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.

My “Fall” grouping of 1/2 pint Union Clasped Hands

Posted on 26 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

My “Fall” grouping of 1/2 pint Union Clasped Hands 26 September 2014 As I returned to Houston yesterday, I noticed the temperature was a good 15 degrees cooler than when I left earlier in the week. Here at Peach Ridge … Continue reading →

Posted in Bottle Shows, Club News, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Flasks, Historical Flasks, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Swayne’s Bitter Catholicon – A Very Valuable Bitters

Posted on 26 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Swayne’s Bitter Catholicon – A Very Valuable Bitters 26 September 2014 Jeff Noordsy, up in Cornwall, Vermont, posted three pictures of an early, pontiled, aqua bitters saying “Yup, it’s cracked but how many of you have seen a “Swayne’s … Continue reading →

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Dr. Gerrish and his Brazilian Concentrated Stomach Bitter(s)

Posted on 23 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Gerrish and his Brazilian Concentrated Stomach Bitter(s) and Lancaster Tonic Bitters 23 September 2014 (R•092514) Well, it looks like we can finally put to bed where the unlisted Lancaster Tonic Bitters was made (Read: Unlisted Lancaster Tonic Bitters Found). I have … Continue reading →

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Woodgate & Company – Club House Gin

Posted on 18 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Woodgate & Company – Club House Gin 18 September 2014 NO PLEASURE CAN EXCEED THE SMOKING OF THE WEED Ken Edward had this cool Woodgate & Co., Club House Gin bottle at the Downieville Bottle Show this past weekend. Ken let me … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Digging and Finding, Ephemera, Gin, History, Liquor Merchant, Tobacco, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Great Comet of 1811 & Comet Wine

Posted on 17 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The Great Comet of 1811 & Comet Wine 17 September 2014 Ken Edward pulled me aside at the Downieville Bottle Show this past weekend and showed me what he called a “Halley’s Comet bottle” with an embossed comet seal and the date … Continue reading →

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California Wine Bitters – From the vineyard of Kohler & Frohling

Posted on 16 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

California Wine Bitters – From the vineyard of Kohler & Frohling 16 September 2014 (R•030615) Here, everything is not as it should be. The first example of the California Wine Bitters lady’s leg pictured below was spotted on a table at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitters, Figural Bottles, History, Liquor Merchant, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An unlisted Dr. Abbott’s Bitters by C. A. Richards

Posted on 15 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

An unlisted Dr. Abbott’s Bitters by C. A. Richards 15 September 2014 (R072719) Here is another labeled bitters that was presented to me by Jerry Forbes at the Downieville Bottle Show. With a label in rather poor shape, it is still … Continue reading →

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Hufeland Swiss Stomach Bitters

Posted on 14 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Hufeland Swiss Stomach Bitters 14 September 2014 (R•091814) Jerry Forbes brought a labeled Hufeland Swiss Stomach Bitters from the Downieville Bottle Show back to our cabin last night. I think he purchased it for $25. This joins some other exciting bitters that were … Continue reading →

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Cool Embossings 3

Posted on 9 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Cool Embossings 3 09 September 2014 Lions, Bears and Bulls oh my. This is the third post in the series titled “Cool Embossings”. See Cool Bottle Embossings and Cool Bottle Embossings 2. I carry these images around in my digital purse, and periodically want to post. … Continue reading →

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The extremely rare Maynard’s Star Bitters from Pittsburgh

Posted on 7 September 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The Extremely Rare Maynard’s Star Bitters from Pittsburgh 07 September 2014 (R•102916) I haven’t thought about my Maynard’s Star Bitters (my example is pictured at the top of this post) until I saw another example in the upcoming Heckler Premier Auction … Continue reading →

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Liquor Merchant, Tonics | Leave a comment