GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS
Most known examples were dug from one hole in Oakland, California.
A really rare, opaque milk glass, German Balsam Bitters is making an appearance at the Glass Works Auction #99 “Madness in Manchester” event that will culminate in a live auction on 20 July at the 2013 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show. It is interesting to note that this is considered a “western” bitters. There remains some questions relating to ‘if this bottle was made out west’ or shipped to the west from Germany for distribution?
Glass Works lot #19 reads as follows:
19. “GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS / W. M. WATSON & CO. / SOLE AGENTS FOR U.S.”, (G-19), California, ca. 1875 – 1890, opaque milk glass, 8 7/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth, perfect condition. One of only a very few American bitters bottles that were made in milk glass.
There is quite a bit of information on W. M. Watson over at Western Whiskey Tool Top Gazette.
Read: Warren Watson
Read: And the mists of time cleared
Illustration of German Balsam Bitters – from Bitters Bottles by Carlyn Ring and W. C. Ham
The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is:
G 18 GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS
GERMAN BALSAM BITTERS / W. M. WATSON & CO. / SOLE AGENTS FOR U.S. // f // f // f //
9 x 2 7/8 (6 3/4) 7/16
Square, Milk glass, LTC, Applied mouth, Rare
Only Western embossed milk glass bitters bottle. *Wichmann includes Berliner Bitters as second
Warren M. Watson had a liquor distributor business in Oakland, California from 1880 until 1905.
Most known examples were dug from one hole in Oakland, California.
Invoice/Statement. Description: White paper, black etched graphic of grapes and back printing – “W. M. Watson Co., Inc. Wine Growers and Dealers in California Wines & Brandies“, San Francisco, sale to Henry Boyle, Port Costa, dated Aug. 27, 1898, partial notary stamp impressed in top right corner. – Oakland Museum of California
German Balsam Bitters image within The Best of the West Antique Western Bitters Bottles by Jeff Wichmann
German Balsam Bitters label pictured within The Best of the West Antique Western Bitters Bottles by Jeff Wichmann
