R E E D ‘ S B I T T E R S
A mysterious little Reed’s Bitters Vial
13 December 2012 (R•102518) (R•082619)
Incoming question about a Reed’s Bitters sample vial. I haven’t seen this before. Most bitters collectors are familiar with Reed’s Bitters. We will use this opportunity to take a closer look.
Wondered if you’ve ever come across one of these? The sample vial is 6 1/2″ tall and was found in a shop in Plainfield, Vermont. Hope things are going well. – Thanks, John
[PRG] John: Interesting little piece. I don’t think I have ever seen a vial with a bitters label. Maybe this was one of the first 5 Hour Energy Drinks you see on convenience store check-out counters.
I do not see a listing in Ring and Ham Bitters Bottles but I do recognize a few key components on the label that tie right back to the Reed’s Bitters lady’s leg (see pictures below).
On the maroon label, beneath the serifed alphabet which is consistent with Reed’s Bitters typography, there looks to be a Geo. W. M. Reed, New Haven listing. This is consistent with the proprietor and later location of the brand. The testimonial on the back label is also really interesting as it looks like a real signature from George Reed in ink that has been smeared. The word “Stomach” is positioned between “Reed’s” and “Bitters” which is interesting.
I have put together a few pictures of the parent Reed’s Bitters bottle, some collateral material and examples of the Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic which was a popular beverage sold by Reed on a rather a large scale under dubious pretenses as you will see from court documents below.
The Carolyn Ring and W.C. Ham listings for this brand have been updated in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2.
R 28 REED’S / BITTERS // c // s // REED’S ( ad ) / BITTERS // c //
12 1/2 x 3 1/4 (5 3/4)
Round lady’s leg, Amber, Gold and Yellow, LTCR, Applied mouth, Scarce
M. Reed & Co., New Haven, Conn. After January 1, 1874, each bottle had a 4 cent Internal Revenue proprietary stamp. (see below)
Name variations for this brand have been updated in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2.
Trade card
R 28.1 REEDS AROMATIC STOMACH BITTERS, Illustration labeled lady’s leg bottle and four medals. Label reads, Celebrated Stomach Bitters and Reed’s Stomach Bitters with George W. M. Reed signature. Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., 176 State St., New Haven, Conn. Reverse blank.
Trade card
R 28.2 REED’S COCKTAIL BITTERS, Illustration draped goddess in American flag and shield reading A. Werner & Co. 308 Broadway, N.Y. Reverse: Reed’s Trade Mark Gilt Edge Tonic, Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., Wine Merchants, 298 State Street, New Haven, CT. Sole Agents for A. Werner & Co.’s Champagne, Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic, Reed’s Horehound Honey and Rye, Reed’s Cocktail Bitters.
Reed’s Bitters cover, Geo. W. M. Reed & Co. – Ben Swanson Collection
George W. M. Reed
Not much personal information is available for George W. M. Reed from New Haven, Connecticut but he sure put out a rather well-known bitters, that being Reed’s Bitters, which later morphs into Reed’s Cocktail Bitters, Reed’s Aromatic Bitters and Reed’s Aromatic Stomach Bitters. Essentially the same bitters put up in beautiful amber lady’s leg figural bottles. He was also known for his Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic (also advertised as Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic Bitters). Reed advertised extensively and sold his product nationally, often making trips with his top salesman to pitch the bitters, so we can track him that way.
George W. M. Reed was born about 1842 in Connecticut. Both of his parents were also from Connecticut according to an 1880 United States Federal Census. We first see him listed as Tuttle & Reed, liquors & ales at 176 State Street in New Haven. Nathan Hale Tuttle was his partner. Reed probably clerked in this or another liquor store first to get some experience. In 1871, he is listed as Reed & Moseley, liquor dealers, 176 State Street. In 1873, the concern is now G. W. M. Reed & Co., liquor dealers at the same address. In 1874, the name is George W. M. Reed & Co., and W. O. Fletcher is his partner. They are selling ales, wines & liquors at 176 State Street.
We first see mention of Reed’s Bitters in 1875 when a New Haven directory listing notes Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., wine merchants, Manufacturers of Reed’s Bitters, 176 State Street. He was proud of his bitters and indicates on one of the advertising trade cards below that his bitters had won some international gold metals though I can find no record of this. Those metals have the dates 1862 and 1867. He could have concocted his bitters then but he certainly wasn’t advertising it yet. He probably just added the dates to give his product some history.
His lady’s leg bitters labels probably read, “Reed’s Aromatic Stomach Bitters” and his bottles were simply embossed “Reed’s Bitters.” I have not seen any labeled examples except in the illustration on the trade card below. On the Reed’s Bitters wallet card below, you will see advice on how to make his first-class Cocktail Bitters and when reduced with water, his Stomach Bitters. Just changing with the times and market trends.
From 1878-1881, Daniel O. Reed joins him and they are listed as Bitters Manufacturers at 298 State Street in New Haven. We first see Reed’s Aromatic Stomach Bitters listed in an Internal Revenue Record in 1879.
By 1881 and 1882, we see advertisements for both Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic and Reed’s Cocktail Bitters. Reed has changed his company name to Geo. W. M. Reed Bitter (no “s”) Company. He is also listed as importers and wholesale dealers in liquors, wines, &c., and notes a new product called Reed’s Horehound, Honey & Rye. The last listing I can find is The George W. M. Reed Bitter Co. in 1894.
What happens to George W. M. Reed after that is unknown.
George W. M. Reed, New Haven, Conn. Directory Advertising
Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., Wine Merchants, Manufacturers of Reed’s Bitters, 176 State Street – New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1875
Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., Wine Merchants, Proprietors of Reed’s Bitters and Reed’s Gilt-Edged (sic) Tonic, New Haven, CT. – New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1878
Advertisement for Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic, Geo. W. M. Reed Bitter Co., New Haven, Conn., – Wright’s Australian and American Commercial Directory and Gazetteer – 1881 – Library University of California
Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., Importers and Dealers in Liquors, Wines, &c., Wholesale agents for Reed’s Cocktail Bitters and Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic, 298 and 300 State St., New Haven, CT. – New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1882
Geo. W. M. Reed & Co., Importers and Wholesale Dealers in Liquors, Wines, &c., Wholesale Agents for Reed’s Cocktail Bitters and Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic and Reed’s Horehound, Honey & Rye, 298 and 300 State Street, New Haven, Conn. – New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1884
Geo. W. M. Reed Bitter Co., Manufacturers of Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic and Reed’s Cocktail Bitters, 298 and 300 State Street – New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1885
STANTON & CO. – Fine Family Grocers advertisement selling Reed’s Bitters in Chicago – 1886
G A L L E R Y
Orange amber REED’S BITTERS lady’s leg figural bottle – Meyer Collection
Orange amber REED’S BITTERS lady’s leg figural bottle – Meyer Collection
Yellow amber REED’S BITTERS lady’s leg figural bottle – Ed Gray Photograph
Yellow amber REED’S BITTERS lady’s leg figural bottle – Ed Gray Photograph
Amber REED’S BITTERS – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Dark amber REED’S BITTERS – Skinner’s Auctions
Amber REED’S BITTERS – Glass Works Auctions
Honey amber REED’S BITTERS – Glass Works Auctions
Amber REED’S GILT EDGE 1878 TONIC
Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic Clock
Reed for some reason decided to advertise on clock faces. Not a bad idea really as you assert your brand whenever anyone wants to know what time it is. Here is a clock below with description:
‘This Regulator Clock is Presented by The Geo. W. M. Reed Bitter Co. of New Haven, Conn. thru their Wholesale Agents, as a gift to our patrons, and is intended to attract attention to the merits of, “REED’S GILT EDGE TONIC” – Adhered paper within clock
Read more: Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic Clocks
Very rare, Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic Cures Clock
Ingraham Reed’s Tonic Advertisng Wall Regulator: dial reads “Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic”; lower glass reads “Cure’s Malaria”
Advertising Trade Cards
Reed’s Aromatic Stomach Bitters trade card, Geo. W.M. Reed & Co., 176 State Street, New Haven, Conn – Joe Gourd Collection
Reed’s Bitters wallet card (with advice on how to make his Cocktail Bitters and Stomach Bitters) – Joe Gourd Collection
Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic trade card
The late Miss Jennie E. Cramer Murder Mystery trade card, Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic, G.W.M. Reed Bitter Co., New Haven, Conn. circa 1881 – Joe Gourd Collection
Reverse above: The late Miss Jennie E. Cramer Murder Mystery trade card, Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic, G.W.M. Reed Bitter Co., New Haven, Conn. circa 1881 – Joe Gourd Collection
Reed got in trouble here selling his bitters and tonics in bars and saloons – Federal Reporter – Volume 17 – 1883
