THAT’S THE STUFF
THAT’S THE STUFF figural barrel whiskey bottle, America, 1840 to 1880. Bright yellowish golden amber, crudely applied flared mouth and tubular pontil scar. Probably one of only three known examples.
“I haven’t seen one since, I liked the slogan so I went for it”
John April
No, this is not a “John” April Fools joke but a pontiled barrel that most of us have never seen or heard of before. And look at the embossing slogan! I think Rick Ciralli summed it up best when he said “Shut the Door…” It is really unusual to emboss a slogan on a bottle as usually the product name and/or maker name is embossed prominantly. Reminds me of the tiny “TRY IT” flask (also pictured below).
That’s the Stuff is the Right Stuff! A few facebook comments…
[PRG] “What in the world is this? Never seen before! Thin applied lip too cool”
[Mathew Tigue Levanti] “wow, is it a fantasy bottle?”
[Tom Doligale] “Nice bottle guitar man!”
[Tom Leveille] “That is one awesome barrel”
[Rick Ciralli] “SHUT THE FRONT DOOR….”
THAT’S THE STUFF figural barrel – I haven’t seen one since, i liked the slogan so I went for it. Ex: Spiller collection, the other sticker says A.G.E. Laconia 71. – John April
THAT’S THE STUFF figural barrel – Open pontil. Ex: Spiller collection, the other sticker says A.G.E. Laconia 71. – John April
The tiny “TRY IT” flask – John April
Read More on Figural Barrels
Barrel Series – Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic
Barrel Series – Turner Brothers New York & San Francisco
Barrel Series – The Mysterious Blue Barrel
Barrel Series – Original Pocahontas Bitters
Figural Barrel Series – Hall’s Bitters
Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters – aka Vertical Greeley’s
A killer barrel for sure. I remember seeing a photo of one of those in one of John Odell’s books some years back and thought, wow there can’t be many of those around!
~Tim
Hi Ferd…I’m on vacation at our cottage in upstate NY and don’t have my ID or p/w handy, so couldn’t reply directly to April’s listing. I just looked at your site and found the note on the That’s The Stuff bottle and smiled. I always admired the bottle for years at Spillers home and was disappointed not to be the winner of same at his auction. However, several years ago another one surfaced at the Mansfield show and I immediately bought it. Was I glad! I was told this one was “dug” near Pittsburgh. It is near mint, small bruise on lip, but intact and pontiled, of course. So, I wonder how many others are out there. Yes, it’s one of my favorite barrels.
Jack (Stecher)