A labeled Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Tonic Bitters
22 April 2014 (R•031619) (R•032319)
Yet another fantastic, labeled bitters from New Hampshire submitted by Brandon DeWolfe. We are talking today about Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Tonic Bitters from Rindge, New Hampshire. The example that Brandon submitted is also pontiled and signed by Stephen Jewett. This goes along with the previous Tuft’s Tonic Bitters, Annabel’s Mandrake Bitters and Russell’s Alterative and Tonic Bitters. Many bitters collectors are more familiar with the embossed Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Celebrated Heath Restoring Bitters.
Read: Dr. Stephen Jewett’s / Celebrated Health Restoring Bitters / Rindge, N.H. on eBay
This bitters is actually unlisted in both of the Ring & Ham Bitters Bottles books will need to be listed in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2.
J 39.5 L . . . Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Tonic Bitters
Oval, Aqua. NSC, Applied mouth, Pontiled?
Dr. Stephen Jewett’s / Celebrated Health / Restoring Bitters / Rindge, N.H.” Bitters Bottle, a Stoddard glasshouse, Stoddard, New Hampshire, 1840-1860. Rectangular with beveled corners, brilliant olive yellow, applied square collared mouth – pontil scar, ht. 7 1/4 inches; R/H #J-37 A beautiful and light color. Fine condition. Estimate: $2,500 – $5,000 Price Realized: $5,265 – Heckler
Stephen Jewett was born in Rindge, New Hampshire on October 21, 1764 and was the son of Ezekiel and Hannah (Platts) Jewett and brother of Dr. Thomas Jewett. The Jewett’s were among the first settlers of Rindge. Stephen married Nancy Colburn on May 30, 1786 who was the daughter of Ebenezer and Mercy (Everett) Colburn. Stephen and Nancy occupied the farm previously owned by his father, known today as the Ware Farm. Stephen and Nancy had twelve children.
Ezekiel Jewett House, home of Dr. Stephen Jewett
The Jewett family was an enterprising group with interests in several mills and factories in that town. The family was best known, however, for its involvement in the medical field. Although Stephen Jewett did not pursue a regular course of professional study, through his good natural abilities, and ordinary degree of common sense, which schools cannot bestow, he built a lucrative medical practice in the Rindge area. Dr. Jewett became well known in his field and was frequently called to Boston and other cities for professional consultation for the cure of both chronic and acute diseases.
Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Celebrated Heath Restoring Bitters in yellow-olive – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 100
Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Celebrated Heath Restoring Bitters, (Ring/Ham, J-37), (Odell, pg. 133), New Hampshire, ca. 1840 – 1860, medium yellowish olive amber, 7 1/2”h, iron pontil, applied ring mouth. Perfect condition, excellent overall glass whittle, bold impression. An extra appealing ‘flow’ of glass on the side of the neck occurred when the lipwas being applied. Here’s a ‘top shelf’ example! $5,500 – Glass Works Auctions Direct Sale [March 2019]
Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Health Restoring Bitters b/w proof – Library of Congress
Stephen, Jr. located the main office of the Jewett Company in Boston. He purchased bottles from the glass factories at Keene and Stoddard to package the Health Restoring Bitters. The labels on the bottles stated that the bitters would cure chronic diseases, cancer, all disorders of the blood, skin and digestive organs, liver and kidney complaints, and many other disabilities. In fact, the label indicated that “all can be cured if within the power of medicine.” These small bottles of bitters sold for 50¢ each and were a huge success. Stephen Jewett Jr. passed away in 1862 and his medicine company closed within ten years.
Label detail for the pontiled, Dr. Stephen Jewett’s Tonic Bitters. Note faded Jewett signature on bottom – DeWolfe Collection
