Starting at the “Bottom” – The English Royal Privy

Posted on 7 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

KingsPrivy

The privy and privy chamber were under the control of a minor official called the Groom of the Stool, or stole.

STARTING AT THE ”BOTTOM”

How the cleaners of English Royalty’s privies became among their most trusted advisers

English Castles of the middle ages usually had at least one, and often several privies attached. The privy was usually a small cell with a seat complete with the usual hole. By the latter part of the Middle Ages the privy was a shaft that led to a drain, other times the “Royal Ejecta” dropped directly into the moat, or the slope outside of the Castle walls.

The slang of the day referred to the privies as: privy, privy chamber, and privy house. They were also called withdraught, garderobe, jake, necessary, and gong.

In the royal houses the privy chamber appears to have developed as the room between the great chamber, where the King slept, and his privy. It is believed it was used by the King to prepare himself for the privy. The term “privy chamber” came to refer to both the privy and the room used to access it.

The great chamber was under the control of an important official called the Chamberlain. The privy and privy chamber were under the control of a minor official called the Groom of the Stool, or stole. When the bed of the King was moved out of the great chamber into the next room, the term privy chamber was still used to refer to the room. The Groom of the Stool was still in charge of the room.

Sometime around the late 1500’s, caused by a series of changes to the layout of palaces, the King’s bed was removed from the Privy Chamber. The room became a private dining and reception room, beyond this was a series of private suites, known as the privy lodgings.

The “Groom of the Stool” remained in charge of the of the entire operation. From the Privy House to the Penthouse! A real British success story of the Middle Ages.

Primary source:

Life in the English Country House: A Social and Architectural History
By Mark Girouard
Yale University Press, 1978

Submitted by Reginald Shoeman (Outhouse Patrol)

Photo: Toilets, earth closets, and house plumbing

Posted in Digging and Finding, History, Humor - Lighter Side | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The handled Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters – Chicago

Posted on 6 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

FoerstersTeutonic_GW3

Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters | Chicago

06 July 2013 (R•101514)

Apple-Touch-IconAI was recently able to add a long sought after, extremely rare, Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters to my collection. As one of only two handled bitters brands that exist, the Foerster’s from Chicago, will join the other, the Old Dr. Townsend’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters (pictured below) on my shelves. This example is from the famous John Feldmann Collection and recently sold in Glass Works Auction #98. The Glass Works write-up is as follows:

T51_OldDrTownsends_FM5

109. “FOERSTER’S / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO”, (F-63), Illinois, ca. 1855 – 1865, orange amber handled jug, 6 3/4”h, iron pontil, applied ring mouth and handle. A tiny potstone located to the right of ‘Bitters’ has a radiation surrounding it. Crude highly whittled glass and currently one of only two known examples. To our knowledge this is the first one to be offered at auction! Ex. Ken Sosnowski Collection.

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Window photograph of the subject Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters – Glass Works Auction #98

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Studio photograph of the subject Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters – Glass Works Auction #98

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

F 63  FOERSTER’S TEUTONIC BITTERS
FOERSTER’S ( au ) / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO ( ad ) // c //
6 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 3 (4) Bottle measurements are not exact, they are taken at the base which is quite curved.
Chestnut flask with applied handle on right (example also exists with handle on left). Amber, ARM, Metallic pontil mark, Extremely rare

During 1859 and 1860, Theodore Foerster was listed as a rectifier, one who blends or dilutes whiskey, at 54 S. Wells St. Chicago. He was also listed as an importer and wholesale liquor dealer at the same address, and then subsequently at 246 Randolph Street, in the early, to mid-1860’s. Based on the rarity of the bottle, the pontil scarred base, and few scant ads that have been found for Theodore Foerster, it is likely that the bottles were only produced for perhaps a year or two during Foerster’s early years in business. Perhaps because of competition, a limited market, or the unusual chestnut form that was typically associated with whiskey, it was apparently not a very successful venture. Prior to this bottle coming to light, there were only three other examples known.

In the Glass Works auction listing, the bottle was noted as being produced from 1855 – 1865. I believe this to be highly unlikely and suspect maybe only a one t0 two year period around 1860. I also believe there are three examples and not two (now four – 101514). This has been confirmed by another western bitters collector.

Theodore Foerster, 54 S Wells, Chicago City Directory, 1860

Theodore Foerster, 246 Randolph, Chicago, Illinois, Chicago City Directory, 1865

Theodore Foerster, importer and whole. dealer in wines and liquors, 246 Randolph, r. 520 Hubbard, Chicago, City Directory, 1867

I really wish I had a copy of “Bottled in Illinois: Embossed Bottles and Bottled Products of Early Illinois Merchants from Chicago to Cairo, 1840-1880” by Kenneth B. Farnsworth and John A. Walthall. I wonder if the authors have any more information on this brand and Theodore Foerster?

TheodoreForesterListing_illinoisstategazette1864

1864 Theodore Foerster directory listing in liquor section – Illinois State Gazette

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Theodore Foerster, importer and whole. dealer in wines and liquors, 246 Randolph, r. 520 Hubbard, Chicago, City Directory, 1867

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Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters sitting within the great bottle room of the John Feldmann collection prior to the dispersement of the collection.

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Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters – picture courtesy 1st Chicago Bottle Club “This example  is a “lefty” and as far as I know is the only left handed one known.” – Ray Komorowski

FoerstersHam

Foerster’s Teutonic Bitters (center)  – Ham Collection. The bottle is flanked by a  ‘left handled’ and “right handled’ Old Dr. Townsend’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters.

Read More: Old Dr. Townsend’s Daisy Vases, more common than you think

Pictures of this example below surfaced at Peachridge earlier in the year. The person was asking if the bottle was real or a reproduction. Almost fell out of my chair!

Lot128

“FOERSTER’S / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO”, America, 1858 – 1861. Bright golden amber, plump chestnut form with an applied left handle, applied mouth with square band – iron pontil scar, ht. 6 5/8″, near mint; (a touch of typical light exterior wear). R/H #F63. An iconic bitters bottle, one of only four known examples, and one of only two bitters that chose to use the handled chestnut form for their product. Beautiful, heavily whittled glass, outstanding condition. (4th new example) – American Glass Gallery #13

Lot128-angleview

“FOERSTER’S / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO”, America, 1858 – 1861. Bright golden amber, plump chestnut form with an applied left handle, applied mouth with square band – iron pontil scar, ht. 6 5/8″, near mint; (a touch of typical light exterior wear). R/H #F63. An iconic bitters bottle, one of only four known examples, and one of only two bitters that chose to use the handled chestnut form for their product. Beautiful, heavily whittled glass, outstanding condition. (4th new example) – American Glass Gallery #13

Lot128-base

“FOERSTER’S / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO”, America, 1858 – 1861. Bright golden amber, plump chestnut form with an applied left handle, applied mouth with square band – iron pontil scar, ht. 6 5/8″, near mint; (a touch of typical light exterior wear). R/H #F63. An iconic bitters bottle, one of only four known examples, and one of only two bitters that chose to use the handled chestnut form for their product. Beautiful, heavily whittled glass, outstanding condition. (4th new example) – American Glass Gallery #13

Lot128-handle

“FOERSTER’S / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO”, America, 1858 – 1861. Bright golden amber, plump chestnut form with an applied left handle, applied mouth with square band – iron pontil scar, ht. 6 5/8″, near mint; (a touch of typical light exterior wear). R/H #F63. An iconic bitters bottle, one of only four known examples, and one of only two bitters that chose to use the handled chestnut form for their product. Beautiful, heavily whittled glass, outstanding condition. (4th new example) – American Glass Gallery #13

Lot128-daylight

“FOERSTER’S / TEUTONIC / BITTERS / CHICAGO”, America, 1858 – 1861. Bright golden amber, plump chestnut form with an applied left handle, applied mouth with square band – iron pontil scar, ht. 6 5/8″, near mint; (a touch of typical light exterior wear). R/H #F63. An iconic bitters bottle, one of only four known examples, and one of only two bitters that chose to use the handled chestnut form for their product. Beautiful, heavily whittled glass, outstanding condition. (4th new example) – American Glass Gallery #13

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Chestnut, Collectors & Collections, Flasks, Liquor Merchant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters – Galveston, Texas

Posted on 5 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

YoungbloodsTonicBittersIllus

YOUNGBLOOD’S TONIC BITTERS

Galveston, Texas

05 July 2013 (R•111315 – glass shard) (R•031416 – Example)

Endorsed by Physicians, Clergymen, Planters, Merchants, Mechanics of every Nation.

Apple-Touch-IconAHere is a tough one that was included on the long time Texas bottle collector Doyle Bailey’s list of Texas Bitters that I recently received. The Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters was noted as embossed, with a paper label, and from Galveston, Texas (bottle picture not available at this time). The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

Y 8  YOUNGBLOOD’S TONIC BITTERS
YOUNGBLOOD’S / TONIC / BITTERS // sp // f // sp //
9 3/4 x 3 3/8 x 2 1/8 (7 1/2) 3/8
Rectangular, Amber, NSC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Extremely rare
From Galveston, Texas

The only solid information I can find so far is the 1873 advertisement pictured below. Clues from this ad and other almost identical advertisements note a L. D. Youngblood, Sole Proprietor, Tyler, Texas. Also noted is a Jno. A. Johnston & Co. Proprietors and Manufacturers, Galveston, Texas. Besides Galveston, the Texas towns of Denison and Tyler, and the Oklahoma towns of Adair and Vanita also play into this bottle mystery and the Youngblood name.

Interestingly enough, there is a Dr. Youngblood who was killed by a stray bullet in a famous train robbery by the Dalton Gang. See news clippings below. The locales and time periods overlap. The first name initials do not. Probably just an interesting Red Herring,

Two stray bullets entered the drug store of the town, injuring Drs. Youngblood and Goff, who were sitting in the building at the time. Youngblood has since died and Goff is in a dangerous condition.

H. H. H. YOUNGBLOOD’S TONIC BITTERS

What does H. H. H. mean?

YoungbloodsTonicBitters_Ad1

Advertisement for Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters and Youngblood’s Liver Tonic – Houston Daily Mercury (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 304, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 28, 1873

Copy from a second similar advertisement

1860. ESTABLISHED 1860.

H. H. H.

YOUNGBLOOD’S TONIC BITTERS!

For Nervous Debility it never Fails.
For Loss of Appetite it has no Equal.
For Flatulency it is beyond Rivalry.
For Disordered Stomach, an Immediate Relief.
For Dyspepsia it is recommended by all Physicians.

Endorsed by Physicians, Clergymen, Planters, Merchants, Mechanics of every Nation.

————

1860. Y. Y. Y. 1860.

Youngblood’s Liver Tonic, A safe and effectual cure for all Bilious Diseases, Colic or Pains in the Bowels, Dyspepsia [sic], Costiveness, Liver Complaint, Fever and Ague, Bilious Fevers, Nervous and Sick Headache, Diarrhoea and Dysentery of a Bilious Type, Impurity of the Blood, Dropsy, Boils, Melancholy, Heartburn, Jaundice, Nervousness, Obstructed Menstruation [sic]; also, a Preventative [sic] and Cure for Piles.

JNO. A. JOHNSTON & CO. Proprietors, and Manufacturers, Galveston, Texas.

HERMAN MATSDORFF, Agent, Denison, Texas. Office at Dexter & Scott’s Drug Store.

(Denison Daily News, Vol II, No. 36, Denison, Texas, Sunday Morning, April 5, 1874)

The Dalton Gang Train Robbery

DaltonTrainRobbery

ROBBED – VICTIMS IN THE SKIRMISH

Galveston Daily News, July 16, 1892: VINITA, I. T., July 16. – [Special] – The Missouri, Kansas and Texas train No. 2 northbound was robbed at Adair, twenty miles south of this city, last night. For a week it has been known that the notorious Dalton boys with several associates, making a party of eleven, were in the country below here and the railroad company put guards on its night trains Monday and has continued them ever since. All eyes have been turned to Pryor’s creek as the point of attack, and until the train whistled for this station last night no one thought of Adair as the place of operation.

At the moment named several men surrounded Night Operator Haywood and ordered him to flag her down. As they were fully armed he had no alternative and complied. As the conductor stepped off the train he was made a prisoner and a moment later the entire crew were doing duty as breastworks. The officers were riding in the smoker and one of them loking out of the window saw the conductor’s lantern drop and knew in an instant they had found their men. They jumped off the train on the opposite side from the depot and found themselves right in the middle of the robbers with the latter, being accustomed to the dark, having the best of it. A short fight tookplace here, in which Detective J. J. Kinney of the railroad company was shot in the shoulder, an Indian policeman named Laflore was shot in his arms and an officer named Johnson had his watch shot to pieces, the same bullet embedding itself in his arm. About the same time that this fight was going on or immediately after a volley was poured into the Pacific express car and Messenger George P. Williams finally opened the door. Meantime the officers were compelled to desist firing lest they might shoot some of the train crew. The express local safe was quickly robbed and the messenger ordered to open the throughsafe. He declared he could not unlock it, but went to work and soon got the door open. While the express car was being rifled the operator was taken into the depot and ordered to open the station safe, but finally satified the men that he could not do so. The cash drawer was broken open and $3 or $4 secured from it. When the robbery was completed three or four of the men started down the street west from the depot, and 200 feet from there, sitting on a porch, they passed Dr.W. L. Gofe of Fredricktown, Mo., and Dr. T. S. Youngblood of Adair. They fired on them, and Gofe fell forward, exclaiming: “I am killed.” Dr. Youngblood, although shot in the leg started to run, but another bullet dropped him. He made his way to the depot and told what had happened and Dr. Gofe was picked up and found to be badly shot in both limbs. Youngblood got a shot in the leg and one in the foot. Both men were taken upon the train and brought to this city, where surgical aid could be obtained…

July 16, 1892 —Dallas Morning News—McAlester, I. T.—One of the most daring train robberies on record tool place last night at Adair, I. T. As the Missouri, Kansas and Texas north-bound express train pulled into Adair station the train was held up and everything of value to be found was taken.

The robbers previously had sent word to the railway company that the train would be robbed. All the deputy marshals and police that could be raised between McAlester and Muskogee were on board the train, but not expecting the robbery to take place at Adair the officers were overpowered and placed in a line on the platform and placed under guard until the robbery was competed.

As the bandits were leaving several shots were exchanged between the officials and outlaws. The chief of police, Charles Laflore, being wounded in the leg and arm, Detective Kinney wounded in the shoulder and two citizens of the town are reported killed. There were nine outlaws, all of whom made their escape.

It is definitely known that the Adair train robbery was committed by the Daltons. They reached the station about 9 o’clock, ransacked it of all the valuables and then calmly awaited the arrival of the passenger train at 9:42.

Two stray bullets entered the drug store of the town, injuring Drs. Youngblood and Goff, who were sitting in the building at the time. Youngblood has since died and Goff is in a dangerous condition.

BIG BOOTY SECURED

July 16, 1892—Dallas Morning News— Guthrie, OK—The Missouri, Kansas and Texas north-bound express was held up last night by the Dalton gang, but it seems they doubled successfully on the pursuers. The captured men evidently peached on the gang, revealing the plot of last night’s robbery for a posse of police was organized at Adair and the robbery was only accomplished after a hard fight in which Chief Detective Kinney, Indian Policeman Laflore and two doctors, passengers on the train, were seriously wounded. None of the passengers coming to their aid and their revolvers being empty they were forced to retreat into the train.

The Dalton boys then compelled the messenger to open the express car, blew open the safe, quickly secured its contents and after relieving the messenger of his watch bound and dumped him in a corner of the car, leaped to the ground, fired several shots and disappeared.

After it was certain the robbers had gone the train ran to Adair, the alarm was sounded and a posse was hastily formed and returned to the scene of the robbery. That the Daltons headed the gang themselves is beyond doubt. The officers are reticent, but it is reliably ascertained that the bandits secured between $80,000 and $70,000.

FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD

July 16, 1892—Dallas Morning News—Denison, Texas—Passenger train No. 2 on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, which left the city yesterday evening at 12:30 o’clock, was held up and robbed by a band of desperadoes at Adair, a siding fifteen miles south of Vinita, I. T. The raid has been expected by the company several days and an extra force of deputy marshals was on the train at the time. The robbers, however, got the drop on a number of the officers and while they were held at bay the remainder of the gang went through the train and captured everything in sight. The federal mails were rifled, the express company’s safes were forced open and it is rumored that $60,000 was captured.

The train was in charge of Conductor George Scales and was pulled by Engineer Ewing. The following reward has been offered by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad company and the Pacific express company;

Reward—The express car o the north-bound train of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railway was robbed by masked men at Adair, I. T. Thursday night, July 14. A reward of $5000 will be paid by the undersigned for the arrest and conviction of each of the men engaged in this robbery to an amount not exceeding $40,000.

Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company, by Thomas C. Purdy, second vice-president
Pacific Express Company, by L. A. Fuller, superintendent.

Topmost bottle illustration courtesy of Bill Ham.

YoungbloodShard_8

[11-13-15]

Ferdinand, Dug a broken Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters in Galveston the other day. Honestly didn’t have a clue what it was so only saved the front panel and the lip. When I go back to the site, I am going to re-excavate the pit (it is just a tiny trash pit) and see if I can find enough to glue together a good part of the bottle. Pit was full of broken Hostetters, Wolfe’s Schnapps, etc…looked to be late 1860’s or maybe early 1870’s.

Thought you might be interested…it is a beautiful light amber color.

Best Regards,

Brandon DeWolfe, P.E.

Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters

Posted in Bitters, Digging and Finding, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dave Kam and his Exciting Basement Find

Posted on 5 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

WT4Kam

Hi Ferdinand,

I am writing to share with your readers my most recent and exciting find. I work for a local company in Western New York and I am at several peoples houses throughout my day. Occasionally I will mention my collecting bottles and hand out my number to people. Usually to no avail but recently I had a call from a gentleman in Lockport who was looking to sell some bottles he had from him and his fathers collecting over the years.

I took a ride out and saw the usual wine and liquor bottles from the 1960’s and 70’s. Somewhat disappointed, I still dug through the boxes and found a few nice local pieces. A couple $5 milks and a strap flask from Niagara Falls, probably a $10 -$20 bottle. Then a small box with some embossed and labeled meds. Nothing great. I said I couldn’t pay much as 90% of them would be out to the curb by next week. He said to make an offer because they had to go. He also mentioned he had a couple more boxes in the basement that he would bring up and throw in if I took them all. After thinking a moment I said I would give him $20 and that I was basically doing his recycling for him. He agreed we loaded the car, he grabbed the other two boxes and put them in the trunk. At a glance they seemed to be full of the same type of stuff. Much to my surprise when I got home, I pulled this beautiful GI-61 Lockport Washington flask from the bottom of the one box he loaded. It is a stunning yellow/green color.

This to date is my very best find and will remain in my collection as a centerpiece for years to come. I had shared this find on the bottle pages on facebook but thought some of the readers here on your site that do not use facebook would enjoy reading about this as well. I have included some better pictures as well. Thanks for putting together such a great site and good luck on your own finds in the future!

Sincerely,

Dave Kam

Apple-Touch-IconADave, super congratulations. Stunning find! Thanks for sharing and by the way, you pictures are simply outstanding. Just love that color.

WT1Kam WT3Kam WT2Kam

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, Flasks, Historical Flasks | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Robertson’s Tonic Bitters – Austin, Texas

Posted on 4 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

RobertsonsScan

Robertson’s Tonic Bitters

Austin, Texas

Apple-Touch-IconAThe pontiled Robertson’s Tonic Bitters from Austin, Texas is another tough bitters with reportedly only two known examples in a private collection according to Texas bottle authority Brad Seigler. The rectangular aqua bottle is however listed in the Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham Bitters Bottles as:

R 80  ROBERTSON’S TONIC BITTERS

ROBERTSON’S / TONIC BITTERS // f // f // f //
Dr. Joseph W. Robertson   Austin, Texas
8 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 1 5/8 (6 1/2)
Rectangular, Aqua (and/or Amber), LTC, Metallic pontil mark, 1 sp, Extremely rare

Texas State Gazette: July 26, 1851: An invaluable remedy for all diseases arising from debilities. These bitters are prepared by the subscribers from a recipe kindly granted them by Dr. Joseph W. Robertson, of Austin, Texas. Dr. R’ has for many years used these bitters in his private practice; and their unparalleled success has so increased the demand for them that it is deemed necessary to extend their manufacture and distribute them all over the country. Certificates are necessary: Dr. R’s high standing is a sufficient guarantee.

These bitters are manufactured only by the subscribers, by whom they will be constantly kept for sale in quantities to suit purchasers. June 21, ’51. Gray & Duffau, Druggists, Austin.

“The old bitters list I was given had it listed as amber, and one of the examples I know of, was described to me as amber. Amber….aqua……I will take one of each please!”

Brad Siegler

RobeertsonsBittersAd1

Robertson’s Bitters advertisement – Texas State Gazette. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 13, Ed. 1, Saturday, November 13, 1852

As you can see above, there are a few advertising references that clearly state the brand, its merits and a Dr. Joseph R. Robertson who was quite well known in Austin. The house that he once lived in is the oldest extant frame structure in Austin. The building and its surroundings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. More information is listed below.

Dr. Joseph William Robertson

Joseph William Robertson was born on 22 February 1809 in South Carolina and came to Texas in 1836 and settled in Bastrop County. His wife was Lydia Lee Robertson (1819-1902). They had one child, Lydia M. Robertson (1855 – 1939).

Joseph was a medical doctor, educated at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He was a legislator from Bastrop County in the House of Representatives of the 4th Congress of the Republic of Texas. In Austin, he and his family purchased the 21 acres that had belonged to Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, French representative to the Republic of Texas. Here Dr. Robertson raised his family. Robertson was also Mayor of Austin in 1843-44. Dr. Robertson died on 08 August 1870.

The Robertson Family Home – French Legation Museum

RobertsonHouseFrenchLegationMuseum

The Robertson family home is now the French Legation Museum. The building and its surroundings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

The French Legation Museum began in 1841 as a private home built for the French chargé d’affaires, Alphonse Dubois to represent represent the French government in the new Republic of Texas. The property has had two other significant owners including Dr. Joseph Robertson, and the State of Texas who appointed the Daughters of the Republic of Texas the custodians of the property.

Father Odin held ownership of the property until 1847, when the house and surrounding land was sold to Moseley Baker. Baker in turn sold the property to South Carolina native Dr. Joseph W. Robertson in 1848, who hoped to run a girls’ school at the house. However, the plans for the academy did not succeed and the house became the Robertson family home. Dr. Robertson and his wife, Lydia Lee (or M) Robertson, their eleven children and nine enslaved workers lived at the site, which became known in Austin as Robertson Hill. The Robertson’s daughter, Lydia (Lillie) Robertson, lived in the home her entire life, nearly 84 years. Miss Robertson opened the house to the public, offering tours of what she called the “Old French Embassy.” Following the death of Miss Robertson, the house was sold to the state of Texas.

From History of Boggy Creek Farm – Mr. Smith met an untimely death at the hands of a “villainous overseer”: “We learn that a fatal difficulty took place between Mr. James Smith, near Austin, and a young Mr. Baker, in which the former received the contents of a pistol of which he died on Saturday night last.” (January 25, 1845). (Northern Standard, Clarksville). He was attended, in the 40 hours before death, by his doctor, Joseph Robertson, who bought the French Legation house and 21 acres formerly owned by the French Ambassador to the Republic of Texas, Alphonse Dubois de Saligny. Dr. Robertson also attended the birth of Elizabeth’s last child, Susan, who was born in August, 8 months after her father’s death (The charge for this delivery was $25.)

Francis  T. Duffau, Druggist – Austin, Texas

DuffauAd1

Advertisement for Francis T. Duffau, Drugs and Medicines – Austin, Texas. The Robertson’s Tonic Bitters was sold here according to the advertisement further above. – The Texas State Times (Austin, Tex.) Saturday, January 26, 1856

Scan of bottle illustration courtesy of Bill Ham
Posted in Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Texas Bitters List

Posted on 3 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Texas1866Map

TEXAS BITTERS LIST

03 July 2013 (R•031416) (R•032719) (R•090219)

Apple-Touch-IconAThis list is a work in progress. The intent is to document, research and list the very few known Texas Bitters. Hopefully more information and examples will be forthcoming.

Read More: Here are those four Texas Bitters

Stresau Bitters

Courtney, Texas

Front embossing F. Stresau and G. & F. Stresau – Courtney Texas – color run – Sparkman Collection

Reverse Embossing F. Stresau and G. & F. Stresau – Courtney Texas – color run – Sparkman Collection

Embossed F. STRESAU, COURTNEY, TEXAS, amber, 8-1/2″, Courtney, Texas
Embossed F. STRESAU, COURTNEY, TEXAS, aqua, 8-1/2″, Courtney, Texas
Embossed G & F. STRESAU, COURTNEY, TEXAS, amber, 8-1/2″, Courtney, Texas
Embossed G & F. STRESAU, COURTNEY, TEXAS, yellow amber, 8-1/2″, Courtney, Texas

These bottles are unlisted. Example supposedly found with a bitters label. Once this is confirmed, I will work with Bill Ham in assigningRing & Ham numbers to the bottles.

Read More: F. Stresau – A Texas Bitters (Courtney, Texas)

Heidelberg Bitters

Fort Worth, Texas

Heidelberg1

Front Label detail Heidelberg Phosphine Magenbitters, L. Eppstein & Son, Fort Worth, Texas

Heidelberg Bitters, Phosphine Magenbitter, L. Eppstein & Co., 9-1/2″ tall x 3″ square, paper label, amber, 9-1/2″, Fort Worth

Also Phosphine Magenbitter, L. Eppstein & Co., paper label, Same shape as Royal Pepsin Bitters, Fort Worth (no image or additional information)

H 76 L…Heidelberg Phosphine & Magen Bitters (Magenbitters)
L. Eppstein & Son   Fort Worth, Texas
9 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 (6 3/4)
Rectangular, Amber, DCM
Label: For nerves, stomach and brain. Creates appetite, promotes digestion, stimulates the system. Mild and safe invigorant. Cures disorders of the stomach. Entirely free from all injurious ingredients.

Labeled bitters only

Read More: Heidelberg Bitters – L. Eppstein & Son – Fort Worth, Texas

Heidenheimer Bitters

Galveston, Texas

HeidenheimerGrocers2

Heidenheimer Bitters, paper label, Galveston, Texas. No bottle picture available at this time. Once a picture or further documentation is obtained, a Ring and Ham number will be assigned.

Read More: The elusive Heidenheimer Bitters – Galveston, Texas

Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters

Galveston, Texas

YoungbloodsTonicBitters_Ad1

Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters, embossed with paper label, Galveston, Texas (Bottle picture not  available at this time)

Y 8  YOUNGBLOOD’S TONIC BITTERS
YOUNGBLOOD’S / TONIC / BITTERS // sp // f // sp //
9 3/4 x 3 3/8 x 2 1/8 (7 1/2) 3/8
Rectangular, Amber, NSC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Extremely rare
From Galveston, Texas

Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters

Read More: Youngblood’s Tonic Bitters – Galveston, Texas

Simmons’ American Hepattic Bitters

Navasota, Texas

SimmonsAmericanTrio

Simmons American Hepattic Bitters

Embossed SIMMONS. AMERICAN HEPATTIC BITTERS // MANUFACTURED BY W.P. BOULWARE & Co, amber, 8″, Navasota, Texas

S 106.5  SIMMONS AMERICAN HEPATTIC BITTERS
SIMMONS. AMERICAN / HEPATTIC BITTERS // NAVASOTA, TEXAS. // f / MANUFACTURIED / BY. W. P. BOULWARE & CO //
8 1/2 x 2 1/2 (5 3/8) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare
“POULWARE” should be “BOULWARE” misspelled
“HAVASOTA” should be “NAVASOTA” misspelled
Example was dug in Lynchburg, Texas, a town that settled so much it is under water.

Read More: The two embossed TEXAS Bitters

Simmons’ American Hepatic Bitters advertisement – Logan’s 1873 Railway Directory, St.Louis to Galveston

Texas Blood Purifier and Tonic Bitters

San Antonio, Texas

TexasBloodBittersTrio

T 13.5  Texas Blood Purifier and Tonic Bitters / R. L. Smith Proprietors, San Antonio, Texas

Texas Blood Purifier and Tonic Bitters, R. L. Smith Proprietor, amber, 9″, San Antonio, Texas

T 13.5   TEXAS BLOOD PURIFIER AND TONIC BITTERS
TEXAS / BLOOD PURIFIER // AND // TONIC BITTERS // R. L. SMITH / PROPRIETOR / SAN ANTONIO / TEXAS. // f //
9 7/8 x 2 3/4 (7 5/8) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely rare
T 14  TEXAS BLOOD PURIFIER AND TONIC BITTERS
TEXAS / BLOOD PURIFIER // AND // TONIC BITTERS // area with lettering removed showing plate mark with two round marks / SAN ANTONIO / TEXAS // f //
10 x 2 3/4 (7 1/2) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely rare
The A in Texas in the panel with San Antonio lacks cross bar.
This bottle was found under an old house being razed in downtown San Antonio.
T 14.5  TEXAS BLOOD PURIFIER AND TONIC BITTERS
TEXAS / BLOOD PURIFIER // AND // TONIC BITTERS // area with lettering removed showing plate mark with two round marks // R. L.  Smith /
10 1/2 x 2 3/4 (7 1/2) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely rare

Searching for more information and pictures.

TexasBloodPurifier&TonicBitters_Jackson

T 14  Texas Blood Purifier and Tonic Bitters / San Antonio, Texas

Read More:  The two embossed TEXAS Bitters

Dansby’s Cotton-Patch Bitters

Terrell, Texas

Dansby’s Cotton Patch Bitters advertisement – The Standard, Vol. 8, No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 11, 1887. (Clarksville, Texas)

Dansby’s Cotton-Patch Bitters

Read: Where is that Dansby’s Cotton-Patch Bitters from Terrell, Texas?

Robertson’s Tonic Bitters

Austin, Texas

RobertsonsScan

R 80  ROBERTSON’S TONIC BITTERS
ROBERTSON’S / TONIC BITTERS // f  // f // f //
Dr. Joseph W. Robertson   Austin, Texas
8 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 1 5/8 (6 1/2)
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, Metallic pontil mark, 1 sp, Extremely rare

Read More: Robertson’s Tonic Bitters – Austin, Texas

Old San Jacinto Bitters

Galveston, Texas

Old San Jacinto Bitters advertisement – The Galveston Daily News, Saturday, May 14, 1870

Samuel H. Gilman, Sole Patentee and Proprietor, Galveston, Texas (Unlisted)

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

Advertisement
O 49.5 OLD SAN JACINTO BITTERS, S. H. Gilman, Galveston, Texas
Samuel H. Gilman, Sole Patentee and Proprietor
The Galveston Daily News, Saturday, May 14, 1870

Shoe String Bitters

Ferris, Texas

We’ve never seen a Shoe String Bitters bottle as referenced in this trade card from Joe Gourd. Read: The Story of Ferris, Texas

Trade card
S 100.7 SHOE STRING BITTERS, Illustration of children and seesaw. Use S.S.B. Reverse: Ten reasons why Shoe String Bitters is the best medicine in the world. Prepared by A. J. Long, M.D., Ferris, Texas
Posted in Bitters, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The elusive Heidenheimer Bitters – Galveston, Texas

Posted on 3 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

PortOfGalvestonCover

Heidenheimer Bitters – Galveston, Texas

Sampson, Abraham and Isaac Heidenheimer

HeidenheimerAd1

Heidenheimer Brothers Wholesale Grocers advertisement – Galveston Daily News September 1, 1876

Apple-Touch-IconALong-time Texas bottle collector Doyle Bailey recently sent me a very short list of Texas bitters (see Texas Bitters list) that noted a paper labeled,  Heidenheimer Bitters from Galveston, Texas. I have never heard of this bitters or the name Heidenheimer and was surprised that the product came from Galveston. I also see no reference in any of the Ring and Ham listings.

Galveston is an incredible place if you have never been there before. Lots of history and very beautiful. The cover at the top of this post is emblematic of this island city that is so dwarfed by Houston.

I might as well tell you now, I can not find any pictures of the bottle or advertising that confirms the Heidenheimer Bitters product and I am working feverishly in that area. Stay tuned. Once we find confirmation, I will ask Bill Ham for a number.

GalvestonIsland1837

GALVESTON ISLAND

Galveston island (see 1837 map above) was named after Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez, Galveston’s first European settlements on the island were constructed around 1816. The Port of Galveston was established in 1825 by the Congress of Mexico following its successful independence from Spain. The city served as the main port for the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution and later served as the capital of the Republic of Texas.

During the 19th century, Galveston became a major U.S. commercial center and one of the largest ports in the United States. Galveston is known for the hurricane that devastated the city in 1900. The natural disaster that followed still counts as the deadliest in American history. (source Wikipedia)

HEIDENHEIMER

The story starts with the Heidenheimer’s in Archshofen, Germany. The family house including the parents and sons Hermann, David, Loeb and Joseph Heidenheimer was located in the front of the Tauber bridge. Between 1859 and 1891, seven men from the family emigrated to North America. The first to arrive in 1859, is Samson, a 17 year old butcher and son of David Heidenheimer, who settles in Galveston, Texas with property valued at 200 gulden.

When three of his uncles, as well as his two older brothers, Moses and Isaac, moved to North America in 1879, 16 year old Hermann then followed. The Heidenheimers were young, single Jewish men leaving for the United States to raise a family and to build a business. Their parents provided them with a small amount of start-up capital.

HEIDENHEIMER BROTHERS | HEIDENHEIMER & CO.

HeidenheimerGrocers2

The Heidenheimer Brothers operated one of the largest wholesale grocery companies in Texas at one time. According to local tradition, Sampson Heidenheimer (1834-1891) started the business in Galveston, prior to the Civil War, as a poor German youth working as a street vendor with only $2 in his pocket. When the Civil War broke out, he was the possessor of a few hundred dollars and managed to keep himself out of the army. He increased his wealth by judicious speculations and made one or two ventures in a small way in running the blockade with schooners loaded with cotton, which then brought fabulous prices.

HeidenheimerPostalCover

Heidenheimer Brothers postal envelope – Not dated, but this type of postal cover was manufactured between 1874 and 1886 – ebay

According to Galveston records, the company was firmly established in 1867, when the other brothers moved to Galveston from Virginia City, Montana. The other brothers were named Abraham Heidenheimer and Isaac Heidenheimer. I am not sure about the Virginia City part as it seems like they would have come straight from Germany to Galveston. In 1883, the company name changed to Heidenheimer and Company, and by 1887, Isaac was senior partner. Isaac also ran the firm of Hawley & Heidenheimer, importers of coffee and salt; co-owned a grocery store in Austin called Nelson, Davis and Company; owned a flour mill in Kansas; and owned a sugar plantation in Louisiana.

Hawley&HeidenheimerClip

Later Hawley and Heidenheimer clip – The port of Galveston and the State of Texas-1890 (see book cover at the top of this post)

SAMPSON HEIDENHEIMER BUILDING

HeidenheimerBuilding1877

Sampson Heidenheimer (Hunter) Building – 1877 – Galveston, Texas

In 1877, Sampson Heidenheimer built what is now called the Heidenheimer-Hunter Building (pictured above) in Galveston, which housed various wholesale groceries, until the building was purchased by Fred Hunter in 1920. Sampson also served as director of the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad. The town of Heidenheimer, Texas, grew up around railway station for the Santa Fe line and was thus named for the railroad’s director.

Sources: Jenkins, Mary. “Barker Center gets 19th Century grocery papers.” On Campus, Feb. 28-Mar. 6, 1983, p. 16., Heidenheimer Brothers Business Records, 1869-1881, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

The Heidenheimer Brothers Marine Building

HeidenheimerMarineBuilding

The Heidenheimer Brothers Marine Building – Galveston, Texas

HeidenheimerBuildingAddition

The Heidenheimer Brothers Marine Building addition – Galveston, Texas. You can see this addition in the early advertisement further above.

The Heidenheimer Brothers Marine Building – Built in 1877 by German immigrant Samson Heidenheimer, housed a number of wholesale and retail businesses. According to local tradition, Heidenheimer began business in Galveston prior to the Civil War as a street vendor, and during the war built up a lucrative business by dealing in cotton and blockade running. With his brothers, he opened a wholesale grocery business which operated under various names at this location until 1904. Suderman & Dolson Stevedores, a division of the Morgan Steamship Line, moved here in 1904, and during their occupancy the building was known as the Marine Building. The structure was sold to a New Orleans businessman, who lost it to a Houston bank in 1933. A member of the Heidenheimer family bought the property in 1941, and it changed hands several times in the succeeding years. An important commercial and historic landmark, the building underwent restoration in 1984-85. The two-story structure is of Victorian-era styling, with Italianate Hood molds on the second level and ogee arches on the first story. Features include corbelled detail and exaggerated style elements incorporated into the stuccoed masonry. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 1986

HEIDENHEIMER CASTLE

HeidenheimersCastlePlaque

Heidenheimer’s Castle historical plaque – Galveston, Texas

HeidenheimerCastleIllusHeidenheimer’s Castle – In 1857, John S Sydnor (1812 – 1869), former Galveston Mayor, built the original two story, eight room structure at this site. Samson Heidenheimer (1834 – 1891) bought it in 1884. The German-born Heidenheimer began with a $100 loan and built a fortune as a Confederate blockade runner. He was associated with Sydnor and his son Seabrook in an auction business. Heidenheimer enlarged the house to four stories and 37 rooms and added castle-like tower and turrets (pictured to left and further below). It changed owners many times after his death. Burned in 1973, and was razed in 1975.

HeidenheimerResidence1965

Heidenheimer Residence (Heidenheimer’s Castle) circa 1965, HABS/HAER photograph’

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Civil War, History, Liquor Merchant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The XR Celebrated Eagle Bitters – St. Louis

Posted on 2 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

C94_DCelebratedEagle3_FM5

CELEBRATED EAGLE BITTERS

LANGE & BERNECKER

ST LOUIS

(Julius Lange, Christian Knull and John L. Bernecker)

02 July 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAA really nice square; the Celebrated Eagle Bitters, closed on American Bottle Auctions | Auction 58 (see video) this past Sunday evening. It sold for a song considering how extremely rare the bottle is. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

C 94  CELEBRATED EAGLE BITTERS, Circa 1860’s
CELEBRATED / EAGLE BITTERS // LANGE & BERNECKER // sp // ST LOUIS //
9 x 2 3/4 (6 3/4)
Square, Amber and Olive, LTC, 4 sp, Extremely rare

The sale reminded me of my example so I pulled up my pictures for comparison (both examples are below). This prompted a search for information on Lange & Bernecker.

Lang&BerneckerLocation

Location ‘birds eye view’ Lange & Bernecker – “Pictorial St. Louis 1875”

1864 – 1875 – LANGE & BERNECKER, St. Louis, MO. 1865-1873, 193 North Main (1865), 202 North Main (1866), 713 North Main (1867), 615 North Second (1870-1873)

1867 & 1868 St. Louis City Directories – Lange & Bernecker (Julius Lange, Christian Knull and John L.Bernecker), manufacturer Eagle bitters, rectifiers and dealers in wines and liquors. 713 N. Main

1872 Advertisement Dubuque Herald – Mentions Celebrated Eagle Bourbon

1873 Houston Daily Mercury – “Around Austin, a day or two ago, who should we meet upon the Avenue but Capt. R. H. Toms of that sterling liquor house Lange & Bernecker, No. 615 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo.” … (see below) Mentions Celebrated Eagle Bourbon and Eagle Bitters.

EagleBitters_Houston Daily Mercury - Houston Tex - Nov 30 1873

The Eagle Bitters advertisement – Houston Daily Mercury – Houston, Texas – November 30, 1873

1885 – The industries of Saint Louis: her advantages, resources, facilities, and commercial relations as a center of trade and manufacture; (1885)

THE EXCELSIOR DISTILLING CO.

J. L, Bernecker, President; H. Dahman, Vice-President; L. F. Engel, Secretary; Re-distillers, Rectifiers for the trade and Wholesale Liquor Dealers; 615 North Second Street.

This house was founded in 1864 by J. L. Bernecker, and became, by incorporation, the
successor to that gentleman’s firm in 1S76. The company has a capital stock of $50,000,
which sum gives a fair idea of what its business is.

The Excelsior Company does an exclusively city jobbing business, and sells almost
altogether for cash, asking for itself no credit whatever. Twenty-one years honorable and
liberal transactions have grounded it well in the confidence and esteem of the trade here-
abouts.

Lange&BerneckerAd2_Dubuque

Lange & Bernecker Wines & Liquors advertisement – Dubuque Herald, October 26, 1872

Lange&Bernecker1_HoustonDaily1873

Mention of Lange & Bernecker – Houston Daily Mercury (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 42, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 25, 1873

CelebratedEagle1_ABA58

CELEBRATED EAGLE BITTERS LANGE AND BERNECKER ST LOUIS. 9”. Ring/Ham C94. Applied top, smooth base. We know very little about these bottles although we did sell one before. This example was found in Nebraska and was held onto for a number of decades. We had it cleaned as it was a bit stained as a lot of the St. Louis bottles are. Could be the soil or the glass or both. At any rate, it came out beautifully and this one is loaded with whittle and loads of character. Open bubble as seen in the pictures and video. Here is one you are going to like. Grades a 9.6 and shines like a million dollars. – American Bottle Auctions | Auction 58

CelebratedEagle2_ABA58

CELEBRATED EAGLE BITTERS LANGE AND BERNECKER ST LOUIS. 9”. Ring/Ham C94. Applied top, smooth base. We know very little about these bottles although we did sell one before. This example was found in Nebraska and was held onto for a number of decades. We had it cleaned as it was a bit stained as a lot of the St. Louis bottles are. Could be the soil or the glass or both. At any rate, it came out beautifully and this one is loaded with whittle and loads of character. Open bubble as seen in the pictures and video. Here is one you are going to like. Grades a 9.6 and shines like a million dollars. – American Bottle Auctions | Auction 58

C94 CelebratedEagle_FM5

Celebrated Eagle Bitters – Meyer Collection

C94CelebratedEagle2_FM5

Celebrated Eagle Bitters – Meyer Collection

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, History, Liquor Merchant, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mailbox Letters – July 2013

Posted on 1 July 2013 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.

American Life Bitters – Omaha Variant Found?

Hello, would you know of anybody that might be interested in the P. E. ILER BITTERS BOTTLE in the pictures? Thanks!!

There are no chips, cracks or breaks in it, it is ‘in found condition’ and has not been professionally cleaned.  I found it back in the sixty’s on an old coal mine property that my Dad had bought.  Where are you located? What other than actual physical contact with it can I tell you or take pictures of to send you?  What would you be willing to offer for it?

PRG: I have asked for more pictures and a shot with the bottle and a current newspaper first page.

Bottle Cap Container

BottleCapContainer

Hello, Recently, my husband brought home a load of stuff from his mothers attic in Chicago. I have been tripping over it in my garage and wondered if there is any value or someone who might appreciate it more than I do. I found your sight and the photo with a cap like ours. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you, Stacey Korycki

Antique Bottles For Sale in New Hampshire

Could anyone in your organization direct me to someone in my area from who I could get an estimate of value of a small collection of antique bottles collected by my now deceased father? I would also be interested in the names of anyone who might be interested in buying the bottles as I am now 75 myself and can no longer keep them. I live in Nashua, New Hampshire. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Nancy Gervais

Nancy: What kind of bottles? Do you have any pictures? That will help with my answer. Thanks. Ferdinand

Unfortunately, being 75, I have no skill at taking photos and then sending them via email. They are roughly all small bottles like the size of the old fashioned glass coke bottles, and in some different colors. Could you give me any names of someone in the Nashua or Manchester, NH, area (where your convention just was — I couldn’t attend, unfortunately, to try and find someone)? Sorry about the picture problem.

Thanks….Nancy

Question from Australia

WoodyGreen

I’m an antique bottle collector in Australia. I recently came across your website by accident and was very impressed. It’s already one of my favourites. Browsing your photo gallery I noticed one photo attributed to Woody Douglas and titled “Gorgeous Swirled Flasks and Bottles”. One of the bottles pictured (the tall one on the left) is I think quite rare and of particular interest to me as a collector of 18th to early 19th century French bottles. Is there any way I could contact Mr Douglas for the dimensions, weight and volume of his bottle? Assuming he doesn’t want to sell it of course. I have a very similar, slightly earlier example but I’m very interested in the evolution of this specific bottle type.

Kind regards Tim Eldridge Fern Tree, Tasmania Australia

Crate of Perrier Bottles

CratePerrier

PerrierStrawSolo

Ferdinand and Elizabeth

I would like to sell a case of Perrier water bottles packed in straw in their original wooden case. I bought this case 35 years ago at an attic sale at MoRanch in Hunt, Texas. This was the ranch of Moran the founder of Continental Oil. In the early fifties the ranch was sold to the Presbyterian church after Mr. Moran’s death. These bottles date to the forties I believe. I have never disturbed the straw and the bottles are unopened and still about half full. I live in Houston, Texas. Can you help me find a buyer and give me some idea of value.

Thank you.

My contact info is:
Monroe Luther
101 Westcott #1403
Houston, Texas 77007
713-882-8762
EagleTexas@aol.com

Urbana Wine Company Bottle Question

urbanawineHi, I am seeking information about the bottle to the left. I took it to the Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa, and they recommended that I try to “hunt around on the web for information.” I found your e-mail address connected to an ad for a bottle show near the Finger Lakes.

By coincidence, I was able to find a reference to the bottle, with photo, on the internet. Please go to the following website for that, http://www.sha.org/bottle/wine.htm where the following information, including photograph, is available. But note that this info is actually quite incomplete and rather speculative.

Spirits shapes used for wine: Occasionally, shapes closely identified with containing spirits were used for wine (and likely vice versa). One example is pictured to the left which is the shape of the “Tall, Square Long-necked Spirits bottle” covered in that section of the Liquor/Spirits bottle page.

This bottle is machine-made and body embossed with URBANA WINE CO. INC. and a city in New York which can not be read. (Apologies for the poor images which were off of eBay®.) The base (base view) is embossed with the makers mark of an “H” in a triangle indicating manufacture by J. T. & A. Hamilton (Pittsburgh, PA.) who were in business from 1884 to 1943 (Toulouse 1971). However, this bottle most likely dates from around 1915 to 1919 (Prohibition) though could also have been a “medicinal” wine product produced during Prohibition, i.e., the 1920s.

Regarding the winery itself, I found the following info elsewhere on the web:

Founded by John W. Davis, H.H. Cook, A.J. Startzer and others in 1865, the Urbana Wine Company was among the earliest and most successful wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Organized in Hammondsport, N.Y., the center of the eastern wine industry, Urbana’s claim to fame was its widely popular Gold Seal Champagne and other sparkling wines and along with Walter Taylor, they dominated regional wine production during the Gilded Age. The winery survived passage of Prohibition in 1919 , both World Wars operating under the Gold Seal label, but was closed by its parent company, Seagrams, in 1984. The Urbana Records are concentrated in the period 1881-1885, as the company was growing rapidly. Among other materials, the collection includes a range of correspondence, receipts, some financial records, and tallies of grapes. Additional material on the company is located in Cornell University’s Eastern Wine and Grape Archive.

Please note that my bottle is in much better condition. On my bottle, the embossing is very clear and unworn, and reads: Urbana Wine Co. Inc. over Hammondsport NY, which is where the winery was. My bottle is in excellent condition, with the exception of a very, very small, tiny barely bigger than a flea bite chip on the top at the lip.

I would appreciate any information you could provide about the bottle regarding age, origin / manufacture, and value. Feel free to speculate. I believe I’ve got a rather rare bottle here, but am not sure as I am not a bottle expert. Please let me know aht you think.

THANK YOU.

Peter

Antique cobalt blue poison bottle

PoisonBottleBenIcia

Dear Elizabeth & Ferdinand:

I came across your web page while investigating the iridescence of bottles. I have
listed a beautiful specimen (certainly in my eyes!) in my Etsy shop and thought I
would share it with you. If you would like a high quality photos I would be more
than happy to email you one.

Antique cobalt blue poison bottle, ribbed bottle, discoloured, oxidised, iridescence, opalescence, Benicia, patina

Cheers
Darren

Read More: Benicia Iridescence and Patina on Bottles – Not a Sick Bottle

Posted in Advice, Poison Bottles, Questions, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Dose – July 2013

Posted on 1 July 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

J u l y   2 0 1 3

Some ramblings and thoughts.

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

BakersPremiumBittersAd1

Bakers Premium Bitters (Richmond, Virginia) post updated with new information from Elijiah Baker’s great, great granddaughter.

Flask3x

Let’s keep an eye out for Jim Benders pink Double Eagle with Wreath (GII-126). So far, there were NO thefts reported at Manchester.

HatManTallTop

The Spotted on the floor at the Manchester National post was updated with four new pictures at the bottom of the post.

vonhumboldtsDale

Check out this great bottle*! “I thought I would send a photo of my second Alex Von Humboldt’s (Bitters). Intense crudity, and mint condition. It looks beautiful next to my green example. These early western squares date to the late 1860s, and are very rare. I believe there are about 10 or so in collections with very few being undamaged. These are true pieces of western history.” – Dale M.

*The bottle was dug in Hamilton, Nevada in the late 1960s and has been in one collection ever since until recently.

Sunday, 28 July 2013

KeeneWidemouthSunburstFlask

Sorry, slammed with trying to get the designs ready for the September | October issue of Bottles and Extras. Been working non stop. Sandor sent me a pic of his new Keene widemouth Sunburst flask. Killer. He won this at the Manchester auction event.

Which cover design do you like for the next issue?

B&ECover_SepOct13

Thursday, 25 July 2013

WaltersTall

Headed off to Atlanta. Had fun with the “People in the Crowd” post. Look for upcoming posts on the killer Walters bottle (pictured above) from Baltimore and the extremely rare Moxie Bitters which was spotted in Manchester.

I know some of you may want to know what killer bottles were spotted in Manchester. I will develop a post on that topic.

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Added example of Stillman & Breen figural barrel to related post.

Stillman&Breen_Faulkenberry

Working to get as many Manchester pictures out as I can.

FOHBCFaceBookArt

IMPORTANT: If you were at the show, I am looking for comments and constructive critique (paragraph or two) for the Feature Article in the September | October issue of Bottles and Extras. I need by this Friday. E-mail to ferdinand@peachridgeglass.com. Thanks.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

ScottSelenak2013_FM_10

Working my way thru hundreds of really fine pictures by Scott Selenak, FOHBC Manchester Show Photographer. Scott would shoot all day (Friday thru Sunday) and download to my laptop periodically. Today I will be sending out emails to attendees for comments to potentially be included in the September | October issue of Bottles and Extras.

Showroom_Empty

I aim today to start looking at pictures from Dealer set-up and early admission on Saturday. Look for a post.

Monday, 22 July 2013

WinnerWhim

Wow, what a weekend. The 2013 National Antique Bottle Show is over. We are already deep in planning for the 2014 show in Lexington, Kentucky. I have so much news, so many great pictures of glass and had so much fun. Going to catch this bird to Houston thru New York. Stay tuned. The first image galleries from Friday are posted.

Read: 2013 Bottle Battle Highlights

Read: 2013 Manchester Banquet Picture Gallery

Thursday, 18 July 2013

IMG_4543

4:00 am and leaving Fort Wayne within the hour for a drive to Cleveland to meet Elizabeth who is coming up from Houston. Then on to Manchester for the national. Had a chance last night to visit Frank Wicker in Lisbon, Indiana. Saw some wonderful glass and cars. Look for a post later. Pony Bitters post also in the works. New pics just coming in from St. Louis. Nice to know that Jack Hewitt ended up with that Duffy’s Crescent Saloon cobalt blue figural pig from Louisville. Remember, that the pig that showed up on ebay recently with the LOW Buy-It-Now option.

JacksLouisvillePig

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

BerkshireMouthAdd?

Off to Fort Wayne, Cleveland than Manchester, NH for the show. Mark Warne tipped me off on this Berkshire Bitters on ebay. Mark is probably the best ebay user and scout I know. Mark adds, “The Berkshire Bitters on ebay should have a ground top. My computer isn’t the best but I see a replaced glued on top.” See Listing

Monday, 15 July 2013

PonyBittersGroup

A few of St. Louis’ best posted by Ellen Haas Faulkenberry. How many of you remember the Pony Bitters on ebay 8 or 9 years ago? Had a chance to see and hold that one-of-a-kind bottle at the Collinsville National.

Sunday, 14 July 2013

JACKASSJeans

Need to pack bottles today for the Manchester, NH national, finalize FOHBC Board meeting agenda and do a Fed Newsletter for issuance Monday. Going to take a river run with the dogs here shortly. Oh, the picture above…just how I feel sometimes.

Talked to Michael Seeliger (Wisconsin) yesterday. He’s coming down next month to see the collection, do bottle color measurements, hit the Houston Bottle Show and visit Dan Cowman. Loking forward.

Friday, 12 July 2014

PeoplesDrugStore10

SUPERB IMAGERY ** High Definition photo restorations of vintage pictures from the Library of Congress. Pictures from various states from the late 1800’s, amazing shots of life back then.

Thursday, 11 July 2013

ManchesterProgramCover

Manchester Show Program Sneak Peek Read: Kovels.com’s Top 10 Antiques and Collectibles Searches for June 2013

Tuesday, 09 July 2013

BaltoGlassWorks Thought some might find this of interest. This was in the Jefferson Spirit (Charles Town, WV), July 10, 1866. – Robert Moore

AntiquemanaDiary

QuestionPicto1QUESTION Who was the Princeton Student who sold glass flasks at the time of Volstead Act to Delaware collector for $8,000 and started the mania for bottle collecting? Antiqueman’s Diary: The Memoirs of Fred Bishop Tuck edited  by Dean A. Fales, pp. 138-140 Thank you for your help. Sincerely Mary Boehm

Sunday, 06 July 2013

ManchesterWebWidget

It’s hard to believe that the FOHBC 2013 National Antique Bottle Show is only two weeks away! Incredible amount of excitement surrounding this event that has been in the works for so long. You can visit the FOHBC web site for all of the latest news and the schedule of events, Bottle Battle, auction, seminars, banquet, members meeting, hotel information, parking etc.

Friday, 05 July 2013

MattLacyFlasks

Hi Ferdinand,

This is Matt Lacy from Austinburg, Ohio. I just wanted to drop a quick note that I have a number of quality bottles for sale at www.antiquebottlesales.com. I just put on 5 quality flasks today and have many more to come. I will be listing more flasks, bitters, and pontil medicines over the coming weeks. I am trying to get the word out about my site, but there is no “easy” way to do that besides word of mouth and help from an established site ;).

Thanks, Matt

An Invite To Fellow Bottle Club Members: In an effort to continue a great idea originated by Tom Kanalley, we are putting together a one day outdoor mini summer bottle/antique show on Saturday, July 13th, 2013 (9am – ?) at the Peddler’s Antique Shop in Bloomfield, New York. This mini show will be held on the same day as the very popular “Bloomfield” St. Peter’s Annual Antique Show (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) held at Elton Park in the center of the village of Bloomfield, NY. Peddler’s Antique Shop is located about a mile east of the St. Peter’s Show at 6980 State Route 5 & 20 which is busy road and will be especially busy on that day with the St. Peter’s Antique show and other garage/yard sales that are held on that weekend. DETAILS: Set-up is FREE and will be outdoors. You will have to bring your own tables, tent, chairs, drinks, etc. We are planning on bringing a grill to barbecue some hotdogs and hamburgers at lunch time. Feel free but not obligated to bring a dish to pass or snacks. We would like to invite bottle club members from all area bottle clubs to come set-up with us. Please RSVP to Aaron Weber by Sunday, July 7th, 2013 so we can determine how many hotdogs and hamburgers to bring. RSVP to 585.226.6345 or awebby@frontiernet.net. Aaron and Pam Weber

Thursday, 04 July 2013

IndependenceDayRide

Happy Independence Day everyone. Grilling on the barbie; steaks, shrimp, fish, Polish sausage and more. Totally engrossed in Texas Bitters at the moment. Shifting gears later to  a GREAT Chicago bottle with a handle that just joined my collection.

AlligatorOilBlackingART

Cool newspaper advertising ART for Alligator Oil Blacking – J. W. Benedict – Galveston, Texas – The Texas State Times (Austin, Tex.) Saturday, January 26, 1856

Wednesday, 03 July 2013

HeidenheimerAd1

Caught a 6:14 am bird out of Louisville this morning. I will be glad when the jets I fly are internet connected. Some airlines have started but it hasn’t caught up to my flights yet. I could get so much done. Been wracking my head over a lead on a Heidenheimer Bitters from Galveston, Texas. Need a bottle picture and an advertisement specifically saying Heidenheimer Bitters within the advertisement.

CherokeeBrewingCoSL_Illus

Found this cool illustration for Cherokee Brewing Company in St. Louis. Was in virtual Saint Louis for the Celebrated Eagle Bitters post.

Tuesday, 02 July 2013

KellysGreen1

Trying to confirm if this is a Brad Francis Kelly’s Old Cabin Bitters. (Update: Yes it is) Haven’t seen before but heard about. Not best to take a [picture of a green bottle in front of grass and trees, at least if you want to get a true sense of the color. Just love that ‘lava flow’ sloppy glass coming off the mouth, down the neck and onto the roof. Read More: Log Cabin Series – Kelly’s Old Cabin Bitters

Kellys2green

Monday, 01 July 2013

Just getting into my hotel room in Louisville. Caught an early bird out of Bush this morning. Wanting to review the American Bottle Auction results. Working on my new laptop as I fried my old one with milk spilled from my cereal bowl this past Friday.

AM_Bininger_NoAddressABA

Sometimes I wish I collected Bininger bottles. I have a few but wow-o-wow do I love these squares. Three extraordinary A.M. BININGER & CO NEW YORK bottles in different colors showing up in American Bottle Auctions | Auction 58. Each example does not have an address. SEE MORE BININGER’S

DarkBlueScroll_ABA58

From ABA… SCROLL FLASK. Probably GIX-2. 9. Quart with sheared lip and open pontil. Here is one of the finest scrolls we’ve handled in our twenty years of business. Open pontil, sheared lip, this is what collectors are looking for. A brilliant deep blue, the color becomes a little lighter on the opposite side and for sheer overall appearance, this one really lights up a room. Condition is perfect with only base wear to remind us of its historic past. This bottle was part of the California whiskey collection kept in boxes for the last 40 or so years. He told us that it was his wife’s favorite bottle. We kind of like it, too. Grade is 9.8. Winning Bid: $17,000 American Bottle Auctions Auction 58 Read More: Who doesn’t love Scroll Flasks?

ABABlueGreenDrakes1

ABA Drake’s Plantation Bitters example added to The “Blue-Green” Drakes Mystery post.

Posted in Bitters, Daily Dose, Historical Flasks | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment