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, 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. He 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 Quarter Horses, antiques and early United States postage stamps. Ferdinand is the past 6-year President of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors and is one of the founding members of the FOHBC Virtual Museum.

R.C. Ridgway & Co. Lady’s Leg – Philadelphia

Posted on 24 December 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

R.C. Ridgway & Co. Lady’s Leg – Philadelphia 24 December 2018 I received the email below and pictures of an exciting new find from Robert Biro that I thought I would share. I was curious who R.C. Ridgway was? It … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitters, Digging and Finding, History, Spirits, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Use Dr. Henley’s Celebrated California IXL Bitters

Posted on 21 December 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Use Dr. Henley’s Celebrated California IXL Bitters 21 December 2018 Dr. William Henley is associated with a wide variety of products ranging from bitters to various types of patent medicines. His bitters bottles, typically round cylinders, are highly prized collectibles … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Article Publications, Bitters, Color Runs, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Tonics, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Smith’s Magic Bitters – Council Bluffs, Iowa

Posted on 9 December 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Smith’s Magic Bitters John Brown Adkins – Council Bluffs, Iowa 09 December 2018 I recently received an email and newspaper clipping from Mark Wiseman about an unlisted Dr. Smith’s Magic Bitters. He found the ad below in The Council Bluffs … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitters, Civil War, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Remedy, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kohn & Adler’s Bitters – Rock Island, Illinois

Posted on 8 December 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Kohn & Adler’s Bitters Rock Island, Illinois 08 December 2018 I recently received an email and 1866 newspaper clipping from Mark Wiseman about an unlisted Adler’s Celebrated Anti-Cholera Bitters which led me to do a search for “Adler” information. This … Continue reading →

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Adler’s Celebrated Anti-Cholera Bitters – St. Joe

Posted on 6 December 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Adler’s Celebrated Anti-Cholera Bitters Simon Adler | St. Joe & St. Louis 06 December 2018 I recently received and email and 1866 newspaper clipping (below) from Mark Wiseman about an unlisted Adler’s Celebrated Anti-Cholera Bitters put out by S. Adler … Continue reading →

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Pond’s Bitters “Makes You Go Some”

Posted on 28 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Pond’s Bitters “Makes You Go Some” 28 November 2018 (R•120418) The story here is about three related Chicago-sold bitters. The first is Lash’s Bitters from California which inspired Rex Bitters and Pond’s Bitters, the subject of this post. Pond’s Bitters was … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Spirits, Tonics, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If you can’t do business, drink Rex Bitters

Posted on 23 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

If you can’t do business, drink Rex Bitters Chicago 23 November 2018 (R•032319) Here is what I call a telephone bitters. A bitters product so late that you could call your favorite saloon, liquor or drug store and order a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Ephemera, History, Humor - Lighter Side, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Regulations, Temperance, Tonics, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Henry Fess Jr. Jaundice Bitters

Posted on 18 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Henry Fess Jr. Jaundice Bitters Milwaukee, Wisconsin 18 November 2018 Here is an extremely rare Jaundice Bitters from Milwaukee, Wisconsin put out by Henry Fess Jr., who was a prominent wholesale and retail druggist. The bottle recently showed up in … Continue reading →

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Buck’s Aromatic Bitters – a First Rate Tonic & Remedy

Posted on 14 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Buck’s Aromatic Bitters – a First Rate Tonic & Remedy 14 November 2018 (R•012919) I came across some newspaper advertising for Buck’s Aromatic Bitters and was curious about the brand. It looks like the proprietors were Captain John Thomas Buck and Dr. Pinckney … Continue reading →

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Sazerac Aromatic Bitters – P. H. Drake & Co.

Posted on 7 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Sazerac Aromatic Bitters Lady’s Leg P.H. Drake & Co. 07 November 2018 Looking at the motif of the monogram “PHD & Co.” on a Sazerac Aromatic Bitters bottle leads you to Patrick Henry Drake, the proprietor for the famous Drake’s Plantation Bitters. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bartending, Bitters, Brandy, Figural Bottles, History, Liqueurs, liquor, Medicines & Cures, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment