BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS
22 July 2012 (R•021718)
“Prove all things.”
Ben Franklin bitters figural bottle, America, 1840 to 1860. Tapered barrel form, medium blue green, applied square collared mouth and pontil scar. This is a label only bitters, an extremely rare example with 90% or more of its original labels, which although difficult, are readable. An extremely rare bottle with extremely rare color. R/H F80L. – previous Norman C. Heckler Auction (I believe this bottle resides in the Bob Ferraro collection)
Here is a really great figural barrel in a conical form with tapered horizontal ribbing. There in NO embossing but at least two labeled examples exist (see pictures below) calling this a BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS POOR RICHARD’S TONIC. I love this bottle!. It is very architectural and reminds me of the New England annular inks. I’ve seen Heckler, Ring & Ham and the New York Historical Society publish different date ranges for this brand which is puzzling. FYI, I do posses two pontiled examples (see below).
Annular Pitkin or Coventry G-2a Inkwell. – Rick Ciralli
Pay special attention to the New York Historical Society example. I was not aware of this bottle until today. WOW. Look at that gorgeous label!
Carlyn Ring | W.C Ham Listing in Bitters Bottles
F 80 BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS, Circa 1855 – 1865
L…Ben Franklin Bitters Poor Richards Tonic
G. Mansfield Rowland Proprietor New Haven, Connecticut
10 x 3 1/2
Barrel, 10-10, Amber, Green, Cobalt, NSC, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark
Body tapers shoulder to base
Label: These pleasant and healthy bitters are compounded of pure vegetable materials, and as a tonic cannot be surpassed. A simple trial will convince the most skeptical that these bitters are of the highest merit. Prove all things!
New York Historical Society Museum & Library Description
Description: 10 x 3 5/8 inches, Light green glass bitters bottle blown in a three-part mold with patent lip and rounded string rim, ball neck, conical body with horizontal ribbing and paper labels, and base with concave profile.
Label: paper label: on obverse: “Prove all things.” paper label: on reverse: “BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS / POOR RICHARD’S TONIC / . . . PURELY / Vegetable / MATERIALS / And as a Tonic cannot be / surpassed / G. Mansfield Rowland / PROPRIETOR / A Single Trial / Will convince the most / skeptical . . . / Highest Merit. / DIRECTIONS. / . . . / NEW HAVEN / Conn.”
This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor.
Prove all things Ben Franklin Bitters – New York Historical Society Museum & Library – This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman’s collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman’s entire collection in 1937.
Ben Franklin Bitters in a mint green coloration – Meyer Collection
Ben Franklin Bitters in a copper puce coloration. Sand pontil – Meyer Collection
Ben Franklin Bitters in a moss green coloration – Meyer Collection
Top detail Ben Franklin Bitters in a moss green coloration – Meyer Collection
Ben Franklin Bitters in a two-tone honey apricot coloration. – Meyer Collection
Color run of Ben Franklin Bitters – Meyer Collection – Meyer Collection
BEN FRANKLIN-TYPE BITTERS BOTTLE, (Ring# F80L), bright moss green, conical with barrel staves and indented label panel, sand chip pontil scar, 10″H x 3 1/2″D, applied mouth, about mint (a bean-sized base edge bubble is open at the surface). American, C. 1850, rare. This rare, New Haven, CT barrel-shaped bitters bottle is blown in an unusual shade of moss green bottle glass that is filled with bubbles and impurities. – previously sold by Jeff and Holly Noordsy (This looks familiar)
Read More on Figural Barrels
Barrel Series – Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic
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Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the smaller ones)
Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the big boys)
Barrel Series – Dr. Chandler’s Jamaica Ginger Root Bitters
Barrel Series – Favorite Bitters & Peoples Favorite Bitters
Barrel Series – Wormser Bros San Francisco
Barrel Series – Mist of the Morning
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
One of the greatest and most classic forms in a Bitters barrel I think. I find the tapered “Christmas tree” shape pleasing to the eye.
I believe the labeled teal example was sold by Bob Ferraro to Ted Christ at the last Expo (York, Pa.).