Carlyn Ring – An Interview with Martha Stewart

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Apple-Touch-IconAGreat Video. “A Complete Collection of Antique Bitters Bottles” – Martha Stewart and Carlyn Ring looks at Carlyn Rings antique bitter bottles collection. The rare and unusual styles in the collection showcase a history of American glass making and early medical remedies containing alcohol. A big shout-out and thanks to Jeff Burkhardt who says “I just stumbled across this video, Martha Steward interviewing Carlyn Ring on collecting Bitters…done after she sold out to (Jim) Hagenbuch and (Bill) Ham. Well done and she mentions the FEDERATION.

Read More: Carlyn Ring Collection: First Offering of 143 Bottles – Part 1

Read More: Carlyn Ring Collection: Second Offering of 121 Bottles – Part 2

Posted in Advice, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, News | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Alfred Speer and his Raised Sidewalk & Standard Wine Bitters

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Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters – Hudson NY Evening Register 1869

Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters

Speer’s vineyard and wine business started on a small scale, with the vineyard expanding until it was “the largest in the State, containing over five miles of driveways, and over five hundred miles of wire.” The business operated as two separate companies known as Speer’s New Jersey Wine company and Speer’s Vine Culture Company, with offices in Passaic, New Jersey and New York, New York. 

Apple-Touch-IconAThe advertisement above for Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters, yet again, caught my attention and sparked my interest as I was unfamiliar with this Bitters brand. As primarily a collector of embossed bitters bottles, it is interesting to go back and look at some of the early examples of labeled bitters. This brand alone had a 25.49% alcohol content which is quite potent. Basically there is an untold story within every bottle and behind every label, some easier to find than others. In this case I was just amazed with Alfred Speer and what he accomplished in his lifetime. Make sure you read about Alfred’s “Sidewalk in the Sky” further below.

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Alfred Speer’s advertisement from the New York Lancet: With which is Incorporated the Archives of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Pediatrics, Issue 1 – J.B. Flint, 1899

The Carlyn Ring and W. C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles (S 158) and Bitters Bottle Supplement (S 165.5) is as follows:

S 158  Sample Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters Passaic, N.J.
Alfred Speer, Principal Offices, 243 Broadway, New York
3 1/2 x 1 1/4 (2)
Round, Aqua NSC
S 156.5 L…Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters, from after the first day of January 1868, every bottle of Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters will have my signature over the cork and on this additional label. (signed) Alfred Speer, Passaic, N.J.
12 x 2 3/4
Round, Green, DLTC, Applied mouth
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Alfred Speer, President signature on every bottle – New Jersey Bottle Forum

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Labeled Speer’s Wine Bitters; this in a fifth gallon size, bottled in an Ellenville Glass Works base-embossed spirits bottle. Dated January, 1868 on its secondary label, the bottle is in a medium amber with a hint of green. Unfortunately, the bitters was bottled at a time when many labels were printed on dark colored stock, this in a rich maroon, and it is difficult to read the details clearly. The bold word, Speer’s, sits atop a ribbon with the word, Standard in the top with folds draping down over a large three story buliding, the six folds each describing the contents, ‘Pure’ is the only word I think I can make out. Beneath the building is ___Street(?) Passaic N.J. Under the large Wine Bitters is ‘A Speer Passaic N.J.’ Finally, ‘Sale ____2_3 Broadway NY’. – James Becker

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Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters Alcohol StrengthCincinnati Lancet and Observer, Volume 35 – 1874

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Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters advertisement – 1869 Gettysburg Compiler

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Speer’s Standard Wine Bitters advertisementBoston Daily Evening Transcript – July 9, 1868

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Speer’s Wine amber quart and label detail – New Jersey Bottle Forum

Alfred Speer – Furniture Maker, Grape Grower and Inventor

Alfred Speer was born November 2, 1823 in New Jersey to a local family of Dutch ancestry. Typical of many young men of the early nineteenth century, Alfred obtained the usual grammar school education common to that period. As a teenager, he became apprenticed to a cabinetmaker in Newark, New Jersey while his inquisitive and inventive skills developed. During his apprenticeship, William NELSON stated that Alfred “made a camera, from descriptions he had read, and took some of the first daguerreotypes seen in Newark.” Completing his apprenticeship, he moved to Acquackanonk Township, now the present day Passaic, and established his own cabinet and furniture shop. He must have valued the furniture he made because a few pieces are mentioned in his will, one piece being described as “one mahogany bookcase, that I made in 1854 with ground glass doors, which I give and bequeath to my son, Colonel Morgan.”

Speer’s vineyard and wine business started on a small scale, with the vineyard expanding until it was “the largest in the State, containing over five miles of driveways, and over five hundred miles of wire.” The business operated as two separate companies known as Speer’s New Jersey Wine company and Speer’s Vine Culture Company, with offices in Passaic, New Jersey and New York, New York. One could go to the warehouse and purchase a bottle of “Speer’s Passaic Port Wine.” The companies included vineyards and vaults in Passaic, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California. (see below for source)

Read: ALFRED SPEER: PASSAIC VINTNER, PUBLISHER, AND INVENTOR

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Labeled Climax Superior Vintage Brandy – The Speer Wine Co. – New Jersey Bottle Forum

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Alfred Speer obituaryNew York Times February 17, 1910

Alfred Speer’s Sidewalk in the Sky

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Pictured above is a bold solution to a growing congestion problem on Broadway circa 1873. When Alfred Speer, a wine merchant and inventor from Passaic opened a store on Broadway near City Hall, he found pedestrians, delivery carts, and omnibus traffic all chaotically jockeying for position on the crowded thoroughfare. Although streetcar companies were allowed to lay rails north of 14th Street, pressure from local property owners and the omnibus operators, who held a monopoly on mass transit downtown, kept more efficient mass transit methods out. All Ways NY

Posted in Advertising, Art & Architecture, Bitters, History, Liquor Merchant, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Duncan Edwards Crown Bitters – English or American?

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Duncan Edwards Crown Bitters – English or American?

18 May 2013 (032019)

Apple-Touch-IconABill Heatley, who I respect a lot, has listed his Duncan Edwards Crown Bitters on ebay (see listing) after an absence of a year or so. He actually dug this bottle in Flint, Michigan in 2007. This bottle was offered to me a few years back and though the bottle is spectacular, I just could not get past the strong English influence which held me back from purchasing the bottle. Did I make a mistake? Though I do have a few English, Canadian, Australian and German bitters, I usually draw the line simply because I prefer American bitters. You have to admit though, the story behind this bottle is quite interesting.

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Duncan Edwards Crown Bitters in found condition – Bill Heatley

Bill Ham in Bitters Bottles lists this as extremely rare, and notes that amber shards were used to reconstruct the only know listed example. Bill Heatley has done some research and claims that this was a bottle made in the United States. Very interesting. Let’s see. Bills ebay listing:

EXCEPTIONAL (Only undamaged one known) E-24 DR DUNCAN EDWARDS CROWN BITTERS

There are only two of these 9 1/4″ bottles known. I spoke with Bill Ham and he consulted Carlyn Ring’s notes– she wrote that the only example known (at that time) was dug in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1974, and repaired. I dug this bottle in Flint, Michigan in 2007. It has absolutely NO damage and is ready to display. There is no stain whatsoever, in or on the glass. Elmer Ogg gave it a very light polish (only) and you can see the obvious results. The olive coloration is spectacular. The embossing is bold and there is no “waxy” appearance of the glass. The chamfered edges redirect your gaze, from one 2 10/16″ panel to another.

There has not been any type of sanding, repairing, filling, use of any resins or epoxies of any sort on this bottle. I washed it, Elmer tumbled it.

This ia an American bitters, regardless of what the embossing reflects. Dr. Harrison T. Chamberlin of Brockport, New York filed the Trademark registration below and was granted Certificate #3518, on March 21, 1876, for his bottle.

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Listing for a Tonic Bitters with the words “Crown Bitters” and a picture of a Crown – An Illustrated Monthly Trade Journal of Materia Medica, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Volume 5 by Horatio C. Wood – 1876

The applied finish lip on this bottle is distinctly American. The vent dimple is reflective of many early Northeastern bottles of the time. You have seen many, many American bottles with these features, what about British bottles? It is conjectured that Dr. Chamberlin was attempting to cash in on the marketing strategy of a high-end British bitters, imported to the U.S., all-the-while having the bottle produced in America. A little bit of hood-winkery. British bitter collectors I have spoken to have never heard of the bottle, or brand of bitter.

Dr Chamberlin also had patent # 205,353 granted to him on June 25, 1878 PATENT (see below).

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Chamberlain Patent. Am I missing something here? This is for a vaginal syringe?

This exquisitely designed and hand-blown bottle has two additional items on it, to catch the eye of the discerning beholder. The letter S in the word Bitters (on the crown) was carved backwards, in to the mold. This caused an error on the bottle, which was probably too cost-prohibitive to correct. The second item is a “crease” (for lack of a better word) in the glass, near the front heel. There is a definite area void of glass and it adds just a touch of crudity to the bottle and truly appeals to the glass purist.

If this auction does not meet/exceed my reserve price, the bottle will go back in a box. I have struggled (since I dug it) with the idea of selling it (it IS a wonderful bottle) but I do not collect bitters and would prefer that someone who does, put this one on display.

Do not miss your opportunity to own this one of a kind, museum quality bottle.

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

E 24  Doctor Duncan Edwards Crown Biters
DOCTOR ( au ) DUNCAN EDWARDS ( au ) / motif crown with English seal CROWN (above) BITTERS (Below) // LONDON / England // f // f // f //
9 1/4 x 2 3/4 (7 1/2)
Square, Amber, Extremely rare
Found in pieces and restored
Trade Mark, Harrison T. Chamberlain, Brockport, N.Y., March 3, 1876

I can not find any more information on the bottle though I will send this post to my UK and Australia contacts. I suspect it was imported but in this case, I think it would make a nice addition to my collection. Besides being a great looking bottle, it has mystery, is extremely rare and was found here in the ground in America, twice.

Left to Right: Mishler’s Herb Bitters, Peruvian Bitters, Duncan Edwards Crown Bitters, figural whiskey corn and Constitution Beverage bitters – Eib Colletion


“DOCTOR / DUNCAN EDWARDS” / (motif of large Crown) / “CROWN / BITTERS” (inside crown) / “LONDON / ENGLAND”, America, probably 1877 – 1885. Yellowish honey amber with a very slight olive tone, square with beveled corners, tooled square collar – smooth base, ht. 9 ¼”, near mint; (lightly cleaned to original luster). R/H #E24. A great rarity – one of only 2 intact examples, and believed to be from Brockport, NY. See AB&GC, March, 2019; Peachridge Glass, 2013. In addition to the bitters being patented by Dr. Harrison T. Chamberlain, of Brockport, NY, all three known examples were found in the US. A fantastic pictorial bitters having the large embossed crown, beautiful, syrupy color – almost a butterscotch coloration with a hint of olive. It is without question, very rare. Prior to this example coming to light, only one other intact example, as well as one in pieces, were known.


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An advertisement for an unlisted Clayton’s Celebrated Rheumatic Bitters

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Product Infringement?

An advertisement for an unlisted Clayton’s Celebrated Rheumatic Bitters

17 May 2013 (R•021514) (R•2-122720)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile perusing Pittsburgh Directories in the late 1850s and 1860s for Zingari Bitters, I can across an advertisement (on the same page as the Zingari’s ad) for Clayton’s Celebrated Rheumatic Bitters and Liniment (below) put out by William Clayton & Son (William Clayton & C. E. Clayton).

I didn’t recall this specific brand although I was aware of Clayton & Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters and wanted to see if there was a relationship. Hmmmm…. sure sounds like a Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. Usually, when an advertisement, more than a listing, occurs in a city directory, it means that a product is trying to get a lot of attention or is popular. I wonder what this bottle looks like? It is also interesting that there are no previous listings in any of the Bitters books that mention the bitters noted in the advertisement.

Read: Jacob & David Hostetter – Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters

[updated 22 May 2013] New listing provided by Bill Ham for Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

Advertisement
C 170.5  CLAYTON’S CELEBRATED RHEUMATIC BITTERS AND LINIMENT, Wm. Clayton and Son, Wholesale and Retail Liquor Merchants, No. 37 Diamond Alley, Pittsburgh
Leisure Hours, (Pittsburgh Quarterly), Volume 1, December 1858, Pittsburgh
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Here is the advertisement that first got me interested in this post. Clayton’s Celebrated Rheumatic Bitters and Liniment advertisement – Leisure Hours (Pittsburgh Quarterly), Volume 1, December 1858 – Pittsburgh

Obviously, the time period here is far enough apart to dictate that Clayton’s Celebrated Rheumatic Bitters be considered as unlisted in Bitters Bottles and the Bitters Bottle Supplement. This is most likely a predecessor to the listed label only, Clayton & Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing for the later, Clayton and Russell’s is as follows:

C 170  L…Clayton & Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters
// b // A & CO.
Registered by S.R. Adams, Sole Proprietor
8 3/4 x 2 3/4 (6 1/2) 1/2
Square, Amber
Label: This bottle is embossed by the glass manufacture on the base of the bottle. Its reads A & Co. which stands for the John Agnew and Co., Pittsburgh, PA. The bottle label reads as follows CLAYTON & RUSSELL’S / CELEBRATED / STOMACH / BITTERS. (Has a picture of a nude man fighting with a two headed animal). Revised Trademark Formula / Alcohol 37 per cent / The Bitters of Clayton & Russell will be found a highly aromatic liquid and entirely free from any injurious substances. The herbs roots and barks used are possessed of active medicinal propitious and are well known. Standard remedies in the medical practice of the day. This preparation will be of great benefit in malarial districts as a reliable invigorant and tonic. Guaranteed by Adams & Co. MFG. under the food and drugs act. June 30th 1906. Serial number 2736. [Label information from Frank Wicker at Bottle Pickers]
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Labeled Clayton & Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters (center) – photo source unknown

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Listing for William Clayton, Liquor Merchant, No. 37 Diamond Alley – Pittsburgh Directory By R.L. Polk & Co – 1860 – 61

I was quickly able to pinpoint a William Clayton as a Liquor Merchant in an 1860 Pittsburgh directory (see above). Other directories of this era support the finding. Pre-Pro.com actually lists him only in an 1870 directory in Pittsburgh.

My next ‘hit’ was a posting by Frank Wicker over at Bottle Pickers. Frank actually has a later, labeled, Clayton and Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters bottle (pictured at the top of this post). Frank goes on to post about a product infringement legal case between Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters and Clayton & Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. Imagine that! Both illustrations show a man fighting a dragon though Clayton & Russell’s illustration looks more like a giant crustacean.

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1881 – The Federal Reporter: Cases Argued and Determined in the Circuit and District Courts of the United States, Volumes 9-10

Hostetter & Smith v. S. R. Adams

On Feb 18, 1882, in the Circuit Court S.D. New York for product infringement the Hostetter’s Company felt that the “Clayton & Russell’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters” bottle was designed to imitate the looks of one of the types of Hostetter’s labels and bottle styles. That the Clayton & Russell’s was manufactured to solely imitate the looks of the bottle and to deceive the customer into believing that they were purchasing the Famous Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. Hostetter’s Company sued over the words “Celebrated Stomach Bitters”. They were the sole owners of the label and trademark of the bottle. S. R. Adam’s was the sole proprietor of his company. The top photograph in this post shows the subject bottles and labels.

Read More: Saint George the Dragon Slayer – Not only on Hostetter’s

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Wm. McCully & Co. advertisement – Pittsburgh Directory By R.L. Polk & Co – 1860 – 61

It is also interesting to note that on the same page as Clayton’s Celebrated Rheumatic Bitters advertisement, was this advertisement for Wm. M’Cully & Co. Glass Works (see above). At the bottom of the advertisement, it says “Particular attention paid to Private Moulds and Orders filled with promptness and dispatch”. I would suspect that if a bottle ever showed up, it might have a M’Cully & Co. embossing on the bottom. The later, labeled bottle is based embossed A & Co. which stands for the John Agnew and Co., Pittsburgh, PA.

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Clayton & Russells Stomach Bitters label graphic – ebay

United States Patent Office, Trade-Mark for Medicinal Bitters,  S.R. Adams, No. 9,722, Registered Oct. 17, 1882.

Unite

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Glass Makers, History, Liquor Merchant, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Tree – Winter Tree Historical Flasks

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Summer Tree – Winter Tree Historical Flasks

15 May 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAWhat a wonderful day here in Augusta, Georgia as I have my morning coffee on the porch of the historic Partridge Inn. As I look out, I see all the trees are already full of leaves, the big Magnolias are blooming and the birds are singing. What a nice time to look at the popular Summer Tree | Winter Tree pictorial historical flasks. These flasks typically have the tree in full bloom on one side and a bare tree on the other side.

PartridgeTree

As you can see from the pictures below, the flasks come in quarts, pints and half pints in a wide range of glass colors. There are also mold variations that are important to notice including the lip treatment. Some flasks even have the words, “Summer” and “Winter” embossed over the trees. I personally like the bird (possibly a Partridge) on some of the flasks. The thinking is that these flasks were possibly made at the Baltimore Glass Works from 1850-1870.

These flasks periodically make appearances on my shelves as they are a favorite but usually fall away, just like the leaves on the tree, as I make room for more bitters bottles.

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Summer Tree | Winter Tree Pictorial Flasks

AGG#10_Lot29

“Summer” / Tree in Foliage – “Winter” / Bare Tree Pictorial Flask, America, possibly Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, Maryland, 1850 – 1860. Aquamarine, applied round double collared mouth – blowpipe pontil scar, pint, near mint; (some short, in-manufacture annealing lines around the inside of the neck, just below the applied collar, otherwise excellent). GX-15. A nice example with a good strong mold impression. – American Glass Gallery Auction #10 (See reverse side below)

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“Summer” / Tree in Foliage – “Winter” / Bare Tree Pictorial Flask, America, possibly Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, Maryland, 1850 – 1860. Aquamarine, applied round double collared mouth – blowpipe pontil scar, pint, near mint; (some short, in-manufacture annealing lines around the inside of the neck, just below the applied collar, otherwise excellent). GX-15. A nice example with a good strong mold impression. – American Glass Gallery Auction #10 (See reverse side above)

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SUMMER/WINTER FLASK with applied mouth and open pontil. GX-19 Quart, 8 ¼”. Here we have another gorgeous flask in a beautiful emerald green. There are a couple variants of this flask, this one has a bird sitting in the barren tree. An ex-Mebane flask, we see virtually no distractions whatsoever. The top is perfect, strike is bold and crisp, and the color is outstanding. Grades 9.8. – American Bottle Auctions

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“Summer” / Tree in Foliage – “Winter” / Bare Tree Pictorial Flask, America, possibly Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, Maryland, 1850 – 1860. Bright yellowish citron, applied round double collared mouth – blowpipe pontil scar, pint; (lightly cleaned to original luster and near mint condition with a couple of small areas of light wear remaining). GX-15. Beautiful, attractive color, also a considerably harder mold to find with the pontiled scarred base! – American Glass Gallery Auction #10 (See reverse side below)

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“Summer” / Tree in Foliage – “Winter” / Bare Tree Pictorial Flask, America, possibly Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, Maryland, 1850 – 1860. Bright yellowish citron, applied round double collared mouth – blowpipe pontil scar, pint; (lightly cleaned to original luster and near mint condition with a couple of small areas of light wear remaining). GX-15. Beautiful, attractive color, also a considerably harder mold to find with the pontiled scarred base! – American Glass Gallery Auction #10 (See reverse side above)

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“Summer” / Tree in Foliage – “Winter” / Bare Tree Pictorial Flask, America, possibly Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, Maryland, 1850 – 1860. Bright yellowish citron, applied round double collared mouth – blowpipe pontil scar, pint; (lightly cleaned to original luster and near mint condition with a couple of small areas of light wear remaining). GX-15. Beautiful, attractive color, also a considerably harder mold to find with the pontiled scarred base! – American Glass Gallery Auction #10 (See flask above)

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“SUMMER / TREE – “WINTER” / TREE, (GX-15), American, ca. 1860 – 1870, medium yellowish topaz with subtle puce striations pint, smooth base, applied double collar mouth. A bright, clean flask in a very rare attractive coloration, and with no trace of wear! No collection of colored ‘tree’ flasks would be complete without this one! Ex. Gary Fitz Collection. – Glass Works Auctions – Auction #96 Part II

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GX-16 SUMMER TREE – WINTER TREE PICTORIAL FLASK, bluish aquamarine, half pint, applied rounded collared mouth, smooth base. United States. 1860-1880. 6″ H. Provenance: Collection of the late Russell Merlin Turner. – Jeffrey S. Evans Associates

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SUMMER/WINTER FLASK. GX-16 Rolled lip with pontil, 5 ¾”. Another pristine flask, this is the smaller half-pint. Has lots of tiny whittle and is about perfect. – American Bottle Auctions

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Summer Tree – Winter Tree historical flask in a gorgeous citron – American Bottle Auctions

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“Summer” Tree – “Winter” Tree Pictorial Flask, Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore, Maryland, 1860-1870. Bright light yellow green, applied double collared mouth – smooth base, pint; (potstone at shoulder with three 1/16 inch radiations). GX-15 Beautiful color, good clean bottle. Ex Crawford Wettlaufer collection. – Norman C. Heckler Auctions

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Summer Tree – Winter Tree Pictorial Flask, possibly Baltimore Glass Works, Baltimore Maryland, 1860-1870. Light yellow green, applied double collared mouth – smooth base, quart; (shallow 1/2 inch flake from inside edge of mouth, shallow 1/2 inch flake from medial rib at shoulder). GX-19 Beautiful and rare color. Great mold impression. Mike Roberts collection. – Norman C. Heckler Auctions

Posted in Auction News, Color Runs, Early American Glass, Flasks, Glass Companies & Works, Historical Flasks | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lady’s Leg Series – Zingari Bitters

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ZINGARI BITTERS F. RAHTER

Philadelphia, PA

The Viceroy of Egypt placed the name of Dr. Cheopsus upon the “Roll of Nobles” and presented to him a medal bearing the following inscription: “Dr. Cheopsus, the Public Benefactor.” This bitters is now offered to the Public of America with the full assurance that it wil be found, upon a fair trial, to act as a specific for the cure of Dyspepsia Fever and Ague, Bilious Fever, Colic, Colds, Bronchitis, Consumption in the First Stage, Flatulency, Nervous Debility, Female Comlaints, Rheumatism, Dysentery, acute and chronic Diarrhea, Cholera, Morbus, Cholera, Typhoid and Typhus Fever, Yellow Fever, Scrofula, Diseases of the Kidneys and Habitual Costiveness.

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15 May 2013 (R•051714) (R•090714) (R•110914)

Apple-Touch-IconAZingari means Gypsies or Italian Gypsy so maybe we are talking about “Gypsy Bitters”. What an interesting marketing angle for yet another exciting bitters brand.

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Guess what? The “F” of “F. Rahter” stands for “Ferdinand” Rahter who was in business in Philadelphia from 1870-1886. He was born in 1833 and died on January 4, 1908 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Ferdinand married Catherine Sechler (1841 – 1922) on August 11, 1859 in Littlestown, PA. He was a wholesale liquor salesman in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. He died of pneumonia while visiting his brother in Harrisburg. They had two children: Anna and Frank A. Rahter (1866 – 1901). Presumably, that is the Zingari Building in the post below.

ZingariBuildingIllus

My common amber colored Zingari Bitters is pictured above. Apparently, according to Ring & Ham, there is a gasoline colored example or two out there somewhere. Maybe it will surface and I can add to this post. I bet that would be something to see. Notice on the coin above, that “IXL” appears on the label.

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

Z4  ZINGARI BITTERS, Circa 1872 – 1887
// s // ZINGARI ( au) / BITTERS (ad ) // F. RAHTER. ( au ) //
F. Rahter & Company (later Rahter & Hause), Proprietor and Manufacturers, Philadelphia, Pa. (later Harrisburg, PA)
12 x 3 1/4 (5 1/4)
Round lady’s leg, Amber, ARM, Applied mouth, Amber, Common;
Gasoline, Extremely rare.
Label: The great Zingari Bitters, a sure cholera preventative. Will positively cure consumption, dyspepsia, scrofula, vertigo, asthma yellow fever, palpitation of the heart, chronic diarrhea, nervous debility, cholera morbus, fever and ague.
2LabeledZingaris

Two “Zingari / Bitters.” – “F. Rahter.” Bitters Bottles, America, 1860-1880. Cylindrical form with lady’s leg neck, medium amber, applied mouths with rings – smooth bases, ht. 11 7/8 inches; (one bottle has light haze near base, the other has stain on mouth exterior). R/H #Z-4 Each bottle retains partial original label and contents. One retains original lead foil seal. – Heckler Premier Auction 115

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Zingari Bitters in a gasoline puce – Bitters Bottles Supplement

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34 mm. Shell: gilt brass. Obv: 1868 double eagle obverse (F). Insert: yellow cardboard. Rev: F. RAHTER’S GREAT ZINGARI BITTERS, (around) / No. 6 / North Front St. / [bitters bottle] / Philadelphia. From the estate of Stephen L. Tanenbaum. – Stacks Bowers

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The Great Zingari Bitters advertisement – 1869 Gettysburg Compiler

THE GREAT ZINGARI BITTERS

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Zingari Bitters Advertisement – Leisure Hours, Volume 1, O’Dwyer & Company, 1868 – Pittsburgh, PA (Note the spelling of “Rahter”.

[Typical Testimonial] The component parts of this remarkable preparation were first discovered and compounded some twenty years ago by Dr. Cheopsus, a celebrated Egyptian physician. Thousands of his suffering countrymen were restored to health, as well as great numbers of the inhabitants of Nubia and Abyssinia and of the countries bordering on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed the fame of the ZINGARI BITTERS soon spread over Europe and was adopted by the principal physicians in charge of the hospitals of the old world, in which it is still used with pre-eminent success. The Viceroy of Egypt placed the name of Dr. Cheopsus upon the “Roll of Nobles” and presented to him a medal bearing the following inscription: “Dr. Cheopsus, the Public Benefactor.” This bitters is now offered to the Public of America with the full assurance that it wil be found, upon a fair trial, to act as a specific for the cure of Dyspepsia Fever and Ague, Bilious Fever, Colic, Colds, Bronchitis, Consumption in the First Stage, Flatulency, Nervous Debility, Female Comlaints, Rheumatism, Dysentery, acute and chronic Diarrhea, Cholera, Morbus, Cholera, Typhoid and Typhus Fever, Yellow Fever, Scrofula, Diseases of the Kidneys and Habitual Costiveness.

Remarkable cures of the above diseases have been effected by its use, as numerous certificates, many from regular physicians, fully attest; and it is destined to supercede any preparation extant. As an agreeable tonic, and an invigorating beverage, it has no equal. Thus the ZINGARI BITTERS has SOUL as well as BODY, and as a preventive DISEASES has no SUPERIOR.

A FEW WORDS TO LADIES. – The use of the ZINGARI BITTERS will give you that soft, semi-transparent complexion which the God of nature (designing women to be the loveliest of his works), fully intended that you should have for it is nature’s own powder and paint combined. By purifying the blood, stimulating the pigmentary cells of the dermis, or true skin, and imparting health and life throughout the entire system, it gives that smooth clearness and beauty to the complexion so much to be desired – removing all roughness, blotches, freckles and that yellow, sickly look so common in our day; and what is even better than this, it cures every species of female irregularities and disease.

Price $1 per bottle.

Principal Depot, Harrisburg, Pa.

RAHTER & HAUSE, Sole Proprietors.

ZingariBuilding

Reference to the Zingari Building – Harrisburg: The Old Eighth Ward

ZingariBitters_Heckler110

“Zingari / Bitters. / F. Rahter.” Figural Bitters Bottle. Bottle retains about 90% of original label. – Heckler Auction 110

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Lot Of Four “Zingari / Bitters.” – “F. Rahter” Figural Bitters Bottles, America, 1860-1880. Cylindrical form with lady’s leg neck, shades of root beer amber, applied mouths with rings – smooth bases, ht. 11 3/4 inches to 12 inches; (all have some light exterior stain). R/H #Z-4 Two have original lead foil mouth seals. Three have partial contents. – Heckler Auction 118

LadysLegFiguralSeriesART

Read More: Lady’s Leg Series – Weis Bros Knickerbocker Stomach Bitters

Read More: Russ’ Stomach Bitters – A New York Lady’s Leg

Read More: The old but sexy, Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters lady’s leg

Read More: Labeled Theller’s Bitters Lady’s Leg – New York

Read More: Holloway’s Bitters from Syracuse

Read More: The best Lady’s Leg in the Galaxy – Universe Bitters

Posted in Bitters, Figural Bottles, History, Liquor Merchant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

S. A. Foutz & Bro. – Baltimore…What Happened?

LondonMedicated_Chris

I recently picked up this London Medicated Health Restorer S.A. Foutz Baltimore Md. in a nice peachy topaz color. – Chris Rowell (Antique-Bottles.net)

LONDON MEDICATED HEALTH RESTORER

S. A. FOUTZ

BALTIMORE, MD

14 May 2013 • Revised 26 September 2020 with Swanson TC

Apple-Touch-IconAWe have watched and admired the great looking London Medicated Health Restorer bottles from Baltimore, Maryland in recent auctions and posts. Just last week I pictured the puce example in the current American Glass Gallery Auction #10. Read: The puce London Medicated Health Restorer circles back. Now we need to figure out who S. A. Foutz is as his name is also embossed prominently on the bottle.

S. A. Foutz is Solomon A. Foutz. In 1857 or so, Solomon went into business with his brother David E. Foutz as S. A. Foutz & Bro. in Baltimore and manufactured and extensively sold such remedies known as “Foutz’s Horse and Cattle Powders” and “Foutz’s Liniment”. In 1867 Solomon sold out to his brother for a considerable sum of money. David E. Foutz became sole owner of all of the secret formulas, names, good will, stock of goods, and materials connected with the business. David kept the S. A. Foutz & Bro. name and until his death in 1877. Business was later conducted by his widow which evolved into a Trade-Marks and Trade Names – Unlawful Competition lawsuit (see legal case below).

 FOUTZ & BRO. | Listings

Fautz&BroListing1865

Foutz & Bro. Directory Listing – 1865-66 Woods Baltimore City Directory (also 1867)

DavidEFoutzAd

Foutz’s Medicines – David E. Foutz – Wood’s 1868, 1869 Baltimore City Directory advertisement. In 1870 114 & 116 Franklin Street.

S. A. FOUTZ | Advertising

FoutzAd1

S. A. Foutz & Bro advertisement – Hudson Evening Register – 1867

1867 FOUTZ & BRO | Receipts

Foutz_Receipt1 Foutz_Receipt2

The representation of the pansy in five petals. In the center of each petal is the head of a horse, cow, sheep, hog, and two chickens. Across the bottom and extending through the stem and leaves is a facsimile if the signature of “S. A. Foutz”

FoutzPansyArt

Foutz five petal pansy art. Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 113, Part 2 By United States. Patent Office

Foutz'sMedicinesAd

Foutz’s Medicines advertisement – Our police: A history of the Baltimore force from the first watchman to the latest appointee – 1888

Foutz_BloodPanacea

Here is a product of S. A. Foutz, London Blood Panacea that uses “London” in the name just as the London Medicated Health Restorer. Advertisement from the Gettysburg Compiler – July 2, 1869

Foutz’s Medicines trade card from the Ben Swanson collection.

DAVID B. FOUTZ CO. v. S. A. FOUTZ STOCK FOOD CO.

(Circuit Court, D. Maryland. July 2, 1908.) 

Trade-Marks and Trade Names – Unlawful Competition – Use of Peoples Names

In 1867 (why not 1857?), David B. Foutz and Solomon A. Foutz, partners, under the name S. A. Foutz Bro., began to manufacture certain animal remedies which became widely and favorably known and advertised. Solomon A. Foutz sold out to his brother, who greatly extended the business, which on his death was conducted by his widow, who thereafter formed plaintiff corporation, to which the business formulas, trade-marks, etc., were transferred, and plaintiff on January 28, 1908, registered the word “Foutz’s” in the Patent Office as Its trade-mark. Stanley A. Foutz, son of Solomon, an attorney, organized defendant corporation under the name S. A. Foutz Stock Food Company, and commenced to sell other animal remedies intended for the same purpose as those prepared by complainant under names embracing the name “Foutz’s,” and cautioned purchasers to look for the name “S. A. Foutz” and the patent trade-mark to get the genuine. Bold, that defendant’s act constituted unlawful competition, and that it’s corporate name should be amended to include the full name “Stanley A. Foutz,” and that the word “Foutz” on defendant’s packages, circulars, advertisements, and literature should only be used in connection with a statement that the material was prepared from the formulas of “Stanley A. Foutz,” and that the goods were not prepared by complainant successor to the original Foutz Company.

The bill alleges that about 50 years ago, two brothers, David E. Foutz and Solomon A. Foutz, partners trading as S. A. Foutz & Bro., manufactured and extensively sold certain remedies known as “Foutz’s Horse and Cattle Powders” and “Foutz Liniment,” which became well known articles of commerce. In 1867, about 40 years ago, Solomon A. Foutz sold out, for a considerable sum of money, his interest in the business to his brother and partner, David E. Foutz, and David E. Foutz became the sole owner of all the secret formulas, names, good will, stock of goods, and materials connected with the business of manufacturing and selling the Foutz cattle medicines and remedies, and he continued the business under the name of S. A. Foutz & Bro. until his death, in 1877.

Under the sole proprietorship of David E. Foutz, the business was greatly extended, and large sums were spent in advertising; the said David E. Foutz having spent in 1871 and 1872 as much as $55,000 in advertising in those two years. The bill alleges that the cattle remedies became extensively known as the Foutz remedies, and particularly certain remedies designated as “Foutz’s Celebrated Horse and Cattle Powders,” “Foutz’s Superior Poultry Food,” “Foutz’s Certain Worm Powder,” “Foutz’s Certain Colic Cure,” “Foutz’s Healing Powder,” and “Foutz’s Liniment,” and the name “Foutz’s” became widely known as distinguishing the preparations and remedies manufactured by the said S. A. Foutz & Bro., and the said word “Foutz” has acquired a secondary meaning indicating the medicines and remedies prepared by the said David E. Foutz, trading as S. A. Foutz & Bro., and by the complainant as his successor, which preparations are generally known to the trade and to users, and distinguished from all other preparations, by the use in connection therewith of the word “Foutz’s.” That the said David E. Foutz, trading as S. A. Foutz & Bro., continued the said business as the sole proprietor of said preparations, formulas, and trade-marks, widely extending the said business, until his death, in 1877, and thereafter said business was continued by his widow as the sole proprietor under the same name until 1903, when she caused the plaintiff corporation, the David E. Foutz Company, to be formed, which took over and became proprietor of the business, including the formulas, names, good will, stock, and materials, and continued to use the word “Foutz’s” as a trade-name for the various preparations before mentioned. On January 28, 1908, the plaintiff caused to be registered in the United States Patent Office the word “Foutz’s” as its trade-mark for remedies for the ailments and diseases of horses, cattle, and other stock, alleging that it had been continuously in such use by the complainant and its predecessors in business since 1858.

The bill then alleges that Stanley A. Foutz, a son of the Solomon A. Foutz, who, as before recited, about the year 1867 sold out his interest in the business to his brother, David E. Foutz, with the design and intention of acquiring the profits to be gained by selling the Foutz remedies — resulting from their long established reputation — and of substituting for the said remedies other articles of its own make, organized and incorporated in November, 1904, the S. A. Foutz Stock Food Company, the defendant, and went among the trade and customers of the complainant, and by means of many and different false and fraudulent misrepresentations has been selling to the old customers of complainant the preparations of the S. A. Foutz Stock Food Company as the same goods that said customers had been for many years obtaining from the complainant and its predecessors. That the said S. A. Foutz Company of Baltimore City advertised its preparations as S. A. Foutz’s Condition Powders,” “S. A. Foutz’s Poultry Food,” “S. A. Foutz’s Stock Food,” “S. A. Foutz’s Liniment,” “S. A. Foutz’s Healing Powder,” “S. A. Foutz’s Colic Tablets,” and other similar preparations. That for the past 30 or 40 years the complainant’s preparations – “Foutz’s Horse and Cattle Powders” have been known to the trade interchangeably as “Foutz’s Condition Powders” and “Foutz’s Powders,” and have been listed on the drug catalogues and jobbers’ price lists throughout this country and foreign countries as “Foutz’s Condition Powders,” and the complainant has received many orders from customers calling: for “Foutz’s Condition Powders” or “Foutz’s Powders,” meaning “Foutz’s Celebrated Horse and Cattle Powders,” and the complainant alleged that the name “S. A. Foutz’s Condition Powders” was adopted by the defendant and its predecessor to more readily deceive the public and enable the defendant and its predecessor to acquire the trade and business of the complainant by unfair and fraudulent competition.

The bill recites that the S. A. Foutz Stock & Food Company of Baltimore City, incorporated in 1904, became insolvent in 1906, and all its assets were sold, and Stanley A. Foutz became the purchaser and thereupon caused to be incorporated the S. A. Foutz Stock Food Company, under the laws of the territory of Oklahoma, and transferred to it the said assets, and that said S. A. Foutz Stock Food Company of Oklahoma still continues to commit the before-mentioned frauds upon the public, and by its agents and salesmen are making false statements with regard to the business of both complainant and defendant, and is greatly and irreparably injuring the complainant’s business and is fraudulently selling its goods as the goods made by the complainant, and depreciating the good name and reputation of the complainant’s goods.

The defendant by its answer, by way of defense, asserts: That the only similarity in the goods of the parties to the suit is the word “Foutz’s,” and that is the proper name of the organizer, president and largest stockholder of the defendant corporation, whose name is Stanley A. Foutz; that in the manufacture of its goods the defendant uses formulas made by said Stanley A. Foutz; that it has adopted for its trade-mark a pansy conspicuously displayed on all its circulars and wrappers; that the name “S. A. Foutz’s” is printed in large, bold type on said wrappers with the words “manufactured only by S. A. Foutz Stock Food Company, Baltimore, Md.”; and that there is no similarity in color, shape, or size between the packages of its goods and those of the complainant.

The facts appear, to be as stated in the bill of complaint and in the answer. The business of preparing and selling the Foutz cattle remedies having been established for so many years, and the preparations having come to be widely known as Foutz’s medicines and preparations, and the complainant having become the sole and exclusive owner of the long-established business, with its formulas, trade-names, and good will, it is obvious that no one can carry on the same business, in the same territory, using the name “Foutz,” without manifest injury to the complainant. It is also quite obvious that Stanley A. Foutz, whose father had sold his share in the business to the complainant’s predecessor, and who is himself a lawyer and not a manufacturer of horse and cattle medicines, went into the rival and competing business for the reason that the use of the family name “Foutz” would at once give to this business venture the advantage of the established reputation that the Foutz remedies had acquired by years of use and advertising. The defendant puts on his circulars this caution: “Always look for the name S. A. Fontz and the pansy trade-mark and you will get the genuine. Accept no other. Manufactured only by S. A, Foutz Stock Food Co., Old York Road, Baltimore, Md.”

The Federal Reporter: Volume 163

By United States. Court of Claims, James Wells Goodwin, Peyton Boyle, Robert Desty

DavidEFoutzListing

Listing for the David E. Foutz Co. – Meyer Brothers Druggist, Volume 27, Issue 10 – 1906

Posted in Advertising, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions, Veterinary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A great find at an estate auction in Southern Michigan

wynkoop's_Wicker

A great find at an estate auction in Southern Michigan

W Y N K O O P

14 May 2013

wynkoop's_5

Hi Ferdinand:

A childhood bottle digging friend and fellow bottle collector stopped by my shop today to show me his latest finds from this weekend. He went to an estate auction in southern Michigan last Saturday and purchased a box of bottles. Inside this box was a badly cracked, Dr. White’s Pulmonaria for Coughs and Colds from Indianapolis, Indiana. There were also three Peterson’s Family Medicines from Marshall, Michigan and a few common medicines. The standout was an open pontil, Wynkoop & Cos. Tonic Mixture Warranted to Cure Fever & Ague New York in a medium cobalt blue. The average spent per bottle was one dollar. I attached pictures of this really nice Wynkoop’s.

Frank Wicker
www.bottlepickers.com

Wynkoop's Poster

Apple-Touch-IconAWhat a spectacular find! You just never know what may show up when you go hunting. It seems like almost every day I get some type of email or communication about a find warranting discussion. This past year has been just amazing with the flea market, ebay, estate sales and digging finds. What a great time to be in our hobby.

I was able to see a ‘family’ of these Sarsaparilla bottles (pictured below) last year when we visited the great John Feldmann collection in Long Island, New York. I also included photographs from the Bill Ham, Charles and Jane Aprill and Jeff Wichmann collections showing outstanding examples.

Read More: The Wynkoop Bottles

Read More: Nice Dark Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla on eBay

Wynkoops1Feldmann

Family of four Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla bottles in blue plus a geen example. – Feldmann Collection

Wynkoop_Ham3

A couple of big boys, the Bryant’s Stomach Bitters cone and a large Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla bottle – Ham Collection

TwoWynkoops_ABA

Two Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla bottles, one with partial label at the American Bottle Auctions shop, Sacramento, California

Left: WYNKOOP'S / KATHARISMIC / SARSAPARILLA / NEW YORK. Right: WYNKOOP'S / KATHARISMIC HONDURAS / SARSAPARILLA. – Charles April

Left: WYNKOOP’S / KATHARISMIC / SARSAPARILLA / NEW YORK. Right: WYNKOOP’S / KATHARISMIC HONDURAS / SARSAPARILLA. – April Colection

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

The Constitution Bitters from Buffalo, NY

ConstitutionDetail

CONSTITUTION BITTERS

SEWARD & BENTLEY | BUFFALO, NY

ConstitutionDetailB

The Constitution Bitters from Buffalo, NY

Stephen B. Seward & Burr S. Bentley

14 May 2013 (R•031314) (R•051814) (R•053015) (R•030616) (R•051010-FBN) (R•052619-Letterhead)

Apple-Touch-IconAFor the sake of this Constitution Bitters, we are dealing with Stephen B. Seward and Burr S. Bentley of Seward & Bentley, Buffalo, New York. The company name changed many times as there are listings for Seward, Bentley & Cheney, Ward & Bentley, Daniel Seward & Co., Seward & Liebetrut and Edward Liebetrut This shows obvious changes in partnership and ownership later in the 1860s.

Stephen even got his start earlier than that as his name occurs as S. B. Seward in the late 1850s on bottles and advertising etc. When this bottle mold was produced, Cheney had not yet joined the firm. This bitters first appeared in 1864.

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 is as follows:

C 223 A.M.S.2. ( au ) / 1864 // CONSTITUTION / BITTERS // A.M.S.2. ( au ) /
1864 // SEWARD & BENTLEY / BUFFALO, N.Y. //
9 1/4 x 2 7/8 x 2 1/4 (7 1/4) 1/4
Rectangular, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 4 sp, Rare
AMS2: All Must Surrender To Constitution Bitters
Label: A.M. 1864 S.2. Prepared from a formula of an eminent physician and used for many tears with wonderful success as a tonic, for strengthening of the system, giving tone to the stomach and creating a healthy appetite. It has no equal.
1864 & 1866 Thomas’ Buffalo Business Directory: Seward & Bentley Druggist, 189 Main, Stephen B. Seward and Burr S. Bentley
1868 City Directory for Buffalo: Seward, Bentley & Cheney Druggist, 241 Main
1877 Billhead: Edward J. Liebetrut, Druggist (formerly Seward & Liebetrut, formerly Seward & Co.)

Stephen B. Seward

Stephen B. Seward was born Franklinville, New York in 1831. In 1865 or so, he became senior member of Seward, Bentley & Cheney in Buffalo, New York. He moved in the late 1870s to Omaha and later to St. Louis (see obituary below). I think this might help explain why the Mexican Bitters bottle is so similar.

SewardObit

Obituary for Stephen B. Seward – The Pharmaceutical Era, Volume 211899

Burr S. Bentley

Burr S. Bentley was born about 1837 in Buffalo New York. He married Josephine Thwing on 23 May 1867. Burr was a jeweler and watchmaker with a shop at 243 Main Street. He was a partner in 1864 with Stephen B. Seward in Buffalo, New York as Seward &  Bentley, later, Seward, Bentley & Cheney, druggists and fancy goods merchants with a shop at 189 Main Street.

Question?

What does “A.M.S.2. 1864” stand for? The similar Mexican Bitters is embossed “A.S.F.5. 1866”. This newspaper advertisement below confirms, “All Must Surrender to Constitution Bitters”.

CB_The_Indiana_Herald_Wed__Aug_19__1868_

A.M., S. 2. – All must surrender to Constitution Bitters – The Indiana Herald, Wednesday, August 19, 1868

Read More: Mexican Bitters – Henry C. Weaver – Lancaster, O

Examples

ConstBitters_Lot143_AGG14

“A. M. S. 2. / 1864 – CONSTITUTION / BITTERS – A. M. S. 2. / 1864 – SEWARD & BENTLEY / BUFFALO. N.Y.”, America, 1864 – 1870. Medium to deep golden amber, rectangular, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 9 1/8″, width 2 7/8″, depth 2 ¼”, virtually attic mint; (just a slight trace of extremely faint exterior wear, otherwise pristine perfect!) R/H #C223. A rare mold, these do not come around often! – American Glass Gallery Auction 14

ConstitutionBitters_GWA

A.M. S. 2 1864  CONSTITUTION BITTERS – SEWARD & BENTLEY BUFFALO, N.Y.”, (Ring/Ham, C-222), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, yellow-green color – Glass Works Auctions

C 223 (Constitution Bitters)

Amber Constitution Bitters – Ferdinand Meyer V collecion

C222_ConstitutionGreen_BBS

Green Constitution Bitters – Bitters Bottles Supplement

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Three gorgeous Constitution Bitters in the famous John Feldmann collection. Those three have now found new homes with the dispersement of the collection in 2012.

Constitution_Heckler

Constitution Bitters previously auctioned by Norman C. Heckler auction. This bottle was found in Michigan and had full contents. – Heckler Auction #89 – March 2010

Advertising

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Constitution Bitters advertisement – Shawano County Journal, January 18, 1866

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Constitution Bitters and Seward’s Cough Cure advertisements (see below) both on the same page of the Gettysburg Compiler, 1869. Notice how Cheney has joined the partnership.

SewardsCoughCureR_GettysburgCompiler1869

Constitution Bitters and Seward’s Cough Cure advertisements (see above) both on the same page of the Gettysburg Compiler, 1869.

Collateral

NY. Buffalo. Constitution Bank. Constitution Bitters. Signed S.B. Seward and B.S. Bentley. Denomination: 5. – Ben Swanson Collection

SewardsCoughCureCoin

Embossed Token: Seward’s Cough Cure, S.B. Seward Druggist Buffalo

SewardsCoughAD

Use Seward’s Cough Cure – Cattaraugus County: Embracing Its Agricultural Society, Newspapers, Civil List … Biographies of the Old Pioneers … Colonial and State Governors of New York, Names of Towns and Post Offices, with the Statistics of Each Town – J. Manley, 1857

ALISMA_1868Ad&Bottle

Alisma for the Hair, sold by Seward & Bentley of Buffalo from around 1868. They were initially Ward & Bentley (Dec 67), then by Jan of 68 it was Seward & Bentley. By 1869, they called themselves Seward, Bentley, and Cheney. Advertisements for this preparation in the 1874 New York State Directory and in the 1868 Alton (Ill.) Telegraph. It was being sold by Daniel Seward & Co., Druggists & Grocers Goods. They were listed in the Drug business at 907 3rd, in Buffalo, during 1867-68. The latest reference to this preparation I found was in the 1896 Morrison & Plummer Catalog. – Hair Raising Stories

Constitution Bitters noted on Edward J. Liebetrut, Druggist (formerly Seward & Liebetrut) 1877 receipt – Joe Gourd Collection

Select Listings:

1831: Stephen B. Seward born Franklinville, New York
1837: Burr S. Bentley born about 1837 in Buffalo New York
1864-1866: Seward & Bentley Druggist, 189 Main, Stephen B. Seward & Burr S. Bentley – Thomas’ Buffalo Business Directory
1864: 1864 embossed on Seward & Bentley Constitution Bitters bottle
1867: Ward & Bentley (Dec 1867)
1868: Seward, Bentley & Cheney Druggist, 241 Main – 1868 City Directory for Buffalo
1869: Seward, Bentley and Cheney
1877: Edward J. Liebetrut, Druggist (formerly Seward & Liebetrut, formerly Seward & Co.) 1877 receipt (above)
Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Interesting Swain’s Bourbon Bitters

SwainsBourbon_ebay

Interesting Swain’s Bourbon Bitters

13 May 2013

ebaylogoSCARCE – C. H. SWAINS – BOURBON BITTERS – RARE DEEP TOBACCO AMBER COLOR – SQUARE

Up for bid (see top picture) is a real nice slightly tapered square here folks, these Swain’s Bourbon Bitters for some odd reason tapper in 1/8 inch at the base sort of like a case gin. Color is king when it comes to bottles, and this one has it. Usually found in a common amber coloration I have never seen either of the two variants of this great Chicago bottle in such a deep dark tobacco color, its bordering on puce. I’m betting if you have a run of Swain’s you do not have this one. Embossed on two opposite panels “C. H. SWAIN’S” – BOURBON – BITTERS”, this is the two panel and not three panel variant. Excellent likely dug condition, and possibly professionally cleaned. No issues. Please see the pictures. The bottle sits a bit crooked, maybe it absorbed some of the contents?! B.I.M.A.L. 1860’s – 70’s. Stands 9″ 1/8 tall. – freshdiggz (100% Positive Feedback) See ebay Listing

SwainsBourbonBitters_3

Three beautiful Swain’s Bourbon Bitters. Both variants are represented here.

Apple-Touch-IconAI have posted about the Swain’s Bourbon Bitters before as I have two examples myself in the collection. I like this new ebay example for its color, crudity and form. These are great squares. Look at the dollar amount on ebay. Try to tell me there isn’t a healthy Bitters market out there.

"The town council are hereby expressly and forever prohibited from granting license to and person or persons in said town of Odell, to sell, traffic exchange, barter or give away any strong beer, ale, lager beer, wine, rum, gin, brandy, whisky, or intoxicating liquors, drinks or beverages of any kind whatever including Hostetter’s stomach bitters, Plantation bitters, Roback’s Bitters, Red Jacket Biters, Swain’s Bourbon bitters, or any other bitters, of whatsoever name or kind. Containing intoxicating liquors.

Read More: Swain’s Bourbon Bitters – A Strong Square

The LaPorte Union, March 14, 1866 – Keokuk newspaper advertisement:

A healthy tonic, gentle stimulant and unequalled morning appetizer. Prepared in ripe old bourbon whiskey. Free from grain oil, with flowers, buds and barks of the highest medicinal value. By increasing the appetite, assisting digestion, regulating bowels, and giving tone to the system, they impart strength to the body and cheerfulness to the mind.

SwainsAd2

Swain’s Bourbon Bitters advertisement Shawano County Journal –  January 18, 1866

Dr. C. H. Swain was the proprietor and manufacturer of his Bourbon Bitters. He was located at 34 South Water Street, Chicago, Illinois. He also had a branch office located at 375 Broadway Street, New York City. An advertisement claimed that his medicine was a healthy tonic gentle stimulant. Posted below is an advertisement from 1864. (above by Frank Wicker at Bottle Pickers.

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Swain’s Bourbon Bitters noted in Laws of the State of Illinois, Volume 26 – 1869

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1866 advertisement for Swain’s Bourbon Bitters

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Bourbon, eBay, Liquor Merchant, Spirits | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment