SINER’S CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL PHILADA. – Tim Henson

In collecting Bitters, do you need the ‘S’?

25 June 2012

I received an email from Tim Henson regarding a Siner’s Celebrated Bitter Cordial which brings up an interesting point relating to how Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham cataloged Bitters bottles.

I am talking about a bottle that says BITTER and not BITTERS, with a missing ‘S’ in BITTER. This is an all important ‘S’ to some, as Carlyn and Bill must have determined, as these two forerunner greats did not assign catalog numbers to these bottles in most cases, possibly thinking they were not true Bitters bottles. Who knows? Probably has to do with the word ‘Cordial’ which is a form of liqueur.

I think different, but that may not make a difference. The absence of the ‘S’ does affect price and desirability. To me, the missing ‘S’ is an abnomily, as I belive these products did contain Bitters and the word BITTER is close enough for me. So I collect them. I even give them ‘placeholder” Ring & Ham numbers (Don’t tell Bill). See below:

S 1213.3 (?) SINER’S BITTER CORDIAL, Circa 1860’s – 1870’s
SINER’S // CELEBRATED / BITTER CORDIAL // PHILADA // f //
9 1/2 x 3
Square, Aqua, LTC, 3 sp

Here is the email and pictures that Tim submitted for review:

Hi Ferd,

I posted this one on the ABN bottle site a few months ago. Are you familiar with it? I haven’t seen another one and I’m assuming it’s uncommon. This example is a sparkler. A nice aqua square embossed on 3 sunken panels Siner’s Celebrated Bitter Cordial Philada. It has a really nice applied top with some good drip. The bottle is identical to the Scheetz’s mold. Pretty much the same bottle but doesn’t appear to be seen as often. Anyhow I thought you might enjoy a few photos of it. Keep up the great work!

All the best, ~Tim Henson

SINER’S CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL PHILADA. – Tim Henson

SINER’S CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL PHILADA. – Tim Henson

SINER’S CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL PHILADA. – Tim Henson

Here are a few other examples of BITTER bottles… no ‘S’.

COCAMOKE BITTER CO. – Rick Ciralli (deal in progress for PRG purchase). Read more: Cocamoke Bitter Co. – Hartford, Conn.

SNYDER”S CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL – Meyer Collection

SCHEETZ CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL – Meyer Collection

Amber BITTER WITCH – Meyer Collection (Read More: Bitter Witch – What a great name!)

Here is my example of a SINER’S CELEBRATED BITTER CORDIAL PHILADA. – Meyer Collection (I like the pinched sides, really cool!)

PEYCHAUD’S AMERICAN AROMATIC BITTER CORDIAL – Meyer Collection