Another S (star) C Brown’s Herb Bitters found in Maine

27 July 2014

Now, here is one of my favorite bitters bottles that I have cherished since the day I obtained my example. I have written about the triangular S (star) C Brown’s Herb Bitters before as it is such an extremely rare and beautiful bottle. I have no clue as to who or what S C Brown is, and I searched more today. Just a great bottle with that embossed star. Last week I heard of another example and I have permission to share some super pictures and related correspondence.

Read: The beautiful and triangular S (star) C Brown’s Herb Bitters

Ferdinand,

I met you for the first time at the FOHBC national show in Manchester, New Hampshire last year. Since then, I have frequented your site many times. I’ve read about your S (star) C Brown’s Herb Bitters with great interest. I have been pursuing one for the past 5-1/2 years. Just in time for my 58th birthday, my five plus years of persistence has finally paid off and I have acquired a spectacular piece from an 81 year old gentleman who picked it in a large collection of bottles from a barn in Carlisle, PA back in 1978. He has had it in a corner cabinet with a handful of historic Pittsburgh flasks and a few scarce bitters bottles ie., Lippman’s Great German Bitters (Savannah, Georgia), etc. If I send a few images, can you possibly substantiate this piece? Thanks,

Daniel G. Lakatos (fossil-glass.llc)

2nd e-mail

The S (star) G BROWN’S HERB BITTERS appearing in Carlyn Ring’s “For Bitters Only” c. 1980 as B 230 (page 103) exceptional with 5 or less known examples (see images attached). Out of the same collection acquired in June comes DE WITTS STOMACH BITTERS appearing in Carlyn Ring’s “For Bitters Only” c. 1980 as D 66 (page 164) exceptional with 5 or less known examples (see image attached).

I am equally curious about this bottle as it doesn’t seem possible to pick up two EXCEPTIONAL examples with 5 or less known from the same collection. I would just make the assumption that more strap sided examples of the DE WITTS have appeared over the years unlike the S  BROWNS which is seemingly has very few surviving authenticated examples. For what its worth, I have only reported this find to you. No one else has knowledge of their existence to date. Would love your thoughts at your convenience.

Thank You,

Dan Lakatos (Fossil-Glass.llc)

Dan: I posted about both brands/bottles before. Suspect you have seen though I will add links. Congrats on the Browns. Suspect $10k plus easily if marketed and sold correctly. The DeWitts Stomach Bitters flask is rated scarce in Bitters Bottles by Ring & Ham. Tough to find. I don’t have one which makes me think it is tougher to get. Congratulations too! Wonderful finds.