“These popular Bitters possess all the nourishing and invigorating properties of Old Bourbon Whisky”
GREELEY’S BOURBON BITTERS
23 February 2012 (R•110414) (R•110814) (R•091516)
Wow, what a plug for Greeley’s. While many bitters used an abundance of adjectives describing exotic roots and herbs to embellish the mysterious medicinal healing qualities of the product, it seems that the W.F. and A.W. Greeley of Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters and Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters decided to pull no punches with the product name and advertising (see advertisement further below).
Fully labeled Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters – Foxsonic Image
I did a post recently on Bourbon Whiskey Bitters (read: Peach colored Bourbon Whiskey Bitters added to Color Run) and wanted to follow up with a comparative post for Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters. These Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters have been added to my Color page on my site.
The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows::
[PRG] *note that the San Francisco advertisement for Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters (pictured) is dated 1861. It would be safe to assume that this product was made in 1860 and possibly earlier. Look at the example pictured that is double pontiled. This really raises an eyebrow.
G 101 GREELEY’S BOURBON BITTERS
GREELEY’S BOURBON ( au ) BITTERS // c //
W.F. and A.W. Greeley Boston, Massachusetts
9 3/8 x 2 3/8
Round-barrel, 10-10, FM, Applied mouth, Amber, Puce, Plum, Pink and Copper Common;
Green – Scarce; Aqua and Yellow – Very rare
G 101 Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters color run – Meyer Collection
“GREELEY’S BOURBON / BITTERS”, (Ring/Ham G-101), Massachusetts, ca. 1865 – 1875, medium smoky olive with topaz tone barrel, 9 1/4”h, smooth base, applied mouth, 97% original label. Pristine condition. One of the only ‘green’ Greeley’s to have an original label. As an extra added attraction a sizable piece of glass from another bottle that probably remained in the mold from the prior blow is adhered to the side of the base. Purchased from Cobweb Bottles in 1971. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection – Session 1
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters label – Recent eBay
Left Circle: These bitters prepared of pure old Bourbon Whiskey and possess all its stimulating tonic and medicinal power. Modified and improved in its action on the system by the addition of many simple alternative and bitter tonics making them invaluable. A remedy in the treatment of lung complaints, bronchitis, dyspepsia, liver complaints and general debility and weakness of the system.
Center Circle: Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters,
Right Circle: A wine glassful should be taken before each meal. Ladies and children should begin with less quantity and increase. As an agreeable stomachic these bitters are unsurpassed.
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters label – Foxsonic.com Image
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters double pontil – Stecher Collection
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters label – eBay
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters in an odd straw coloration – Meyer Collection
“Greeley’s Bourbon / Bitters”, America, 1860 – 1875. Light to medium clear olive green, barrel form, applied square collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 9 ¼”, perfect! R/H #G101. A spectacular piece, perhaps the finest known example of a Greeley’s barrel in terms of color and condition. A rare, outstanding color having virtually no amber or smoke tone as is typically encountered. Pictured in “A Treasury of American Bottles,” p.9. Provenance: Ex. Dr. Burton Spiller collection. – American Glass Gallery Auction #9
Three fantastic Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters from the Jack Stecher collection.
“GREELEY’S / BOURBON BITTERS”, (Ring/Ham, G-101), Massachusetts, ca. 1865 – 1875, medium pinkish topaz barrel, 9 3/8”h, smooth base, applied mouth, 98% original labels. – Glass Works Auction 105
“GREELEY’S BOURBON / BITTERS”, (Ring/Ham G-101), Massachusetts, ca. 1865 – 1875, medium apricot puce with a hint of topaz barrel, 9 1/8”h, smooth base, applied mouth. About perfect. Purchased from Cranmer in 1970. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection – Session 1
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters advertisement – Chicago Tribune, 1860
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters advertisement from The Golden Era – San Francisco, California – Sunday, February 24, 1861
Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters full column page advertisement from The National Republican (Washington, D.C.), December 1861
The Worcester Directory – Advertisement for Dr. Greeley – 1867
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