Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters
13 November 2011
An obvious question in looking at ‘fancy squares’ is “What about the roped squares such as the classic Bakers Orange Grove Bitters, National Tonic Bitters and others etc.?
Personally I do not consider these roped corner Bitters as utilitarian squares but more of a transitional bottle somewhere between a square and a figural. Of course it is a square but looking at the fancy decorations such as the ropes and rivets, I am reminded of a strong, fancy bottle emblematic of the growth of our country and the power of marketing a tonic in a manly shape and form. Look closely and you feel like the bottle is patterned after a classic early american bank safe.
The first bottle we will look at is the National Tonic Bitters. A proud bottle and a great looking pair in amber and aqua.
N 13 NATIONAL TONIC BITTERS
NATIONAL // f // TONIC BITTERS // f //
9 1/2 x 3 (7 1/4)
Square, LTC, Applied mouth, Roped corners, Amber – Extremely rare; Aqua – Scarce
Variant 11 dots one panel, 10 dots on remaining 3 panels
National Tonic Bitters in amber – Meyer Collection
National Tonic Bitters in aqua – Meyer Collection
National Tonic Bitters pair – Meyer Collection
Read further: The ‘Liberace’ of Square Bitters
Read further: A Couple of Fancy Gents
Read further: A ‘Fancy’ Bitters Square for Headaches
Read further: Dr. Goddin’s Compound Gentian Bitters on eBay
I think the Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters is a better example of a fancy square than the Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters.
Yes, almost identical to the National Tonic Bitters. What the Bakers lacks in detail is certainly made up in color variation. I’ll post on the Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters tomorrow. You going to Auburn? Hope to see you there.
A pretty pair! Your “aqua” like mine; almost a teal blue. Great mold design on these “ropers”!