P E R R I N E ‘S    A P P L E    G I N G E R

Here is an interesting figural log cabin and ‘Fancy Square’ called Perrine’s Apple Ginger from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The bottle always comes in nice looking shades of amber and has roped corners and a similar top roof area reminiscent of a Drake’s Plantation Bitters. There is also a ring at the base of the neck and above the pitched roof panels. The bottle is embossed, very prominently with an apple. The word ‘bitters’ does not occur.

With this said, the bottle is under-collected and typically bypassed by most figural collectors. It usually sells for around $300 so many of us, if we chose, can readily get an example for our collection. The bottle also comes with the address embossed on the reverse panel from the apple and without the address.

Jonathan S. Perrine was born on 27 August 1834 and died in Philadelphia on 15 January 1902. His parents were James Perrine and Catherine Smith. He had two sons, Edwin and William. His wife was named Anna. Federal Census reports show their residence address at 37 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA. Jonathan is usually listed as a merchant or liquor merchant on various documents.

J. S. Perrine & Son Liquors, 37 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA – circa 1895

J. S. Perrine & Son was established in 1846 in Philadelphia. I would assume his father James was in the business before him. They were importers and distillers of wines and liquors as stated in the advertisement represented further below. Note that one of the addresses is 37 N. Front Street. The Perrine family probably lived in the back of their liquor shop (see picture above).

J. S. Perrine & Son used the brand names “Chemically Pure”, “Perrine’s Palace Club Whiskey”, “Perrine’s Old Memorial Whiskey”, “Perrine’s Old Monogram Whiskey”, “Palace Gin”, “Palace Rye”, “Pelican Gin Triple Flavor”, “Perrine’s Apple Ginger“, “Perrine’s Old Blackberry Brandy” and “Perrine’s Pure Barley Malt Whiskey.”

If opium was a common ingredient in anti-malarial nostrums, so was alcohol. Perrine’s Barley Malt Whiskey, shown touted in a trade card as a “specific” for malaria and other ailments was not the product of a drug outfit, but a Philadelphia whiskey distributor. The Perrine’s had discovered that in addition to its “Palace Gin,” “Palace Rye,” and other liquor brands, a whiskey nostrum would add significant cash to the till. The picture of a winsome lass filling the orders from the ague-stricken on its trade card (see above) was added indication that it was, as advertised, “pure.”

JACK SULLIVAN

Their business names were, M & J S Perrine *see seal below (1871-1895) (puzzled but believe ‘M’ stands for Matthew), J S Perrine & Son (1894-1900), J S Perrine & Sons (1900-1901), John S Perrine & Son (1902-1918), J S Perrine & Sons Co. (1916)

Their addresses were listed as 37 N. Front Street (1871-1903), 38 N. 3rd (1890-1893), 10 N. Front Street (1904-1910), 62 N. Front Street (1911-1918), 38 N. Water Street (1894, 1897)

Advertisement for J.S. Perrine & Son, Importers and Distillers of Wines and Liquors – Semi-centennial anniversary: Jan. 16th, 1899

United States Passport for J.S. Perrine issued June 25, 1890. Jonathan was 54 years old.

P E R R I N E ‘S    A P P L E    G I N G E R

G A L L E R Y

Bright yellow amber PERRINE’S APPLE GINGER figural log cabin – Meyer Collection

Reverse embossing PERINE’S APPLE GINGER | DEPOT No 37, N.th FRONT St. PHILADA (see another picture of same bottle at the top of this post) – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

“Perrine’s” / (motif of apple) / “Ginger” – “Perrine’s – Apple – Ginger – Phila”, America, 1880 – 1895. Medium golden amber, square cabin form with roped corners and thatched roof panels, tooled sloping collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 9 7/8”, mint. Dr. Daniel Bennett collection. – American Glass Gallery Auction #9

An Amber “PERRINE’S (Picture Of Apple) GINGER” (Front Panel), “DEPOT No 37, N.th FRONT St. PHILADA” (Back Panel), “PERRINE”, “APPLE”, “GINGER”, “PHILA” (On Roof Panels) Bitters Bottle. 3″ x 3″ x 10 1/8″. – ebay

Reproductions made by the Wheaton Glass Co. of Millville, N.J. Wheaton started a new division in 1965 under the name Wheaton/Nuline. It was renamed Wheaton Products in 1973. In 1967 the company started to make reproductions of old American bottles. The bottles were made in different colors from the old ones and were marked “W,” “Nuline” or “Wheaton, N.J.” Production of Wheaton bottles was discontinued in 1974-’75. They can be found for sale at flea markets and antiques shops and shows for $5 to $15. – Terry Kovel