Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup – oooh so soothing

Posted on 5 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup – Courtesy of the US National Library of Medicine, an 1885 advertising image produced by Meyer, Merkell & Ottmann in New York.

“Oh, jab me with your needle a hundred times, and a hundred times I will bless you, Saint Morphine”

Jules Verne 
(1828 – 1905)

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Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup was one of the most successful, famous or infamous medicines from our past and was called the “Baby Killer” by some. Sometime prior to 1844, a Mrs. Charlotte N. Winslow prepared this highly successful composition for children teething. History preserves that Mrs. Winslow was a midwife and studied infant teething and other related pains. In 1844, she gave the recipe to her son-in-law, Jeremiah Curtis and his partner Benjamin A. Perkins in Bangor, Maine who continued to manufacture and sell it under the name Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. Curtis and Perkins were druggists in Maine who became the agents for this medicine in the 1840s.  They later moved their operation to New York City in the 1850s.

The formula consisted of Morphine Sulphate (an opiate analgesic related to heroin), sodium carbonate (water softener), spirits foeniculi (an alcohol that seems to be only associated with this product), and aqua ammonia  (a cleaning agent). I can not even begin to imagine what this may have tasted like. Probably wouldn’t matter.

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It was claimed that it was “likely to sooth any human or animal”, and it effectively quieted restless infants and small children. It was widely marketed in the United Kingdom and the United States – as well as newspapers, the company used various media to promote their product, including recipe books, calendars, and trade cards. [reference Wikipedia and A treatise on the Law of Trade-marks]

Common to bottle collectors are the cylindrical vials marked “Mrs Winslows – Soothing Syrup – Curtis & Perkins – Proprietors” which are about 5 inches tall and about 1-1/4″ in diameter.  They are found with both an open pontil mark as well as with a smooth base.  Earlier examples have an inwardly rolled lip which later became a better formed tooled square lip. [Historic Glasshouse]

Nostrums and Quackery

In 1911, the American Medical Association put out a publication called “Nostrums And Quackery” (pictured above) where, in a section called “Baby Killers”, it incriminated Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. It was not withdrawn from sale in the UK until 1930.

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In 1879 the English composer Edward Elgar (pictured above) wrote an early musical work, part of his Harmony Music for a wind quintet, which he titled Mrs Winslow’s soothing syrup.

Great photograph of a MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP bottle -

Great photograph of a MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP bottle – The Pharmacy on Mercury Street

MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP FOR CHILDREN TEETHING.; LETTER FROM A MOTHER IN LOWELL, MASS. A DOWN-TOWN MERCHANT.

Published: December 1, 1860 – New York Times

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DEAR SIR: I am happy to be able to certify to the efficiency of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP, and to the truth of what it is represented to accomplish. Having a little boy suffering greatly from teething, who could not rest, and at night by his cries would not permit any of the family to do so, I purchased a bottle of the SOOTHING SYRUP, in order to test the remedy, and, when given to the boy according to directions, its effect upon him was like magic; he soon went to sleep, and all pain and nervousness disappeared. We have had no trouble with him since, and the little fellow will pass through with comfort the excruciating process of teething, by the sole aid of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP Every mother who regards the health and life of her children should possess it.

LOWELL, Mass. Mr. H.A. ALGER.

Having passed several sleepless nights, disturbed by the agonies and cries of a suffering child, and becoming convinced that MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP was just the article needed, procured a supply for the child. On reaching home, and acquainting his wife with what he had done, she refused to have it administered to the child, as she was strongly in favor of Homoeopathy. That night the child passed in suffering, and the parents without sleep. Returning home the day fellowing, the father found the baby still worse, and, while contemplating another sleepless night, the mother stepped from the room to attend to some domestic duties, and left the father with the child. During her absence he administered a portion of the SOOTHING SYRUP to the baby, and said nothing. That night all hands slept well, and the little fellow awoke in the morning bright and happy. The mother was delighted with the sudden and wonderful change, and, although at first offended at the deception practiced upon her, has continued to use the SYRUP, and suffering, crying babies, and restless nights, have disappeared. A single trial of the SYRUP never yet failed to relieve the baby and overcome the prejudices of the mother.

Millions of bottles of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP are now used every year in the United States for children teething, with never-failing success. Relief is IMMEDIATE and CERTAIN.

MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP is sure to regulate the bowels.

Orders are coming in every day from druggists in all parts of the country, “Send me more of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP.”

Millions of bottles of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP are sold every year in the United States.

Give us an old nurse for diseases incident to the period of teething in children. Here you have that old nurse for 25 cents, in the form of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP.

MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP never fails to give immediate relief.

MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP is sold by all druggists throughout the United States.

HIGHLY IMPORTANT TO MOTHERS. — MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP is the only thing that you can rely upon to give relief to yourself, and relief and health to your infant.

MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP has been the means of restoring the drooping spirits of many mothers.

This is the season of the year to use MRS. WINSLOWS SOOTHING SYRUP.

To every mother who has children suffering from any of the complaints incident to the period of teething, we say do not let your own prejudices, or the prejudices of others, stand in the way of the relief that will be sure — yes, absolutely sure — to follow the use of MRS. WINSLOW’S SOOTHING SYRUP.

Sold by druggists throughout the world.

Price only 25 cents per bottle.

Principal Office, No. 13 Cedar-St., New-York.

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Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup was a medicine for children that was thought to cure illnesses and prevent children from crying. Made up of a mix of alcohol, morphine, and opium, this ‘medicine’ was soon outlawed by the federal government in 1906. Information provided by – US History, Pathways To the Present

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Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup trade card – “For children teething. Greatly facilitates the process of Teething, by softening the gums, reducing all inflammation; will allay ALL PAIN and spasmodic action, and is SURE TO REGULATE THE BOWELS. Depend on it, Mothers, it will give rest to yourselves and RELIEF AND HEALTH TO YOUR INFANTS. Sold by all chemists, at 1s 1/2d per bottle.”

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Two Cents United States Internal Revenue Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, Jeremiah Curtis & Son Proprietors, Successors to Curtis & Perkins New York

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Advertisement for Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup – 1895

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The tax for all proprietary articles sold for more than 15 cents and up to 25 cents was 5/8 cent. Mrs. Winslow’s was only offered in one size bottle and so Anglo-American only ordered printed cancels on 5/8 cent stamps. Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup. 1899. Type 2 – 1898 Revenues

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This is an advertisement for ‘Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup‘, this medicine was given to babies to soothe them when they were teething. It softened gums and reduced inflammation and was widely used. One problem was that it actually contained Opium. During the 19th century Opium was frequently used, poets such as Byron and Shelly indulged in ‘laudanum’, an alcoholic drink containing opium and medicines such as ‘Mrs Winslow’s Soothing Syrup’ were used to treat every sort of illness from colds to heart disease. The addictive properties of Opium were eventually recognised and it was banned, except for use in medicine. – British Library

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Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Teething Syrup Medicine for Children’s teeth, dental-related patent medicine, 1885- 1886 Calendar on back – Dave’s Great Cards

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, History, Medicines & Cures, Remedy, Tax Stamps, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Most Unusual Christmas Present

Posted on 4 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

ART CHURCH BIRD HOUSE

MikeStephanoNow here’s something none of you have – For Xmas my wife to be commissioned a special, one of a kind birdhouse by HVBC (Hudson Valley Bottle Club) Club Treasurer Art Church, a friend of ours. Art builds birdhouses sort of as a hobby and to sell them, one of kind folk-art. Peg co-conspired w/Art without me knowing it to custom make this birdhouse for me. There are a lot of themes going on around it, including stuff Peg & I have done, places we like to go, etc….overall just a great effort and I just loved it. Thought you’d all like to see. Mike Stephano

“The birds will have to figure out someplace else to live ’cause I’m not putting it outside!”

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Read More: The Big Brooklyn Dig

Read More: Nice Grouping of Lancaster Cornucopia & Urn Flasks

Posted in Art & Architecture, Club News, Collectors & Collections, Folk Art, Holiday | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Walker’s Vinegar Bitters bottled in Pastel Shades to “conceal the mess”

Posted on 3 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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Color Run of Dr. J. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters – Dale Mlasko

Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters

“This ‘Bitters’ is one of the nastiest nostrums, introduced and largely sold by the most extensive and brazen advertising under the false pretense of being free from alcohol.”

Newspaper advertisement: Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters – Spirit of the Age, Wednesday, July 5, 1871

Walker’s Vinegar Bitters bottled in Pastel Shades to “conceal the mess”

03 January 2013 (R•081714- labeled Walkers) (R•110814 – Triangular Sign) (R•041919 better ad above)
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Fully labeled Walker’s also conceals the concoction – Etsy

Apple-Touch-IconAThere are a number of accounts of how Walker’s Vinegar Bitters got its start in California, one being that the so-called “Dr.” J. (Joseph) Walker started out as a charcoal peddler in the streets of New York and followed miners west as a cook around 1849. With no luck mining, he probably concocted the basics for his original formula during his ‘cooking’ days. He next appears as a penniless inhabitant of Stockton, California in the 1850’s.

It looks like ‘three times’ is the charm here with his development and marketing of the Walker’s bitters product which he patented in 1861. He also, somehow magically, becomes a “Dr.” during the 1850’s.

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The second interesting note is from a Dr. Gibbon’s account of the origin of Walker’s Vinegar Bitters, a specimen of which we analyzed several years ago, and found to contain 5 per cent of alcohol!: –

“This ‘Bitters’ is one of the nastiest nostrums, introduced and largely sold by the most extensive and brazen advertising under the false pretense of being free from alcohol. It originated with a cook of a party which traveled overland as a mining company to California in 1849; he settled in Calaveras county, and having no success as a miner, he turned his attention to the bitter qualities of the herbs growing about him, and came to San Francisco with the idea of making and vending a nostrum to be called ‘Indian Vegetable Bitters.’ He fell in with a an enterprising druggist, who saw money in the project, and joined him. At the suggestion of the latter, the ‘Indian’ was struck out, and the concoction got sour by fermentation, it was concluded to call it ‘Vinegar Bitters’ and to identify it with the temperance movement. The native herbs which became rather troublesome to collect, were discarded, and aloes, being cheap to bitter, were substituted. “nine sick people out of ten’ said the druggist, ‘will be cured by purging.’ Wherefore the aloes and Glauber’s salt. So the cook turned doctor, the decoction became sour and of California instead of Indian paternity, and ‘Doctor Walker’s Vinegar Bitters; began its career in the newspapers and on the shelves of the drug-stores.’” The statement has recently been made that “Vinegar Bitters” is now manufactured of sour beer and aloes. (The Household Monitor of Health by John Harvey Kellogg – 1891)

“initially peddled the bottles out of a basket on various streets. Only a dozen years later, Walker is worth between one and three million dollars.”

“Dr.” Walker started his bitters business located at the corner of American and Channel Streets in Stockton, California. It was here that he concocted the mess which he called Vinegar Bitters. Apparently a Mrs. Brenton who had an interesting relationship with Walker, initially peddled the bottles out of a basket on various streets. Only a dozen years later, Walker is worth between one and three million dollars. “Dr.” Walker was not ungrateful and Mrs. Brenton became the face of Vinegar Bitters, although whether she contributed to the vinegar or the bitters to the composition does not appear.

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“Vinegar Bitters”, New Bedford Harbor, METEOR and SUNBEAM, photograph by Joseph S. Martin, circa 1870

While “Dr.” Walker devised his fermented Vinegar Bitters in San Francisco in 1849. Richard H. McDonald, a San Francisco druggist, promoted the medicine nationally, and went into partnership with John Campbell Spence to form R.H. McDonald & Company to produce and market it. This company had London, New York and San Francisco offices. Later Walker apparently moved to New York. Earlier he actually had Indians gather herbs in Knights Ferry and shipped to him in Stockton. He advertised his bitters ‘free from alcohol’ but used brandy as a preservative. He was struck by a locomotive and killed around 1877. His estate was valued at several million dollars.

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

W 11  DR. WALKER’S VINEGAR BITTERS, Circa 1869 –
L…Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters
// b // J. WALKER’S / V.B.
8 3/8 x 3 (5 3/4)
Round, LTC, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Aqua Common: LTCR Green Scarce
An American bitters exported for sale to the Canadian Province of Quebec in 1897.

As far as collectibility and desirability, the Walker’s bottles are simple, sexy and come in stunning pastel shades. I suppose “Dr” Walker needed something ‘pretty’, for the women, to conceal the foul tasting mess, as some called it. within the bottle.

Devoted to Temperance, Health and Economy

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Label Under Glass Sign, ‘Dr. Walker’s California / Eureka / Vinegar Bitters / The Great Blood Purifier’, (Ring/Ham pg. 560), American, ca. 1885 – 1910, white background with multicolored paint decoration, 21”h by 24″ wide triangular form, original wood with gold trim frame, replacement backing. – Glass Works Auction 105

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A private die stamp for Dr. J. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters was first issued in July of 1870 and last delivered on February 23, 1883. 1,149,024 were produced on old paper, – 5,088,677 on silk paper and 492,760 on watermarked paper. This example is on watermarked paper. – rdhinstl.com

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Original 1-1/2″ Dia. Brass Pocket Mirror. J. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters – The Great Blood Purifier, Give it a Trial. Sold by All Druggists. Pat. June 15, 1861. – ebay

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A check used by R.H. McDonald & Company in 1871. It has a Type C22a imprinted revenue inverted on the back, making it an example of one of the rare types of revenue stamped paper. – rdhinstl.com

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A  Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters Almanac of 1872. – rdhinstl.com

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Another Dr. J. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters Almanac cover. D.H. Harris & Co., Jonesboro, Tenn.

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The back cover of the 1872 almanac showing a reproduction of the Walker private die stamp. This was against government rules. – rdhinstl.com

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A clipping from the Adrian, Michigan Times of December 21, 1872. – rdhinstl.com

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An 1885 McDonald & Company cover showing the Walker logo. – rdhinstl.com

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Walker’s Vinegar Bitters Trade Card Back – Meyer Collection

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Dr. J. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters Advertisement – Only Temperance Bitters Known

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Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters Testimonial Advertisement

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Pacific Medical Journal, Volume 2; Volume 11 By David Wooster, Charles McCormick, Henry Gibbons, John Frederick Morse, James Blake – 1869

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A wonderful photograph of a Dr. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters – Utah Antique Bottle Cliche

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Killer, whittled Dr. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters – Western Bitters News

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Base embossing on a Dr. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters – Meyer Collection

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A later, labeled Dr. J. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters – Smithsonian National Museum of American History

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Two gorgeous green, Dr. J. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters – Rick Hall

Example Dr. J. Walker’s Vinegar Bitters from theGardnerCollection – Steve Jackson

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Color Runs, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, History, Medicines & Cures, Remedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Patent Medicine Proprietary Revenue Stamps

Posted on 2 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

McMunnsElixirofOpium

Proprietary Stamps

The first revenue stamps in United States were produced to collect taxes on liquor in 18th-century America and were known as Supervisors’ Seals. These revenue stamps were embossed and known as the First Federal Issue. Later, new tax laws were passed in 1862 to help the North pay the costs of the Civil War although the practice of using printed stamps on adhesive to collect taxes persisted long after the conflict was over. The primary items taxed included patent medicines, perfumes, matches and playing cards. The taxes was also affectionately called the ‘Match & Medicine Tax’ and the “Sin Tax’ as most of the items taxed include items of shady character, at least to some.

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Documentary Revenue Stamps were designed to be affixed to documents such as receipts, promissory notes, powers of attorney and life-insurance policies. Proprietary Revenue Stamps and Private Die Proprietaries were issued to collect taxes on manufactured goods such as tobacco products and bottles of alcohol. Taxpaid tobacco stamps were attached to packs of cigarettes while wide, strip-shaped bottle stamps were affixed to the tops of liquor bottles.

The law stated “That any proprietor or proprietors of proprietary articles, or articles subject to stamp duty under schedule C of this act, shall have the privilege of furnishing, without expense to the United States, in suitable form, to be approved by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, his or their own dies or designs for stamps to be ued thereon, to be retained in the possession of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, for his or their separate use, which shall not be duplicated to any other person. That in all cases where such stamp is used, instead of his or their writing, his or their initials and the date thereon, the said stamp shall be so affixed on the box, bottle, or package, that in opening the same, or using the contents thereof, the said stamp shall be effectually destroyed;…”

A discount was provided for companies using private die stamps. The law further stated “That any proprietor or proprietors of articles named in schedule C, who shall furnish his or their own die or design for stamps, to be used especially for his or their own proprietary articles, shall be allowed the following discount, namely: on amounts purchased at one time of not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars, five per centum; on amounts over five hundred dollars, ten per centum.”

Many of the companies used the tax stamps for ‘free’ advertising for their products. A number of which are depicted below. Most of these stamps were printed by Butler & Carpenter (later Joseph R. Carpenter) of Philadelphia until August 31, 1875. Between September of 1875 and October 1880 the stamps were printed by the National and American Bank Note Companies, and in 1880 the Bureau of Engraving and Printing assumed the job, until July, 1883 when the proprietary taxes ended.

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Beautifully engraved and printed United States Internal Revenue Twenty Five Cents 1/4 Quarter Barrel stamp

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Two Cents U.S. Internal Revenue Dalley’s Galvanic Horse Salve, 50 Cents Per Box

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Gorgeous One and Fore Cents U.S. Internal Revenue Edward Wilder Stomach Bitters, Sarsaparilla and Potash Family Pills, Louisville, Kentucky

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(First Proprietary Issue) Proprietary, 1871, 1¢ green & black, violet paper. Two patent medicine wrappers, each with a stamp affixed, first is a spectacular multicolor envelope for Dr. M.L. Byrn’s Olio de Flora – “Perfume for the Million” with the stamp affixed to the flap with manuscript. “B, 1874” cancel; second is a wrapper which contained a “Sample Bottle of Green’s August Flower” from L.M. Green of Woodbury N.J. – Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions

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Four Cents U.S. Internal Revenue Mrs. S.A. Allen’s Hair Restorer – S.R. Van Duzer Proprietors New York Private Proprietary Stamp

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1871 Fifty Cents Internal Revenue Beer Stamp

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J.W. Campion’s Pine Tree Tar Cordial, a remedy said to be effective in curing coughs, sore throats and consumption of the lungs. Campion, a former furniture maker, bought the rights to the preparation from fellow Philadelphian L.Q.C. Wishart, in 1874. Wishart had used government-issue tax stamps, but Campion went the private die route and had four-cent proprietaries printed on silk-bearing, pink and watermarked paper (1875-1882). The pink stamp illustrated has been the most elusive of the three and prices reflect that condition.

Vogeler Meyer & Co. Stamp

One Cent Dr. Bull’s Family Medicines, Vogeler, Meyer & Co. Baltimore

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Two Cents United States Internal Revenue Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, Jeremiah Curtis & Son Proprietors, Successors to Curtis & Perkins New York

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Beautiful, circular One Cent Corning & Tappan U.S. Internal Revenue Stamp

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Four Cents – Duponco’s Golden Periodical Pills – S.D. Howe Proprietor, New York. Stamp used by New York physician Stewart D. Howe, on his boxes of Duponco’s Golden Periodical Pills. These pills were intended to relieve suffering from any of the “complaints peculiar to females, both single and married.” Howe acquired the rights to the pills in 1866, but only used private die stamps with them between 1870 and 1873. The black design was printed on both “old” brittle paper and on porous silk-bearing sheets.

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Four Cents U.S. Internal Revenue Lundborg’s Perfumery, Young, Ladd & Coffin

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Wars require money and willing young men, and the US Civil War was no exception. To raise money, Lincoln’s war time congress taxed a range of items including newspapers, matches, perfume, photographs, medicine, narcotics, canned food, beer, wine, liquor, tobacco and cigars.

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Poland’s Magic Powders cancellation on this Two Cent U.S. Internal Revenue Proprietary Stamp

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Four Cents Dr. Crook’s Wine of Tar Internal Revenue Stamp – Jim Jim Jrs Collections

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Four Cents U.S. Internal Revenue Stamp with a Walker & Taylor Brown’s Vegetable Oriental Hair Renewer and Dr. Weaver’s Compound Extract of Fireweed 1866 overprint.

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Four Cents New York Pharmacal Association – Lactopeptine – U.S. Internal Revenue Proprietary – Jim Jim Jrs Collections

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Benton’s Pine Tree Tar Troches 1866 cancellation overprint on a One Cent U.S. Internal Revenue Proprietary Stamp

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Red Jacket Stomach Bitters – Private Die Medicine Stamps Essay, Scott #RS191E, Bennett Pieters & Co., 4c black, Die essay in design of the 6c stamp, on india, 162x38mm, pencil #250 in lower right corner, Year: 1862-77 – Eric Jackson Revenues

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B.F.M. Toiuletine Etc. Strip of 3 U.S. Internal Revenue Stamps – One and One Quarter Cent

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Private Die Medicine Stamps Essay, Demas Barnes, 6c black, B & C die essay on india – Eric Jackson Revenues

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Dr. Harter Medicine Company cancellation on a 2 1/2 Cent U.S. Internal Revenue stamp. 1898

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One Cent U. States Internal Revenue Schenk’s Mandrake Pills Pulmonic Syrup and Seaweed Tonic

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Star cancellation Private Die Medicine Stamp for J.C. Ayer & Co., 4c blue, circa 1878-83

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One Cent United States Internal Revenue Dr. M. Lanes Celebrated Liver Pills Fleming Brothers Pittsburg Pa Proprietors

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Match & Medicine Facsimile Label for R.V. Pierce, black (rouletted 8) – Eric Jackson Revenue Stamps

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Three Vertical U.S. Internal Revenue stamps for a variety of products including Drake’s Plantation Bitters, Lyon’s Magnetic Powder, Guysott’s Yellow Dock and Sarsaparilla, Mexican Mustang Liniment, Helmstreet’s Hail Coloring, Drake’s Catawba Bitters

Posted in Advertising, Ales & Ciders, Bitters, Civil War, Cordial, Ephemera, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Perfume, Tax Stamps, Tobacco | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One ‘Hellofa’ Night…Always Has Been…

Posted on 1 January 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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One ‘Hell-of-a’ Night…always has been…

Really no need to caption these pictures…

01 January 2013 (R•123113) (R•010115)

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MORE…..

Photographs of People Drinking – Part I

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part II.

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part III

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part IV (Brewing)

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part V

Photographs of People Drinking – Part VI

Posted in History, Holiday, Humor - Lighter Side, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Pickin’s of Lancaster County

Posted on 31 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Apple-Touch-IconAThis is hopefully the first of many new antique bottle and glass postings by guest writers who have a talent with words, story-telling, photography and digital technology. I asked Eric first because I simply think he is near the best of the best of persons that I have recently met online who have mastered these components.

The Pickin’s of Lancaster County

By Eric Richter

I once had an antique store in Florida for 11 years. The first rule I learned right off and never forgot was that you make your money buying.

By ‘Pickin.’

Just like the Darwinian theory, “Adapt or Die,’ for the next 11 years I would learn to adapt by ‘Picking,’ not only to survive, but to earn a good living as well.

Which I did.

Now I live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, founded in 1731. The pickin’s here are amazing; everything you could imagine, from antiques, historical glass, bottles, and everything else. I love it all, but especially the old glass and tend to focus on that. I encounter and pick all kinds of old glass, but bottles are my favorites. Just like a lot of bottle collectors, I really love the gloppy, most primitive bottles I can find. I’ll pick anything that’s a deal, but I’ve found that demijohns are some of the easiest and most beautiful examples of crude old bottles that can be had for the least money.

The Three Stooges Apple Green Demijohn

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I have just over 100 bottles, not really a large collection by any means, but one thing I’ve never felt the need to do was name a bottle. Shown above is one I have named, now known as ‘The Three Stooges Demi.’

One day, after making my rounds through an antique store and coming to the counter to check out, I turned and looked at the first booth I started in to see an apple green demi sitting on a top shelf. No, it definitely wasn’t there when I began my rounds. The dealer standing there and pulling more items out of boxes proved that. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. I walked over and picked up the half gallon demijohn to behold the most sloppy and crooked excuse for a bottle I could imagine. The color alone was what drew my attention, but the bubbles and glop were fantastic. When I held it and noticed what a mess the whole bottle was, I could only think of three men with brooms, cleaning up the glass works well after quittin’ time and the manager needing some demi bottles to fill a quick order, asking them to get busy. I imagined the glasshouse owner being concerned:

“Are we going to get that demijohn order out on time?”

“Don’t worry boss, I got three new men working on it now.”

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The top (shown above) is so crooked, and such a mess, that the bottle appears ‘drunk.’ Definitely a Moe, Larry, and Curly job.

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The side of the base (shown above) has creases and iron residue marks from the sloppy removal from the snap case. This is not often seen, and proves that the snap case tool could and did leave noticeable marks on the post pontil bottles. The demijohn was priced at fifty clams, and hadn’t been set out for more than 2 minutes, but I managed to haggle it down to just thirty and bought it with a smile.

The Ten Pounder Demijohn

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This is another one I had to give a name to. There are rare, heavy, Masonic flasks collectors refer to as ‘Two pounders.’ But what about the gloppiest one gallon, almost 1/3 inch thick dirty light green demijohn that weighs over 7 pounds? When picked up it feels like ten, hence the name. The glass is so crude and so full of bubbles and whittle and rocks, I’ve never seen the like of it. It’s one of my favorite demijohns.

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The top (shown above) is almost just as much of a mess as the 3 Stooges applied top, but at least this one’s on straight. This picture could be in any bottle dictionary illustrating the meaning to the word ‘Glop.’

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The base (shown above) is almost pontilled, it has been pushed up quite a bit, but there’s no real mark I can find. It’s a ‘close to pontil,’ or maybe it actually is, but the rod came off clean. The upkick is not part of the 2 part mold and is way off center. This was a very quiet steal of a deal pickin’ and was had for only twenty beans in a local shop. Not only was it heavy, I was exhausted with glee lugging it out to my car.

The Biggest and Best Pick of All Three

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This is the biggest free blown demijohn I have encountered in my pickin’s. The bottle is perfect and clean and though pictured on it’s side, it stands very crooked. It’s approximately 20.5″ high and 9″ across. I was in an antique store that had taken in a consignment of a bunch of large bottles. They scattered them throughout the store, it was like an Easter egg hunt for me. I found most were mid 20th Century water bottles, very over-priced, most were marked $200.00. I knew some of them were nice and collectible, but somebody was definitely shooting in the dark when it came to pricing them. None of the ones I looked at were worth 200 clams. Then, in an upstairs room, there was this monster, the only real different one in the whole crowd of them. I couldn’t believe my eyes, a four gallon free blown pontilled demi in immaculate condition almost 2 feet tall. I picked it up and was very curious to see the price tag. What? $35.00? I couldn’t believe it. Here was the best of the bunch being literally given away. Not only that, while waiting at the counter to pay for it, a woman behind me commented what a beautiful bottle it was. I was given 10% off and had this big beauty for $31.50. Wow.

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The top of this huge demi is as perfect and primitive as you could want, not a chip, all glop.

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The base is amazing, the ‘sticky ball’ pontil is bigger than my fist. I would date this one from anywhere from 1840’s to 1860. One of my biggest bottle ‘Picks’ ever.

The coolest thing about Pickin’ is I never know what I’ll run into, and I love that thrill of a real score.

It’s like a treasure hunt everytime.

EricRichterEric Richter

I’ve always had a passion for exploring and a love of history and have always collected something. It all started in 1975, when I was 10 years old and saw the movie Jaws. Not long after, I saw my first ‘Monster’ Megalodon fossil shark tooth. The result of that was 15 plus years spent diving the Gulf of Mexico and Florida rivers for fossils, shark teeth, large woolly mammoth teeth and bones, Indian artifacts and becoming both a fossil and antique dealer.

Visit Eric’s web site: 1780Farmhouse.com

Posted in Advice, Collectors & Collections, Demijohns, Digging and Finding, Humor - Lighter Side, News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Danny Catherino and his Great Bottle Hoard

Posted on 31 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Apple-Touch-IconAI received some interesting communications and pictures recently from Danny Catherino up in Philadelphia. I am going to leave the e-mails and pictures alone for the most part. I find these images and Danny really interesting. Obviously not the best shots, Danny knows this, but Wow-oh Wow-does he have some nice bottles and passion to collect. Enjoy! Thanks Danny.

DANNY CATHERINO

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GREAT BOTTLE HOARD

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Was in a hurry. Hope all went thru. Not selling but I’d like to know about the Leighton’s and Osbourns. Ham (Bill) said mebbe unique but that was a couple yrs back. I would entertain offers or better yet trades for colors of barrels or Drakes etc I don’t have. Have 32 different Drakes and 28 different barrels. Or mebbe an op soda or better Philly soda..Bitters are my first love tho…not close to u but hey….im just a working man. Lemme kno if all went thru. Info on swaps for those two etc danny ps i admire u and your collection.

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ABOUT DANNY

Ok…live in philadelphia…collecting for 41 years…since I was 11…was a charter member of the old Philadelphia Bottle Club As, mascot (lol) and librarian from 1972/ 1977. Took time off for college…got away from things as coming from an all boys school i noticed girls!!! Lol. Started collecting again in 1988..mainly runs of bitters..back when youd get a labeled barrel and the seller would tell u u could scrape if off to see the color better. U remember…before puces and salmons and gasolines,etc… did all the eastern shows and saved up money for Heckler, Chuck Moore, Harmer Rooke, Glass Works…it was passion…love of the feel….still is. Condition doesn’t bother me if its a color I need. Bought bitters and labels, then ebay and then, when i seemed to be outgrowing bitters a bell telephone lineman could afford, I switched to sodas. But I’ve always bought color no matter the catagory. Never dug..heck, i dug pole holes for a living!! Didn’t wanna do it on my time off. Raised a family, bought what i could afford…when all the under the table stuff got rampant I kinda stopped setting up at shows, tho i do hit York every year….met Mr Watson (Richard) fixing his phone!! Told him when all the other lil guys were holding playboy, i was reading his book!! Haha. But true. Well, thats post laundry, pre food shopping cliff notes version. Always held my stewardship w/glass highly…pieces of a rainbow, I always said. If it looked like jolly rancher candy, I wanted it…whether $5. Or $5,000!!! What I can afford I keep pix of…dream of a universal color chart. My fav color is, depending on yer view..that prussian/steel/peacock blue..like the albany glassworks. If u bought yer flint fish from Jim (Hagenbuch), it was mine…one I had to sell for money in mid nineties…anything else,a sk away!! ..

There r folks who love me and some not so much but its cuz i dont lie. Nor shill. Like a couple, um, respected members of the soda/flair lip community.of all, and Norman (Heckler) doesn’t count cause I love Norman, Wichmann (Jeff) is by far my favorite. Course, I’ve been friends with Fran Mikalonis, Chuck Moore and Brad Francis so…my sense is not always on target!!! And i wont mention the old proprietor from penna of the galleria and that magazine…makes me feel dirty thinking of him. Great glass, tho…..lol. Danny. Cat

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Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, Figural Bottles, Medicines & Cures, Soda Water | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pictures of the Week – 12 – 30 – 12

Posted on 30 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

This is the fourth weekly round-up of some really nice photography from various facebook and other glass web sites that have caught my eye.  Of course this is subjective, but it is fun to see the composition, lighting and topic matter of each picture.

Make sure you visit the Fresh Peach Gallery which represents the best of the best pictures from 2012.

P H O T O    G A L L E R Y

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BEAUTIFUL BROWN’S CELEBRATED INDIAN HERB BITTERS BOTTLE, Stunning Example!!! – ebay

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Beautiful “PUCE CABIN” 6 log DRAKES PLANTATION BITTERS Top Shelf Specimen MINT!! – ebay

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Here is the Fisher’s Seaweed Extract along with a Daffy’s Elixir, deep cobalt Price’s Patent Candle Company, and a Handyside’s Rheumatic Cure. – Cindy Suter

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Still love the Kilmers bottles. – Dave Kam

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WOULD THE REAL BROMO PLEASE STAND UP! (anyone have an idea which bottle is the REAL BROMO product & not a knockoff) – John Panella
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Adriana’s Poison Bottles – Adriana Meyer

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I was gifted this figural for Christmas. It’s a little boy holding a clock on his shoulder. The clock face is on the front, and a sun burst on the back. – Mike Holzwarth

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Happy Holidays From the Farmhouse – Eric Richter

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A very rare CRAM’S VEGETABLE HAIR TONIC, Boston bottle with pontil – John April

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Ho! Ho! Ho! – Tom Marshall

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3, Three in Ones. – Steven Harris

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Another winter picookinf from the kitchen window… LoL…I meant “looking from”…Cat was trying to be in my lap while I was typing...Joseph Bottone

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And for the amethyst lovers.. – Steven Harris

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Color Group – Charles Flint

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One of my favorites – Randy Cobb
Posted in Bitters, eBay, Figural Bottles, Hair Tonics, Medicines & Cures, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Summer Day at Peachridge in 2007

Posted on 29 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SteveHarrisMugIn 2007, Elizabeth and I commissioned our friend and professional photographer, Steve Harris, to spend the morning in our home taking pictures of windows and bottles. We gave him free reign and left him alone. A few of the photographs are posted below.

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Mid-morning sun in the Victorian Room

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Ribbed Grape Lightning Rod Ball’s and Ladies Leg Bitters

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Den Windows

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HP Herb Wild Cherry Bitters detail from Den

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Aqua Bitters windows in 1st Guest Bedroom

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Row of Aqua Bottles in sunlight – 1st Guest Bedroom

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Corner windows in Master Bedroom

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Nice run of Skilton Foote Bunker Hill Pickles in Master Bedroom

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2nd Guest Bedroom Windows

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Poison Bottle grouping in 2nd Bedroom

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Master Bedroom figural Violins and Bears

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Master Bedroom Violin Figural Bottles

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Office Insulator Window

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Insulators in Home Office Window

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Living Room Windows – How can I fill with Bottles?

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Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Display, Figural Bottles, Insulators, Lightning Rod Balls, Peachridge Glass, Photography, Pickle Jars, Poison Bottles, Windows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some New Fish Bitters Photographs

Posted on 28 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

CORN – QUEEN – FISH

20 December 2012

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SteveHarrisMugRecently I had my friend and professional photographer Steve Harris (pictured on left) spend the morning at Peachridge and photograph our various bottle rooms. Steve also works with me on select FMG Design projects where his talent is needed. I left him alone with some simple instructions…”please don’t touch”. We had two cancelled appointments prior to this session due to uncooperative weather. Third time’s the Charm.

Steve did his magic in December 2012 just as he did back in the summer of 2007 (See Peachridge 2007 images) when he had the same assignment. This first post deals with Fish Bitters. You can see a few additions since 2007.

A small blurb from Steve’s web site (see below) states: “Steve Harris completed his schooling at Parsons School of Design, Paris, France in 1988, and embarked on a career that has taken him from the fashion industry on the streets of Paris, to the advertising community in New York City, to the top of the mountains of South America, and beyond. After relocating back to native terrain in 1992, Steve put his efforts into Commercial and Fine Art photography with a renewed passion for his craft. After paying his dues in respect to photography, he slowly built a loyal following of clients and individuals who helped pave the way to professional stability.”

I want to point out that all my solo bottle photography used on this site is done by myself unless otherwise noted. I just feel like it is fun to periodically step back and let someone else photograph your collection. Plus Steve has a gillion more pieces of photography equipment than my camera and tripod.

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NEW FISH BITTERS PICTURES

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Read More: World Famous Cobalt Blue “The Fish” Bitters

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Display, Figural Bottles, Peachridge Glass, Photography, Windows | Tagged , , | Leave a comment