pamphlet

Promotion pamphlet for Hop Bitters, Hop Bitters Mfg,. Co., Rochester, N.Y. – Joe Gourd Collection.

New York Hop Bitters – New York Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company

New York Hop Bitters was made by Asa Soule and the New York Hop Bitters Company in Rochester New York. Many of the examples were made in Australia.

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

N 28  NEW YORK HOP BITTERS
Motif of American flag with 20 stars and 11 stripes / NEW YORK / HOP / BITTERS / COMPANY // f // f // f //
9 3/4 x 2 7/8
Square semi-cabin, LTC, Applied mouth, Aqua, Common
Pale green, Extremely rare; Yellow-olive, Very rare
Note: There are a number of variants of the New York Hop Bitters with variations in the flag, size of embossing and sizes, with the square beveled corner mold. Examples in colors other than shades of aqua and those with the raised rounded corners are rare.

New York Hop Bitters Manufacturing Company bottle – ABCR Auctions

New York Hop Bitters Company bottle in aqua – Meyer Collection

New York Hop Bitters Company bottle in aqua – Meyer Collection

Advertisement for Hop Bitters from Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co., Melbourne, Australia, Rochester, N.Y., Toronto, London, Antwerp and Paris – The Age (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), Saturday, August 25, 1883

I am wondering if the next trade cards might be more directly related to the labeled Hop Bitters. Hard to tell…

hopbitterslabeledH 171 L… Hop Bitters // s // DOYLE’S // HOP // BITTERS // 1872 //
Hop Bitters Manufacturing Co.
48 & 50 Mill Street, Rochester, New York
9 3/8 x 2 3/4 (6)
Square, Amber, LTCR, 4 sp
Label over motif of hop flowers
IMG_0029

Use Hop Bitters trade Card – Joe Gourd Collection

IMG_0030

Use Hop Bitters trade Card – Joe Gourd Collection

IMG_0037

Try Hop Bitters trade Card – Joe Gourd Collection

References: The Industries of the City of Rochester, The Sole Society, America’s successful men of affairs. An encyclopedia of contemporaneous biography

Select Listings: 

1824: Asa Titus Soule was born in Duanesburg, New York on August 2, 1824
1854: Wilson Soule was born in South Butler, Wayne county, New York on September 4, 1854
1872: John D. Doyle of Rochester, New York patented Doyle’s Hop Bitters in 1872.
1872: Asa and his son Wilson Soule start Hop Bitters Company in Rochester, New York.
1890: Notice (below): Asa T. Soule died on January 17, 1890, at his home in Rochester. – Springville Journal, Friday, January 24, 1890

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Ephemera, History, Medicines & Cures, Postage, Questions, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peachridge Glass: Mailbox Letters January – March 2014

Posted on 7 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

www.studiomathewes.com

Apple-Touch-IconAPlease feel free to send any antique bottle or glass questions to ferdinand@peachridgeglass.com. The information will be posted if relevant or of interest to the readers. I will try to answer or wait for another reader to respond. Quality images are very important. Thanks! If you want to see previous questions,go to “Mailbox Letters” in “Categories” on the right column of each page.

Mailbox Letters

January – March 2014

Mystery bottle found buried in sand dune

TruecoCanadaMay I ask for your assistance in identifying this bottle found on the northeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada? It has a plastic stopper with the word TREUCO on it. There’s an encircled capital B with a couple of waves beneath the B. Capital A at the top then Din then the B logo and 0,5 l ( written l) It has an internal treading too, I have more pics of it if you require. Thanks for your time and effort.

PRG: Not sure Tracey. Could be a later bottle from Dr. J. F. True & Co. from Auburn, Maine.

Masonic/Eagle flask

MasonicEagle

Dear Ferdinand, I found your website on line, and I have a really nice old bottle that I was hoping to get some more information about its worth and if you know of any collector who may be interested in it. I have been a bottle digger/collector for years, and I would like to sell this one before it accidentally gets broken . It is a Masonic/Eagle flask. Olive green, pontiled bottom, half pint. On the front it has an eagle with a banner above it’s head and an oval shape under it’s feet. There are no other markings on this side. (No initials in the oval, and no writing on the banner, nothing in eagles talons. On the reverse side are the Masonic arches, symbol of an eye, then under that, the Masonic symbol, then under that, a triangle with starburst around it. To the left of the left arch is a sunburst, then under that is what looks like a bubble, then under that is an “x” with a “bubble over the top. The main interest to me is that the Eagles head is turned to the left, and I could only find on internet, M&A flasks with eagle head turned to the right . Attached are the best photos that I took of the bottle. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Gary

Killer London Jockey Clubhouse Gin Bottle

LJ1

Hello Mr. Meyer,

I’ve visited your website and read with interest the collection value of antique Clubhouse Gin bottles. I found one in southern Idaho years ago digging a well on our property. Recently I decided to see if it had any value and was surprised at what I found on the Internet. Here are a few photos of my dark green LONDON JOCKEY CLUBHOUSE GIN bottle.

PS:  You’ll probably notice this in the photos, but I forgot to mention the ‘N’s’ in the word – LONDON – are backward!  I assume this unique mistake would add to the value of the bottle.

Dale

Read: London Jockey Clubhouse Gin Bottle

Glass Whimsy Canes

glass_canexHello Ferdinand,

I found your post regarding glass whimsy canes (Glass Batons and Canes at Glass Works Auction #96 and Glass Cane Whimsies) and thought you might like to see the attached photos. The cane in the photos was purchased by my great-grandfather at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. I have no idea how it survived all this time. I remember being allowed to play with the cane when I was a child, and I’m sure plenty of other ancestors and siblings did the same.

The cane currently resides on my piano, but my wife and I plan to display it more securely in the near future. Sorry for the quality of the photos (iPhone). If you are at all interested, I’d be glad to take some better ones with a decent camera. I just thought I’d let you take a look at these first.

Any idea what the cane is worth? I never know when to insure family heirlooms or not.

Tim DeMoss

PRG: Tim, the value here resides with memories. I doubt mush $ value.

Extensive collection of Barber Bottles

Mr. Meyer,

While searching the internet for information on Barber Bottle Collections I found your website. Recently our grandparents passed and our grandfather had an extensive collection of Barber Bottles. The collection started with his grandfather and has continued to be built upon. Our grandparents were also antique dealers for over 50 years so adding to the collection was not a hardship.

Do you know of any individuals who might be interested in purchasing such a collection or can you give me any ideas on who to contact to sell such a collection? The collection was insured for $50 K In addition to the bottles there is also an extensive barber mug collection. The collection is in Florida.

Any help you could give me would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Denise Mears

Labeled Royal Italian Bitters

LabeledRoyalItalianHello, I recently found your site where you had posted some images of a bitters bottle which I also have. It is labelled Royal Italian Bitters, A.M.F. Gainelli Geneva. I have owned this bottle for 12 years, having found it in an attic of a very old Northern Vermont Farmhouse. There is quite a bit of label still legible as well as part of the cork. I have done nothing to clean it.It is as it was found, in excellent condition, no cracks, chips or stains.

I am wondering how one should price something like this, and if e-bay is the standard path to take for such sales or are there other places? Here is a photo of it, I have taken several and have very close up ones also that show it’s great condition.

Thank you so much for your help. – Annie

PRG: Wow, what I great bottle!. Have not seen a labeled example. Suggest one of the bottle auction houses.

Read: Royal Italian Bitters by A.M.F. Gianelli – Montreal

“Known Example” Question

book_cover

Hi, I found your website poking around on the internet and I was wondering if you could answer a question for me? Can you tell me how they know how many ‘known examples’ there are of any particular historical flask?  I noticed this reading on your website where there were references to “known examples” when talking about rare flasks. Is there a list somewhere that you can find out the number of examples of different historical flasks that are known? Thank you for your help. ~ Victoria

PRG: With extreme rarity it is possible to track known examples. There is not a list that I am aware of. There are a few Auction Price Guides that show what flasks have sold for over the years. Please check out this link on the FOHBC web site.

Dr. Von Hopfs, Curacoa Bitters found in 18th Century House

FoundChamberlain

I have a glass bottle that is from Chamberlain and Co. Des Moines IA. Dr. Von Hopfs, Curacoa Bitters. On the bottom it says S B & C Co. The dimensions are 3 1/4 wide by 7 5/8 tall. It looks very similar to the V 28 DR VON HOPF’S CURACOA BITTERS, Circa 1890 that you have listed on your website. As far as we can see there are no cracks or chips, and it is in excellent condition. It does have a film that soapy water is not taking off. Do you have any suggestion as to what will take that film off? We found it in a 18-Century house that we tore down. We were wondering if you know any other history, like the dates it was made, and the value of the bottle? We look forward to hearing your response back.

Josh and Melinda

PRG: The bottle may need to be professionally cleaned. It may not be worth the cost as this is a fairly common bottle with a low price value.

Read: Dr. Von Hopf’s Curacoa or Curaco (or Curacao) Bitters

Posted in Advice, Mailbox Letters, Questions | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Antique Bottle and Glass Facebook Sites

Posted on 6 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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The Antique Bottle and Glass Facebook Sites

06 January 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAI remember giving a talk at one of the FOHBC membership meetings at a national show a few years back on the new generation of bottle collectors and how they communicate. When I mentioned ‘Facebook’, a few of the well respected, and well known collectors kind of bristled at the comment, basically saying, “don’t expect to see them on Facebook anytime soon”.

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Yes, I know, nothing may ever beat being at a bottle show and seeing glass in person wherever it may be, but we have to realize, you can basically immerse yourself with antique bottles and glass anytime and anywhere….online. It is, what it is. Times have changed.

I though I would spend a moment showing you some* of the Facebook sites related to our hobby. I realize many of you are aware of these sites but I also know, many of you are not. The numbers next to each destination represent the amount of ‘Facebook likes or members’ a page has, as of this date. If you are not a member of Facebook, it only takes a moment to become one. Join the other zillions of members on Earth.

* Yes, I know I have missed many Facebook sites and areas of our hobby. I just had to draw the line somewhere. It you feel like your page wants to be added, simply let me know.

Ricks BottleRoom – 881 Members

Rick DeMarsh has to be one of the very first to really explore the potential of Facebook and bottles. He is the ‘Go-To’ guy, in my opinion, with bottle questions. He is as helpful as can be and a possesses a wealth of information. This page also feeds Rick’s excellent web site of the same name. Visit

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The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) – 1,924 Members

The official Facebook site is for the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. The site is typically used to capture the interest of new collectors and persons looking for bottle information and club information. A tremendous amount of information is posted on the site. Look for weekly antique bottle and glass news. The hope is that these new collectors will visit the FOHBC.org website and become members. Visit

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Peachridge Glass – 1,131 Members

This Facebook site is the ‘feeder’ page to the Peachridge Glass web site. The page is administered by Ferdinand Meyer V. Look for daily antique bottle and glass news. Visit

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Antique Bottle Collectors – 1,531 Members

Without a doubt, the fastest growing bottle and glass Facebook page. Started by Taylor McBurney and administered primarily by Rick DeMarsh. This group is open to anyone who collects antique (100+ year old) bottles or is interested in collecting antique bottles. There is a ton of material posted on here daily by veterans and newcomers alike. Visit

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Vintage Bottle Collectors – 566 Members

A Facebook site for the later, machine made bottles that are such an important part of our hobby. This group is for selling your vintage bottles and showing your vintage collection. Bottles newer than 1913 are considered vintage. Please ask Rick DeMarsh or Damonich your questions and they will be answered. Visit

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Early American Glass Collectors – 352 Members

A wonderful Facebook site for early american glass especially, but not limited to rare glass items from historical American glass manufactorys. Headed up and attended by many eastern and New Englanders, like many of the sites, you can find a global audience. Visit

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Patent Medicines of the 19th Century – 247 Members

This group is for discussing the history of early patent and proprietary medicines. Post photos of bottles, advertising, boxes, and other ralated items. The page is administered by Matthew Knapp. Visit

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Botelleros – 329 Members

I thought I would include one of my favorite foreign bottle collecting pages. There are quite a few pages and the list seems to be growing all the time. If I am not mistaken, this site is administered by Martin Rodriquez. Visit

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Early American Pattern Glass Society – 329 Members

A non-profit group of collectors and dealers who share an appreciation and love of pattern glass, to foster and encourage the collection, appreciation, study, preservation, and documentation of early American pattern glassware, and its place in American life, past and present. Website: www.eapgs.org Visit

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Antique & Vintage Bottles buy sell trade – 420 Members

Group for bottle collectors of all types..buy, sell or trade. Site administered by Michelle Chevallier. Visit

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The Quack Doctor – 677 Members

The Quack Doctor is a blog about the strange history of patent remedies and the people who promoted them. The site feeds TheQuackDoctor.com Visit

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Insulator Collectors – 440 Members

Enthusiasts/collectors of antique glass or porcelain insulators. Visit

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The Stoneware and Pottery Group – 612 Members

This is a discussion group for antique stoneware and pottery. A group that involves all types including early american, folk, ancient, etc. It is also for all types of jugs, crocks, bottles and other wares. Site administered by Rick Meech Burchfield. Visit

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Fruit Jar Collectors – 67 Members

This is a group for people who collect antique fruit jars. Mason 1858, Ball Mason , etc etc. Visit

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Pontiled Sodas and Mineral Waters – 114 Members

Pontiled Sodas and Mineral Waters Visit

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Posted in Advice, Facebook, FOHBC News, News, Peachridge Glass | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I remember visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum

Posted on 6 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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A mixture of some of my Sandwich glass as displayed in my living room along with some of my antique porcelain dog collection.

I remember visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum

06 January 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAIncoming e-mail and pictures from Denver, Colorado collector, Sandor Fuss. I had the privilege of seeing some of these pieces in person during a recent trip to see his historical flask and bitters collection prior to Christmas.

Hi Ferdinand,

Happy New Year!

Attached are several photos of some of my new Boston and Sandwich Glass Company objects. I grew up in the town of Chatham on Cape Cod and I remember visiting the Sandwich Glass Museum when I was a kid and really liking the material. The attached pictures represent a sample of my new collection, which I have incorporated into my home décor. These particular items are in my living room, where they are displayed with some of my antique porcelain dogs. I have to say that in my opinion antique glass and porcelain look very nice together!

The best thing about Sandwich glass is the beauty, rarity and relatively low prices considering these points. I actually own several unique objects that were very fairly priced. I would encourage anyone interested in collecting glass who is horrified at the prices of Historical Flasks and Figural Bitters to collect Sandwich glass and for that matter figural whiskeys, pattern molded and blown three mold to name just a few others.

Enjoy!

Sandor

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Blown Three Mold Decanter, Boston and Sandwich Glassworks, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1825 – 1840. Medium sapphire blue, semi-barrel form with shell and rib pattern, tooled wide flared mouth with correct blown and ribbed stopper – glass tipped pontil scar, Qt, ht. 11 1/8” (including stopper), perfect. GV-8. Provenance: Ex. Frank E. Jedlicka collection. MW, plate 116, #2; BK #1334. A rare colored three mold decanter. – Fuss Collection

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Blown Glass Decanter with Original Stopper, clear with blue and white striping, cylindrical, 15”H, polished pontil scar, tooled and flared mouth, mint. Blown at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, MA, C. 1865. Only known example. – Fuss Collection

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Blown Marbrie Pitcher, clear with red and white loopings, cylindrical with applied solid glass handle, 6 1/2”H , pontil scar, tooled mouth with exaggerated pour spout, mint. Blown at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, MA, C. 1855. Unique example. – Fuss Collection

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Blown Glass Latticino Carafe, clear with thirteen blue and white canes spiraling from left to right, 7”H, polished pontil, flared mouth, mint. Blown at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, MA, C. 1865. One of three known examples. The Sandwich Glass Museum does not own a specimen of this rare and important carafe. – Fuss Collection

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Figural Cologne Bottle, Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Square monument form, brilliant medium grass green, tooled flared mouth with matching stopper – smooth base, ht. with stopper 14 1/2 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #3. Ralph Finch collection. Unique with stopper. – Fuss Collection

Posted in Advice, Collectors & Collections, Cologne, Decanter, Display, Early American Glass, Glass Companies & Works, Glass Makers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters – Seattle, Washington

Posted on 5 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters – Seattle, Washington

06 January 2014 (R•102115)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhy not add another “King” bitters to the group with the previous King’s Hop Bitters from England and the King’s 25 Cent Bitters from Rochester, New York. Now we will look at the later, King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters from Seattle, Washington. These bottles are actually fairly hard to come by. I have a nice example and I have seen a few super labeled examples like this one pictured above posted at Western Bitters News.

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“KING SOLOMON’S BITTERS – SEATTLE, WASH.”, (Ring/Ham, K-49), Washington, ca. 1890 – 1910, amber, 8 1/4”h, smooth base, tooled lip, 98% original label. ighly graphic colorful label showing King Solomon on his throne being attended too by a number of servants and concubines. One servant on his knees is presenting a bottle of Solomon’s Bitters to him. – Glass Works Auctions

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King Solomon’s Bitters was a short-lived brand put out by Solomon Levinson who was born about 1854 in Sweden. He pretty much named the bitters after himself and alluded of course, to King Solomon.

Sol, as he was called, immigrated to the United States in 1873. His wife was named Rosa and his father and mother were born in Germany. In an 1880 Federal Census, he is listed as single and working as a clerk in Stillwater, Minnesota.

In 1907, Solomon, who was now living in Seattle, Washington, patented his stomach bitters and was listed as a manufacturer of medicines after a stretch of time as a traveling salesman and travel agent. The brand must have been sold before this time as an advertisement below is dated 1906. His business address was the same as his home address; 7922 Wallingford Avenue in Seattle. At that time he pretty much lived above his shop and produced a medicine with a 18.09 per cent alcohol by volume.

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King Solomon Bitters Co. Seattle invoice – CigarBoxLabels.com

In 1911, there is a letterhead (see above) showing the business name as King Solomon’s Bitters Company, Sol Levinson & Sons with a factory and warehouse at 1600 West Green Lake Boulevard in Seattle. By this time, his two sons, Irving M. and Moses M., had joined the business. There was also a daughter, Henrietta.

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King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters patent 30,147 – September 21, 1907

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

K 49  KING SOLOMON’S BITTERS
f // KING SOLOMON’S BITTERS // f // SEATTLE, WASH. //
L…King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters
8 3/8 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 (5 3/4)
Rectangular, Amber, LTCR, Tooled lip, Very scarce

Address from a 1906 letterhead: King Solomon Bitters Co., 248-250 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. J.C. Donahue, Pres. (Letter claims that, “We are now putting out some 2 ounce sample bottles.”).

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King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters – Meyer Collection

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Labeled King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters – Wicker Collection

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The Quaker Drug Company selling King Solomon’s Bitters for $1 bottle – Seattle Star, June 15, 1911

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Two King Solomon’s Stomach Bitters advertisements. Sold by The Quaker Drug Company and John W. Wood. – Right advertisement from the Spokane Daily Chronicle, 15 September 1906

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

King’s 25 Cent Bitters – Just what I vants.

Posted on 5 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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King’s 25 Cent Bitters trade card – Meyer Collection

King’s 25 Cent Bitters

“I say Hans, Now I’s got just what I vants.”

05 January 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAI developed a post the other day on King’s Hop Bitters which reminded me of my aqua, King’s 25 Cent Bitters. I suspect there might be a marketing relationship between the English and United States ‘King’ brands. If not, we are talking about somebody with the last name ‘King’ in Rochester, New York around 1880. Sounds easy enough, right?

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Kings 25 Cent Bitters advertising card – Joe Gourd Collection

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King’s 25 Cent Bitters – Meyer Collection

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

K 56  KINGS 25 CENT BITTERS

KING’S ( au ) / 25 / CENT / BITTERS // c //
L…King Bitters Co. Rochester, New York
6 3/4 x 3 x 1 1/2 (4 1/4)
Oval, Aqua, NSC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Rare
Elmira Weekly Gazette September 19, 1872, Drug Catelog: 1883 Schieffelin

What is a bit challenging here is finding out who this ‘King’ is. You would think that by looking at the trade cards there would be listings in various Rochester City Directories for a King Bitters Company. That is not the case. I looked at a dozen or so directories with no luck. I did come across the following passage that leads me to think we might be talking about Moses Bradford King.

King Family Papers – University of Rochester

The collection includes the personal papers and correspondence of the Bradford King family of Rochester. Among the papers are the diaries of Bradford King, the son of Gideon King who settled near Rochester in 1797. Bradford left this area after his father’s death in 1798, but returned many years later.

The diaries cover the period from June, 1811 to April, 1874. During some years the entries are scattered or very brief; in others the notes are voluminous. Included in the correspondence are four volumes of letters from Bradford King to his brother Moses King. Also in the collection are the diaries and personal papers of Moses Bradford King, son of Bradford King, who was a prominent Rochester druggist. Moses Bradford King wrote and published a pamphlet which advocated changes in the calendar for the twentieth century.

Much of the correspondence consists of letters written between the two daughters of Moses B. King, Ella G. King and Ada M. King. For a time Ella and Ada King operated the King Seminary for Young Ladies and Children in Rochester. When the school closed, Ella King went west and taught in an Indian school in South Dakota. Ada remained in Rochester where she tutored high school and college students. In 1944, at the age of 80, she enrolled for courses at the University of Rochester extension school, becoming the University’s oldest co-ed. She died at the age of 100 in 1964.

Now when I search for Moses B. King and Moses Bradford King I find similar listings in Rochester directories such as the listing below. I even find listing from 1861 -1863 where Moses is listed as a druggist (see timeline below)

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Listings for Moses B. King and King & Co. in 1872 Rochester City Directory. Could this be our King?

I also come across a booklet mentioning a J. T. King & Co. in Rochester. Unfortunately, I can not tie these ‘Kings’ to the brand. Maybe some of the New York detectives can help here?

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King’s 25 Cent Bitters – Meyer Collection

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King’s 25 Cent Bitters – Meyer Collection

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King’s 25 Cent Bitters Trade Card – Meyer Collection

Select King Family Timeline Events

1797: Gideon King settled near Rochester in 1797. Bradford King was the son. Moses Bradford King was the son of Bradford King. Father born in Connecticut. Mother born in New York.

1798: Bradford and Moses King, Dr. Stone, ____ Graham, and four brothers by the name of Rowe, settled in the neighborhood. The country was very sickly, and many deaths occurred. Asa Rowe died soon after coming in and his brothers were so sick at the time as to be unable to go for help to lay him out and bury him until he had been dead twenty-four hours. After recovering from their sickness they returned to Oneida County. The first settlers procured their first boards by repairing the old Allan saw mill at the Falls, but within a few years Nathaniel Jones built a saw mill on a small stream that flows into the river near the Landing. Dr. Zacheus Colby and Dr. Sylvester Atchinson were early physicians in this town. The first marriage was that of Thomas Lee and a daughter of William Hencher.

1825: Moses Bradford King was born on 7 July 1825 in Nashville, Tennessee. He died in Rochester, New York.

1832: Rhoda Rosalie Stebbens (Solomon Johnson, Bethuel, Bethuel, Thomas, Samuel Wright, Thomas, Rowland, Thomas Francis, William, William) was born on 22 Dec 1832 in Bear Creek, NY. She died in Rochester, NY.

1855: Moses Bradford King, sophomore, University of Rochester

1860: Rhoda married Moses Bradford King, son of Bradford Kingsbury and Abigail Cook on 23 December 1860 in Watertown, New York. They had the following children: Ella Gertrude King (born on 6 November 1862 in Rochester, New York), Ada Maria King (born on 3 June 1864), George Garrie King (born on 20 October 1865 in Rochester), New York), Henry Russell King (born on 29 August 1867 in Rochester, New York). He died on 16 August 1886 in Rochester, New York.

1861: Moses B. King, druggist, 96 Buffalo, Rochester City Directory

1863-1864: B. King & Co., (Moses B. King), druggist, 96 Buffalo, Rochester City Directory

1868: Moses Bradford King listed but no occupation, Rochester City Directory

1873: Moses B. King, flavoring extracts, House Lake avenue near Rowe, 1873 Rochester, Rochester City Directory

1873: Hoyt, Gordon & Co., (T. C. Hoyt, M. J. Gordon, M. B. King), blueings, extracts, &c, 50 Exchange, Rochester City Directory

1874-1877: Gordon, Van Zandt & Co., (H. R. Gordon, I. W. Van Zandt, M. B. King), extracts, Exchange, Rochester City Directory

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

King’s Hop Bitters added to Florida Collection

Posted on 3 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

King’s Hop Bitters added to Florida Collection

03 January 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAI received an e-mail from Lou Holis (Lake Alfred, Florida) regarding a potentially unlisted or at least, extremely rare bitters. I wanted to congratulate Lou on his find and the rather nice pictures he sent to represent the bottle. Always something exciting happening in the bitters world.

Hi – I have the Ring and Ham book but not the Supplement. Just wondering if they list 2 sizes for this rare one that is 6 1/4″ tall by 2 1/4″ wide by 1 1/2″ deep with an applied ring top. Have found nothing on this bottle on the web, just Worthpoint had the 8 1/8″ variant listed. Bought it on ebay, Buy It Now Option where most bottles are found. It was a UK seller. The bottle will be at the Suncoast Antique Bottle Show & Sale on the 11th of January. Have a great day.

Lou Holis (Lake Alfred, Florida)

PS: The bottle was dug on an 1880s-1890s refuse tip in Dorchester Dorset in 2005. It was the only example that was found and the whole site was excavated. It was a filled in chalk pit and a housing development now covers the site.

See original ebay listing

Lou:

The Bitters Bottles Supplement lists K 53.4 for the 6 1/4″ size example that you hold. It is listed as extremely rare and an English bitters. The K 53.5 is listed in the original book as 8 1/8″ tall by 3″ x 2″. In both cases, I see that I do not have examples in my collection. Searching online, I do see the example you mention being sold previously and the K 53.4, smaller size, being sold by Alan Blakeman and BBR Auctions.

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Bitters Bottles Group. 6.25 To 10.75 inches tall, includes Codd bottle, aqua glass, embossed “The Stockport Bitters Company” plus Codd bottle, embossed “Taylors/ Perfection/ Hop Bitters Brewery/ Manchester”plus Roses Orange Bitters bottle, embossed “Roses/ Orange/ Bitters” to one shoulder “L. Rose & Co/ London & Leith” to the other plus “Kings / Hop Bitter” rectangular bottle (K 53.4). Considerable scarcity. – BBR Auctions

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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.5), larger size previously sold in 2008 ebay auction.

This is a tough one to track information on as the bottle has no label and I can find no advertising. Maybe this post will flush out some information.

F

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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

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King’s Hop Bitters (K 53.4) – Holis Collection

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, eBay | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Another Home Bitters Variant

Posted on 2 January 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

home bitters co 5

Another Home Bitters Variant

02 January 2014 (R•042419)

Apple-Touch-IconAA continuation of an earlier post today on a Saint Louis, Home Bitters variant submitted by Frank Wicker. This one is a mystery with the peened out graphics. Read earlier post: An unlisted Home Bitters?

Hi Ferdinand,

Here is another mystery unlisted variant of H 155.7 which is listed in the Ring & Ham Bitters Bottles Supplement as HOME BITTERS // HOME BITTERS / COMPANY // PROPRIETORS / ST. LOUIS. This variant has had peening done on two of the three embossed panels. Bottle also has an applied top and has a big ‘X’ on the base and has extra whittle than normal. The ‘X’ on the base reminds me of some of the Drakes bottles. I have had this bottle for many years and can’t figure out what the panels did say at one time. I thought I’d give you a shot at it. Pictures attached.

Frank Wicker
Bottlepickers.com

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

H 157.8  HOME BITTERS // HOME BITTERS (over peened out line) / (peened out line) / COMPANY (over peened out line) // sp // PROPRIETORS / (peened out line) / ST.LOUIS.MO. // f // b // X
9 x 2 3/4 (8 3/4)
Square, Amber LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Very Rare
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H 157.8 – Home Bitters sketch – Frank Wicker

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H 157.8 – Home Bitters embossed panel – Frank Wicker

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H 157.8 – Home Bitters embossed panel – Frank Wicker

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H 157.8 – Home Bitters embossed panel – Frank Wicker

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H 157.8 – Home Bitters embossed panel – Frank Wicker

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment