JANUARY | 2 0 1 5
Saturday, 31 January 2015
Interesting letter over in Mailbox from Kimberly R, a relation of S.O. Richardson. Visit MAILBOX
Hi Ferd, Hope all is well with you. The link below is to the ebay seller ntqlvr (LINK) He has some bitters for sale, don’t know if you are interested in any, but this seller is the one who has the Dr. Stillman’s black looking bottle in the picture I sent you several weeks ago. He runs hot and cold selling on ebay, these are his first listings in a while. Worth keeping an eye on.
Richard Kramerich
Pensacola
Friday, 30 January 2015
Wow, has it been since Monday since I have posted on Daily Dose. Time flies. Been in and out of town and in many meetings. Also getting the March April issue of Bottles and Extras buttoned up.
Here is an extremely rare Dr. Tutt’s Sarsaparilla and Queens Delight in aqua that was added to the Golden Eagle Bitters post. The bottle also comes in amber.
George C. Hubbel’s Golden Bitters post updated.
Monday, 26 January 2015
Regarding the extremely rare Golden Eagle Bitters from Augusta, Georgia: The variant without Augusta, GA embossed typically comes in a medium amber color, with my example being the only one known in a honey yellow color. I am guessing that there are maybe a half dozen undamaged examples known without the city name. My bottles measures 9 1/4 inches in height with a 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches square base. The neck is 2 inches long, meaning it measures 7 1/4 inches from base to where neck begins.
Mike Newman to Bill Ham for Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 listing. Look for a post this week. Read Post
Saturday, 24 January 2015
I received a communication from Martin Van Zant who says that Dr. Lovegood was from Anderson, Indiana. He shared the picture below. He added that there was no actual Doctor named Lovegood. That was a made up name and sold under another Doctor. There are two versions of the Dr. Lovegood’s bottle. One has the Anderson Indiana reference. The one depicted below does not. READ Log Cabin Series – Dr. Lovegood’s Family Bitters
Did you know that Dr. Hoofland’s German Bitters that was prepared by C. M. Jackson in Philadelphia was NOT A RUM DRINK and will NOT MAKE DUNKARDS!
Dr. Hoofland’s German Bitters advertisement – Reading Times, Wednesday, May 27, 1863
Friday, 23 January 2015
The Frederick’s American Star Bitters seems to be unlisted.
Fredericks American Star Bitters – Harrisburg Telegraph, Thursday, October 29, 1868
Here is something that I did not know. The Mishler’s Bitters advertisement below reference three Medical Compounds. This first is the well-known Mishler’s Herb Bitters, the second is Mishler’s Green Label Bitters and the third is Mishler’s Red Label Bitters.
Read More on the Mishler brand:
Mishler’s Keystone Bitters – Stencil and Bottle
Mishler’s Herb Bitters & Prof. Parker’s Pleasant Worm Syrup
Mishler’s Herb Bitters Advertising Wall Clock
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Sent the FOHBC Bottles and Extras March April issue cover up to the FOHBC Editor Martin Van Zant this past weekend. Our Dick Watson will be profiled. Please join the FOHBC. Five or so did just so yesterday online.
Orolo Bitters post updated with some interesting comments.
Monday, 19 January 2015
Can I say MF Fiddlesticks on the web? It is legal or wrong for the FOHBC prez to say mf**ker (mother baker) Well I just did! Jeff Wichmann posts his new batch of bottles at noon today. I pick three I want and his web site breaks! Jeff later says, “Ferd-I just had our server people fix it. Traffic was overloading the site.” Well I get home, the site works and those puppies are already sold. Don’t get me wrong, Jeff is cool, I just need to say the F bomb. I’m a good sport though. Congrats to the buyer. You know I’m breathing down your neck :)! CONGRATS TO JEFF for creating some much needed excitement. Visit American Bottle Auctions Store
Read post about this extraordinary bottle: Knoefel’s Orolo Bitters – New Albany, Indiana
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Liking the Dr. Petzold’s that Norm Heckler has in his current auction. Added image to: Dr. Petzold’s Genuine German Bitters – Patent Medicine
Picture of an extremely rare Dr. I. Hester’s Stomach Bitters. Another “Hostetter’s knock-off. Picture courtesy of Dennis Humphrey. Ring & Ham say an example was found in an abandoned well in Louisiana. Apparently there are two known examples.
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Been traveling. Seems like I haven’t seen the sun in a month. Dr. Carey’s Mandrake Bitters post updated with this labeled example from Ryan McMurray.
Monday, 12 January 2015
A couple of odd bitters pieces. Look closely at the clover leaves.
Aunt Rachel’s Bitters – The Humboldt Union, Saturday, January 9, 1897
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Hey Ferdinand, Heath Jenkins, Ohio bottle digger here. Your recent Monopole Bitters article caught my attention and I wanted to share some pics with you of a bottle that I dug this fall. Not only is the Wm Frank, Pittsburg, Pa similar but so is the picture frame design on the side of the bottle. I assume Frank to be the manufacturer? Any info would be appreciated?
Collector Club Presidents and contacts,
The Red Wing Collectors Society would like to invite you to our MidWinter GetTogether in our new location in Oconomowoc WI! We have opportunities for your organization and members to come join us next month in Wisconsin:
~ Registration for our member events
~ Room sales and stoneware auction
~ Show and Sale tables for $35
~ Your free Organization signup table.
The Red Wing Collectors Society is holding its MidWinter GetTogether February 5-7th at the Olympia Conference Center and Resort in Oconomowoc, WI. Our members get away from Winter for a few days each February to learn about stoneware, buy/sell/trade stoneware, and renew friendships with other collectors. This year we are moving our Get Together to Oconomowoc, WI. from Des Moines, IA., so many of our members who were unable to attend before, can now be part of the fun and festivities.
Because many of our members are also collectors of stoneware, pottery, and dinnerware that are not Red Wing, we thought it would be fun to invite members of other Collectors groups to this year’s event. The idea is to allow other groups to come for a fun weekend of collecting, conversation, and maybe gain some new collectors for their group. Since the event is open to the public and is being advertised all over Wisconsin as well as the entire 3300 members of the RWCS, maybe we can convince some collectors to join our group, or your group, depending on what they like and collect.
The MidWinter GetTogether consists of:
Room sales: Thursday, Feb. 5 through Saturday, Feb. 7
Members reception: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6
Continental Breakfast: Saturday 7:00-8:15am
Welcome Session and Keynote: Saturday 8:00-9:30am
Education Sessions: Saturday 9:40-11:30am
Show & Sale: Saturday 1:00-4:00pm (Open to the Public)
Evening Auction: Saturday 5:00pm (Open to the Public)
Continental Breakfast: Sunday – 7:00-9:00am
We would like to offer your members admittance to the MidWinter GetTogether for the Regular Registration Price of $25/pre registration, $30 on site, without the usual requirement of RWCS membership first. This allows your members full access to the Get Together for all the events. Another option is just to attend and participate in the room sales, the Saturday Show and Sale, and Saturday evening auction without attending any of the other events. If your members would like to sell at the Show and Sale, seller’s tables are $35 each and reservations can be made through our Executive Director. In addition, we would be happy to furnish a table for your organization to set up in the lobby area to solicit new members for your group. Please let us know if you would like a table.
I’m attaching a copy of the “About MidWinter” web page, a copy of the MidWinter brochure, and a copy of the Registration Form so you will know more about the event and be able to pre-register if you choose. Please call the Olympia direct (1-866-332-3590) and tell them you are with the Red Wing group for your special room rate. We’re hoping to see you and your members at the MidWinter GetTogether!
Larry Birks-President – Red Wing Collectors Society – president@redwingcollectors.org
Stacy Wegner- Exec. Director – Red Wing Collectors Society – director@redwingcollectors.org
Was trying to research a bottle I wish to sell and found your website. Would like to contact John Panella or any other collectors of DeGurley’s Bitters bottles. The bottle my family has is a DeGurley’s Herb Bitters bottle. It was found on property we once owned in West Virginia. It appears to be a dark brown in color (would guess it’s dark amber) and is intact and in great shape except for a small chip (hole) in one of the bottom corners. I have enclosed two pictures of it, and can send you more if you are interested. One side says “DeGurley’s Herb Bitters”, one side has “Manufactured Baltimore MD” one side has windows on it and one side is plain. Any help would be appreciated. Robert
Read: John Panella and his special Dr. DeGurley’s Herb Bitters
Friday, 09 January 2015
Hi Ferdinand,
Attached is an image of a recent addition to my brewery/saloon/drinking scene photo collection. The condition of this original photo is not as good as I would have preferred, but where can one find another? This image was taken beside the Garden City Brewery in Chicago. The concern was established in 1902 and closed during Prohibition in 1925. It was revived after Repeal and operated from 1933-1951.
A close up examination reveals the bottles on the table at front and center are labeled “Vita Malt,” “Daisy,” and “Export.” There are etched beer glasses on the table as well, and some of those same glasses are in the hands of the fellows in the top row.
Steve Ketcham
Read: Saloons and Establishments from Yesteryear
Hi Ferdinand,
I read your recent postings regarding Dr. Beach with great interest. Attached is a photo of a bottle I have had in my collection since 1987. I have never been able to learn anything about it.
Its color speaks for itself. The 12- sided bottle stands 9 1/4 inches tall and is 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Applied tapered collar, tubular pontil scar. Lots of “whittle marks.”
The only embossing is the word BEACH.
Should this bottle look familiar to any of the Peachridge audience, I would love to hear from them.
Thanks,
Steve Ketcham
Read: Dr. Beach’s Restorative Wine Bitters
Saluting the new year, a century ago with spiritschweppes – Hans-Jürgen Krackher
Read: Story Telling Schweppes
Occupational hazard I guess (as ex librarian) but was playing around with your recent post on the Apple Brandy Bitters bottle. Warren W. Elliott was found dead in his room in Aug of 1880 in New Orleans, according to snippets of a Indianapolis newspaper article that I was able to only partially access.
However, prior to that, he was very very briefly a “correspondent” for a newspaper called The Indianapolis People, reporting from Arizona. He reports having arrived there in April of 1879 in the “Arivaca District” He traveled by steamer from SF to Los Angeles, stopping near San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, and eventually departing LA via the Southern Pacific RR to arrive in Yuma AZ. A 2nd article indicates he returned to Indianapolis in November of 1879, where he went to work at the Insane Asylum. He apparently didn’t care for the work, left to find employment in Cincinnati and then somehow ended up in New Orleans.
I guess it’s theoretically possible, assuming he’s the same W.W. Elliott that made the Apple Brandy Bitters in Indiana, for him to have brought some along and left them behind in the West? Or sold/gave them to fellow travelers along the way?? A long shot for sure, and one that doesn’t adequately describe the removal of lettering on the bottle. But fun to ponder 😉
Just thought I’d pass along some possible leads to other explanations
Ellen Levesque
Read: What was peened out of the Apple Brandy Bitters?
Thursday, 08 January 2015
Bruce Springsteen Bitters? From The (Sacramento) Record Union in 1884
Wednesday, 07 January 2015
This nice Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters card closed on eBay yesterday according to Joe Gourd for a heathy $336.89.
Ferd, here is the story on this extremely rare bitters. As you can see it is a “Dr. M BLOCH’S GERMAN BITTERS.” It was listed on eBay about three weeks ago. The top is half missing, plus the bottom corner on the label side. The gentleman that I purchased it from was from California. He had it for about twenty five years. He use to hunt for Civil war camp sites in the southern states. He found what he believes was a Brigade campsite in Mississippi because of its size. In the dump area they found two of these Dr. M BLOCHS Bitters. One was whole and the one pictured broken. He has never seen any more surface. I do not find any listing for one. I purchased it even though it was broken and heavily stained. I took a chance and tumbled it and this is the result. I use to see this ad in AB&GC magazine where this fellow advertised for Broken Back Bitters, but let this one go by. I am glad he did. I like it broken and all. I know you would appreciate seeing it. Best Regards, Gary Beatty
Read: An Unlisted German Bitters dug in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Tuesday, 06 January 2015
Good news from Bill Ham. He has been drawing three bottles a day for the proposed Bitters Bottles Supplement 2. Quite a bit of work. Have any of you tried to draw a bottle in correct proportions with typography? Monumental and tedious task.
Here is where many of us have seen the P. H. Drake and D. S. Barnes signatures. Read Demas S. Barnes – Medicine Man to Politician
Monday, 05 January 2015
Dick Watson Funeral Information.
Cool picture for Old Hickory Bitters in Glass Works “Cabin Fever” Potpourri Auction.
Saturday, 03 January 2015
Johnson’s Calisaya Bitters piece updated with new ephemera from Joe Gourd.
Friday, 02 January 2015
A cool lithograph by Nathaniel Currier supporting the temperance movement.
Date, circa 1846. Click image to enlarge.
Thursday, 01 January 2015
Update: Funeral Info
So unfortunate to lose Dick Watson. Great man. Really feel privileged to have known him as a collector and a Federation board member. Was a good friend of my father too. Cool picture from the 187os. Dick in ochre tie. Read about Dick
UPDATE: From Jim Bender yesterday… “I spoke to Steven (one of Dicks sons) yesterday and he is not sure about viewing or funeral dates for sure yet but they are thinking the 9th and 10th at this point. No other info at this time about that. Dick passed at home in peace with his family by his side. He had done well during Christmas and then got a cut on his foot which took him to the Hospital where he got pneumonia . They could not clear it up with his breathing issues and Dick made his own choice to go home. That was the way Dick always wanted it, to go with his stuff around him.” The FOHBC will be doing a reflection of Dick Watson piece in the next issue of Bottles and Extras. It will be led off by stories from some of Dick’s closest friends. Please consider sharing.
Jeff Wichmann has some more great bottles on his FOR SALE page. Look for a Golden Bitters, St. Nicholas Stomach Bitters, Penn’s Pony Bitters, Rosenbaum’s Bitters and a few more Killers.
There is also an outrageous Johnson’s Calisaya Bitters in purple. Not aware of this bottle. Lot’s of questions. Would fit in nice if…
