20th Century Old Taylor Kentucky Bourbon Advertising

Posted on 20 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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COLONEL E. H. TAYLOR SINGLE BARREL

Taylor was one of Kentucky’s original Bourbon aristocrats and was called the “father of the modern bourbon industry.”

20th Century Old Taylor Kentucky Bourbon Advertising

20 December 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAOld Taylor Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey was named in honor of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. (E.H. Taylor) (1830-1923). Taylor was one of Kentucky’s original Bourbon aristocrats and was called the “father of the modern bourbon industry.” He was an industry leader who greatly advanced the quality of Kentucky Bourbon and safeguarded the Bourbon label from bogus producers. Taylor supported and produced some really nice advertising all exemplifying the quality of his product. His picture, Old Taylor Castle, signature and Distillery images occurred on many pieces of advertising throughout 20th century advertising in great magazines like LIFE and LOOK.

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I have. I really enjoy looking at advertising art, typography and styles through various decades.

Read More: Buchanan’s Black & White Scotch Whisky Advertising

Read More: A question regarding an “Old Taylor” find

WITH TRUE ARTIST’S PRIDE, HE SIGNED HIS FINEST WORK

Old Taylor Bourbon Whiskey Advertisement with Paul Revere (1935)

1935 Old Taylor Bourbon Whiskey advertisement with Paul Revere. Alignment with a famous American historical figure and laying the ground work for putting his signature on every label and advertisement. Both horizontal and vertical signatures present here.

Great is the work signed with a Master’s Name

Old Taylor Bourbon Ad – LIFE – May 17, 1937

Old Taylor Bourbon advertisement in LIFE magazine – May 17, 1937

1938 Vintage Advert - America's Fourmost Whiskies: Old Taylor, Old Overhold, Mount Vernon & Old Grand-Dad

1938 vintage aAdvertisement – America’s Four-most Whiskies: Old Taylor, Old Overhold, Mount Vernon & Old Grand-Dad

Your passport to Whiskey Quality Bears This Famous Signature

1939 Old Taylor

1939 Old Taylor Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey advertisement

Signed with this Famous Signature

Sealed with a Government Bonded Stamp

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1941 Old Taylor Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey advertisement

To this matchless product, as to any other masterpiece, the maker proudly signed his name.

1944

1944 Old Taylor Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey advertisement

Sign of a Good Host

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1951 OLD TAYLOR KENTUCKY Straight Bourbon Whiskey advertisement. The kentucky horse theme seems to dominate as from this point forwards.

As the Taylor brand has been established, marketing the product relies less on the Taylor signature header as the signature occurs on labels and Taylor Bourbon is almost a househod name.

1955 Old Taylor Whiskey Advertisement

1955 Old Taylor Whiskey advertisement

Old Taylor Advertisement in LOOK magazine in 1957

Old Taylor advertisement in LOOK magazine in 1957

1963 Old Taylor 86 Whiskey Vintage Ad

1963 Old Taylor 86 Whiskey advertisement

Old Taylor Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1966

Old Taylor Bourbon advertisement circa 1966

Old Taylor Bourbon Manhattan Advertisement Circa 1970

Old Taylor Bourbon Manhattan advertisement circa 1970

1973 Old Taylor Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Magazine Ad

1973 Old Taylor Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey magazine Advertisement

Old Taylor Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1978

Old Taylor Bourbon advertisement circa 1978

Old Taylor Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1978

And my favorite…Old Taylor Bourbon advertisement circa 1978

Posted in Advertising, Bourbon, Ephemera, History, Liquor Merchant, Publications, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A question regarding an “Old Taylor” find

Posted on 19 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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A question regarding an “Old Taylor” find

19 December 2012

IN EVERY APPLIANCE AND APPOINTMENT, OUR DISTILLERIES ARE THE MOST COMPLETE AND PERFECT IN AMERICA

AaronHanshewMugI was wondering if you could do an article on this Old Taylor bottle…maybe figure out where in the heck it came from? Dad wants to know really bad and no one has been able to identify or help him with it. He dug it in a OLD house a long, long time ago. Here it is if you want to do a write-up. Please find some info, that would be amazing. Dad would be really happy for Christmas!! He dug the bottle in the city of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia or in proximity at least near an old brick Civil War house. Behind the house was a trash dump and he found it there approximately 40 years ago. He also found an anchor flask there and broken bitters bottles.

The bottle measures 9 1/2″ inches tall, the lip is 1 3/8″ wide and the outer diameter is 10 3/4″+/- and the base width is 3 1/8″. In block lettering in quotations on the front, it says “OLD TAYLOR” then in cursive “SH TAYLOR JR & SONS DISTILLERS, FRANKFORT, KY.”

I’ll have to really work on trying to figure out what that cork reads. I’m thinking it says 1770 but I’m not sure. I sent you a picture of that cork. The top of it does have Taylor written on it and a signature. The base is kind of rough and flat but smooth as well. They found this a long time ago over near that pre-Civil War house that nobody had been living in for a long time – Aaron Hanshew

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Edmond Haynes Taylor

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Edmund Haynres Taylor, Jr.

OldTaylorCastleAaron: What you have pictured is from E. H. Taylor, Jr. & Sons Distillers (not SH Taylor) from Frankfort, Kentucky. I would suspect the bottle is dated around 1884 to 1910 or so as this was when the “Sons” was used on the brand signature. It really could not be in the Civil War era as his sons had not been born. I have been unable to locate any other examples of your bottle.

Old Taylor Bourbon was named in honor of Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. who lived from 1830-1923. Taylor was one of Kentucky’s original Bourbon aristocrats and was called the “father of the modern bourbon industry.” He was an industry leader who greatly advanced the quality of Kentucky Bourbon and safeguarded the Bourbon label from bogus producers. Taylor started and owned seven different distilleries throughout his career, the most successful being the O.F.C. and Carlisle distilleries, the forerunners of today’s Buffalo Trace Distillery.

In 1894, E. H. Taylor, Jr., and his sons, J.S. and Kenner, organized a corporation under the name of “E. H. Taylor, Jr. & Sons”. Soon thereafter their corporation acquired the distillery plant and all other assets of their former partnership and resumed the manufacture and sale of whiskey under the brands “Taylor” and “Old Taylor”. It appears that after 1910 the single word “Taylor” was seldom, if ever, used as the brand name, but thereafter the words “Old Taylor” and the script signature of the corporation “E. H. Taylor, Jr. & Sons” appeared conspicuously upon all labels and in all the advertising matter of the corporation.

His sons were named Jacob Swigert Taylor and Kenner Taylor.

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If you look closely, the bottle shape on the bottom right illustration on this Mida’s Criterion document is similar to the Hanshew example. Possibly the handle is behind the bottle and the bottle has a label wrapper.

What is fascinating about Taylor was his guarantee of quality in an industry that had virtually lost all credibility with consumers. He also built the amazing Old Taylor Castle on eighty-two acres along the banks of Glenn’s Creek which is south of Frankfort, in northern Kentucky. This castle was prominent in much of his advertising. The distillery was once the leading bourbon producer of the bluegrass state and was the first to reach the benchmark count of one million U.S. Government certified cases of straight Bourbon Whiskey.

You can also see remnants of the Taylor Distillery and castle if you visit Frankfort or take the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour.

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Taylor was also a descendant of two U.S. presidents, James Madison and Zachary Taylor, and because of this, Taylor had connections to Frankfort that benefited his self-interests. He later served as a longtime, 16-year mayor for Frankfort and as a state representative and senator.

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E H TAYLOR JR. CO. – Frankfort, Kentucky. 1884-1919

Bottling house at 518 Broadway (1884). Distillers of Old Taylor Whiskey. Distillery at Taylorton, Glenn’s Creek, Woodford Co. (1910, 1912). Distilleries at Taylorton, Glenn’s Creek, Woodford Co. (1914-1919). Taylor also owned the OFC and Carlisle Distilleries near Frankfort.

The company used the brand names: “Carlisle”, “E. H. Taylor, Jr. & Sons”, “J. S. Taylor”, “Kentucky River”, “O. F. C.”, “O. F. C.”, “Old Taylor”, “Old Taylor, A Straight Kentucky Whiskey of Topmost Class”, and “Taylor.”

Business name timeline: E H Taylor Jr. Co. (1884), E H Taylor Jr. & Sons Co. Inc. (1908), E H Taylor Jr. & Sons (1910-1919)

Address timeline: 301 Main (1884), 518 Broadway (1908), 503-511 McClure Bldg. (1910), 503-511 United American Bldg. (1912), 503-511 McClure Bldg. (1914-1919) (Pre-pro.com)

Read More: Old Taylor Distillery

Read More: The Old Taylor Celebration at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Read More: History of the Old Taylor Distillery

Read More: NATIONAL DISTILLERS PRODS. CORP. v. K. TAYLOR DIST

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Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr. established the Old Taylor Distillery in 1887 in Frankfort, Kentucky. This was 16 years after this ‘birds eye’ map was illustrated. I think it still gives you an idea of the typography and layout of Frankfort. The Old Taylor Distillery was located south of town on Glenn’s Creek.

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E.H. Taylor Jr. Co. Distillers back book cover in full color. Three products are listed: O.F.C., Carlisle Sour Mash Whiskey and J.S. Taylor Sour Mash Whiskey. This is a rather large distillery for the era. That would be the Kentucky River shown beyond the Distillery.

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Old Taylor Distillery – “Burgoo for bankers at E. H. Taylor distillery. Crowd at tables in garden area. “
1915 – Kentucky Historical Society

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Circa 1959 hand tinted Post Card showing The Old Taylor Castle.

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In this Google satellite shot you can see the remnants of the castle, smokestack and round corner tower. This would be a fun site to visit.

Old Taylor Distillery in Woodford County

The Old Taylor Castle historical remnants

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Not producing any Bourbon anymore. Nature recaptures the Taylor Distillery.

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On April 2, 2006, a storm ripped through Kentucky, tearing apart two of Buffalo Trace’s warehouses. One was empty. One, Warehouse C, was full of 24,000 barrels of then-young, far-from-release E.H. Taylor Bourbon.

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This odd postcard references a group including Kenner Taylor, one of Col. E.H. Taylor’s Jr.’s sons, purchased what remained of the Baker Distillery at the Forks of Elkhorn in 1933. Their brands included Kenner Taylor, Golden Bantam, and Forks of Elkhorn. Not sure what the dogs are about – Capital City Museum

Posted in Advertising, Digging and Finding, History, Liquor Merchant, Questions, Spirits, Stoneware, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

2013 National Antique Bottle Show Auction News

Posted on 19 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

CONSIGNMENTS NEEDED!

Please support our Auctioneer for the 2013 National Antique Bottle Show in Manchester, New Hampshire. We are proud to say the Jim Hagenbuch and crew at Glass Works Auctions will be heading up the auction! 

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Posted in Advertising, Advice, Auction News, Bottle Shows, Club News, FOHBC News, News | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wheeler’s Berlin Bitters – Baltimore

Posted on 18 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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WHEELER’S BERLIN BITTERS

B A L T I M O R E

18 December 2012 (R•051414) (R•030915)

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Hi Ferd,

I was aware of your pictures on Peachridge recently of your three “Wheeler’s” (see above) and was amazed of how close the colors were to three that I have (see below). The emerald green one is especially rare and I’m wondering if you didn’t nab this one from Jeff Wichmann’s “Pacific Glass Auctions” back In October of 2001? I was fortunate to obtain mine from Norm Heckler Auction about three years ago, with the Aqua one coming from the “Great John Feldmann’s Bitters Collection”, and the yellow, slight olive one, coming from Jim Mitchell. I’m not sure if you want to put this on “Peachridge”, I’ll leave this up to you. I continue to be amazed at all you accomplish pertaining to our hobby, and my morning coffee always goes along with my viewing of “Peachridge”!! Thanks Ferd for all you do and hope to meet up in Manchester In July. Take Good Care.

Dave (Kyle) – Thousand Oaks, California

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Apple-Touch-IconAThe Wheeler’s Berlin Bitters is without a doubt, one of my favorite Bitters bottles. Being a native Baltimorean also influences this comment. Unfortunately, I do not know much about the bottle or brand other than what is documented in Ring & Ham (see below) and what has been reported over the years. This hexagonal, pontiled (iron and open pontil) bottle comes in two primary molds and some killer colors. I think most would easily say that this is a Baltimore Glass Works product from around 1850 to 1865.

Usually I look for advertising, labeled examples and genealogy information for the name. In this cast I can find nothing. This is really a puzzler. I am glad the bottle has ‘Baltimore’ prominently embossed on it or I would really be in the dark.

This post represents what is out there now. Hopefully somebody is holding some information so we can unlock the doors and figure out more about the Wheeler’s Berlin Bitters.

Read More: Leading up to Baltimore Glass Works

WheelersAuctionWatchPreviously Unknown Pair of Whale Oil Lamps Ignite Bidders in Virginia:

A lucky auction staff find from a local estate was a bitters bottle that earned $9,900.

Embossed “Wheeler’s Berlin Bitters Baltimore,” it was a brilliant deep yellow-green, hexagonal form with two blank panels, applied lip and large rough pontil. With a nicely whittled surface, it stood 9 3/4 inches high. – Antiques and the Arts

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Baltimore City in 1850

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Baltimore City Map 1850 – The site of the Baltimore Glass Works was on the harbor at Hughes Street (now Key Highway) between Henry and Covington Streets, where its successor company, the Federal Hill Glass Works of Baker Bros. & Co. remained as late as 1873. The wholesale and retail arm of Baker Brothers & Company was located at 32 and 34 S. Charles Street in downtown Baltimore City.

BaltimoreCity2011

Google Earth Baltimore City 2011 – The site of the Baltimore Glass Works was on the harbor at Hughes Street (now Key Highway) between Henry and Covington Streets, where its successor company, the Federal Hill Glass Works of Baker Bros. & Co. remained as late as 1873. The wholesale and retail arm of Baker Brothers & Company was located at 32 and 34 S. Charles Street in downtown Baltimore City. One can only imagine all of the great bottles under the 20th century skyscrapers, parking garages and new freeways in Baltimore.

“Wheeler’s Berliner Bitters,” he says, quietly. “It’s a Baltimore bottle. Every year, I hope some out-of-state dealer will bring one, even though it’ll be beyond my reach.” Without cracks, chips or stains, a Wheeler’s Berliner goes for, oh, $7,000 or so.” – Ferdinand Meyer IV (my father) in an interview with the Baltimore Sun in 1995

Antique-glass seller hopes to trap lightning in a bottle – 1995

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

W 82.5  WHEELERS BERLIN BITTERS, Circa 1850 – 1865
WHEELER’S // BERLIN // BITTERS // BALTIMORE // sp // sp //
10 x 3 (5 1/2)
Hexagonal, Aqua, DLTC, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare
1 sp. One double sunken panel for label
W 082_5 (Wheelers Berlin)

Extremely rare WHEELER’S BERLIN BITTERS in aqua – Meyer Collection

W 83  WHEELERS BERLIN BITTERS, Circa 1850 – 1865
WHEELER’S // BERLIN // BITTERS // BALTIMORE // sp // sp //
9 1/2 x 3 1/2 (6 1/2) 2 1/4
Hexagonal, DLTC, Applied mouth, Aqua, pontil mark, Extremely rare
Hexagonal, DLTC, Applied mouth, Puce, Yellow olive and Green, Metallic pontil mark, Very rare
Lettering reads reversed and base to shoulder
W 083 (Wheelers Berlin)

Extremely rare WHEELER’S BERLIN BITTERS in yellow olive- Meyer Collection

Ferd, I just saw your article on The Wheelers Berlin Bitters. I thought I’d send you the little bit of information I have found about it. Here are two advertisements (see below) placed in the (Baltimore) Sun paper in 1850. The first on November 13th is the dissolution of the co-partnership of Wheeler & Spriggs. They were importers of various dry good and liquors. The second advertisement was placed in the Sun on November 16th and states that haveing sold his interest in the late business of Wheeler & Sprigg that he would continue on business in his own name then goes to list different products he has on hand. One of which is Berlin Bitter. M. Wheeler is listed in the 1851 Baltimore directory as Importer of wines, brandies, cigars, indigo, &c. 42 W. Lombads St, dw Exchange Hotel. After this directory listing and the couple late 1850 advertisements in the Sun paper I can not find anything else about M. Wheeler. So its very likely his business must have been very short lived.

Chris (Rowell)

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WHEELER’S BERLIN BITTERS advertisement – Baltimore Sun, 13 November 1850

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WHEELER’S BERLIN BITTERS advertisement – Baltimore Sun, 16 November 1850

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Extremely rare WHEELER’S BERLIN BITTERS in olive green – Bitters Bottles Supplement

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A Baltimore Wheeler’s Berlin Bitters bar jug – 2015 Baltimore Antique Bottle Show

 

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Early American Glass, History, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

C. Brinckerhoff’s Health Restorative New York

Posted on 17 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I was pleased to see that you chose to use all of the photos relating to my John Moffat Phoenix Bitters. I sure would like to find the rare aqua one dollar or two dollar variant sometime. It certainly gives me something to keep searching for.

I was also pleased to see and read your support post on the Moffat family and literature. Can one assume the C. Brinckerhoff Health Restorative product (medicine or bitters?) was related to the Moffat family (Rachel-Isaac-William) noted in your post? Very interesting.

Jack (Stecher)

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C. Brinckerhoff’s Health Restorative

New York – Price $1.00

Apple-Touch-IconAI was surprised to find out that the ‘B’ in ‘William B. Moffat’, of John Moffat Phoenix Bitters fame, stood for ‘Brinckerhoff’. This unusual name must be somehow related to the ‘C. Brinckerhoff’s Health Restorative‘ bottle pictured above. The bottles overlap in the same time period of 1845 – 1849 and they are also both New York City products.

Well unfortunately, it is not that easy to connect as I can find no reference to ‘John Moffat Phoenix Bitters’ in ‘Health Restorative’ material or vice versa. This really is a puzzler for me as the C. Brinckerhoff is of similar style, color and typography with the Phoenix Bitters (see picture below). Even the pricing conventions such as listing the price on the bottle is similar.

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1845 advertisement for C. Brinckerhoff’s Health Restorative in the Signal of Liberty (Ann Arbor). Really neat that the well-known chemist, Dr. Chilton was engaged to provide an anchor testimony for the product. – Ann Arbor Gigital Library.

Read More: Jack Stecher and his John Moffat Phoenix Bitters

Read More: John Moffat Phoenix Bitters Support

Cornelius Brinckerhoff

What we do know is the the ‘C’ in ‘C. Brinkerhoff’ is for ‘Cornelius’ as in a 1842 Directory listing there is a notation for Cornelius Brinckerhoff, proprietor of the Health Restorative located at 589 Broome with a residence at 70 Eldridge. There is also reference of a Brinckerhoff’s Almanac for 1846 which I can not find an example of.

Cornelius Brinckerhoff began to prepare and sell proprietary medicines in New York City around 1840. He retired after a decade of successfully marketing his Health Restorative, a Pile Injection Fluid and the Celebrated Ulcer Specific (1846). This product was advertised between 1845 and 1849 as a cure for consumption (tuberculosis), liver complaint, asthma, colds, coughs, and pains in the side and chest. The bottle usually has a crudely applied mouth and was blown in a two-piece “hinge” mold (as indicated by the mold seam crossing diagonally across the entire base). There is usually a sand pontil scar.

Brinckerhoff Crossover

John Moffat was born on 03 August 1788 and died in New York City on 03 November 1863. He was married in Troy, New York on 10 September 1816 to Rachel Marie Brinckerhoff, (daughter of Isaac Brickerhoff and Sophie Quackenbos). Their son was William Brinkerhoff Moffat.

Maybe Cornelius Brinkerhoff was a son of John and Rachel Marie Moffat which would make him Williams brother though I see no support for this in Ancestry.com. The Moffat family will also break up and sue each other over the Moffat brand in 1863. What a mystery! I bet someone out there can help tie or disconnect these brands.

C. Brinckerhoff Health Restorative Examples

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Medium to deep olive green C. BRINCKERHOFF’S HEALTH RESTORATIVE PRICE $1.00 NEW YORK – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

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Medium to deep olive green C. BRINCKERHOFF’S HEALTH RESTORATIVE PRICE $1.00 NEW YORK with sand chip pontil – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Scott Jordan dug the rare Brinckerhoff’s bottle shown here in Jersey City, New Jersey. The crucible, fire brick, and cullet came from the same site. See page 2 for a full account of this unusual dig.

Scott Jordan dug this rare Brinckerhoff’s bottle shown here in Jersey City, New Jersey. The crucible, fire brick, and cullet came from the same site. – The Potomac Pontil – 2004 (Read Story)

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“C. BRINCKERHOFFS – HEALTH RESTORATIVE – PRICE $1.00 – NEW_YORK”, (Odell pg. 47), New York, ca. 1840 – 1860, medium yellowish olive green, 7 1/4”h, pontil scarred base has a small open bubble, applied tapered collar mouth. Lightly cleaned to its original luster and about perfect condition. Some light scratches exist on the Price $1.00 panel. Most of the known examples of this bottle, and their are a number of them, are deep olive green or deep olive amber in color. But not this bottle, you are bidding on a bottle in an exceptional color, considerably lighter then most. Add to that a very bold impression and you have one very desirable bottle! – Glass Works Auction #96

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Blown Glass, Digging and Finding, Early American Glass, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Pictures of the Week 12-16-12

Posted on 16 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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This is the second weekly round-up of some really nice photography from various facebook and other glass sites. These pictures are amazing. It is so nice to see such great care with topic selection, composition and lighting. Well done to each of you.

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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Back yard view at sunset…..love it here! From Collecting Insulators

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A friend posted this photo and I thought is was so beautiful – Charles Flint

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Some of my small collection of Black glass. I have always appreciated these types of things and have enjoyed seeing your stuff and the response it has received – Woody Douglas

Bottles& Snow_Campiglia

Took this the other day when snow was really falling. Then we had a day of no snow but I look out now, and snowing again beautifully. – James Campiglia

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Scarce American early 19th century Sunburst Flasks from Keene, New Hampshire and Baltimore, Maryland – Paul Joseph Goodwin

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For the Demijohn or plain bottle guys… here’s a picture of just a few of my many demi’s! I don’t just collect bottles, I collect ALL kinds of bottles!!! – James Campiglia

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A very secure H Chapman Chemist Scarborough 6 oz. – Simon Hunter

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Olive/brown New England Glass 🙂 – Jeff Noordsy (yea right)

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I feel these are made in the USA. In 1884 Edward R Emerson of New York had a patent on the bread loaf form. He was a New York Wine merchant as I recall. There is an interesting and informative article about the bread loaf demijohns over at the Peachridge Glass website. Read: “Loaf of Bread” Demijohns – Dale Santos

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Start of my nice colored blob collection – Aaron Hanshew

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An assortment of American and British mustard bottles….. From a friends collection (Phil Edmonds)…Chris Rowell

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Italian “Capolinea CD 402, CAP1219 . PYREX / 1959 // TS, with Richard Ginori porcelain spool. Tie-Wires at their best! – Edward Brown

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Aromatics Schnapss bottle I found in an excavation (Argentina) – Martin Rodriguez

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Are these two sizes common? Never thought there were two different ones. Thx! – Robert Creech

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Really nice and whittled Dr. Townsend’s at the Auburn, California 49er Show a few weeks ago – Ferdinand Meyer V

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I have collected whiskies since 1978 so the seals are not new. I purchased some great items from Dale Murschell when he was selling off his collection after he wrote the seal book. Ebay & Facebook have really helped with purchases and exposure. The shots, bottles and jugs number near 1,000 and I’m designing the backlite cases for my bottle room. I have been dusting off and trying to cataloge the stuff. Man what a job! David Jackson (Read: David Jackson and his Applied Seal Bottles)

 

Posted in Black Glass, Blown Glass, Demijohns, Early American Glass, Flasks, Historical Flasks, Insulators, Medicines & Cures, Photography, Sarsaparilla, Schnapps, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John Moffat Phoenix Bitters Support

Posted on 16 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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John Moffat Phoenix Bitters | Support

16 December 2012 (R•031614) (R•103118) (R•040219 – Hagenbuch Example)

This post developed to show support information and imagery for John Moffat Phoenix Bitters.

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JOHN MOFFAT

John Moffat, born 3 August, 1788; died New York City, 3 November, 1863; married in Troy, New York, 10 September 1816 to Rachel Marie Brinckerhoff, (daughter of Isaac Brickerhoff and Sophie Quackenbos).

John Moffat invented and first started selling Moffat’s Phoenix Bitters in New York City around 1834 or 1835 (according to almanacs and advertisements). His remedies were among the many bitters brands flooding the 19th-century market, claiming a host of medicinal virtues for the thousands of customers seeking relief. No doubt their high alcohol content made these products especially appealing to the public.

Moffat advertised extensively (see examples below) and Phoenix Bitters soon became a success. Touted the “Universal Cure,” when taken at night Moffat’s formula was said to “promote insensitive respiration and relieve the system of febrile action and feculent obstructions as to produce delightful convalescence in the morning.”

His son William B. Moffat assumed the business in 1838, and had the product patented in 1862.

John Moffat brought suit against his son William for a dissolution of the copartnership (see newspaper transcript below from the New York Times)

WILLIAM B. MOFFAT

William Brinckerhoff Moffat, born New York City, 17 March, 1818; died New York City, 11 April, 1862; married New York City 1 July, 1854 to Julia Augusta Mitchell, (daughter of Robert Mitchell) born 1831; died New York City, 3 September, 1866.

William B. Moffat assumed the business in 1838, and had the product patented in 1862. However, John Moffat’s name continued to be embossed on the bottles. By 1845, the company had introduced at least one other remedy, Moffats’s Vegetable Life Pills, along with Moffat’s Almanac, a popular advertising medium to promote patent medicines, including bitters. Moffat’s Agricultural Almanac for 1845 featured “certificates of remarkable cures performed by Moffat’s remedies.”

As noted in a newspaper advertisements of the era, “no traveler by land or sea” should be without John Moffat’s & Cos medicines, “essential to the system undergoing changes from a variation of climate” and “also in allying sea-sickness.”

Moffat was listed as Physician and sole proprietor of Moffat’s Life Pills and Phoenix Bitters, Room P in the Moffat’s Building, 333 Broadway (see New York building picture below), residence, 125 Fifth Avenue.

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Moffat Genealogies, Descent from Rev. John Moffat from Ulster County, New York by R. Burnham Moffat – 1909

MOFFAT GENEALOGY

MoffatGenealogiesThere are a number of examples of Moffat Genealogies: Descent from REV. John Moffat of Ulster County, New York available for purchase. The Moffat name is well researched and documented.

333 BROADWAY MOFFAT BUILDING

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Look carefully at the MOFFAT letters painted on the top right side of the back building. Taken at Broadway between Franklin and Leonard Streets, Believed to date to May 1850. From New York: An Illustrated History, by Ric Burns and James Sanders. Moffat and his family lived on Union Square, but he also owned the building that bore his name at 337 Broadway.

JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS

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Impressive group of the various JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS bottles – Stecher Collection (Read more: Jack Stecher and his John Moffat Phoenix Bitters)

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M 113 JOHN MOFFAT PRICE 1 DOLLAR PHOENIX BITTERS NEW YORK, clear, solid pontil, out folded lip, bold embossing, ex: Gardner Collection, lot 1615, ex: Greer Collection, lot 1394, extremely rare, possibly two examples – greatantiquebottles.com

MoffatPhoenixRing_Ham

JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS ex: Carlyn Ring – Bill Ham Collection

JOHN MOFFAT – NEW YORK – PHOENIX / BITTERS – PRICE 2 DOLLARS”, (Ring/Ham, M-109), (Odell, pg. 170), New York, ca. 1840 – 1860, yellowish olive amber, 7”h, improved pontil scarred base, applied ring mouth. A tiny in making flake is off the inside edge of the base, otherwise in sparkling pristine perfect condition. A very crude applied lip does not completely cover the sheared lip. Also note the two tiny fully intact ‘wings’ of glass on the side of the neck that protruded through the mold seam. There are two variants of the 2-dollar phoenix bitters and this is by far the rarest! A high percentage of the known 2-dollar phoenix bitters are dug and cleaned, so it is very refreshing to find one like this that wasn’t! $5,700 – Glass Works Auctions Direct Sale (2019) (see below)

JOHN MOFFAT – NEW YORK – PHOENIX / BITTERS – PRICE 2 DOLLARS”, (Ring/Ham, M-109), (Odell, pg. 170), New York, ca. 1840 – 1860, yellowish olive amber, 7”h, improved pontil scarred base, applied ring mouth. A tiny in making flake is off the inside edge of the base, otherwise in sparkling pristine perfect condition. A very crude applied lip does not completely cover the sheared lip. Also note the two tiny fully intact ‘wings’ of glass on the side of the neck that protruded through the mold seam. There are two variants of the 2-dollar phoenix bitters and this is by far the rarest! A high percentage of the known 2-dollar phoenix bitters are dug and cleaned, so it is very refreshing to find one like this that wasn’t! $5,700 – Glass Works Auctions Direct Sale (2019) (see above)

FATHER vs. SON

The Proprietorship of Moffat’s Pills The Case Decided.; SUPERIOR COURT GENERAL TERM.

Before Justices Robertson and Monell.

Published: April 24, 1863 (New York Times)

John Moffat vs. Julia A. Moffat, widow of the late William B. Moffat, et al. — This action was commenced in 1854 by John Moffat, claiming an interest as partner in the business owned by his son, of manufacturing and selling “Moffat’s Life Pills and Phoenix Bitters,” and was tried before Justice Bosworth, at a Special Term of the Court, in 1857, then occupying the attention of the Court for over two weeks. On the trial the parties to the action were examined as witnesses in their own behalf, and the trial resulted in a judgment in favor of the defendants.

An appeal was taken by the plaintiff from that judgment to this branch of the Court, and, pending the appeal, the then defendant, William B. Moffat, died. The action was then revived by his executor, in order that the appeal should dispose of the case.

The appeal was argued at the last General Term, when decision was reserved.

The Court now rendered decision, affirming the judgment of Justice Bosworth in the Court below.

P.G. Clarke and Chas. O’Conor, for plaintiff; G. Tillotson and Jas. T. Brady, for defendants.

PHOENIX BITTERS ADVERTISING

Eight early Moffat Almanacs for years 1845, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1852, 1853, 1856, and 1860. Also included is an early un-opened box of Moffat’s Life Pills, c. 1850. – American Glass Gallery | Auction #21

MoffatsAlmanac

Moffat’s United States Almanac – 1844 – New York Historical Society

MoffatAd1

Advertisement for John Moffat & Co’s Genuine Vegetable Life Pills and Phoenix Bitters – The Golden Era, San Francisco, California, Sunday, March 5, 1865

This is a reproduction of an 1860 Cure-all advertisement poster.

This is a reproduction of an 1860 Cure-all advertisement poster.

XXX

Interesting, long winded and early advertisement and testimonial for Life Pills and Phoenix Bitters in The Public Ledger and Newfoundland General Advertiser on Tuesday, November 7, 1843

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Moffat’s Life Pills and Phoenix Bitters advertisement – The Daily Evening Express, Lancaster, PA, December 6, 1860.

PhoenixBitters1841Pittsburgh

14 Bottles of Phoenix Bitters listed in this 1841 Buffalo, NY Business Directory

Select Listings:

1788: John Moffat, born 3 August, 1788.
1816: John Moffat married in Troy, New York, 10 September 1816 to Rachel Marie Brinckerhoff (daughter of Isaac Brickerhoff and Sophie Quackenboss).
1831: Newspaper notice (below): To Let: The new there stay back House and Store, John Moffat, 259 Broadway – The Evening Post, Tuesday, April 5, 1831

1834-35: John Moffat invented and first started selling Moffat’s Strengthening Bitters in New York City around 1834 or 1835.
1836: Newspapers advertisement (below): J. Moffat’s Strengthening Bitters, Small Bottles $1, Large Bottles $2, 52 Hudson Street – New York Daily Herald, Wednesday, January 13, 1836

1836: Partial newspapers advertisement (below): J. Moffat’s Phoenix Bitters – New York Daily Herald, Wednesday, January 13, 1836

1838: William B. Moffat assumed the business in 1838
1855: John Moffat, Gentleman, Birth Year: abt 1788, Age: 67, Relation to Head: Head, Residence: New York City, Ward 18, New York, New York, USA, District: E.D. 1, Household number: 624, Household Members:, John Moffat 67, Rachell Moffat 63, John L Quackenbos 37, Sophia Quackenbos 34, Sophia M Quackenbos 11, John M Quackenbos 3, Charles Y Quackenbos – New York State Census
1859: William B. Moffat, physician, sole proprietor Moffat’s Life pills and phoenix bitters, room 9, Moffat’s building, 335 Broadway, h 124 Fifth avenue – Troy’s New York City Directory
1862: William B. Moffat had Moffat’s Phoenix Bitters patented in 1862.
Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Early American Glass, Ephemera, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Jack Stecher and his John Moffat Phoenix Bitters

Posted on 15 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

PhoenixBittersGroupof_12

J O H N   M O F F A T

P H O E N I X   B I T T E R S

N E W   Y O R K

JackStecher_bw

Jack Stecher and his John Moffat Phoenix Bitters

15 December 2012

Hi Ferd,

Wishing you and all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I’m sending you 22 candid (window shots mostly) photos of my group of Phoenix Bitters to use at your discretion (please feel to cull any). I finally completed my run of eight only (see above) recently, by adding a M-108 from eBay and the allusive M-111 at the Reno show last July.

HamMoffatsR&H

Page 68 fron the Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham Bitters Bottle Supplement

My inspiration was the group photo from page 168 of the Ring/Ham Bitters Bottle Supplement (see above). Of course, that page also shows the J-38, Jewett’s Bitters (see below), which I have had in my collection for 20 years. My first Phoenix, M-112 was added in 1992. I was most excited to buy the rare M-109, 2 dollar version 13 years ago from a contractor-builder in downstate New York. It was found between the rafters of an old Federal style house.

JewettsBitters&Moffat_side_2 dollar_PhoenixBitters

DR. JEWETT”S BITTERS flanked by JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

It is noted that Bill Ham published a great article on Phoenix bitters in the Antique Bottle & Glass Collector bottle magazine back in April 2006. As Bill stated, “some of the variants are quite rare, but with patience and time all the variants can be assembled.” I might add that it’s not getting any easier! Being one of the rarest variants, I have included several shots of the M-111, including the open pontil. I also like the amber and green variants of the M-113. I believe there are some other color variations of some of the smaller size Phoenix bottles other than what I have shown here. Anyway, I’ll keep looking.

My best,

Jack (Stecher)

Read More: John Moffat Phoenix Bitters Support

Groupof8_Moffat_sidPhoenixBitters-1

I was most excited to buy the rare M-109, 2 dollar version 13 years ago from a contractor-builder in downstate New York. It was found between the rafters of an old Federal style house.

M 108  JOHN MOFFAT NEW-YORK PHOENIX BITTERS
JOHN (au) MOFFAT // NEW-YORK // PHOENIX / BITTERS // PRICE $2,00 //
7 x 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 (5 3/8) 7/8
Rectangular, Olive green, Olive amber, and Aqua, STC and CM, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Very Rare
Lettering reads base to shoulder, the number 2 has been altered from a 1
Embossed letters are sans-serif style
M-108A2_$2.00PhoenixBitters

M 108 JOHN MOFFAT NEW-YORK PHOENIX BITTERS – PRICE $2,00 – Stecher Collection

M-108B_$2.00_PhoenixBitters

M 108 JOHN MOFFAT NEW-YORK PHOENIX BITTERS – PRICE $2,00 – Stecher Collection

M 109  JOHN MOFFAT NEW YORK PHOENIX BITTERS PRICE 2 DOLLARS
JOHN MOFFAT // NEW YORK // PHOENIX / BITTERS // PRICE 2 DOLLARS //
7 x 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 (5 3/8) 7/8
Rectangular, Olive green and Olive Amber, CM, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Extremely Rare
Lettering reads base to shoulder, The embossed letters are serif style. Area between second F and A in MOFFAT has an irregular shaped blob. PRICE 2 DOLLARS is weakly embossed.
M-109A_2 dollars_PhoenixBitters

M 109 JOHN MOFFAT NEW YORK PHOENIX BITTERS PRICE 2 DOLLARS – Stecher Collection

M-109A1_2 dollars_PhoenixBitters

M 109 JOHN MOFFAT NEW YORK PHOENIX BITTERS PRICE 2 DOLLARS – Stecher Collection

M-109B_2 dollars_PhoenixBitters

M 109 JOHN MOFFAT NEW YORK PHOENIX BITTERS PRICE 2 DOLLARS – Stecher Collection

M 108  JOHN MOFFAT NEW-YORK PHOENIX BITTERS
M 109  JOHN MOFFAT NEW YORK PHOENIX BITTERS PRICE 2 DOLLARS
M-108&M-109pricesidestogetherPhoenixBitters

M 108 and M-109 (see above) JOHN MOFFAT NEW YORK PHOENIX BITTERS photograph comparing price embossings together – Stecher Collection

M 110  JNO MOFFAT PRICE $ 1 PHOENIX BITTERS NEW YORK
JNO. MOFFAT // PRICE $ 1 // PHOENIX / BITTERS // NEW YORK //
5 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 (4 1/4) 5/8
Rectangular, STC and CM, Applied mouth
Olive green, Olive yellow, and Olive amber, Rough pontil mark, Scarce
Aqua, Rough pontil mark and smooth base, Common
Lettering reads base to shoulder, letters are sans-serif and usually very high relief
M-110A_GreenPhoenixBitters

M 110 JNO MOFFAT PRICE $ 1 PHOENIX BITTERS NEW YORK – Stecher Collection

M-110B_GreenPhoenixBitters

M 110 JNO MOFFAT PRICE $ 1 PHOENIX BITTERS NEW YORK – Stecher Collection

M 111  JNO MOFFAT PRICE 1 $ PHOENIX BITTERS NEW-YORK

JNO MOFFAT // PRICE 1 $ // PHOENIX BITTERS // NEW-YORK //
5 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 (4 1/4) 9/16 & 11/16
Rectangular, Dark amber, STC and Rolled collar, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare
Lettering reads base to shoulder. Bevels are two sizes. 9/16 and 11/16. Letters are very crude and very high in relief. The 1 and $ are in reverse order. The $ has only one vertical line. This is the rarest of the John Moffat Phoenix Bitters bottles.

M-111A1_reverse_1$_PhoenixBitters

M 111 JNO MOFFAT PRICE 1 $ PHOENIX BITTERS NEW-YORK – Stecher Collection

M-111A2_Reverse_1$_PhoenixBitters

M 111 JNO MOFFAT PRICE 1 $ PHOENIX BITTERS NEW-YORK – Stecher Collection

M-111b_Reverse_1$_PhoenixBitters

M 111 JNO MOFFAT PRICE 1 $ PHOENIX BITTERS NEW-YORK – Stecher Collection

M-111B1_Reverse_1$_PhoenixBitters

M 111 JNO MOFFAT PRICE 1 $ PHOENIX BITTERS NEW-YORK – Stecher Collection

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M 111 Open pontil on a JNO MOFFAT PRICE 1 $ PHOENIX BITTERS NEW-YORK – Stecher Collection

M 112  JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS, Circa 1840 – 1860
JOHN ( au ) / MOFFAT // PRICE $1,00 // PHOENIX / BITTERS // NEW YORK //
L…Moffat’s Celebrated Phoenix Bitters
5 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 5/8 (4 3/8) 5/8
Rectangular, Applied mouth; Rough pontil mark, Olive green, Olive yellow and Olive amber, STC, Rolled lip and RC, Common; Aqua, CM and STC, Smooth base and Rough pontil mark, Common
Olive colored bottles exhibits older glass manufacturing techniques and are more crude than Aqua examples. Lettering reads base to shoulder.
Newspaper Advertisement 1840: When taken at night they promote insensitive perspiration and relieve the system of feberile action and feculent obstructions as to produce delightful convalescence in the morning.
Drug Catalogs: 1872 Melliers, 1874 VS&R, 1876-7 Goodwin, 1878 CB&Co., 1882 VS&R, 1883 M&R, Schieffelin, 1885 Goodwin, 1887 MP (also Moffat’s Life Pills), 1894 M&R, 1896-7 and 1901-2 JP&K Co.
Patent No. 271, dated December 29, 1862: Moffat & Co’s Genuine Phoenix Bitters
M-112-1_TaperTopPhoenixBitters

M 112 JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

M-112-2_TaperTopPhoenixBitters

M 112 JOHN MOFFAT PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

M 113  JOHN MOFFAT PRICE 1 DOLLAR PHOENIX BITTERS NEW YORK
JOHN MOFFAT // PRICE 1 DOLLAR // PHOENIX / BITTERS // NEW YORK //
5 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 (4 1/4) 5/8
Rectangular, RC, STC. and Rolled collar. Applied mouth, off-center Rough pontil mark, Olive green – Scarce; Green – Extremely rare,  Amber – Extremely rare
Lettering reads base to shoulder and has serif style letters. This bottle found in many color variations.
M-113_Reverse_NY_PhoenixBitters

M 113 JOHN MOFFAT PRICE 1 DOLLAR PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

M-113A_GreenPhoenixBitters

M 113 JOHN MOFFAT PRICE 1 DOLLAR PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

M-113B_AmberPhoenixBitters

M 113 JOHN MOFFAT PRICE 1 DOLLAR PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

M-113D_AmberPhoenixBitters

M 113 JOHN MOFFAT PRICE 1 DOLLAR PHOENIX BITTERS – Stecher Collection

Posted in Bitters, Blown Glass, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Early American Glass, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Reeds Gilt Edge Tonic Clocks

Posted on 15 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

ReedsGiltEdgeSide

REED’S GILT EDGE TONIC CLOCKS

“Cures Malaria and Indigestion”

15 December 2012 (R•101813)
ReedsCocktailBittersTC_f&b

Rare Reed’s Guilt Edge Tonic (also Reed’s Cocktail Bitters) trade card – ebay – davesgreatcardsgalore

“This Regulator Clock is Presented by The Geo. W. M. Reed Bitter Co. of New Haven, Conn. thru their Wholesale Agents, as a gift to our patrons, and is intended to attract attention to the merits of, “REED’S GILT EDGE TONIC”

ReedsClocks2

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile putting together the post on the Reed’s Bitters the other day I came across some really cool advertising clocks put out by The George W. M. Reed Bitter Company in New Haven, Connecticut. Read: A mysterious little Reeds Bitters Vial. I have always really liked chiming pendulum clocks. I can remember at my grandparents house as a child, hearing all of the clocks chiming at slightly different times on the hour and half hour. Some even chimed on the quarter hour. To this day, as I type this post now at 3:28 am, I await four chimes in about two minutes here at Peach Ridge. Every once in a blue moon, the four clocks chime at exactly the same moment. I enjoyed reading about these clocks. What a great way to advertise your product. I would love to see an old drugstore or saloon photograph with one of these on a counter or hanging on a wall.

Read More: Reed’s Bitters – A mysterious little Reed’s Bitters Vial

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A beautiful maple Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic clock cabinet. – icollector.com

ReedsClockFace

Detail of the clock face for a Sessions Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic Advertising Clock. Quarter store size, oak case with 12″ dial time.

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Sessions Reed’s Tonic regulator clock, oak case with advertising glass & dial, “Reed’s Gilt-Edge Tonic-Cures Malaria & Indigestion”, complete w/pendulum, 37″H x 16″W. – Live Auctioneers

ReedsGiltEdgeTonicClockFace

Detail of color graphics reading “REED’S GILT EDGE TONIC”. – Live Auctioneers

ReedsClockDetail1

Sessions Reed’s Tonic regulator clock glass window graphics detail – Live Auctioneers

ReedsClockBlack

Advertising clock, ca 1865. The label inside the door reads, “This Regulator Clock is Presented by The Geo. W. M. Reed Bitter Co. of New Haven, Conn. thru their Wholesale Agents, as a gift to our patrons, and is intended to attract attention to the merits of, “REED’S GILT EDGE TONIC”. The label also says the clock was made in their own factory. This open swingcase style is very rare, yet the top is identical to the more common boxcase style. The ebony painted wood case is 27″ tall, has an original brass pendulum rod and bob, and a heavy beveled glass over the dial. The movementis signed “L. Hubbell”, is time only, and runs 8 days. – Antique Clocks Price Guide

ReedsClockDetail2

Interior label within a Sessions Reeds Gilt Edge Tonic Advertising Clock. – Live Auctioneers

ReedsClockOrange

Reeds Tonic Advertising Clock: The blackened wood case has floral and line engravings. Below the dial are 2 behind glass notices of Reed’s Tonic (Gilt Edge) cure Malaria and Indigestion. 24″ tall. – Live Auctioneers

ReedsClockDetail3

Detail clock face – Reeds Tonic Advertising Clock: The blackened wood case has floral and line engravings. Below the dial are 2 behind glass notices of Reed’s Tonic (Gilt Edge) cure Malaria and Indigestion. 24″ tall. – Live Auctioneers

ReedsClockDetail4

Detail graphics on a Reed’s Tonic Advertising Clock: The blackened wood case has floral and line engravings. – Live Auctioneers

ReedsClockDetail5

Detail interior label on a Reed’s Tonic Advertising Clock – Live Auctioneers
ReedsClockSingle2 ft tall Reed’s Gilt Edge Tonic grandfather advertising clock with Cures Malaria and Indigestion slogan – Norman C. Heckler & Company
Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Display, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture – Mortimer & Mowbray – Balto

Posted on 14 December 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

HAMPTON’S V. TINCTURE

MORTIMER & MOWBRAY

BALTO

14 December 1012

Dr. Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture: a medicine justly celebrated for performing the most wonderful cures of all scrofulous complaints and diseases arising from impurity of the blood, and obstructions in the various functions of the animal system.

HamptonsPhilEdmunds

HamptondDetail_6Apple-Touch-IconAEarlier this week, Chris Rowell posted a picture of his digging buddy, Phil Edmond’s color run (see above) of Hampton’s Vegetable Tinctures. This was good timing for me as I have been looking at Baltimore Glass Works and some of the great bottles and colors of their glass.

All this Baltimore work of late has been inspired by the Baltimore Antique Bottle Club and their desire to update the Baltimore Bottle Book. I will be sending in some pictures from my Bitters collection as requested by Chris Rowell.

This post is really about four names; Phil Edmonds (collector and digger), Dr. Jesse Hampton (brand namesake), merchants John W. Mortimer (Mortimer & Mowbray) and his partner George W. Mowbray.

DR. JESSE HAMPTON

Life and services of Dr. Jesse Hampton (perhaps written by him) in the 82nd year of his life

How his celebrated tinct was discovered.

Born in Virginia in 1775, immigrated to Kentucky in 1779. In early manhood he was so reduced by disease, almost wrecked in constitution. He spent most of his living seeking medical advice and attention and grew none-the-better, but worse. Finding no relief from his physician, he resolved to try the restorative powers of the roots and barks leaves and plants of the forest.

He then lived among the red-men of the western wilds, having heard much about their expertise in the use of vegetable remedies of the forest knowing their mode of medical practice must be one of practical experiences and not of theoretical speculatum. He made himself acquainted with their remedies and also of the practical medicinal knowledge of the early Kentucky settlers who had obtained them from the medicine men. He carefully studied the nature of the medicines used by them and combined them according to the light he received, used them as he had been taught and had the cheering satisfaction of finding disease driven from his body and vigorous health given.

His case was no ordinary kind but astonishing to his friends and neighbors the fame of it spread people far and near sent to the Doctor for his successful and wonderful combination of Indian herb remedies which was freely given them until the cases became so numerous and the demand so great that the Doctor was advised by his friends and induced through justice to himself to put up his Vegetable Tincture in bottles and charge a price for it.

Life&Services_JesseHampton

Life and Services of Jesse Hampton (provided by Phil Edmonds)

PHIL EDMONDS

PhilEdmondsPicture

Phil Edmonds is a prolific digger and collector of early American glass. All of the Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture bottle pictures have been provided by Phil in this post unless otherwise noted.

“This is my attempt to share historical perspective I’ve gained through various hobbies. Sorting through 18th, 19th and early 20th century refuse has stimulated me to learn much about what it was like to live here in the past. Through digging I have assembled a nice collection of artifacts and learned a lot about my state. It’s been fun for me to correlate them to specific periods in History. My interest is very broad but learning about the development of Glass manufacturing during Colonial times in Maryland has been especially rewarding. The reason I chose Maryland Glass House as the name for this site. Phil’s Bottle World would probably more appropriate. Thanks”

Phil Edmonds (visit Maryland Glass House site)

HamptonsLongLine

Ferd, I was hesitant to send this picture (above) before, figure it cant hurt, so please use this if you’d like. It would be nice if you could give my contact info and say something to the effect if you have a color that’s not here and it’s for sale Phil would love to have a chance to buy it. edmondsp@gmail.com

I feel the earliest ones are aqua. I’ve dug aqua un embossed bottles that appear to be the same mold prior to it’s embossing. If you want more digger jargon, Hampton’s are one of the Holy grails for Baltimore diggers, they are rarely found whole, come smooth base, there’s a tool top that’s 8o’s and come in all the colors that Baltimore Glass Works is famous for.

Because of the diverse color offerings, we speculate the reason for so much variation in the Vegetable Tincture is that left over glass from previous orders was used to fill Mr. Hampton’s orders. The public was enamored with glass color during that time and it seems he took advantage of this.

PhilEdmonds

Phil Edmonds happy in a hole

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The HAMPTON’S VEGETABLE TINCTURE Hole

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Three freshly dug HAMPTON’S VEGETABLE TINCTURE bottles – Phil Edmonds

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Phil Edmonds and his digging buddies first dug HAMPTON’S VEGETABLE TINCTURES. You can already see the great colors.

MORTIMER & MOWBRAY

JOHN W. MORTIMER

GEORGE W. MOWBRAY

The Mayor of Portsmouth acknowledges the receipt of $1,273.23 from Richmond; $343.13 from Fredericksburg; $2,912 from Petersburg; $10 from Oceola tribe of Red Men, Alexandria. Drugs and money from Philadelphia before mentioned; game from Baltimore; any quantity of Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture from Mortimer & Mowbray, Baltimore. Contributions should be directed to D. D. Fiske, or W. Watts, Portsmouth.

The Yellow Fever in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, 1855, as reported in The Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, transcription by Donna Bluemink

THE YELLOW FEVER – Important letter from the venerable Dr. Hampton in the 81st year of his age. In a letter to the proprietors of Hampton’s Tincture, dated August 18th, 1855, he says:

“I see in the papers, that the Yellow Fever is now prevailing to some extent in Virginia, I have ever believed that the Tincture (Hampton’s) given in large doses on the discovery of the first symptoms, a reaction would at once follow and immediate relief be the result. I would recommend the Tincture, in preference to all known discoveries.”

Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture the great restorator and invigorator. It has shewn itself most powerful curative of NERVOUS DISEASES, in their various forms, giving new life and vigor, restoring the shattered constitution and thus infusing hope in place of despondency. By its mild, pleasant and safe action on the stomach, liver, kidneys, lungs and the nervous system, it cures Dyspepsia, Liver Complaint, Diseases of the Urinary Organs, Coughs, Asthma, Bronchial Affections, Consumption, Scrofula, St. Vitus’ Dance, King’s Evils, Worms, Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, Fits, Fistula, Piles, with diseases arising from impure blood.

The FEMALE SYSTEM has in Dr. Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture a cure for its numerous and complicated derangements. Hundreds who have been debilitated and dispirited, and on the verge of a premature grave, have been restored by its use to blooming health, which we are abundantly able to prove by such a host of LIVING WITNESSES as we think no other medicine can produce.

$1 per bottle, six bottles for $5.

Sold in Richmond, by O. A. Strecker, and Purcell, Ladd & Co., and by all the Druggists in Petersburg and elsewhere. Call and get Pamphlets gratis. au 25–d&cts.

The Yellow Fever in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, 1855, as reported in The Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, transcription by Donna Bluemink

Mortimer&MowbrayAlmanacMortimer & Mowbray Proprietors

240 Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland

John W. Mortimer (residence 245 Saratoga)

George W. Mowbray (residence 66 N. Front)

XXX

W.W. Reilly & Co.’s Ohio State Business Directory for 1853-54

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Advertisement for Hampton’s Vegetable Tincture in the British Colonist and North American Railway Journal, Halifax, Tuesday, August 15, 1854

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The Daily Dispatch – Richmond, Virginia, May 19, 1860

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Spirit of Jefferson – Charlestown, Virginia, Tuesday, June 7, 1853

GALLERY

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Posted in Advertising, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, Druggist & Drugstore, Early American Glass, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment