The big and robust Monongahela Rye Bitters

I did a post the other day on my Bromine – Union Salt Works bottle (read: Bromine – Union Salt Works – Gorgeous Allegheny City Bottle) which led me to Allegheny City which is now part of Pittsburgh on the Monongahela River. This reminded me of my Monongahela Rye Bitters. It is also not often that the word ‘Rye’ is incorporated in a Bitters brand name.

My particular example of this extremely rare bitters is a robust, big bottle that is yellow amber. It was found in an Ohio estate and is in perfect condition. It was purchased privately from Michael George a few years back prior to the Baltimore Antique Bottle Show. I’ve posted a few support pictures.

Monongahela Rye Bitters – Meyer Collection

M 120.5  MONONGAHELA RYE BITTERS

MONONGAHELA / RYE / BITTERS // c // // c //
Manufactured by Z. Toner & Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 (7 1/2)
Rounded corner, Rectangular, LTCR, Applied mouth, 1 sp, with and without
Metallic pontil mark, Amber and Green, Extremely rare

Note: Monongahela Valley Directory 1859. Amber pontiled example found in Pittsburgh in 1983. Dark green, smooth base piece dug in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Monongahela Rye Bitters – Meyer Collection

“MONONGAHELA / RYE / BITTERS”, (M-120.5), Pennsylvania, ca. 1855 – 1865, yellowish ‘old’ amber, 9 3/4”h, smooth base, applied mouth. – Glass Works Auctions January 2013

A Map of the Country between Wills Creek & Monongahela River shewing the route and Encampments of the English Army in 1755. Braddock Expedition Papers.

The Navigator – 1811

Bridge over the Monongahela River, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, A river scene: Monongahela River, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shows steam ship “General Knox”, wharf operations, a steel superstructure bridge, and numerous smoke stacks. 21 February 1857, Appeared in the Feb 21, 1857 edition of Ballou’s Pictorial

Duquesne, PA. on the Monongahela River – circa 1857

Brookville, PA. on the Monongahela River – circa 1895

Wire mills spewing smoke along the Monongahela River, Donora, Pennsylvania, 1910