One of the greatest Bitters bottles in existence, a Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters has changed hands and joined the already wonderful collection of Jerry and Helen Forbes of Carmel, California. I have been asking Jerry for pictures of this bottle since the deal closed in February prior, to the Baltimore show, and Jerry kindly obliged yesterday. The deal was brokered by Jeff Wichmann with American Bottle Auctions in Sacramento. WOW.
Jerry and Helen Forbes
This bottle is certainly is familiar with some of us as it resided in Tennessee and Oregon, among other places before finding its new home in Carmel. Serioss congratulations Jerry. I hope to have one soon myself.
Read more on Cassin’s:
Two Sexy Ladies – Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters
A Legendary Cassin,s Grape Brandy Bitters
Cassin's Grape Brandy Bitters - Forbes Collection
Cassin's Grape Brandy Bitters - Forbes Collection
Cassin's Grape Brandy Bitters - Forbes Collection
I know that one well; it is a fabulous example of Western glass “ART”. The Cassin’s is one bottle that has eluded my digging tools, darn it. Pieces are all that’s shown up for me. I’m not entirely sure, but it may be the one that Ken Salazar pulled from a 3′ Oakland privy, along with a green John Van Bergen “Horse”. It went to Doc Ritz, but after that who knows where it went.
This bottle is back home again. The story as I was told was that it was dug in downtown Sonora, CA., and resided in a California collection for awhile before traveling to the State of Washington, then Wisconsin, then Tennessee, then Oregon and now back in California.
Hmmm, never heard of a Cassin’s coming from that particular area, but stranger things have happened. Love how glass travels about the country.
The Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters product was advertised daily in The Amador Dispatch newspaper during November 1867 and June 1868.