Goodwin’s Laree Bitters – Baltimore

Strictly A French Preparation

20 October 2015 (R•052517) (R•061519)

The advertisement below was found in the bottom right corner of a Virginia newspaper in 1882. Right beneath the word OPIUM. It represents the unlisted Goodwin’s Laree Bitters.

Wikipedia says that Laree may refer to a village and commune in France (Larée is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France), a Lari (fish hook money), an obsolete coinage used around the Arabian sea, the Georgian lari, a unit of currency or the Maldivian laari, a unit of currency. The Urban Dictionary says the name LaRee has a french origin, meaning beautiful woman that is loved by all. Since advertising for this unlisted bitters says it is “Strictly a French Preparation”, we may have to go with a village in France or better yet “A beautiful French woman that is loved by all“. That is why I put the picture at the top of the post.

There are no bottle examples that I am aware of. So how did Joseph H. Goodwin, get and sell this bitters for a short time in 1882 and 1883 in Baltimore? There are barely any clues. He called it “A Blood Tonic”.

The new listings in Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

Trade cards
G 73.5 GOODWIN’S LA REE BITTERS, Blood Tonic, 130 Franklin St., Baltimore, Md. Front duotone illustrations of children. Reverse blank.

Newspaper Advertisement
G 73.5 GOODWIN’S LAREE BITTERS & BLOOD TONIC, Strictly a French Preparation, John H. Goodwin. Proprietor, No. 130 Franklin Street., Baltimore.
The Bristol News (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) October 3, 1882 also The Democratic Advocate (Westminster, Maryland), April 1, 1882

Advertisement for Goodwin’s Laree Bitters – Bristol News (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.), October 3, 1882

J. H. Goodwin, Patent Medicines

J. H. Goodwin, Patent Medicines, 130 Franklin St. – Among the many discoveries that chemistry has lately produced is that of Goodwin’s La Ree Bitters, which is allowed to be by all who use it the best blood tonic in the world, and is recommended by all medical advisers. Mr. Goodwin has been for the past three years established here, having purchased the interest of his predecessor, Mr. J. Waltz. He makes a leading specialty in the manufacture of his bitters and a liniment for rheumatism, and for the preservation of the teeth, extracts and essences. A full line of all kinds of drugs, patent medicines, soaps and sponges, chamois skins, essences and extracts, etc., are kept in stock, and sales are extensive, a large patronage being established over a wide section of the surrounding country. Mr. Goodwin is a native of Carroll county, and a gentleman of the highest standing in social circles, and is fast winning a high rank among the manufacturers of this branch of the trade. – Industries of Maryland: A Descriptive Review of the Manufacturing and Mercantile Industries of the City of Baltimore, 1882

Advertisement for Goodwin’s LaRee Bitters sold by J. H. Goodwin in Baltimore – Industries of Maryland: A Descriptive Review of the Manufacturing and Mercantile Industries of the City of Baltimore, 1882

Goodwin’s La Ree Bitters Blood Tonic advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Goodwin’s La Ree Bitters Blood Tonic advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Goodwin’s La Ree Bitters Blood Tonic advertising trade card – Joe Gourd Collection

Select Listings:

1879: Joseph H. Goodwin establishes himself in Baltimore. – Industries of Maryland: A Descriptive Review of the Manufacturing and Mercantile Industries of the City of Baltimore, 1882

1880: Goodwin, Joseph H., salesman, Mansion house – Baltimore City Directory

1881: Goodwin, Joseph H., salesman, Eutaw house – Baltimore City Directory

1882: Advertisement for Goodwin’s LaRee Bitters sold by J. H. Goodwin (see above)

1882: Advertisement for Goodwin’s LaRee Bitters sold by J. H. Goodwin (see above)

1883: Goodwin Jos. H., patent medicines, 444 W. Baltimore st., – Baltimore City Directory

1884: Joseph H. Goodwin mentioned – The City Record, Volume 12, Part 2, New York, NY, 1884

NEW YORK SUPREME COURT.
The People ex rel. John Horan against > Writ of Certiorari. The Board of Police. )
Referred to the Counsel to the Corporation.

On reading communication from Edward R. Bacon, counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Co., relative to completion of their lines within this city, it was Resolved, That the Superintendent be directed not to interfere with the completion of the lines of the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Co., until further orders.

On reading communication from Joseph H. Godwin, dated June 19, 1884, it was Resolved, That in pursuance of section 181, chapter 410, of the Laws of 1882, application be and is hereby respectfully made to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, to lease, for the purposes of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York, from Joseph H. Goodwin (for one year, with the option and privilege of renewing the same for five years), the land and premises now occupied as a station-house, prison, stables, etc., by the police force of the Thirty-fifth Precinct, for the use of the Police Department of said city, as a station-house, prison, stables, etc., for said Thirty-fifth Precinct, at the annual rent of $1,700.