“knife-edged” Pitkins made by “that guy”

Posted on 27 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Hi Ferd,

This Sunday a week ago, the annual members’ meeting of the Museum of Connecticut Glass was held at the Manchester Connecticut Historical Society. One of the highlights was an outstanding presentation by Tom Haunton on 20th Century South Jersey Glass.

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Picture of Dana’s Pitkins at the MOCG Meeting, Manchester History Center.

Dana Charlton, a museum member, had brought a couple of Pitkin flasks. After taking a picture of them, I asked her to tell me why she brought them and what made them interesting. With the hub-bub of the meeting, Dana never got a chance to answer and said “I’ll send it in an e-mail”, and here is her reply:

“The annual meetings of the Museum of Connecticut Glass are enjoyable for me for a variety of reasons…Manchester was home to Pitkin Glass Works and as a collector of Pitkin-type flasks, I bring a flask or two with me to the meetings for show & tell. Recently, when Pitkin Glass Works expert Tom Duff and I spoke by phone, I asked his thoughts on an unusual form of Pitkin — I call these “knife-edged” Pitkins, because the side edges of the flasks are flattened, bringing them to a near point.

Although it’s hard to know what New England factory they were blown in, every example that I’ve seen is crafted with great skill, well blown in the pattern mold to give good definition to both fine swirls and ribs, and the glass itself has good clarity.

There are few enough Pitkin flasks of this form known that I theorize they might have been blown by one glassblower. Indeed, collectors who have examples refer to them as made by “that guy”. Tom was intrigued by the form and we discussed the possible reasons for forming the edges of the flask this way. Possibly it was to make it easier to get a grip on the flask when drinking from it, or it was the way the apprentice pinched the sides carrying it to the annealing oven, or it could have been, my favorite theory, that it was the personal style of “that guy”!

Dana's Charlton's Pitkins

The same flasks from another angle, to better show the ‘knife-edge

Dana also provided another picture that better illustrates the “knife-edge” or flattened edge, with a second form for comparison.

Regards,

K. (Ken Previtali)

Posted in Club News, Collectors & Collections, Early American Glass, Flasks, Freeblown Glass, Glass Companies & Works, Glass Makers, History, Museums, News, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The New Bedford Museum of Glass

Posted on 27 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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The New Bedford Museum of Glass

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Dear Mr. Meyer,

I was speaking with our mutual friend Ken Previtali at a recent glass lecture in Connecticut (Thomas Haunton’s talk on Clevenger glass), and he suggested that I get in touch with you relative to a library development project currently underway at the New Bedford Museum of Glass.

Our museum was opened to the public two years ago, and among our various projects we are working to expand our glass research library. Currently it numbers some 9,500 publications, but we are missing many back issues of newsletters, etc., published by glass collecting organizations. Several months ago we were contacted by the Early American Pattern Glass Society, which wanted to add us to their newsletter mailing list as a way to publicize their organization. I asked them about back issues, and a query published in their most recent issue allowed us to assemble a full set received from their generous members. Inspired by this success, we are approaching other organizations, including the National Greentown Glass Association, the Vaseline Glass Collectors, the Antique Glass Salt and Sugar Shaker Club, the Paperweight Collectors Association, and the National Toothpick Holder Collectors’ Society.

Oh yes, and also the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

Do you think the Federation would be willing to add our museum to its mailing list and help us to assemble a set of the Bottles and Extras publication? Whether or not this is possible, we would be happy to add a link to your organization on our website.

I look forward to hearing from you, and hope you might be able to stop in to see the new glass museum, should your travels bring you out this way.

Sincerely,
Kirk J. Nelson
________________________________
President and Executive Director
New Bedford Museum of Glass
61 Wamsutta St.
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-984-1666
www.nbmog.org

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Museum Virtual Tour

NewBedfordMuseumVideo

Posted in Advice, Display, Early American Glass, FOHBC News, History, Museums, News, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some Great US Postal Advertising Covers & Cards

Posted on 26 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V
ColumbiaGoddessCover

Gorgeous early US Patriotic Cover with three cent 1868 stamp. In the 19th century the goddess-like figure Columbia often appeared as a symbol of the United States. On this envelope Columbia stands beside the American flag and a shield bearing the stars and stripes.

Apple-Touch-IconAAs a United States stamp collector too, I find myself really enjoying patriotic covers and advertising covers related to history and antique bottle and glass collecting. I have assembled a few here to demonstrate my point. By combining a topic, art, design, a stamp, cancellation and personal hand writing (and some typing) you get a amazing piece of history. My have times changed.

SmithbrosBrew

This 1862 cover is considered by many to be the finest U.S. advertising cover, with its artfully executed scene in multicolored crayon lithography by the firm of Sarony, Major & Knapp. (Collection of Benjamin Franklin Bailar, U.S. Postmaster General from 1975 to 1978, and a current member of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee.) – Sheaff

McCully_GW_AdCover

Super cover for Illustrated advertising for Wm McCully & Co, glass works, postmark – Mar 11, 1871, Origin: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Destination – Natchez, Mississippi

Weisbrod&HessCover

Weisbrod & Hess Brewery, Philadelphia. Illustrated multicolor advertising design showing Company Logo Surrounded by Hops on 1907 cover franked with 2¢ regular issue tied by Philadelphia, Pa. machine flag cancel – Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions

LawtonsIndianBloodSyrupCover

Advertising cover for Lawton’s Indian Blood Syrup, A Most Wonderful Remedy, Orleans County, N.Y.

Masten&WellsCover

The Masten and Wells Fireworks Mfg. Co. Red illustrated ad showing Man Igniting Fireworks, on cover franked with 2¢ red tied by 1900 Boston, Mass. machine cancel – Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions

Seabury&JohnsonCover

2c Carmine, Ty. I, nicely centered single tied to desirable all-over multicolored medical and surgical advertising cover of Seabury & Johnson, one of the most famous and spectacularly beautiful advertising covers known, front shows gold medals and red cross in an ornate design, while reverse depicts three barechested people and extolling the virtues of the company’s “Benson’s Plaster” for backaches, light strike of 1906 New York machine cancel ties stamp, Des Moines, Iowa – Stamp Auction Network

DrKilmerAdvertisingCover

Advertising cover with Two Cent stamp for Dr. Kilmer & Co, Binghamton, N.Y., cancelled 1866 – Sheaf

speerswineadcvr150

Advertising cover for Speer’s Vineyards in Passaic, N.J.

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Cooper Shop Volunteer refreshment Saloon and Hospital advertising cover

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Hunt’s Remedy advertising cover

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DANISH WEST INDIES (7c) 1903 BISECT ON WHISKEY ADVERTISING COVER Bisected 4¢ stamp paying 2¢ rate, tied with 1/20/03 St. Thomas cds, handstamped DWI address, on D.C.L. Scotch Whiskey advertising cover, with whiskey bottle at left and company crest on backflap. A few trivial toning specks, otherwise very fine. Cat value does not include any premium for advertising covers.

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Perkins & Stearn California Wines – N.Y.C. showing California State Seal

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Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, Cure’s That Tired Old Feeling – Lowell, Mass.

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Milwaukee Beer Festival, Sept. 8-13, 1902, all-over illustrated multicolor advertising cover bearing 2¢ carmine (279B) tied by “Milwaukee Jul 14 ’02” machine cancel to DeWitt, Ioa., reverse with “Drink Schlitz” slogan.

Breinigs_JEMohnCover

Breinig’s Pure Linseed Oil Paints. Multicolored illustrated lithograph ad showing Painter Hanging from Steeple Weather Vane, on cover franked with 2¢ red tied by 1903 Jersey Shore, Pa. duplex postmark – Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions

Rub-No-More Washing Powder. Illustrated advertising design in black with red text showing Mother & Baby Elephant on 1906 cover franked with 2¢ Regular Issue (pulled perf) by McConnelsville, Ohio duplex cancel, reverse with all over advertising text

Rub-No-More Washing Powder. Illustrated advertising design in black with red text showing Mother & Baby Elephant on 1906 cover franked with 2¢ Regular Issue (pulled perf) by McConnelsville, Ohio duplex cancel, reverse with all over advertising text – Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions

H 195 Map (PC_F)

Panama Canal advertising card for Hostetter’s Bitters – Meyer Collection

PabstCover

1898 Pabst Brewery advertising card, UX14. A UX14 from Milwaukee, Wis to Buffalo, NY in 1898. Fantastic colorful Pabst Brewery advertising on the back of the postal card. – DK Enterprise

BoonesCreekCover

1880 Bourbon Whisky Advertising Cover Boone’s Creek – Cover Franked With 3c Banknote, Tied By Black Cork And Postmarked With Faint Cds (Fayette County). Illustrated Advertisement For Hand Made Sour Mash And Pure Bourbon Whisky From Hc Clay & Co Distillers Of Boone’s Creek Kentucky. Addressed To Circlesville.

ParisMedicineCoCover

2c Carmine, Ty. I, tied to an immaculate all-over multicolored advertising cover depicting a huge adorable baby’s face for the Paris Medicine Co. of St. Louis, listing several of the company’s products both on the front and reverse, clear “St. Louis, Mo./Oct 13, 1904” World’s Fair slogan postmark, extremely fine; an especially striking advertising cover

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1887 Medical Advertising Cover ‘Gooch’s Mexican Syrup For Coughs And Colds’ Liberty (Casey County) To Lawrenceburg Kentucky.Versailles

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The Eagle Brewing Co. Illustrated multicolor advertising design showing Two Bottles of Eagle Beer on 1934 cover franked with 3¢ Washington tied by Utica, NY machine cancel – Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions

Read More: A Picture is Worth a Thousands Words – Patriotic Envelopes – Part I

Posted in Advertising, Breweriana, Ephemera, History, Postage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The old but sexy, Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters lady’s leg

Posted on 25 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BROWN & DRAKE CATAWBA BITTERS

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The old but sexy, Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters lady’s leg

25 January 2013 (R•030319)

Apple-Touch-IconAThe first in the series of Lady’s Leg figural bottles is a ‘doozie’ as it is the predecessor brand to the famous Drake’s Plantation Bitters. It is even confused with the Catawba Wine Bitters embossed grapes square from Cincinnati.

The Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters, from Binghamton, New York, is one of the most desirable bitters bottles for most of us hard core collectors. I believe there are only three known examples. With history, form and character, these are great bottles. I am fortunate to have seen two personally and will not forget the experience.

We will include below, an email from Jeff Burkhardt (Cedarburg, Wisconsin) talking about his example and the story behind how it became part of his special collection. I am hoping that Jeff and another advanced figural collector Bill Taylor (Oregon) will be sharing more of their great lady’s leg bottles pictures in the future for this series.

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

C 81  Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters
BROWN & DRAKE ( cu ) / CATAWBA BITTERS ( cu ) / BINGHAMTON ( cd ) / N.Y.  // c //
P.H. Drake and Company   New York
11 1/2 x 3 3/8 (5)
Round Lady’s Leg, Puce and Amber, ARM, Applied mouth, Metallic pontil mark
The Corning (New York) Journal May 19, 1859
*Listing required for J.B. Brown & Co.’s Catawba Wine Bitters, Binghamton, N.Y. (see. further below)

Brown&DrakeCatawba

Greetings Ferdinand – Tough photographing on a dreary, snowy day.

Attached you will find two pictures of my BROWN & DRAKE CATAWBA BITTERS ladies leg. It is golden-amber in the top half and a puce-red amber in the lower half.

The bottle was purchased from the late Alan Spear of Lockport, New York shortly after its “brother” was sold in the 1989 Glass Works sale of Roger Sweetland’s legendary collection of Western New York bottles. Every bottle has a story, and this pair of legs has a great one. Here’s the earlier part.

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Alan delighted in telling me the story of buying a PAIR of these great rarities when he was a door-to-door FULLER BRUSH salesman (if you’re old enough to remember those products, it’s time to sell the collection!).

As Alan approached a prospective home, there they were in the window. Obviously he acquired the bottles, but I don’t know if he made a brush sale! The first and arguably best example (deep puce), went to Roger Sweetland; the second example (mine), Alan kept.

When the Sweetland collection was subsequently sold in the aforementioned Glass Works auction, Jimmy Chebalo purchased it. The hammer price was $13,000 + 10% BP = $14,300. I was the underbidder, my maximum bid of $13,000 having tied Chebalo’s. I declined going any further (by far and away the MOST I’d ever offered for any bottle), so he won the bottle. The sale price obviously convinced Spear to sell the second bottle, as I received a call from him shortly after the auction, wherein we struck a deal on it. I never did find out how Alan knew I was the underbidder.

Currently there are three examples extant. The Sweetland example now resides in a Connecticut Bitters collection. I do not know where the third example is. An extreme rarity, the bottles are very desirable for their form, iron pontils and good early character and color.

Historic significance perhaps overshadowing the glass itself, this bottle precedes the Drake’s cabin, thus it is the FIRST of a long line of the coveted and highly collectible Drake’s Plantation Bitters figural cabins. Thus it could be seen as the cornerstone of a Drakes collection; at least that’s how I view mine!

Feel free to post and use this information as you wish to further bottle and bitters collecting!

Regards,
Jeff (froggy) Burkhardt

Jeff, please read the post below (link to Bill Ham visit) to see where the third example resides.

Bill Ham Visit – Some Extraordinary Pontiled Bottles

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Brown & Drake’s Catawba Bitters – Patrick Henry Drake – Binghamton, N.Y.

Looking at newspaper advertising, we can see that Brown & Drake’s Catawba Bitters was sold from 1858 to 1860. That’s a pretty short run. Patrick Henry Drake was the proprietor when he lived in Binghamton, New York. He was born in Ithaca, New York in 1827. This of course, is the same P.H. Drake who put out Drake’s Plantation Bitters and Sazearac Aromatic Bitters.

Drake would sell his first bitters through various agents and merchants in the region. Advertising said that the bitters was “From the juice of the Grape; designed for hotels and restaurants. The best Bar Bitters in the world.”

Interesting that the ads I found say “Prepared exclusively by Drake & Co., Binghamton, N.Y.” There is no mention of a “Brown.”

Here is an advertisement below for J.B. Brown & Co.’s Catawba Wine Bitters, Binghamton, N.Y., in April 1859. This would most likely be the Brown in the name. Looking in the Binghamton directory in 1860, you see two other possible candidates. The first being Charles Brown who was a liquor dealer. The second possibility is T. L. Brown who was listed as a homeopathic physician.

In the mid 1800s, wine-making was in its infancy in America and there were many pioneers in grape-growing in New York, Ohio, Missouri and other States leading in a line to California. The Catawba Grape and Isabella Grapes in particular were being found to make wine that rivaled the best wines of Europe. Putting their wine or brandy in bitters was just the next step.

Read: Nicholas Longworth – Catawba Wine Bitters, Cincinnati, Ohio

Read: Missouri IXL Bitters – Isidor Bush

Read: Could this bottle be for the Celebrated Tobias’s Wine Bitters?

Read: Use Dr. Henley’s Celebrated California IXL Bitters

More on Drake’s Plantation Bitters:

Read More: Log Cabin Series – Drake’s Plantation Bitters

Read More: Information on the Drake’s Plantation Bitters Variants

More on Lady’s Leg Bitters:

Read More: Sazerac Aromatic Bitters Lady’s Leg, P.H. Drake & Co.

Read More: Lady’s Leg Series – Weis Bros Knickerbocker Stomach Bitters

Read More: Russ’ Stomach Bitters – A New York Lady’s Leg

Read More: The old but sexy, Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters lady’s leg

Read More: Lady’s Leg Series – Zingari Bitters

Read More: Holloway’s Bitters from Syracuse

Read More: The best Lady’s Leg in the Galaxy – Universe Bitters

Select Listings:

1827: Patrick Henry Drake, Birth Date: 22 Feb 1827, Birth Place: Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York – U.S. Find a Grave Index
1849: Patrick Henry Drake, First Marriage Date: 10 June 1849, Father: Benjamin Drake, Spouse: Jane Eldridge Lewis, Child: Virginia Maria Drake, Julia Randall Drake – North American Family Histories
1850: P H Drake, [Patrick Henry Drake] Age:23, Birth Year: abt 1827, Birthplace: New York, Home in 1850: Ithaca, Tompkins, New York, Family Number: 556, Household Members: Maria Drake 53, P H Drake 23, Jane Drake 23, Mary Drake 24 – 1850 United States Federal Census
1854: Benjamin Drake [father], Physician, 151 E. Broadway – New York City Directory
1858: Newspaper advertisement (below) George Gilbert, New Wine and Liquor Store selling Brown & Drake’s Catawba Bitters, in cases or bottles – The Buffalo Daily Republic, Tuesday, June 15, 1858

1859: Newspaper advertisement (below) J.B. Brown & Co.’s Catawba Wine Bitters, Binghamton, N.Y., sold by Thomas H. Belden, Sole Agentfor Hartford County. – Hartford Courant, Wednesday, April 13, 1859

1859: Newspaper advertisement (below) George Gilbert selling Drake & Co’s Catawba Bitters “Brown & Drake Catawba Bitters” – The Daily Empire (Dayton, Ohio), Friday, December 2, 1859

1860: Newspaper advertisement (below) Brown & Drake’s Celebrated Catawba Bitters, From there juice of the Grape; designed for hotels and restaurants. The best Bar Bitters in the world. Prepared exclusively by Drake  & Co., Binghampton, N.Y. For sale by D.A. Enyart, Sole Agent and Wholesale Liquor Merchant, 48 Public Landing, Cincinnati – The Cincinnati Enquirer, Wednesday, February 15, 1860

186o: Patrick H Drake, Manufacturer, Age: 31, Birth Year: abt 1829, Birth Place: New York, Home in 1860: Binghampton Ward 3, Broome, New York, Post Office: Binghamton, Dwelling Number: 456, Family Number: 487, Real Estate Value: 5,000, Personal Estate Value: 1,500, Household Members: Patrick H Drake 31, Jane E Drake 31, Virginia N Drake 10, Julia R Drake 3 – 1860 United States Federal Census
1861: Patrick Henry Drake and Demas S. Barnes formed a partnership in 1860 in New York City to manufacture and market Drake’s Plantation Bitters, initially called Plantation Toddy – History of Drug Containers and Their Labels By George B. Griffenhagen, Mary Bogard
1862: Bottle Patent – P. H. Drake of Binghamton, New York. Design for a Bottle (Drake’s Plantation Bitters) – Specification forming part of a design No. 1538 dated February 18, 1862 – United States Patent Office
1862: P H Drake and Co., Manufacturer, 47 Dey, Tax Year: 1862, State: New York – U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918
1863: P H Drake and Co., Manufacturer, 105 Liberty, Tax Year: 1863, State: New York – U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918
1867: Demas Barnes and Patrick Henry Drake dissolved their partnership and Plantation Bitters was transferred to P.H. Drake & Company
1867: P. H. Drake, Plantation Bitters, 21 Park Row, N.Y. – Brooklyn New York City Directory
1868: P. H. Drake & Co. [Patrick Henry Drake], Bitters, 21 Park Row, 105 Liberty – New York City Directory
1869: January 1st, 1869, P.H. Drake & Co., New York, sole right to manufacture and sell “Sazerac” Aromatic Bitters – Bitters Bottles
1870: P H Drake [Patrick Henry Drake], Age in 1870: 43, Manufacturer Of Bitters, Birth Year: abt 1827, Birthplace: New York, Dwelling Number: 117, Home in 1870: New York, Ward 21, District 16 (2nd Enum), New York, New York, Inferred Spouse: J E Drake [Jane Eldridge Lewis], Inferred Children: Mary E Drake , Virginia Drake, J E Drake, Household Members: Mary E Drake 25, Virginia Drake 19, J E Drake 14, P H Drake 43, J E Drake 42 – 1870 United States Federal Census
1870: P. H. Drake & Co. [Patrick Henry Drake], Bitters, 55 Park Place – New York City Directory
1872: P. H. Drake & Co., Bitters, 53 Park Place – Goulding’s Business Directory of New York
1877: P. H. Drake & Co. [Patrick Henry Drake], Patent Medicines, 53 Park Place – New York City Directory
1878: P. H. Drake & Co. [Patrick Henry Drake], Bitters, 53 Park Place – New York City Directory
1880: Patrick H. Drake, Chemist, Age: 57, Birth Date: Abt 1823, Birthplace: New York, Home in 1880: New York City, New York, New York, USA, Street: West 56th St, House Number: 38, Dwelling Number: 122, Relation to Head of House: Self (Head), Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Jane E. Drake, Father’s Birthplace: New York, Mother’s Birthplace: New York, Household Members: Patrick H. Drake 57, Jane E. Drake 51, Virginia Drake 28, Julia Drake 22 – 1880 United States Federal Census
1882: Patrick Henry Drake, Death 4 Nov 1882, Death Place: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Cemetery: Spring Forest Cemetery, Burial or Cremation Place: Binghamton, Broome County, New York – U.S. Find a Grave Index
1882: Patrick H Drake, Merchant, Age: 55, Birth Date: abt 1827, Birth Place: Ithaca, New York, Death Date: 4 Nov 1882, Death Place: Boston, Massachusetts, Hotel Brunswick, Cause: Acute Pericarditis, Father: Benjamin Drake, Mother: Maud Drake – Massachusetts Death Records
1883: After Drakes death business operated by William P. Ward, Proprietor
1884: P. H. Drake & Co., Patent Medicines, 81 Beekman – New York City Directory

 

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Milwaukee Antique Bottle & Advertising Club Rises Again!

Posted on 25 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

MilwaukeeWebHome

Steve’s excitement and enthusiasm have convinced me to re-join this club after being a 30+ year dropout.

Ferdinand –

As of today the MILWAUKEE ANTIQUE BOTTLE AND ADVERTISING CLUB has a new, exciting website. Thanks to “mover and shaker” president, Steve Libby, this site puts the club into the 21st century and is a major step into breathing new life into a declining, old- school club…that is before Steve took over the helm. Steve’s excitement and enthusiasm have convinced me to re-join this club after being a 30+ year dropout.

Arguably the website’s most appealing features are member profile pages which each member creates on his or her own and can include items for sale or wants with contact information. Steve owns a Milwaukee-area computer store and like yourself, has the vision and energy to make things happen for our hobby. By copy of this email I strongly recommend that Steve makes sure the Club is a Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) member for the visibility and benefits so consistent with his goals for the club.

Check it out – Milwaukee Antique Bottle & Advertising Club

Note further, he has his own website, Mr. Bottles, an exhaustive resource for Milwaukee area bottles.

JEFF (FROGGY) BURKHARDT

MrBottlesWeb

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Gorgeous blue GII-118 Double Eagle Historical Flask on ebay

Posted on 23 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

GII-118_DoubleEagle_Crop

Apple-Touch-IconAThere are a few stunning blue bottles on ebay right now of high calibre; one being the blue double eagle historical flask which is reported on in this post. The pictures are real nice and the color is drop-dead gorgeous. Not sure I would call it cobalt blue, but who cares, huh? I see that Norman C. Heckler has sold one previously (see small picture below). I wonder if it is the same flask? Norm suggests a Pittsburgh glass house while the ebay listing suggests Zanesville, Ohio.

98-01

A Double Eagle historical pint flask in sapphire blue, possibly Pittsburgh, circa 1865. Image courtesy of Norman C. Heckler & Co.

The ebay listing reads:

Cobalt Blue Double Eagle/Crude Applied Ring Top/Highly Whittled/C.1860’s/GII-118

Up for your consideration is a beautiful cobalt blue banner double eagle with a crude applied ring top and smooth base. The bottle is in mint condition, no, cracks, chips, dings, nicks, flea bites, repairs, etc. The bottle has some very light staining on the inside as well as some high point wear on both eagles. I thought about cleaning the stains out but I chose not to for obvious reasons. The bottle is highly whittled throughout, with a bold strike on both sides. It is 7.5″ tall by just under 4″ at it’s widest point. For further reference, you can find this same flask under, (GII-118) in numerous bottle price guides. Out of all the double eagles (out) there, there may only be two or three without the embossed circle below. For that reason and the color of this flask, makes this bottle exceedingly rare. I will be posting more bottles soon. Thanks for looking.

No reserve

shawnds129

On Jan-23-13 at 08:07:07 PST, seller added the following information:

From what I’ve been told by numerous collectors, this flask was most likely blown (at) White Glass Works in Zanesville, Ohio. There are only around 6 of the cobalt, “Zanesville” and 4 in citron.

WHITE GLASS WORKS: This factory was started in 1815 at Zanesville, Ohio, by Isaac Van Horn, and continued under various managers until 1851. They made bottles, flasks and domestic hollow ware, turning out much of the fine early glass which is to be found in Ohio. Of their production, the best known are the Masonic and reverse Eagle flasks, and their bulbous bottles in various colors. (Encyclopedia of Antiques)

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GII-118_DoubleEagle_3 GII-118_DoubleEagle_4 GII-118_DoubleEagle_5 GII-118_DoubleEagle_6

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Posted in Advice, Color, Early American Glass, eBay, Historical Flasks | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Some Nice Congress & Empire Spring Bottles – Shags to Riches

Posted on 23 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

OldShagCarpet

SHAGS TO RICHES (not by far)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhen Elizabeth and I first moved into the long vacant house on property we now affectionately call Peach Ridge, it had shag carpet (see above), an old decrepit boat in the garage and had been taken over by mold, bugs and mice. The pool was green with slime and was a frogs dream. Somehow we both saw something with this lump of coal. I had been living in a high-rise in downtown Houston for years and this seemed like a fun challenge. Plus Elizabeth all but demanded we get some property away from the hustle and bustle of the city where my office is located.

mexican-saltillo-tile

After renovating the house and finding the original Saltillo tile beneath (see above) the olive carpet we decided to turn the wasp and mosquito-infested, 2-car garage into a family room with shelves for my large, old metal toy trucks (see below). This left the wall where the garage doors were for us to put in windows, big windows. This was the style of the house and we wanted to maintain the look on this side.

old_buddy_L

I wanted to put bottles in these windows so I called my father in Delaware and asked him to send me some ‘Old Bottles’. The Bitters bottle bug had not bitten yet and would not until the DELMARVA Antique Bottle Show in late 2002. You can read that story here: Glass Passion and Color Part I : Life Transformation

CongressWaterw_FM4

Anyway, two boxes came and a few were broken. I remember how excited I was to have those bottles in the window. I added a few that I had gathered over the years as I was just a general collector of old stuff. The windows were VERY sparse. Two bottles that stood out were dark green and looked really ‘pretty’ in the window. They were Empire Congress Waters that are pictured above. My notes say I sold the larger one in Memphis in June 2011. I think the other is put away somewhere as other types of bottles now dominate the windows (see below). If you look closely in the mirror reflection, you can see a small portion of the toy shelves.

PRG_Den_Full1_12

I still look for these Mineral Water bottles though I don’t buy. I did however see a few exciting lots in the Glass Works Auction #96 that closed this past Monday night that brought back these memories and prompted this post.

Glass Works Auction #96 Mineral Waters

76. “CONGRESS & EMPIRE SPRING CO / E / SARATOGA. N.Y.”, (E-6-A), New York, ca. 1865 - 1875, olive amber quart, “2” on smooth base, applied mouth. Pristine perfect, plenty of bubbles and in a hard to find color, not listed in Tucker’s book.

76. “CONGRESS & EMPIRE SPRING CO / E / SARATOGA. N.Y.”, (E-6-A), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, olive amber quart, “2” on smooth base, applied mouth. Pristine perfect, plenty of bubbles and in a hard to find color, not listed in Tucker’s book. – Glass Works Auction #96

Congress_Spring_Whimsie_77

77. “CONGRESS SPRING CO. S.S. N.Y.” (on the base), (C-22 variant), New York, ca. 1870 – 1880, blue green, 8 3/8”h, smooth base, sheared and tooled lip was been expanded out to create a drinking vessel, perfect condition and with crude whittled glass. An extremely rare end-of-day glass blowers whimsy that fits so perfectly in the hand one could easily imagine an 1870’s glass blower at home drinking a porter from it. Early glass blowers whimsies are very rare and this one is exceptional! – Glass Works Auction #96

Congress & Empire Spring_078

78. “CONGRESS & EMPIRE SPRING CO. / COLUMBIAN / WATER / SARATOGA, N.Y.”, (S-15-B), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, emerald green pint, “5” smooth base, applied mouth, about perfect. A seldom offered spring water bottle. When passing through Saratoga Springs, New York, visit the Congress Park where you can still take a sip of the same water from the spring that this bottle was filled with. – Glass Works Auction #96

EmpireSpringWrapped_079

79. “EMPIRE SPRING CO / E / SARATOGA. N.Y. – EMPIRE / WATER”, (E-11 type 1), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, blue green slopped shoulder quart, smooth base, applied mouth, 95% original wrapper, the bottle is perfect. Only a very few exist with the original wrapper. – Glass Works Auction #96

Posted in Advice, Art & Architecture, Article Publications, Auction News, Collectors & Collections, Humor - Lighter Side, Mineral Water, Peachridge Glass, Water, Whimsies, Windows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1970’s Suffolk Pig reproductions, but way cool…

Posted on 22 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SuffolkRepro1

AMERICA’S / SUFFOLK BITTERS / LIFE PRESERVER

1970’s Suffolk Pig reproductions, but way cool…

22 January 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAEric Matthew Richter posted these rather nice pictures of the reproduction SUFFOLK BITTERS figural pig over at Bottle Collectors on facebook. Nice color runs and pictures. I suspect these are embossed AMERICA’S / SUFFOLK BITTERS / LIFE PRESERVER. Eric thinks that these were made in Murano?

I always wondered who made these reproductions myself and scratch my head that the original Suffolk Bitters, which are embossed SUFFOLK BITTERS | PHILBROOK & TUCKER BOSTON, only come in amber, yellow amber and fortunately a gorgeous lemon yellow? (pictured below from my collection)

S217 Suffolk_B

Early American Glass authority Noel Tomas says that these reproductions pictured in this post are made in Taiwan, which doesn’t really sound to good. These are still collectible to some and down the road somewhere may have a broader appeal. Noel even mentioned that he collected them himself a number of years ago.

Eric does go on to say that they are getting harder and harder to find and they are being snapped up on ebay rather quickly.

Eric — With as many facsimiles and repros that I have, the first pig copy of what your are showing I had purchased when they first started flooding the market. At the time, there was a sticker on the bottle “Made In Taiwan.” Did the ones you are showing have some ID to Murano?

NOEL TOMAS

Eric also asks…

“Anybody have the Cobalt one for sale?”

Apple-Touch-IconARead More: Figural Pig Series | Suffolk Bitters

Read More: More Reproductions by Digger Odell

SuffolkRepro2 SuffolkRepro3 SuffolkRepro4 SuffolkRepro5

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Figural Bottles, Reproductions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Dave & Jean Acker collection of colorful Fluid Lamps.

Posted on 20 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

OilLamp_248

The Dave & Jean Acker

Collection of Colorful Fluid Lamps

I remember, as a child, all of the decorative oil lamps at my grandparents Meyer house in Baltimore, Maryland. One night my father gathered them all up and compared all of the lamps. I  still remember that night. Since then, I have not seen as many great oil lamps together as this collection now online at the Glass Works Auction #96 “Cabin Fever” auction that closes tomorrow.

Oil_Lamp_228

228 (above) – Markham Swirl Band Pattern Fluid Finger Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 280, H), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, clear glass with white opalescent swirl pattern, 3 1/2”h, original ‘P.& A. Mgf. Co. / Waterbury, Conn. – Eagle’, burner and scalloped edge glass chimney. A 3/4” long stress crack extends from the lower handle attachment into the body. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_229_230_231

229 (left above) – Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, turquoise blue glass font with white opalescent coin spot pattern, turquoise blue pressed glass base, 9 1/2”h, original ‘Pat Applied, 10, 1877’ burner and scalloped edge glass chimney. A flat 1/4” by 1/8” in size chip is in the side of the base where it meets the font, otherwise in perfect condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

230 (center above) – Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, turquoise blue glass font with white opalescent coin spot pattern, turquoise blue pressed glass base, 8 1/4”h, original ‘English Made MN,’ burner and scalloped edge glass chimney, Excellent condition. Identical to lamp 229 but in a smaller size. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

231 (right above) – Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, clear glass font with white opalescent coin spot pattern, yellow amber pressed glass base, 9 1/2”h, original ‘No 2 Queen Anne No 2’ burner and scalloped edge glass chimney. An in manufacturing glass flaw is located on the top of the font. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamps_232_233_234

232 (left above) – Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, clear glass font with white opalescent coin spot pattern, clear glass pressed glass base, 7 1/2”h, original unmarked burner and scalloped edge glass chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

233 (center above) – Shell & Swirl Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, cranberry red rib swirl pattern font with white opalescent swirl pattern, attached to a clear glass shell pattern base, 9 1/4”h, original unmarked burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

234 (right above) – Shell & Swirl Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, yellow amber rib swirl pattern font, attached to a black glass shell pattern base, 8 1/4”h, original ‘Eagle’ burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. A 1/2” by 3/16” in size chip is off the edge of the base, otherwise in excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_235_236_237

235 (left above) – Shell & Swirl Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, cranberry red rib swirl pattern font with white opalescent ribs, attached to a clear glass shell pattern base, 8 3/4”h, original unmarked burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

236 (center above) – Shell & Swirl Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, clear glass rib swirl pattern font with white and cranberry opalescent splotch pattern, attached to a clear glass shell pattern base, 7 1/2”h, original unmarked burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. A 1 1/4” long vertical stress crack is located at midpoint in the font, otherwise in excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

237 (right above) – Shell & Swirl Pattern Fluid Finger Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, turquoise blue rib swirl pattern font with white opalescent ribs, attached to a clear glass base, 5 1/2”h, original ‘Queen Anne’ burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_238

238 (above) – Shell & Swirl Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 235), clear glass rib swirl pattern font and center section both having white opalescent rib patterns. Both sections are connected by a brass center piece with the entire assembly mounted on a fancy metal base, 12 1/2”h, original frosted glass shade has a farm scene decoration of cows, trees, dwellings and a farmer, original unmarked burner and clear glass chimney. This one’s different! The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_239

239 (above) – Snowflake Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, clear glass rib pattern font with white opalescent ‘snowflakes’, brass standard connects the font to a clear glass base, 8 1/2”h, original ‘Queen Anne’ burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

240

240 (above) – Snowflake Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, clear glass rib pattern font with white opalescent ‘snowflakes’, brass standard connects the font to a clear glass base, 9 1/4”h, original ‘Banner’ burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_241

241 (above) – Jensen Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, Vaseline font with white opalescent vertical rib strips, connected to a clear frosted glass base, 7 3/4”h, original ‘Queen Anne’ burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_242

242 (above) – Alva Rib Band Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 271, J), American, ca. 1890 – 1910, turquoise blue font with white opalescent vertical rib strips connected to a frosted clear glass base, 7 3/4”h, original ‘Rayo, No. 1 Queen Anne’ burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent example. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamps_243_244_245

243 (left above) – Eason Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, clear glass font with white opalescent pattern attached to a black glass base, 8 1/2”h, original unmarked burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

244 (center above) – Eason Pattern Fluid Lamp, American, ca. 1890 – 1910, turquoise blue glass font with white opalescent pattern attached to a clear glass base, 8 1/2”h, original unmarked burner and clear glass scalloped chimney. Excellent condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

245 (right above) – Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, clear glass font with white opalescent coin spot pattern, turquoise blue pressed glass base, 9 1/2”h, original burner and scalloped edge glass chimney, about perfect (several minor inside edge of base chips). The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_246

246 (above) – Hobbs Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, clear class with white opalescent design font attached to a clear glass base, 9 1/2”h, original ‘No. 2 Queen Anne’ burner and scalloped edge glass chimney, perfect condition. The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

OilLamp_247

247 (above) – Hobbs Coin Spot Pattern Fluid Lamp, (Oil Lamps by Thuro pg. 152), American, ca. 1895 – 1910, cranberry red with white opalescent design font attached to a clear glass base, 9 1/4”h, original ‘No. 2 Queen Anne’ burner and scalloped edge glass chimney, about perfect (tiny edge of base flake). The Dave & Jean Acker Collection.

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Historical Canteens – Canteen Figural Bottles

Posted on 19 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V
GraefCanteenOlive

H.A. Graef Canteen – previous Norman C. Heckler Auction

 HISTORICAL CANTEENS

Canteen Figural Bottles

19 July 2013 (R•102913) (R•012415) (R•022115) (R•082615)

Apple-Touch-IconAJim Hagenbuch has one of the finest H. A. GRAEF’S SON N.Y. CANTEEN bottles I have ever seen at his Glass Works Auction #96 “Cabin Fever” auction that closes this coming Monday night (see image below). A similar example in more of an olive color previously sold with Norman C. Heckler Auctions (image on the top). Notice the difference with the attachment glass pieces and the lip treatment. Great bottles.

You hardly ever see these Graef bottles. This got me thinking more about canteens in general and wondering who Graef was (another post), were there other Graef examples to look at and what was out there in general with historical canteens.

Graef_Canteen

Figural Whiskey Canteen, “H.A. GRAEF’S SON / N.Y. / CANTEEN”, (Denzin GRA-21), New York, ca. 1865 – 1880, deep yellowish olive amber figural canteen, 6 5/8”h, “1200” embossed on smooth base, tooled mouth, applied double handles, period cloth carrying cord. Perfect condition, and in a somewhat different shade of color than normally seen. – Glass Works Auction #96

CANTEEN

canteen (n.) – c. 1710, “store in a military camp,” from French cantine “sutler’s shop” (17c.), from Italian cantina “wine cellar, vault.” Perhaps another of the many meanings, now obsolete, that were attached to Latin canto “corner;” in this case, perhaps “corner for storage.” A Gaulish origin also has been proposed. Extended to “refreshment room at a factory, school, etc.” from 1870. Meaning “small tin for water or liquor, carried by soldiers on the march, campers, etc.” is from 1744, from a sense in French.

THE REALITY

WWIIMarineCanteen

“World War II: Marines, Saipan, Drinking from Canteen” – silver print, ca. 1944 – photographed for Life magazine by Eugene Smith

CANTEEN GALLERY

Golden_canteen_Ming_Dynasty

A golden canteen made during the Chinese Ming Dynasty, dated 15th century. – Gold was long held to be a symbol of wealth and prestige in China, and during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the imperial court issued guidelines to partially restrict its use. In theory, only society’s most privileged were allowed to own large amounts of gold vessels and tableware. This canteen, decorated with a five-clawed dragon—a symbol of the emperor—was probably made for members of the ruling house. Based on style, this canteen dates to the fifteenth century. Its technique is repousse (a method of decorating a surface by hammering the reverse of the object). One of the round panels of the canteen’s belly was left open so that most of the vessel could be decorated from the inside. To close the canteen, a separately decorated sheet of gold was soldered in place. – Freer and Sackler Galleries, Washington D.C.

LouisvilleCanteen

Gar Louisville Canteen – A ca 1895 canteen, tin with original polychrome painted stenciled decoration/inscription We Drank From The Same Canteen arched above a U.S. shield breasted spread winged eagle with E Pluribus Unum ribbon banner in beak, arrows & laurel branches in talons and straight-line inscription Louisville / 1861-1895 at bottom, with two small rings at sides for hanging, 5″ 0 diameter. – Cowan’s Auctions

Civil War bullet struck canteen

Civil War exhibit – bullet struck canteen from 1862-Courtesy of Stan Freeny – Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (Read Story)

RevolutionaryWarCanteen

18th Century Canteen “IW” carved on both sides. Carried by Isaac Whitehead during the Revolutionary War. Wood, leather. D 19.7, W 10.8, L (strap) 143.5 cm – Morristown National Historical Park

Hopi-Canteens

Hopi Canteen Collection – Steve Elmore Indian Art

DutchCanteen

Leather covered glass canteen. Standard issue for the Danish armed forces, 1856 to about 1930. This is the 1873 version, made by Holmegaard Glasværk – Glashistorisk Museum

AmberCanteenBottle

Antique Brown Whiskey Bottle in “canteen” form. Small shield on the bottom. No letters, numbers, etc. It is 8″ tall and 6″ wide. – Etsy

BrassCanteen

Antique Brass Cello Canteen – Hot Water by A.S. Campbella Emblem: “Guaranteen Five Years. Sanitary Hot Water Bottle CELLO A. S. Campbell Co. Boston Trade Mark. # 9 , Pat. Nov. 26, 1912.” – Etsy

WoodenCanteen

Antique 1912-1914 Kingdom Bulgaria handmade wooden flask. The obverse an image the young prince Boris (His Majesty King Boris III), on the reverse side is the Coat of arms of the Principality of Bulgaria and an inscription dedication- “Of the reserve captain Lazarov from St. P. Kiossev” 1912-1913. The wooden flask bottle has original stopper with hanged leather strap, long leather strap and and very rich decoration. Handmade, hand engraved (pokerwork) and hand painted and coloured. – ebay

PrimitiveCanteen

Primitive Canteen, 11″ H X 10″ W X 5″ D

Span_Am_Artillery_Canteen_Cuba

Spanish American War Canteen – Cuba Service – San Juan Hill & El Caney
One side is marked 7th US. The other shows Company F 2nd US Artillery. Both served in Cuba during the Spanish American War. Both fought at El Caney and San Juan Hill. – www.Gatling-Gun.com

Acoma_Pottery_Canteen

Historic American Indian Art, Acoma Pottery Canteen, 6 x 5.5 in. Pottery – Bruce Kapson Gallery

CivilWar_N.Allen

Personalized Canteen for N. Allen – Fort Ticonderoga’s Museum collections

PaintedCivilWarCanteen

Civil War Bull’s-Eye Canteen with folk art painted U.S. shield, polychrome-painted with U.S. shield on yellow ocher ground with red and white-rayed surround. Canteen is typical Civil War bull’s-eye-type tin with pewter spout and 3 tin bands for strap, 7.5″ diameter, reverse painted white. Likely decorated for GAR encampments. – Cowan’s Auctions

KentuckyCanteen

Canteen, 1863 – This round wooden barrel canteen is made of cedar and is held together by two tin straps. On one side is an inscription that reads “W. C. FLETCHER 4TH KY.” A house is carved on the other side of the canteen. Wood was used for the canteen because metal supplies were low in the South by 1862. William C. Fletcher joined the Confederate Army in 1861. He was about 18 years old. He died on May 7, 1865, most likely while fighting at the battle of Dallas, in Georgia. – A State Divided

ww1550Cowan

Lot of seven Korean War era canteens. – WWI U.C. canteen; WWII U.S. canteen dated 1943; Canadian Army WWII canteen; U.S. Vietnam plastic canteen with iodine tablets; U.S. Army experimental canteen ca 1980; West German Army canteen ca 1950; and West German Army canteen ca 1956. Plus, WWI battle rattle. – Cowan’s Auctions

EncampmentCanteen

“33rd National 1899 Encampment / Phila. Pa.” Label Under Glass Flask, America, 1899. Colorless, canteen form, threaded ground mouth with original metal closure. Colorful graphics, “Grand Army Of The Republic / 1861 * Veteran * 1866” (within star), wreath and two American flags below an eagle perched above two cannon barrels and a third flag), “Fred C. Wagner / S.W. Cor.Broad and Sus- / quehanna Av., Phila.” (in lower left). “U.S.” debossed on reverse, perfect and rare! – American Glass Gallery Auction 11

Junior Hike NY 2

This canteen is 5.5” in diameter with identification on the strap brackets that reads; “JUNIOR HIKE NY”. – Gary Lynch

2012.03.11. - 001

Faience parlante, (French: “talking faience”), in French pottery, popular utilitarian 18th-century earthenware, principally plates, jugs, and bowls, that had inscriptions as part of its decoration. The city of Nevers was the outstanding centre for the production of faience parlante. The range of inscriptions included owners’ names, coats of arms, bacchic or facetious references, Masonic and trade emblems, quotations from songs and proverbs, urban views, allegorical designs, and commemorative themes. – collection Jean T

CivilCiuvilWarGarCan

Circa 1876: This Civil War canteen belonged to Charles H. Davis, who served in Company G. of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteers. Obviously, Mr. Davis had his battle canteen painted for GAR reunion encampments, and we believe that this canteen was made for the centennial encampment because of the red, white, and blue American flag and shield and the additions of the words “Union” and “In God We Trust.” This five color painted canteen would have made quite an impression on its viewers and would have showcased Mr. Davis’s love of God and country, values which have become woven into the American fabric. – Z&K Antiques

USFlag_Cant

Cool crossed-flag canteen

TexCant1

I just picked up this unique whiskey canteen. Nobody has record of ever seeing another. Such a cool piece of history. – Brad Seigler

Posted in Auction News, Civil War, Figural Bottles, Flasks, Folk Art, History, Museums, Pottery, Stoneware, Water | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment