Author Archives: Ferdinand Meyer V

About Ferdinand Meyer V

Ferdinand Meyer V is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and has a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. Ferdinand is the founding Principal of FMG Design, Inc., a nationally recognized design consultation firm. Ferdinand is a passionate collector of American historical glass, specializing in bitters bottles, color runs, and related classic figural bottles. Ferdinand is married to Elizabeth Jane Meyer and lives in Houston, Texas, with their daughter and three wonderful grandchildren. The Meyers are also very involved in gardening (Peachridge Gardens), antiques (Peachridge Collections), and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past three-term president of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, a long-time board member, FOHBC 2021 Hall of Fame, and one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.

“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Posted on 21 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” 21 August 2012 PARIS HORTON KEACH – BALTIMORE It is very gratifying and exciting when I start down a path and doors start opening. Yesterday I saw a gorgeous picture of Keach soda water … Continue reading →

Posted in Auction News, Civil War, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, Figural Bottles, History, Postage, Questions, Soda Water | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Barrel Series – Liquore del Diavolo Figural Barrel

Posted on 20 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Barrel Series – Liquore del Diavolo Figural Barrel 20 August 2012 (R•052615) (R•052815) LIQUORE DEL DIAVOLO I can not think of too many antique bottles embossed with the devil or satan so when I saw a picture of this figural … Continue reading →

Posted in Auction News, Figural Bottles, Spirits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Cabins

Posted on 20 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

KELLY’S OLD CABIN BITTERS I vividly remember one evening back in 2003 where I kept sneaking out on my porch steps of my loft (hiding from my wife, Elizabeth) in downtown Houston. I was actually in a virtual online and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Auction News, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, Figural Bottles, History, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bodmann Baltimore Cathedral Pickles perish in great San Francisco Fire

Posted on 19 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Jeff Wichmann over at American Bottle Auctions in Sacramento, California, has an exciting auction online as I write. This is Auction #56 that closes on 26 August 2012. Besides the spectacular Kelly’s Old Cabin Bitters (see above), and the Cropper’s Stomach … Continue reading →

Posted in Article Publications, Auction News, Digging and Finding, Early American Glass, Figural Bottles, History, Museums, News, Pickle Jars, Publications | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part II

Posted on 19 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part II PART II of a Series 19 August 2012 It is time to open the second gallery of vintage drinking pictures as the first galley filled to volume. This is a continuation … Continue reading →

Posted in Breweriana, Civil War, Fruit Jars, Photography, Spirits, Tobacco, Whiskey, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buchanan Brass Printing Plate – Figural Cannon Series

Posted on 19 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Buchanan Brass Printing Plate – Figural Cannon Series 19 August 2012 Really phenomenal new material coming in from Abel Da Silva regarding my recent post on the Buchanan Cannons. This information pretty much closes the door on my questions about … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Digging and Finding, Ephemera, Figural Bottles, History, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barrel Series – Crow’s Celebrated Tonic Bitters

Posted on 18 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

CROW’S CELEBRATED TONIC BITTERS 18 August 2012 (R•021914 major update) (R•090516) Saving the best for last is the Crow’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. Only one known example is residing in the great figural collection of Bob Ferraro in Boulder City, Nevada. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merchant’s Gargling Oil – “Good for Man and Beast”

Posted on 18 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Merchant’s Gargling Oil – “Good for Man and Beast” 18 August 2012 A couple of paths converged last evening and pointed to developing this post for Merchants Gargling Oil. The first was when I was looking at Marianne Dow’s great … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Color Runs, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, Glass Companies & Works, History, Medicines & Cures, Postage, Remedy, Tax Stamps, Trade Cards, Veterinary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Buchanan’s Black & White Scotch Whisky Advertising

Posted on 17 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Yesterday I was writing and posting pictures of figural Buchanan cannon bottles (read: “the Buchanan Cannons”). During my research to determine the source of the Buchanan name I was led to the James Buchanan Company which is a scotch whisky “merchant”- a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Ephemera, History, Holiday, Humor - Lighter Side, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“the Buchanan Cannons”

Posted on 16 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“the Buchanan Cannons” 16 August 2012 Buchanan’s Malt Whiskey Buchanan Sour Mash Whiskey Buchanan’s Extract of Sugar Corn In late June of this year, I felt like I was wrapping up the Figural Cannon Series (see bottom of page) with … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, History, Questions, Stained Glass, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment