William H. Walker and his Tonic Bitters
17 December 2013 (R•072719)
I came across this 1869 advertisement above for Walker’s Tonic Bitters that I found in the Louisville Daily Express. I think I may have an unlisted bitters. Doing a little research on W. H. Walker, I find some rather interesting information.
“Chesapeake Bay canvas-back ducks, New York oysters in the shell, venison and grouse from the prairies, mutton and beef from Bourbon Country, pheasants, quail, woodcock, plover, salmon, bass, etc.”
The first tavern or inn to open in Louisville opened on Fourth Street near Main Street in August 1834 by William H. Walker. It quickly became the informal headquarters of the Whig Party in Louisville and the venue where Henry Clay met with local party leaders when he was in the city. By 1845 it was called Walker’s Restaurant Hotel and advertised that “all the substantials and delacies of this and other markets can be had at all hours” (Louisville Morning Courier and American Democrat, February 22, 1845).
In 1851 the establishment was moved to a newly erected building on Third between Main and Market Streets. Its culinary fame was maintained with “Chesapeake Bay canvas-back ducks, New York oysters in the shell, venison and grouse from the prairies, mutton and beef from Bourbon Country, pheasants, quail, woodcock, plover, salmon, bass, etc.” (Louisville Daily Courier, July 19, 1851. After the move it became Walker’s Exchange and continued business until the early 1890s. – The Encyclopedia of Louisville
In the early 1860s, William H. Walker went in to the wholesale liquor business with William M. Ward dealing in pure old Bourbon and other Kentucky whiskies at 49 W. Market (Main) Street. In 1870 or so Frederick K. Walker, his oldest son, replaces William Ward. William H. also has a son named William M. working as a clerk. The elder William H. dies around 1874 and the business is carried on by Fred K. Walker and Frank Walker.
The Walker’s Tonic Bitters first make’s an appearance in 1869 and is advertised in Louisville as late as 1881.
As it turns out, Walker’s Tonic Bitters is listed in Bitters Bottles as W 13 and W 13.5. In this discovery, I did find that William H. Walker was selling a stomach bitters in 1849. The listing in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 will be:
Newspaper Advertisement
W 13.x WALKER’S STOMACH BITTERS, Purchasers may always rely on the quality of the articles they may purchase at Walker’s City Exchange, The Louisville Daily Courier, July 18, 1849. See W 13 and W 13.5
Select Listings:
1834: The first tavern or inn to open in Louisville opened on Fourth Street near Main Street in August 1834 by William H. Walker.
1845: Now called Walker’s Restaurant Hotel and advertised that “all the substantials and delacies of this and other markets can be had at all hours“, Louisville Morning Courier and American Democrat, February 22, 1845.
1849: Newspaper Advertisement: Walker’s Stomach Bitters sold at Walker’s City Exchange. – The Louisville Daily Courier, Wednesday, July 18, 1849
1851: Walker’s Restaurant moved to a newly erected building on Third between Main and Market Streets. After the move it became Walker’s Exchange and continued business until the early 1890s
1860: Walker’s Exchange, 229 and 231 Third, The Louisville Directory and Business Advertiser
1860 Advertisement for Walker’s Exchange, The Louisville Directory and Business Advertiser
1860: William H. Walker (Corwin & Co.,) 231 Third, The Louisville Directory and Business Advertiser
1865: W. H. Walker & Co. (William H. Walker and William M. Ward), whol. dealers in pure old Bourbon and other Kentucky whiskies, 49 W. Market, bet, 2d and 3d, City Directory for Louisville, Kentucky
1866 & 1867: W. H. Walker & Co., (William H. Walker and William M. Ward), whol. dealers in wines and liquors, 49 W. Main, City Directory for Louisville, Kentucky
Combination W. H. Walker & Co. advertisement and Walker’s Tonic Bitters advertisement – Louisville Daily Express, April 26, 1869
W. H. Walker & Co. liquor advertisements – Louisville Daily Express, September 6, 1869
I believe this is the large lady’s leg with open-block embossing around the shoulder. Ex-rare with several known examples, two of which I’ve seen in an olive-toned amber. The best of the bunch is in an Oregon collection.
Bottle is likely the Ex-rare, large ladies leg with open-block lettered embossing around the shoulder. I’ve seen two examples in “old amber”, the best of which is in a major oregon collection.