Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters – 1848

Posted on 6 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters – 1848

06 November 2013 (R•111513) (R•051915) (R•031319)

Apple-Touch-IconAJim Hagenbuch over at Glass Works Auctions had this extraordinary, Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters that I just missed getting in their last auction. Fortunately my bottle friend Jeff Burkhardt (Cedarburg, Wisconsin) was able to add it to his collection. We both admired this bottle when we participated in the great John Feldmann sale and opted to wait until the bottle came up for auction. The Glass Works lot write-up:

539. “DR. C.V. SCHMIDTS / ASTEROID / TONIC BITTERS / 1848”, (S-54.5), American, ca. 1860 – 1870, greenish aqua, 7-sided, 9”h, smooth base, applied mouth. A 1 1/2” long crack is on a medial rib. Crude highly whittled glass, unusual and attractive form. This is the same bottle that was auctioned in 1990. It was unique than and remains unique now! An impressive looking bitters bottle and the damage is on a side panel.

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

S 54.5  DR. SCHMIDT’S ASTEROID BITTERS
DR. C.V. SCHMIDTS // ASTEROID // TONIC BITTERS // 1848 // f // f // f //
8 3/4 x 4 (2 1/2)
Seven sided (four 1 1/4 inch panels on front and three 1 1/2 inch panels on reverse), Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

Acid rain from the heat shock of a large comet or asteroid’s impact with Earth is believed by some to fit the Biblical description of the bitterness produced by the Wormwood Star upon a third of the Earth’s potable water.

This brand is a real tough one as I tried looking up information before. No success. What I do know is that we are talking about a Dr. Charles V. Schmidt located at the corner of 7th and Main in some city in United States. He first concocted his bitters in 1848. When you Google Asteroid Bitters you pull up “Wormwood – Star” on Wikipedia which is interesting. We know that Wormwood is a name used for a number of bitters products. (Read: What are all these Wormwood Bitters?). One of the definitions:

Wormwood

In Greek, is a star, or angel, that appears in the Biblical New Testament Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse.

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Futurist interpretations

Various scientific scenarios have been theorized on the effects of an asteroid or comet’s collision with Earth. An applicable scenario theorizes a chemical change in the atmosphere due to “heat shock” during entry and/or impact of a large asteroid or comet, reacting oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere to produce nitric-acid rain. Acid rain from the heat shock of a large comet or asteroid’s impact with Earth is believed by some to fit the Biblical description of the bitterness produced by the Wormwood Star upon a third of the Earth’s potable water.

Gerardus D. Bouw, Ph. D. in his white paper “Wormwood” theorizes that since the term wormwood refers to a bitter or poisonous plant, specifically “apsinthos, that is, absinthe wormwood” in Revelations 8:11 and that a star falling would likely be an asteroid or comet … the most reasonable scenario being a comet, since they could have a chemical makeup that would make the waters bitter and poisonous and would have to break up by some means, “in order to fall on deep sources of water and rivers, the object cannot be in one piece when it arrives in the atmosphere.”

Did Dr. Schmidt contemplate the Apocalypse when naming his bitters, who knows?

Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters – 1848

Jeff Burkhardt sent in these gorgeous pictures of his new bottle. Congratulations Jeff.

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Here is a stoneware jug with stenciled graphics reading, “Chas Schmidt Asteroid Tonic Bitters, For 7th & Main” courtesy Glen Poch.

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Stoneware, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dissecting a Turner Brothers Advertisement

Posted on 4 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Dissecting a Turner Brothers Advertisement

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04 November 2013

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Apple-Touch-IconAIt is interesting to see liquor merchants pushing their products for medicinal purposes including wines such as Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters. Sharing  page space within the Daily Sacramento Union on 29 December 1871, with an equally tall Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon Bitters advertisinent, was this outstanding Turner Brothers advertisement (see below). I just love the Turners brand and have written about them before:

Barrel Series – Turner Brothers New York & San Francisco

A ‘short’ Turner Brothers New York figural barrel

Nice Turner Brothers Tintype

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I thought it would be fun to dissect and isolate the various claims and information.

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Turner Brothers advertisement – Sacramento Daily Union, 29 December 1871

T 070.5 (Turner Brothers)

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Read: Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps – Udolpho Wolfe

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Shrub: In terms of mixed drinks, shrub is the name of two different, but related, acidulated beverages. One type of shrub is a fruit liqueur that was popular in 17th and 18th century England, typically made with rum or brandy mixed with sugar and the juice or rinds of citrus fruit. A second type of shrub is a cocktail or soft drink that was popular during America’s colonial era, made by mixing drinking vinegar syrup with spirits, water, or carbonated water. The name also is applied to the sweetened vinegar-based syrup, also known as drinking vinegar, from which the latter drink is made. Drinking vinegar is infused with fruit juice (and at times herbs and spices) for use in mixed drinks. [Wikipedia]

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Read: What are all these Wormwood Bitters?

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R. Turner & Bros (S.F.) would have been across the street from the San Francisco Catholic Orphan Asylum [center], 1856. San Francisco Public Library Historic Photo collection Title St. Patrick Orphan Asylum on Market St. Notes On front: “St. Patrick Orphan Asylum on Market St. 1856 on present site Palace Hotel. Built 1852 (Aug. 18)”.

The Making of Market Street

In the early sixties the only improvements on the street were east of Kearny street. To the west an effort was being made to get rid of the sand incubus with the aid of the so-called “paddies,” which were first operating under the direction of S. D. Gilmore, and later by David Hewes, who was christened “Paddy.” A channel was cleared through the sand and steam dummy and a few rattle-trap cars that seemed ready to fall apart at the least provocation as they jolted over the loosely laid rails, ran to Hayes Valley and the Mission. On the fringe of Happy Valley, where the Palace stands, were the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, the Sacred Heart School and some other scattered buildings. From Second street down to the water’s edge, which then was at about Steuart street, were a lot of lumber yards and mills and factories representing a variety of local industries, and numerous ramshackle structures labeled “Mechanics’ Exchanges,” where the toilers of the vicinity exchanged lucre for liquor. At the foot of Market street a clumsy ferry-boat owned by a man named Charles Minturn made periodical trips to the Oakland shore. It was half a dollar a trip. It wasn’t much of a prospect, was it? [San Francisco History – The Making of Market Street]

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Cordial, Currency, Figural Bottles, Gin, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Rum, Schnapps, Syrup, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters

Posted on 3 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters

03 November 2013

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I just love the old files that are being held by the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division in Washington, D.C. I just wish they would make more color files available. In this case we are looking at a body label and neck label for Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters. Listed in Bitters Bottles by Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham as:

B 97  Neck Label … BININGER’S KNICKERBOCKER WINE BITTERS
A. M. Bininger & Co., Sole Proprietors, 338 Broadway, New York

B 98  Body Label … BININGER’S KNICKERBOCKER WINE BITTERS
A. M. Bininger & Co., Sole Proprietors, 338 Broadway, New York
Made to fit a Bininger bottle 11 1/2 x 3
Round, Green, ARM

I wonder if there are any surviving bottles with the labels intact? I doubt it.

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Print on orange paper. Body label for Bininger’s Wine Bitters – c1859, Copyright by R. Wattles & Jas. W. Freeland of A. M. Bininger & Co. – Library of Congress

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Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters neck label – c1859, Copyright by R. Wattles & Jas. W. Freeland of A. M. Bininger & Co. – Library of Congress

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Bininger Wines advertisement – Daily Alta (San Francisco) California, 14 November 1853

Read More Bininger on PRG:

Bininger Gallery

Bininger Advertising Art & Labels

Barrel Series – Bininger Old Kentucky Bourbon

A. M. Bininger & Co. Figural Cannon

Bininger’s Night Cap Flask

Posted in Bitters, Ephemera, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Questions, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon Bitters

Posted on 3 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SternesCelebratedBourbonBitters_ART

Sterne’s Celebrated

Congress Bourbon Bitters

3 November 2013 (R•101818)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile looking at Bourbon Cordial advertising last night, I came across this wonderful lithograph of an early agriculture and hunting scene held by the the Library of Congress. The date is 1863. The image is black & white (see below). I can only imagine how beautiful the color version is. Spotted on the illustration was were four products, Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon, Congress Bourbon Punch, Congress Bourbon Cordial and Congress Bourbon Bitters.

The mysterious “O.B.A. 5623” is also prominently displayed.

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Black & white representation of color primitive agriculture and hunting scene lithograph for Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon, Congress Bourbon Punch, Congress Bourbon Cordial and Congress Bourbon Bitters, 1863. – Library of Congress

[Update: The Library of Congress has now displayed a color example of slightly different art. See below)

Print shows two partially clad men at center, one, on the left, carrying two spears and with two dogs on a leash, a horn hangs by his side and a cherub sits on his left shoulder; the other man, on the right, carries a sheaf of wheat over his shoulder and has a sickle tucked into his belt, from which also hangs a large bunch of grapes; two goats cavort on the lower right and two women prance behind them, one carrying a sickle; in the background, African slaves harvest wheat with cherubs hovering above the wheat field. The scene is framed with entwined vines covered with foliage and fruit, and sheaves of wheat at bottom center. J. Mayer & Co. Lith. 97 State St., Boston, [1864]

There is a listing in the Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham Bitters Bottles for a Congress Bourbon Bitters (C 219) from the Providence Journal, January 1, 1864. Why providence? I also found an advertisement within the Sacramento Daily Union in 1871 for S. T. Suit’s Congress Bourbon (see further below).

Pre-Pro.com lists a Sterne Bros. who may have been a distributor for Maryland Pride, a Record & Goldsboro brand. The company used the brand names: “Maryland Pride”, and “Sterne’s Extra.” Address: 171 Summer, Boston, Massachusetts. I suspect this may be the brand listed in Ring & Ham leaving the Sterne’s brand as possibly an unlisted bitters from Kentucky. There is scarce information available.

I wonder if a bottle was found, it might look like a Swain’s Bourbon Bitters?

SternSignature

Signature detail on lithograph above. “S” (or L) Sterne’s Son – Proprietors, 31 Dec. 1863, Vol 38. P.81″

Contemporary newspaper article noting Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bitters – St. Louis Post Dispatch, Sunday, October 27, 1963

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The Social History of Bourbon mentions Stern’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon as one of the earliest brands – Gerald Carson (University Press)

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I wish this advertisement said Sterne somewhere but it doesn’t. It does say Celebrated Congress Bourbon from Kentucky though. Maybe J.T. Suit bought out Sterne? – Sacramento Daily Union, 29 December 1871

Evan Williams rolled the first bourbon barrel out of his Louisville distillery in 1783, thereby assuring himself a place in history as Kentucky’s first commercial distiller. Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that is a distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky (which, in turn, got its name from the French House of Bourbon royal family). It has been produced since the 18th century. While it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with Kentucky.

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a “distinctive product of the United States.” The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5.22) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:

• Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn (maize).

• Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).

• Neither coloring nor flavoring may be added.

• Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels

• Bourbon must be entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).

• Bourbon, like other whiskeys, must be bottled at not less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume.)

• A Bourbon that meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.

• Straight Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.

• If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.

Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon.

Select Listings:

1863: Sterne’s Congress Bourbon Bitters. Lithograph of an early agriculture and hunting scene. The image is black & white (see above). – Library of Congress
1863: Signature detail on lithograph (above). “S” (or L) Sterne’s Son – Proprietors, 31 Dec. 1863, Vol 38. P.81″
1864: Sterne’s Congress Bourbon Bitters. Lithograph of an early agriculture and hunting scene. The image is color (see above). – Library of Congress
1864: Sterne’s Congress Bourbon Bitters noted in newspaper advertising (see below). – The New York Times, Tuesday, April 19, 1864

Posted in Bitters, Bourbon, Cordial, History, Liquor Merchant, Questions, Spirits | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glass Eye Cup | Eye Bath Collection

Posted on 2 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Glass Eyecup | Eye Bath Collection

02 November 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAAfter almost 1,300 posts here on Peach Ridge Glass, I have to say, this is the first post on eye cups and eye bath glass. Sure I knew they were around but I rarely crossed paths with examples or collectors. I know they are out there, just do no know where to look as far as a collecting web site, group or individual collector. The following e-mail prompted this post. Please contact me if you have any interest in pursuing this collection.

My late Father was a member of your organization (the FOHBC) which is where I got your e-mail. He had a bottle collection of course but also had other collections including a large eyecup collection (examples pictured below) which I am trying to sell to other collectors (not dealers). Do you know of any within your organization or how I might get connected with some?  I have many many more.  That is just a drop in the bucket. 

Thanks, George

Dr. Richard Cannon says that glass eye cups or eye baths date back into the 19th century in the United States, and aluminum examples appeared early in the 20th century. Through the years there have been several devices used to install liquid eye medicines into the eyes for irrigation or treatment, but for use by the patient, the eye cup or eye bath were most popular until eye drops were developed using a screw-capped top provided with a plastic collar and a rubber unit carrying a glass dropper and a rubber teat. To use the eye cup, the patient applied it to the eye with the head bowed forward, threw the head back with the eye open, ensured lavage of the eye by blinking several times and then removed the cup with the head once more bowed forward.

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Posted in Collectors & Collections, Eye Cups, History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Bogart that Gin . . . ger Ale

Posted on 1 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BogartGin

Don’t Bogart that Gin . . . ger Ale

01 November 2013

The ad also reveals that Gordon & Co. purchased the Equinox Springs bottling business in Manchester, Vermont.

Apple-Touch-IconAAnother post from Ginger Ale authority Ken Previtali. This will join the very popular Ginger Ale Page on Peachridge Glass.

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Your PRG post on African gins included an iconic picture of Humphrey Bogart removing a Gordon & Co. gin bottle from a case on the deck of the African Queen. Here’s what the color label looks like (see above) on a bottle from that era. It reminded me of this ginger ale from the 1920s (see below). The typography is identical!

Gordon&CosDryGingerAle

The question is, why a world-famous gin distiller like Gordon & Co. was producing ginger ale in this country, and how did that endeavor come about? The brand goes back to 1769 when Alexander Gordon opened a distillery in London. By 1800, sailors of the British Navy were carrying his gin around the world. Fast forward over 100 years and the first Gordon’s overseas agent, J. Digby Maitland, began making trips to the United States. By then, hundreds of thousands of Gordon’s gin bottles like this one (see below) were being exported to the U.S.

GordonsDryGinCorker

Move ahead to 1918 and prohibition. We often think about the impact prohibition had on our domestic distillers and breweries but forget that companies around the world were losing their lucrative U.S. export market practically overnight. This magazine advertisement (see below) from 1919 documents how Gordon & Co. tried to retain a presence in the U.S. and make some money. (You’ll see the agent J. Digby Maitland listed as a director).

GordonDryGingerAleAd

The advertisement copy slyly refers to prohibition by addressing the “gentlemen in the U.S.” who couldn’t get Gordon’s gin any more (legally anyway). The text goes on to emphasize the reputation of Gordon’s brand to help sell the ginger ale. The ad also reveals that Gordon & Co. purchased the Equinox Springs bottling business in Manchester, Vermont. The use of the word distilled is interesting because it is misleading; ginger ale was never “distilled”. This tricky copywriting might have been intended to lead the reader to believe that alcohol was surreptitiously associated with Gordon’s ginger ale. Most likely what the text was referring to, in a vague way, was how they made the ginger ale flavor extract which might have used a distilling process, but that’s not the impression the reader is given!

GordonsAdDetail

The ad also refers to the “Equinox House” (see advertisement detail above) where the spring water of the same name was served regularly. The Equinox House story goes back to the same year that Alexander Gordon started distilling his “juniper recipe” in London. It’s worth a visit to the Equinox House history page, just to imagine all the bottles and glassware that graced the tables of this historic inn over more than 200 years’ time. Some of which were bottles of ginger ale. . .

Ken (Previtali)

Posted in Advertising, Collectors & Collections, Gin, Ginger Ale, History, Liquor Merchant, Mineral Water, Questions, Soft Drinks, Spirits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Dose – November 2013

Posted on 1 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

N o v e m b e r    2 0 1 3

Saturday, 30 November 2013

I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time….? The Philadelphia Medical Journal, 1900

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Friday, 29 November 2013

MansMedBook

Added this image of a Mansfields Medicine Book to the Highlands Bitters and Scotch Tonic post. There will be an article in the January | February 2014 issue of Bottles and Extras on this great figural barrel.

Highlands Bitters & Scotch Tonic

Thursday, 28 November 2013

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H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G

Everyone, have a nice day with your family, friends, pets and bottles. Stay warm. Eat some turkey. Actress Ann Sheridan pictured above.

RattingersTC_JG

Cool trade card from the Joe Gourd collection added to the Dr. Rattinger post.

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Ferdinand: Here is an extremely rare Austalian Bitters on Buy it Now. (ebay 141124144511) I emailed him and got clarification on the bitters and he added more to the listing so the bottle can be identified. He also pictures a BOSTON HOP BITTERS that he plans to sell. The BHB looks like a stunning example. Both are listed in the SUPPLEMENT – Bill (Ham)

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From Ken Previtali:  This postcard from our collection, is one of Katie’s and my favorites. This peaceful walk home from the harvested fields belies the weariness they gently share. By comparison, we have it easy, and much to be thankful for these days.

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

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Almost time for turkey! Thanksgiving tomorrow. The three F’s. Family, Food & Football.

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‘TRY Prickly Ash BITTERS’. Look at this cool picture promoting Prickly Ash Bitters submitted by Brad Seigler. I like the ‘Firearms’ message too.

Read: Prickly Ash Bitters – Meyer Brothers Drug Company

HenleyRun_Dale

Hey Ferdinand, Here is one shelf of IXL Bitters. They are all the first, and second molds. Regards, Dale M. (Mlasko).

See More: Dr. Henley’s Wild Grape Root IXL Bitters ‘Showdown’

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Anybody going to the Annual Turkey Trot in Cuero, Texas?

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

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Standard American Aromatic Bitter Cordial | Yochum Bros New Orleans spotted on ebay. Added to Yochim Brothers Distillery, New Orleans Family History post.

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Clear example of Dr. Rattinger’s Herb & Root Bitters – St. Louis on ebay now. Added to post. Thanks to Bill Ham for tip.

Monday, 25 November 2013

To compliment the extraordinary colors of the John Ryan sodas from Sunday, you are now looking at a recent addition to the Sandor Fuss collection.

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Pattern Molded Pocket Bottle, 12 Diamond pattern, attributed Stiegel’s American Flint Glass Manufactory, Manheim, Pennsylvania, 1770-1774.  5 1/4 inches tall. Perfect. Extraordinary Impression.

Sunday, 24 November 2013

JohnRyansMike

I have been wanting to post photos of these sodas for quite awhile, but have been too busy (lazy). These are three of the four colors that I have in the super rare early John Ryan mold. The fourth is a black amethyst color that would not pass light in the current cloud cover conditions. The dark strawberry red and medium rose (my description) colored bottles were the two favorites of long time John Ryan collector Tommy Mitchiner, a great friend of mine who passed away a couple of months ago. Tommy sold them many years ago to Charlie Matzen, a Savannah, Ga soda collector. Charlie sold them to me a few weeks ago, with the rose colored example being the most that I have ever paid for a colored soda and nearly twice what I paid for my blue pyramid Alf’s from Charleston, SC. The third soda is a greyish pink color with a lip chip that also came from Charlie Matzen. – Mike Newman (Facebook)

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Post Update: Unknown New England Glass factory’s contract with Clapp & Townsend July 15, 1848

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Saturday, 23 November 2013

Birchmead

Well it has been raining all day and in the low 4o’s. Just plain miserable. Look at this flavored beer bottle that John Pastor had gracing his shelves. A real stand-out. I believe it says Birchmead. Only example in blue. Apparently Dick Watson has one in aqua. Trying to confirm. Detail on the bottle is off the charts.

To my knowledge, it is the only example in blue although I have heard a rumor in years past that there may be another one. Dick Watson has one in aqua. An aqua example was pictured on the cover of a bottle magazine (Old Bottle Magazine, or ???), years ago, perhaps early 80’s. I’m not sure if this is the one that Dick has, or not.

The embossing is: “Birch Mead / John Kelsey & Co” / (eagle and shield) / New York / & / Brooklyn (all within oval wreath) – “Thou Shalt Not Steal (around heal of bottle). On reverse: Image of large tree, “Birch Mead” / (image of girl with bucket tapping the tree) / “Registered / Aug 28 1877”. On base: “Clayton Glass Works N.J.”
John (Pastor)

Thursday, 21 November 2013

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Catching a 5:40 pm bird from Detroit back to Houston. Lots of fun today with John Pastor, Ralph and Janet Finch. Saw some great target balls!

All&RedCrossBitters

Hi Ferd – unfortunately I missed the Pepper’s Bitters – would have fit in nice with my ALL and Red Cross – Cheers! John (Throop)

JanetFinch1978_8Janet Finch on the cover of Antique Bottle World in 1978.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

BoBoWhiskeyCrop

Headed out to Fort Wayne here shortly via Chicago. Then off to the Detroit area. Will stop in to see John Pastor tomorrow night and then Ralph & Janet Finch on Thursday. Looking forward. Had fun with the Hartman’s Old Virginia Bitters post. Thank you Joe Gourd.

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Monday, 18 November 2013

RoyalHartleyBottleWorks

Wow, Thanksgiving racing towards us. Early 3-Mile Island? From Billy Emberton (Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, England): “I know this is a little out of area but thought it may be of interest. The Royal Hartley Bottle Works at Seaton Sluice, England in 1896. Some 25 years after closure.”

Saturday, 16 November 2013

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Visit the updated Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters post to see three spectacular pictures by Jeff Burkhardt of his prized ‘only known’ example.

Friday, 15 November 2013

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Hi Ferd, Wanted to share a somewhat fuzzy picture of a few demijohns, some are rather ordinary and some are not so ordinary. Hey Dale, you gotta have a lot of room to collect demijohns! Gene Ainsworth

A business directory of the subscribers to the new map of Maine

MAJOR UPDATE to the Gardiner’s Rheumatic and Neuralgic Compound post based on information provided by MarianneDow.

TexasHygenicInstitute1873

MAJOR UPDATE to the Could this be the same Dr. M. Perl from New Orleans? post by information provided by Eric McGuire.

DogRiverOldSachem?

Getting quite of few RED FLAG emails and calls about this Old Sachems currently on ebay. POSSIBLE Dog River Reproduction.>>http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-SACHEM-BITTERS-WIGWAM-TONIC-BOTTLE-/321249651827? Already 16 Bids at $1,351. Jim Bender asked for provenance and was blocked.

Thursday, 14 November 2013

MonumentCol16

Returning to Houston tonight. That’s good. Been a busy week here in Georgia with a client. FOHBC conference call tonight with the Board. That is always interesting.

Are you watching that medium green glass figural monument cologne that closed on Heckler last night. It is at $11,000 now with call backs. I logged on last night before closing to put a bid on that great piece for my collection and almost fell out of my chair!

Read More: Bunker Hill Monument Figural Colognes

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Back then, when you left your ship to explore and lost your hat, it must have been comforting to have your topper water-proofed and a dog to save it before it goes over a waterfall. Super illustration.

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

LaCreoleHairRestorer

Enjoying this major cold front. 30 degrees here in Augusta, 35 degrees at PeachRidge. Also like this old tin advertising tray for “La Creole” Hair Color Restorer, Van Vleet Mansfield Drug Co., Memphis, Tenn. Makers of the Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic figural barrel.

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

It appears that one of the ‘first’ insulator swaps and meetings was held on this heavily adorned telephone pole in New Orleans.

NOLAInsulatorsPoleMen

Monday, 11 November 2013

HoustonHubofTexasIllus

Houston, The Hub of Texas. Isn’t this a complex but interesting illustration of railroading in Houston around the turn of the century?

Sunday, 10 November 2013

Off to the east coast today. Really do not like leaving on Sundays but I have an 8:30 am in the morning.

Four Barrels_8

Jeff (Wichmann) sent in some pictures of his new Brent, Warder & Co. barrel (2nd from left) and says “Here are my four amigos. I love them. The barrel, I had no idea it was so small but I love it. Packs a lot of punch for a small bottle. I’m even thinking if I’ve ever seen one this size before. Not that I’m aware of.” – Jeff

Read: Elusive Brent, Warder & Co. barrel found in Antique Mall

Saturday, 9 November 2013

ChristianMoerleinLogo

Had fun looking at Christian Moerlein Brewery in Cincinnati. Great graphics.

NewtonsJaundiceJeff

Jeff Noordsy provided this killer example of an aqua Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Bitters to go with yesterdays post. Thanks man. This piece is wet with crudity.

Friday, 8 November 2013

VanVleetMmain1911

Updated the Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic page with four new images including this great photograph of the Van Vleet – Mansfield Drug Co. in Memphis, Tennessee.

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

FoundQueenChad

Not too often do you hear about dug Indian Queens. “These are always fun to dig. Keep on digging you will. Only found two in over 3,500 privies and I only dig 1870s and earlier…it’s all in numbers” – Chad Hurst

EurekaBittersAd1870

Like this Eureka Bitters advertisement. From McClung & Betterton in Knoxville, Tennessee. Note the “For Sale by Pepper Bros., Texas” at bottom. That is the one and only Dr. Pepper folks!

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

RichterB&E

Just a very nice e-mail and picture: Accolades and Kudos for the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) and Peachridge Glass for the fantastic (!) cover on this issue of Bottles and Extras. (You could decorate with it.) Also, the little things that count, such as now knowing President Jimmy Carter was also a member. Awesome cover art and graphics. What a grabbable invite to an excellent (as always) issue. – Eric Richter

Monday, 4 November 2013

LambertsBitters

Iron pontiled Lamberi Bitters Phila seen in a shop last week. Owner said “not for sale” – Dennis Smith

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Prototype Coca Cola bottle. $500,000 has been offered for it according to the October Midwest Glass Chatter.

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Ahhh, back in the bitters mode again with the Starne’s Celebrated Congress Bitters. Looking for information on that rare and possibly unlisted bird.

KennedysEastIndiaBittersFound

We found this bottle while replacing an old cedar shake roof today.

Hi Ferdinand. First of all I hope you and your family are doing well. I received this cool email recently and want to share it with you. “We found this bottle while replacing an old cedar shake roof today.” Amazingly the labels are still intact. It just shows that a old bottle can be found almost anywhere. This bottle is a Kennedy’s East India Bitters in a light amber color. Frank (Wicker) www.bottlepickers.com

Friday, 1 November 2013

October came and went really fast. Zoomed by. Hope everyone had a good time trick-or-treating last night.

MarvelousMexicanClipped

The Morley Brothers post has been updated with pictures of three extremely rare bottles submitted by Brad Seiger. Love the name Marvelous Mexican Medicine.

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October 2013 – Antique Bottle & Glass Photo Gallery

Posted on 31 October 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Carters Combined Copying and Writing ink through the years – interesting to see the progression of information on the labels – Daniel Baldwin

Apple-Touch-IconAI thought I would take a moment to group some of the really remarkable photographs that have been posted on Early American Glass and Bottle Collectors on facebook this past month. The composition, lighting, content and care taken with each picture is evident.

Remember to try to post a large enough file so the picture is crisp. It always helps to caption the picture too.

October 2013 – Antique Bottle & Glass 

P H O T O    G A L L E R Y

31 October 2013

See: August 2013 – Antique Bottle & Glass Photo Gallery

See: September 2013 – Antique Bottle & Glass Photo Gallery

FallPhotoZelany

Fall Colors – Cody Zelaney

BigUtility_Olson

Big utility with flat lip, tried with water pours perfectly – Dave Olson

StaffordInks_Olson

Having a Stafford day – Dave Olson

AllBlueAnderson

Real but all blue…So Happy together – Steven James Anderson

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The Artist’s Cabinet’s – David Walker Barker

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Bitters Still Life – Mark Nelson

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The handled bottle on the right was used by my great grandfather (1856-1925) to take his homemade wine to church for communion. Would have loved to have known him. He was an Alabama farmer, lay preacher, built the church along with the altar and communion table, made coffins, delivered babies, acted as the doctor when there was none to be had, ran a school in his barn to teach the local black children to read and write, and ran a country store.
 – Melinda Yantis

Lea&PerrinsStoppers

Collection with new additions – Charles Flint

CodyTable1Some nice fall color. Some amber, puce and teal. Just got the puce hunter fisherman calabash. This is also my first puce flask, very neat color in a calabash. – Cody Zelany

ChestnutsGeorge

Some times you feel like a nut!! Here is a small diverse grouping of chestnut bottles – Michael George

DugUpDrakesCurtainA dug up 1860 plantation x bottle – ebay Listing

GreenDemisSantos

These four green demijohns all have pontil marks. Thanks to Jeff Noordsy and Cindy Suter for two of these beauties – Dale Santos

BonneyCranberrys

Red ink in a very blue bottle . All my bottles I like this the most !!! Oh the quarter is to size the berries – Dave Olson

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Some Meds – Tom Marshall

GreatBarnSusan

Great barn acquisitions! – Susan Brennan

UnusualGlobsGeorge

Picked up this unusual globular with slightly flattened sides (left) at Keene. Would it still be considered a globular bottle?? Never saw one before, now I see that John Pastor has one in his current sale (found in Ohio). Any thoughts on it? – Michael George

CodyTable2My scroll colors. Just got the blue quart, and couldn’t be happier! Its my first blue flask and the color is incredible! Really ties everything together – Cody Zelany

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The Morley Brothers – Austin, Texas

Posted on 30 October 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

MorleyBrosAustinBradAqua

The Morley Brothers

Austin, Texas

30 October 2013 (R•110113)

Apple-Touch-IconAI like to stay in touch with my bottle friend, Brad Seigler, another Texan, in his pursuit of great and elusive Texas medicine and drug store bottles. We see each other once a year at the Houston Bottle Show (this state is big) and he has been out to Peach Ridge a few times. I have been learning a lot about Texas bottles which seem to anchor me in Houston. Last night I saw a post by Brad on facebook with his newest drug store bottle. “Wonderful Eight” by the Morley Brothers from Austin, Texas.

“Here is a nice one I picked up this week, a “WONDERFUL EIGHT, MORLEY BRO’S,  AUSTIN TEX” bottle. This one is the crudest of the four examples of the Texas versions I have come across, and by far, the nicest. The history of the Morley Brothers is very interesting. David Cole has the two rarest of all Morley meds from Austin (see picture further below). They are both huge meds made like bulls sarsaparilla bottles, and contained Buchu Gin for the Kidneys.”

Brad Seigler

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Possibly S. K. Morley his brother, W. J. Morley – Morley Brothers Drug Store, Austin, Texas 1884

The Morley Brothers founded their wholesale and retail drug house in Austin, Texas in 1874. Their address was 206 E. Sixth Street. They were also manufacturers of patent medicines. S. K. Morley resided and took care of the business in Austin while his brother, W. J. Morley lived in St. Louis and managed the house and laboratory. Both were born in Indiana (S.K – abt 1845 and W.J. abt 1848). Both parents were from England.

MorleyBrosHistoricalPlaque

MorleyBroslaterIn the early 80s, Grove Drugs (see left picture) closed its doors after 100 years of operation, leaving the future of the building up in the air. It was redeveloped in 1998. Ever since, the owners of the building have been leasing it to office and retail companies. Besides being old, the Grove Drug Store building has some really cool design, such as glass tiles in the sidewalk, for example. There are also stained glass windows commemorating the establishment of the original Morley Brothers druggists back in 1874. The author O. Henry once lived in Austin and worked briefly as a pharmacist’s assistant at the Morley Brothers in 1894. The store was renamed from Morley Brothers to Grove Drug Store in the 1930s.

Morley'sBuchu

Morley’s Buchulin and Morley’s Compound Extract Buchu – David Cole Collection

The Morley Brothers were very prominent and had many products such as Liver and Kidney Cordial, Barber’s Hair Dye, Lemon Chill Cure, T-X-S Hair Tonic (pictured below), 2 Bit Cough Syrup, T-X-S Liver Pills, Kay’s Kentucky Liniment, Kay’s Kentucky Condition Powders, Blackberry Balsam, Wonderful Eight (pictured at top of post), Aromatic Elixir Ginger, Oridonto for Teeth, German Sarsaparilla, Dr. Baker’s Tip Top, Marvelous Mexican Medicine etc.

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MORLEY’S T-X-S HAIR TONIC – Seigler Collection

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Live Business Men – the Morley Brothers – The San Antonio Light – August 4, 1884

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The Morley Brother Druggists, 206 East Sixth Street

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Morley Bros Druggist (Mortar and Pestle), Amber, 6 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ wide x 1 1/2″ deep – Austin, Texas

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Morley Bros Druggist (Mortar and Pestle) Dark Amber, 8 1/2″ – Austin, Texas. Also: Amber, Morley Bros Druggist. 10 1/2″ MORLEY / BROS. / DRUGGISTS / (Mortar and Pestle ) / AUSTIN, / TEXAS. Base marked IGCo. (Illinois Glass Company).

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Grove Drugstore on 6th Street was an Austin landmark for many years. It’s lighted facade was a novelty in its day and drew a crowd. However the drugstore’s history goes back further than when Vernon Grove bought the business in 1933. The Morley Brothers set up shop at this location in 1871. By 1933 painted brick signage must have been passe since Grove left the signage that is still visible today from the street. One can still make out the faded graphics. Grove didn’t paint over the old Morley sign up front, but he did have this painted at the back of the building. The name, “Morley Bros. Drug Store”, and at least one of their products listed below, oils. There is a similar sign on the opposite side of the building that is harder to see because the adjoining building is taller that its neighbor on this side. – Austin Explorer

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Only known example of the very large, Morley’s Marvelous Mexican Medicine – photo Brad Seigler

W_J_MorleyHairBrad

W. J. Morley Improved Hair Dye No. 1, Another rare Texas bottle. I dug this one. – Brad Seigler

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Cordial, Digging and Finding, Druggist & Drugstore, Hair Tonics, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

This gorgeous, lemon yellow Clouds Cordial

Posted on 29 October 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

ElderflowerCordialLabel

This gorgeous, lemon yellow

CLOUDS INVIGORATING CORDIAL

29 October 2013 (R•103113) (R•050819)

Apple-Touch-IconAJohn Pastor has this gorgeous Clouds Cordial in a vibrant lemon yellow in his American Glass Gallery Auction that closes tonight. Man-oh-man…if this just were a bitters. The lot picture and write-up:

CloudsCordial182

Clouds Cordial – American Glass Gallery Auction 11

“Clouds Cordial – Clouds Cordial”, America, 1870 – 1880. Brilliant lemon yellow, rectangular pyramid form, applied sloping collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 10 5/8″, attic mint! A scarce medicine, interesting form, and in a vibrant, exceptional eye-appealing color that does not “wash out” in natural daylight. In addition, nicely whittled and with excellent character!

The advertisement above is for flavor only and not related directly to the Clouds Cordial brand. I just liked the picture.

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Cloud, Akin & Co. listing – Evansville, Indiana City Directory 1872

“in 1862 Dr. Cloud left Kentucky and engaged in the retail drug business at Sullivan, Indiana. In 1865 he came to Evansville, and engaged with his brother-in-law, Wm. M. Akin, Esq., in the wholesale drug business, and had complete control of the manufacturing department.”

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Clouds Cordial – American Glass Gallery Auction 11

Dr. Hiram Wilber Cloud

Evansville, Indiana

Born – September 7, 1833, Died –  5 May 1875

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Dr. Hiram Wilber Cloud

From: “Evansville and Its Men of Mark” Historical Publishing Co., Evansville Ind, P 18-19. As sited in CFJ Vol XV, no 1, pg 9. From: “Evansville and Its Men of Mark” edited by Edward White, 1873, Historical Publishing Co., Evansville, md., p. 1849:

James C. Cloud, the father of Dr. H. W. Cloud, was born in Boone County, Kentucky, in the year 1805, and was a farmer by occupation. He remained here until his marriage to Miss Susan Snyder, of the same county. Mr. Cloud soon afterward removed to Henderson County, and engaged in the family grocery business.

On the 7th of September, 1833, the subject of this sketch was born; and when about fifteen years of age, his parents went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he enjoyed excellent facilities in securing a common school education. Having a taste for books, and literary ambition, coupled with a determination to secure an education, he entered Asbury University with only twenty dollars to last him for four years. He remained here until the second term of his Senior year, when, with eight of his class, in the noted Rebellion of ’56, he withdrew from Asbury, and graduated at the State University.

While at college, Dr. Cloud’s favorite studies were Geology and Chemistry, and he pursued an after-graduate course in chemistry and medicine at the University of Kentucky, at Louisville. He received the degree of A.M. from Bloomington, and, in 1871, the same honorary degree from Asbury. For some time Dr. Cloud had charge of a select school at Owensboro; and his rare fund of information, his excellent literary qualities and genial disposition, made it a great success. He was speedily called to the Presidency of Henry Female College, at Newcastle, Kentucky. There is no doubt, had he chosen to follow his course, he would have gained high rank among the best professors and educators of the country. The college was in a most flourishing condition, with one hundred and fifty ladies in attendance, mostly from the South. The breaking out of the war interfered, however, with its further progress; and in 1862 Dr. Cloud left Kentucky and engaged in the retail drug business at Sullivan, Indiana. In 1865 he came to Evansville, and engaged with his brother-in-law, Wm. M. Akin, Esq., in the wholesale drug business, and had complete control of the manufacturing department.

As a practical chemist, Dr. Cloud has enjoyed rare success; while his business ability and manly traits as a gentleman are well recognized in this section. He has followed his favorite study-Chemistry and its kindred subjects-with ardor all his life; but not to the neglect of general literature and history. He is well versed in philological studies, and is a very fine Latin scholar, in particular. Dr. Cloud is an educated man and a gentleman of high worth, and has accomplished much for the educational interests of our city in his responsible position as President of the Board of Education. In ’59 Dr. Cloud was married to Miss Sarah M. Akin, daughter of R. M. Akin, Esq., of Carlisle, Indiana. Three children have been born to them-two daughters and one son-the latter named in honor of the greatest of living scientists of the present generation-Faraday.

*A Special thanks to Brandon Smith for providing the lead for the information above.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY, ITS HISTORY, 1828-1890,
Theophilus A. Wylie, 1890,
pp. 216

Hiram Wilbur Cloud, born September 7, 1833, in Henderson, Kentucky. Died May 5, 1875, at Evansville. Educated at Asbury University. Degrees, A. B. and A. M., Indiana University, and from Louisville, Medical College, M. D. 
Occupation, chemist and druggist. Position, Trustee of Indiana University; 
President of Henry Female College, New Castle, Kentucky, President, secretary 
and Treasure of School Board at Evansville, at different periods, for ten 
years. Married Miss Sarah M. Akin, of Bloomington, in 1859.

Clouds Invigorating Cordial (aqua) and Clouds Cordial – Tim Pillow Collection

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