Is there a Blue Embossed Bitters Barrel?
22 July 2011
I received the below noted email from Carl Hotkowski which really got me dreaming of a blue Old Sachems……..
Hello Ferdinand, Just a quick question if you have the time. Are there any known embossed blue barrel bitters? Thanks,
Carl Hotkowski
[PRG] Carl: I am unaware of a blue barrel with ‘Bitters’ embossed on the bottle. I only wish! It does bring to mind the un-embossed Bitters type Figural Barrel Bottle which is American, circa. 1860-1880. It is Barrel form with ten rings above and ten rings below a wide center band, applied square collared mouth. Smooth base. Most figural collectors seem to have one. I know Jerry Forbes picked one up in the first minute of the FOHBC Memphis National this year in June (read Jerry Forbes Does it Again).
Bob Ferraro also owns the legendary W. Wolf, Pittsburgh. I believe this is a whiskey. One of a kind.
Both bottles are different shades of blue and are pictured below.
Unembossed Blue Barrel – Meyer Collection
W. Wolf, Pittsburgh – Ferraro Collection
What about the Y. Ferguson Bitters? It is an aqua barrel.
Scott…I think you have answered you own question. The Pocahontas is aqua. You can see both bottles together in this picture taken at the Houston Bottle Show last weekend. https://www.peachridgeglass.com/2011/07/2011-houston-bottle-show-pictures/