Buchanan Brass Printing Plate – Figural Cannon Series

Posted on 19 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Buchanan Brass Printing Plate – Figural Cannon Series

19 August 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAReally phenomenal new material coming in from Abel Da Silva regarding my recent post on the Buchanan Cannons. This information pretty much closes the door on my questions about James Buchanan. Read: “the Buchanan Cannons”

Hello Mr. Ferdinand Meyer V.

I have just read your article on Buchanan’s Figural whiskey cannon bottles. Back in the 1980’s in Yorkville which is part of Toronto, Canada I dug two Buchanan’s Figural whiskey cannon bottles. One was the Malt Whisky and the other extract of sugar corn. Both bottles were auctioned off at Glass Works Auctions in East Greenville, Pa. I also suspect that James Buchanan in 1889 opened an office in Toronto, Canada. I do not believe that this company lasted very much more than one year in business here in Canada because there has been only a few of his bottles found in Toronto in the last 30 years. The bottles have been found only in 1889-1890 dumps in Toronto. I do have a brass printers plate of an advertising of the the two cannon bottles with a paper label near the top of the bottle and one near the bottom of the bottle. I will see if I can scan and sent you some photo’s of the plate.

Regards, Abel Da Silva

More from Abel: The copper plate (see above) bears the oval stamp of ‘HUGHES & KIMBER (LIMITED) / MANUFACTURERS / LONDON E.C.’ This size of plate (or ones very close in size) with the same stamp were used for at least a dozen etchings (including Cottage Door [252], St James’s Park [250], Wimpole Street [279], Theatre, Loches [418] and Hôtel de la Promenade, Loches [415]). Although not all of these are dated, there is a strong probability that they were obtained from Hughes & Kimber in 1887 and 1888. Other etchings of similar size may also have been drawn on Hughes & Kimber plates and date from the same time although the copper plates are missing (e.g. The Menpes Children [300] and Butcher’s Shop, Sandwich, Kent [320]).

The plate was listed as ‘Hotel Windows’ (see below) in a studio inventory with the size given in inches as ‘3 7/8 x 2 5/8’, which is 98 x 67mm. Windows opposite hotel, Bourges is actually slightly larger, at 100 x 67mm, but this is a reasonable margin of error – Whistler’s studio stock-taking seems to have been rather sloppy, since several etchings were recorded twice, under different titles.

The plate was in Whistler’s studio at his death and bequeathed to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958) who gave it to the University of Glasgow in 1935. It was cancelled posthumously with a diagonal line across the lower left corner.

Whistler’s (James McNeill Whistler) Windows opposite Hotel, Bourges – image National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Posted in Advertising, Digging and Finding, Ephemera, Figural Bottles, History, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barrel Series – Crow’s Celebrated Tonic Bitters

Posted on 18 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

CROW’S CELEBRATED TONIC BITTERS

18 August 2012 (R•021914 major update) (R•090516)

Apple-Touch-IconASaving the best for last is the Crow’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. Only one known example is residing in the great figural collection of Bob Ferraro in Boulder City, Nevada. I was fortunate enough to see this beauty a few years back. The is no other barrel with this exact mold though the top half is similar to the large Roback’s Stomach Bitters. I can not find any information on this rarity and welcome any news. Bob’s example came from an old Indiana collection. We can only hope one shows up in a Thrift Shop. Read: Barrel Series – W. Wolf found at Thrift Shop for $1.00

Update 19 February 2014:

We are probably talking about Frank M. Crow and Walter A. Ruhe. This is a fascinating bottle to research because the clues are so sparse. I would like to thank Tim Pillow for the “W. A. Ruhe’s Philadelphia Gallery” photo card from Evansville, Indiana below. This very important clue led me to Walter A. Ruhe, who guess what, lived in or near Philadelphia and a number of points in his life as you will see by the updated timeline below.

This further led me to Frank M. Crow, who was a distinguished early physician and druggist in Evansville. Though I have not found the ‘smoking gun’ to tie these two together, I believe there is a high probability that we are on the right track. How exciting!

POST IN UPDATE & RESEARCH MODE

William M. Crow (clue?)

Biographical and Historical Record of Greene and Carroll Counties, Iowa

William M. Crow, druggist, Grand Junction, was born in Warren County, Indiana, February 20, 1844. His father, John Crow, is a native of Dansville, Kentucky, and now resides in Polk County, this State. William M. was reared a farmer, and was educated in the high school at Des Moines, and also at Worthington and Warner’s Commercial College of the same city. He came with his parents to Des Moines in 1850. In many respects he is a self-made man, having taught school sixteen years. He taught in Polk, Jasper, Dallas and Greene Counties; he also taught in Kansas. His mother was formerly Medina Mace, a sister of Hon. Daniel Mace, who represented the La Fayette, Indiana, district from 1852 to 1856, and it was he who presented the name of Andrew Johnson for Vice-President of the United States. He was a celebrated lawyer, and was the attorney of the famous criminal, Bowles. Afterward, while talking with President Johnson, he was stricken with paralysis, from which he never recovered. Mr. Crow came to Grand Junction in 1878, and engaged in his present business. He carries a capital stock of $2,500, consisting of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, books, stationery, school books, notions, and everything usually kept in a first-class drug store.  He does an annual business of $8,000.  He was married September l, 1874, to Mary E. Jenks, daughter of William C. Jenks, deceased, and they have three children — R. Ernest, Arthur M. and Hazel. The latter was named for the heroine of the beautiful drama, Hazel Kirk.  Mr. Crow is serving as president of the school board.  Mrs. Crow is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Frank M. Crow

Frank M. Crow, one of the best known and ablest druggists of this section, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and served his apprenticeship in a drug store at Newcastle, Pennsylvania. He has worked at the business all his life from the time he was a boy of fifteen. He came to Evansville to manage the Pioneer Drug Store for the late Dr. Evans, the founder of the city and after whom Evansville was named. For nineteen years Mr. Crow had the supervision of this concern, being Dr. Evans’ right hand man. When he established his own business five years ago it became known far and wide as the “Sign
of the Crow,” and for some time this bird of wisdom was the living trademark of the business. Though the bird is now dead and gone, his master is in the prime of life and usefulness and his dispensary is one of Evansville’s popular places of trade. Mr. Crow has always aimed to Frank M. Crow’s Drug operate an exclusive drug store and he hews closely to this line, and has built up a most successful business.

Frank M. Crow’s motto, to put it briefly, is “not how cheap, but how good.” He has always lived up to his principle and his many friends and customers recognize in him the ideal of a first class druggist. Mr. Crow’s ready response to the plan of advertising Evansville was typical of his character. He is a man of quick decision, the nature of his business being such as to demand these qualities of action and judgment in order to be successful.

Mr. Crow is a member of the Masonic and other fraternities and enjoys to the full the social side of life, being genial in his manners and broad in his ideas of business.

The only known example of the CROW’S CELEBRATED STOMACH BITTERS – Ferraro Collection

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

C 254.4  CROW’S CELEBRATED TONIC BITTERS
CROW’S CELEBRATED / TONIC BITTERS // W. A. RUHE / SOLE AGENT / EVANSVILLE IND.
9 7/8 x 2 3/8
Round – barrel, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare
10 rings above and indented panels on opposite sides with embossing vertical. Upper portion of barrel is very similar to the large ROBACK’S STOMACH BITTERS barrel (R 73).
Only known example came from an early Indiana collection.
C254_4_Crow's_BBS

CROW’S CELEBRATED STOMACH BITTERS – Bitters Bottles Supplement

Crows_Ferraro_04GWA112

“CROWS CELEBRATED / TONIC BITTERS – W.A. RUHE / SOLE AGENT / EVANSVILLE IND”, (on indented panels), (Ring/Ham, C-254.4), Indiana, ca. 1865 – 1875, reddish amber barrel, 10 1/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Near perfect. Extremely rare and to our knowledge the only known example! One of the most important pieces in the Ferraro collection! In the early 1980’s Jim Hagenbuch bought it from Billy Gonterman, who he met at a rest area on the Indiana, Illinois border line. It was bought by Carlyn Ring at the 1988 FOHBC Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Purchased from Glass Works Auction in 1995, auction 41 lot 25. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection (Session 1)

Crows_Ferraro_GWA112_04a

“CROWS CELEBRATED / TONIC BITTERS – W.A. RUHE / SOLE AGENT / EVANSVILLE IND”, (on indented panels), (Ring/Ham, C-254.4), Indiana, ca. 1865 – 1875, reddish amber barrel, 10 1/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Near perfect. Extremely rare and to our knowledge the only known example! One of the most important pieces in the Ferraro collection! In the early 1980’s Jim Hagenbuch bought it from Billy Gonterman, who he met at a rest area on the Indiana, Illinois border line. It was bought by Carlyn Ring at the 1988 FOHBC Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Purchased from Glass Works Auction in 1995, auction 41 lot 25. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection (Session 1)

RuhesPhilaGalleryPhoto

Unidentified photograph taken at W. A. Ruhe’s Philadelphia Gallery. I’ve long been aware of the vertically embossed bitters barrel is from my home town and I was told that an example was discovered in the top of a chifferobe in a local antique shop on Illinois St. I don’t recall who told me that story as it’s been twenty years since. The above circa 1870s photograph card is a recent purchase. – Tim Pillow

Select Timeline Events for Walter A. Ruhe

(probable A=Augusta)

abt 1834: Walter A. Ruhe, born Pennsylvania, father William, mother Sarah Matchett. wife: Martha Slocumb, children, Charles A., William S., Ida T.D., Ada , Emma, Walter, Samuel, Frederick)

1850: Ruhe living in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

1850: Samuel E. Gilbert first wholesale grocery in Evansville, Indiana. Ruhe later works with Gilbert.

1854: born, Frank M. Crow, druggist, Main St., Evansville, Indiana

1859: Married Martha Slocumb in Carmi, White, Illinois (just northwest of Evansville) on 06 January, 1859

1861-1865: Walter A. Ruhe, Musician, Union, Company F & S, 18th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (Army) – Civil War Service Index 

1865?: W. A. Ruhe’s Philadelphia Gallery, Corner Main and Second Streets, Evansville, Indiana (see photo card above)

1866-1867: Ruhe & Finch Photographic Gallery (Walter A. Ruhe and John J. Finch), corner 2d and Main, Sawyers Building, 1866 Evansville, Indiana City Directory

1868-1869: Traveling agent (probably Samuel E. Gilbert, Grocer)

John Scantlin, who died many years ago, played the bass horn and Walter Ruhe, who was also a traveling man for S. E. Gilbert & Co., played the tuba horn. – History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana *Samuel E. Gilbert, Grocer

Frank M. Gilbert, son of Samuel E. and Cordelia Manson Gilbert, was born in Mobile, Ala., on July 1, 1846, and went with his parents in 1852 (1850 some reports) to Evansville, Ind., where he was educated in the public schools and where he lived most of his life.

1870-1871: Walter A. Ruhe, clerk, 31 N. 1st. h n e s b Mulberry and Gum, 1870 Evansville, Indiana City Directory

1871-1872: Only residence is listed.

1883 – 1895: F. Hoyt & Co. (Frank Hoyt & Walter A. Ruhe) perfumery, 37 Strawberry – 1883 Philadelphia City Directory (see bottle below)

1899 – 1900: Walter A. Ruhe, cigarmaker by trade, resident Southern Branch National Home Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Elizabeth City, Virginia

1903 – 1904: Walter A. Ruhe, Atlantic City (wife Martha) – Atlantic City City Directory

F_HoytPerfumeBottle

Reference: Evansville Public Library and BottlePickers.com

Panoramic aerial view of Evansville, Indiana

Evansville, ca. 1900. Courtesy of the Special Collections Department of Willard Library, Evansville, Indiana.

Here you can see the CROW’S CELEBRATED STOMACH BITTERS on the second shelf on the far left – Ferraro Collection

Read More on Figural Barrels

Barrel Series – Chapin & Gore – Chicago – Sour Mash

Barrel Series – Brent, Warder & Co. – Louisville

Barrel Series – Bininger Old Kentucky Bourbon

Barrel Series – Columbus in a Barrel

Barrel Series – I. Nelson’s Old Bourbon

Barrel Series – W.C. Bitters

Barrel Series – W. Wolf found at Thrift Shop for $1.00

Barrel Series – Ben Franklin Bitters

Barrel Series – Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic

Barrel Series – Smith’s Druid Bitters

Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the smaller ones)

Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the big boys)

Barrel Series – Dr. Chandler’s Jamaica Ginger Root Bitters

Barrel Series – Favorite Bitters & Peoples Favorite Bitters

Barrel Series – Wormser Bros San Francisco

Barrel Series – Mist of the Morning

Barrel Series – Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic

Barrel Series – Turner Brothers New York & San Francisco

Barrel Series – The Mysterious Blue Barrel

Barrel Series – Original Pocahontas Bitters

Figural Barrel Series – Hall’s Bitters

Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters – aka Vertical Greeley’s

Peach colored Bourbon Whiskey Bitters added to Color Run

Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters – A Great Boston Bitters Barrel

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merchant’s Gargling Oil – “Good for Man and Beast”

Posted on 18 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Merchant’s Gargling Oil for Man and Beast, Clay, Cosack & Co., c 1873, print: wood engraving. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

Merchant’s Gargling Oil – “Good for Man and Beast”

18 August 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAA couple of paths converged last evening and pointed to developing this post for Merchants Gargling Oil. The first was when I was looking at Marianne Dow’s great images of monkeys (see above) in bottle advertising on Just Monkeying Around and the second was when I was admiring a picture by Dave Kam at Early American Glass on facebook (see below).

Merchant’s Gargling Oil in original package with three different colors of MERCHANT’S GARGLING OIL bottles – Dave Kam

“Good for Man and Beast”

I have always liked the color, shape, typography and name of these bottles as I find my eyes pleasantly resting every time on a Merchant’s bottle whether it is at a bottle show or pictured at an online auction. As with many brands, I am drawn by the name and in this case “Gargling Oil” and the slogan “Good for Man and Beast”. I mean who would gargle with oil and who would take medicine that animals used too! Well, this prompted a little look at Dr. George Merchant, his products and methods of advertising.

Fully labeled example of a MERCHANT’S GARGLING OIL – photo RicksBottleRoom.com

GEORGE W. MERCHANT’S

GARGLING OIL LINIMENT

Yellow Wrapper for Animal and White for Human Flesh.

“Whether for use on man or beast, Merchant’s Gargling Oil will be found an invaluable Liniment, and worthy of use by every resident in the land. We know of no proprietary medicine or article now used in the United States which shares the good-will of the people to a greater decree than this. Yellow wrapper for animal and white for human flesh.”– New York Independent

From C. T. Dale & Co. Mortonsville, Kentucky – “We sell about twenty bottles of Gurgling Oil where we sell one of any other liniments, and in the last year we have bought and sold more than any year previous”.

From Dr. J. P. Terrell, March 3, 1856 – “I am engaged in the practice of medicine, and find your Gargling Oil an extremely efficient remedy in all cases where an external application is indicated”.

From J. C. B. Ish, M.D., dated Arrow Rook, Missouri, Sept. 9, 1872 – “I sell a great deal of your Gargling Oil, and think it is the finest medicine I ever saw”.

Merchant’s Gargling Oil as a Family Liniment

We are now, and have been for some years, preparing the Oil free from stain, to be used as a common Liniment for human flesh, extracting the coloring ingredient which has heretofore rendered it objectionable. This Oil possesses all the medicinal properties of that prepared with the dark tinge for horses and cattle, and will be found one of the best remedies for all purposes where a liniment is required that has ever been manufactured.

Although prepared intentionally for human flesh, answers as well for beasts, vice versa, the dark oil answers as well for human, flesh, only it will stain and discolor the skin, but not permanently.

Gargling Oil Liniment as an Internal Remedy

Merchant’s Gargling Oil is a diffusible stimulant and carminative. It can be taken internally when such a remedy is indicated, and is a good substitute for pain killers, cordials and anodynes. For Cramps or Spasms of the Stomach, Colic, Asthma, or Internal Pain, the dose may be from fifteen to twenty drops, on sugar, or mixed with syrup in any convenient form, and repeated at intervals of three to six hours.

Merchant’s Gargling Oil is the Standard Liniment of the United States. Established 1833. Large size, $1; medium, 50c.; small, 25c.; small size for family use, 25c.

Manufactured at Lockport, N. Y., by M. G. O. Co., and sold by all druggists.

[above from RicksBottleRoom.com]

Merchant’s Gargling Oil (no, the horse or person did not have to gargle it) could trace its pedigree to 1833 Philadelphia, though it was manufactured in Lockport, New York. The first incarnation of the liniment was intended to cure almost any illness that could befall a domestic animal. The form intended for human use was not introduced until 1875. Four years earlier Merchant’s Vegetable Worm Tablets had made their appearance. Merchant’s Gargling Oil was then made in two versions, one for animals and one for people. The ointment for animal ailments was intended for surface wounds and skin ailments common to horses, cattle, sheep and poultry. A topical ointment was also made for human skin problems. Neither product was intended for internal use, despite the product name of gargling oil.

Merchant’s Gargling Oil Co’s. laboratory and office, Lockport, N.Y. (Burned Jan. 5, 1881, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views

The Merchant’s Gargling Oil Company of Lockport, New York was founded by Dr. George W. Merchant, a druggist, in 1833, and initially sold to drivers of horses and mules alongside the Erie Canal. Dr Merchant started out in “Lower Town” and moved to “Upper Town” in 1836. Dr. Merchant shrewdly marketed with the slogan “Good for Man and Beast”. By the end of the 19th century the product was sold worldwide and company was one of Lockport’s main industries. George W. Merchant sold the business to M.H. Tucker around 1855. John Hodge joined the company as a teenager, and was elected Secretary when M.H. Tucker & Company was incorporated in 1858. Hodge married one of Tucker’s daughters and gained control of the company in 1865 when Tucker died. Overall, Merchant’s Gargling Oil lasted almost 100 years, going out of business in 1928 when the factory finally burned down. The company ownership changed hands at least 3 or 4 times in the 19th century.

References:

Farley, Doug. “Erie Canal Discovery: Merchant’s Gargling Oil’s tie to Lockport.” Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. 13 July 2008.

“Merchant’s Gargling Oil.” Patent Medicine: Hagley Museum and Library.

“Dr. G.W. Merchant” Matt’s Collectibles Antique Medicines

rdhinstl’s Page – Philatelic Website

Grouping of G.W. Merchant bottles showing a nice range of blu/green colors in the Lockport Glass. – Mike Stephano

Both the one-cent black and two-cent green private die stamps were first issued in May of 1869, and last issued February 1, 1883. 853,270 of the black ones were printed on old paper, 1,378,458 on silk paper and 1,873,195 on pink and watermarked papers. The copy above is on silk paper. 626,650 of the two-cent green stamps were issued on old paper, 901,438 on silk paper and 969,026 on pink and watermarked papers. The one shown is on pink paper, though the scan does not pick up the paper color well. – rdhinstl’s Page

An 1854 cover for Merchant’s Celebrated Gargling Oil – rdhinstl’s Page

The contents of the cover pictured above, asking for payment of an 1853 bill and showing the wholesale product prices – rdhinstl’s Page

An ornate corner card on an 1858 cover from Merchant’s. Wording on the back reflects the purchase of the product by H.M. Tucker, which occurred around 1855 – rdhinstl’s Page

Merchant’s Gargling Oil Songster, Lockport, N.Y. c 1887 – DeGolyer, Pamphlet Collection

Merchant’s Gargling Oil dream fate calendar songster. Lockport, NY: Merchant’s Gargling Oil Co., n.d., (ca. 1882) – image Rulon – Miller Books

Colored embossed tin advertising sign for the patent medicine Merchant’s Gargling Oil. It bears the company’s whimsical slogan, “A Liniment for Man or Beast. Established 1833.” An illustration in a central oval in the sign shows the product being applied to the leg of an Arabian stallion by Turkish groomsmen, a scene related to a publicity stunt conceived by Morris Tucker, a partner in the company. Tucker sent a dozen bottles in a satin-lined oak box as a gift to the Sultan of Turkey and announced it to the American press, which ran with the story, boosting sales, even though the sultan never acknowledged receiving the gift. Thereafter, the company decorated its packaging of gargling oil for animals with this picture. – George Glazer Gallery

Merchant’s Gargling Oil Victorian Trade Card – AntiqueBottles.com

This trade card could have been used between the time John Hodge was elected Secretary of M.H. Tucker & Company in 1858 and when he took control of the company in 1865. However, it appears that Hodge did not take a different title until well after he took control, so the card may be from the 1870’s – rdhinstl’s Page

1862 Merchant’s Almanac – James Schmidt Collection

Merchants Clown

Cover art and advertising for Merchant’s Gargling Oil Dream and Fate, Palmistry & c. Almanac, Songster, Lockport, N.Y. ca. 1880 – 1890

Merchants_Poster

This is an old piece you don’t see too often, and great color and condition. Guess I’m in the market for a frame now. That is four large size Gargling Oils holding down the corners. This is a big piece. – Dave Kam

1847 Ad for Merchant’s Gargling Oil.  Product was sold in a white wrapper for Human use and a yellow wrapper for Animal use – Matt’s Collectibles Antique Medicines

Posted in Advertising, Color Runs, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, Glass Companies & Works, History, Medicines & Cures, Postage, Remedy, Tax Stamps, Trade Cards, Veterinary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Buchanan’s Black & White Scotch Whisky Advertising

Posted on 17 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Yesterday I was writing and posting pictures of figural Buchanan cannon bottles (read: “the Buchanan Cannons”). During my research to determine the source of the Buchanan name I was led to the James Buchanan Company which is a scotch whisky “merchant”- a company that purchases and blends lots of scotch whisky to make their own signature blend labels. The company was named for James Buchanan who was Canadian born and returned back across the Atlantic and settled in London. He founded the company in 1884. Today the James Buchanan Company markets a number of scotch labels.

When I started looking at 20th century Buchanan products, I was reminded that this is the same Buchanan that produced the Black & White label scotch whisky. Always a favorite of mine and Elizabeth’s because they used a black and white Scottish Terrier as mascots on their brand logo. Over the years I have collected various labels, post cards, paper weights and other items with the Black & White logo.

You see, when I was a child growing up in Towson, Maryland, we had a neighbor who had a little Scottie. His name was McDuff. I still remember playing with him all the time as this little fellow had so much energy and was so cute and distinguished looking at the same time. As some of you know may know, terriers have great personalities.

Flash forward to the early nineties when I was settled in Houston. My first dog, guess, was a Scottish Terrier named McGee. My second dog and a playmate for McGee was Mia, a West Highland White Terrier. These two dogs are pictured with my wife Elizabeth below. I believe this picture was taken sometime around 1993. I miss these two dogs though we have many pictures framed sitting in our office and at home as they were part of our family.

Magee (hard to see), Mia and my wife, Elizabeth

Today, as I sit in my studio office in downtown Houston, we are surrounded by eight dogs of various shapes and sizes (see FMG Dog Pack). Three are Scottish Terriers (Macintosh aka Mac, Murphy and Maggie).

For fun, I put together some of the great Buchanan Black & White scotch whisky advertising.

Posted in Advertising, Ephemera, History, Holiday, Humor - Lighter Side, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“the Buchanan Cannons”

Posted on 16 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“the Buchanan Cannons”

16 August 2012

Buchanan’s Malt Whiskey

Buchanan Sour Mash Whiskey

Buchanan’s Extract of Sugar Corn

Apple-Touch-IconAIn late June of this year, I felt like I was wrapping up the Figural Cannon Series (see bottom of page) with the R.G.A. Wright Great Gun Cologne. At this time, I had set aside an image from Charles Aprill (see below) of his “Buchanan Cannons“, hoping that I might get some more information and imagery from other sources for a final post to wrap the series up. Well this information did not come and what I do have is in short supply. It is my hope, by creating this post, that more examples and information might be forthcoming for inclusion. I have only seen one example in person and that was within figural collector, Bob Ferraro’s collection in Nevada.

“the Buchanan Cannons”

There are three “Buchanan Cannon” variants represented in the picture below according to Charles. The cannon shape is dissimilar from the cannons pictured at the top of this post (left to right: 1. Bininger, 2. R.G.A. Wright, 3. J.T. Gayen) in that they are broader and shorter, almost ‘squatty’ in form. The Aprill cannons are embossed as follows:

BUCHANAN’S / ABSOLUTELY PURE / MALT / WHISKEY

 (embossed rearing stags alongside a shield BUCHANAN / DISTILLED (in a long ribbon beneath the shield, HAND MADE SOUR MASH WHISKEY

BUCHANAN’S / EXTRACT / OF / SUGAR CORN

Incoming…

Ferdinand,

I strongly suspect that these cannon bottles are related to James Buchanan, the Canadian/English whiskey guy. The attached ad, from The Toronto Daily Mail of August 7, 1889, is probably the same product. Your description of the hearaldic coat of arms on the sour mash version of the bottle sounds very much like the British royal coat of arms, except there should be a rampant lion on the left side of the shield. Also, the horse on the right is nearly always depicted as a unicorn.

Eric McGuire

BUCHANAN’S ABSOLUTELY PURE MALT WHISKEY advertisement – Eric McGuire

Excited new material related to the press sheet image above added on 19 August 2012. Read: Buchanan Brass Printing Plate – Figural Cannon Series

Buchanan figural cannon whiskey trio. Left: BUCHANAN’S / ABSOLUTELY PURE / MALT / WHISKEY. Middle: Embossed rearing stags alongside a shield BUCHANAN / DISTILLED . In a long ribbon beneath the shield, HAND MADE SOUR MASH WHISKEY. Right: BUCHANAN’S / EXTRACT / OF / SUGAR CORN. The middle bottle is ex. Charles Gardner. – Charles Aprill

BUCHANAN’S / ABSOLUTELY PURE / MALT / WHISKEY – Charles Aprill

Embossed rearing stags alongside a shield BUCHANAN / DISTILLED . In a long ribbon beneath the shield, HAND MADE SOUR MASH WHISKEY. ex. Charles Gardner – Charles Aprill

BUCHANAN’S / EXTRACT / OF / SUGAR CORN – Charles Aprill

Searching the internet reveals the following information for two primary James Buchanan’s that may be related to the bottle. James Buchanan (Buchanan #1) was a well known liquor merchant associated with many whiskey names and brands.

It is quite possible that the “Buchanan Cannon’s” predate this information related to the liquor merchant and the Buchanan name is related to our 15th president, James Buchanan (Buchanan #2). Does anyone know the answer? Is there yet another Buchanan? I would highly suspect, that the Buchanan embossed on the bottles is related to our president, James Buchanan, because of the time period and the Civil War.

Update 19 August 2012: New information from two sources, confirm that the Buchanan Cannons were a product of James Buchanan Co.

James Buchanan #1 (the liquor merchant)

James Buchanan, born in Canada but son of Scottish immigrants, returned to the United Kingdom shortly after he was born and he was brought up in Larne. He joined a Glasgow shipping firm as an office boy when he was fourteen or fifteen, and was later promoted to be a clerk. In 1868 he joined his brother in the grain business until 1879, when he moved to London as an agent for a company in the whisky trade. He realised that there was an untapped market in England for bottled Scotch whisky and set about producing his own, the Buchanan Blend. He went into business on his own in 1884 as James Buchanan & Co.

In 1898, James Buchanan was given the Royal Warrant to supply the Royal Household with Buchanan’s Whisky to Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales.

The company joined Distillers Company in 1925. Distillers was acquired by Guinness in 1986, and Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo in 1997. [from Wikipedia]

and more:

Black and White Whisky Poster – Buchanan
Black & White is a blended Scotch whisky. It was first produced by the London-based whisky blender founded by James Buchanan. Originally known as House of Commons (after the British House of Commons), its nickname- referring to the black and white labelling- was eventually adopted as the official brand instead. The brand’s motif (featuring a black Scottish Terrier and a white West Highland White Terrier) was conceived by James Buchanan himself during the 1890s.

James Buchanan Company is a scotch whisky “merchant”- a company that purchases and blends lots of scotch whisky to make their own signature blend labels. The company is named for James Buchanan (actually Canadian born returning back across the Atlantic and settling in London) who founded the company in 1884 and today markets a number of scotch labels. The company purchased a number of distilleries before itself becoming part of different conglomerates.

The Buchanan Red Seal scotch is their ultra-premium offering aged 21 years. It is said that it is a recreation of the 1901 version that James Buchanan himself created to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII–hence, the red seal.

James Buchanan #2 (our 15th president)

James Buchanan, Jr. (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the 15th President of the United States (1857–1861). He is the only president from Pennsylvania and the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor. His niece Harriet Lane played the role of lady of the house.

Buchanan (often called Buck-anan by his contemporaries was a popular and experienced state politician and a successful attorney before his presidency. He represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives and later the Senate and served as Minister to Russia under President Andrew Jackson. He was also Secretary of State under President James K. Polk. After he turned down an offer for an appointment to the Supreme Court, President Franklin Pierce appointed him Minister to the United Kingdom, in which capacity he helped draft the controversial Ostend Manifesto.

Buchanan was nominated in the 1856 election. Throughout most of Franklin Pierce’s term he was stationed in London as a Minister to the Court of St. James’s and therefore was not caught up in the crossfire of sectional politics that dominated the country. Buchanan was viewed by many as a compromise between the two sides of the slavery question. His subsequent election victory took place in a three-man race with John C. Frémont and Millard Fillmore. As President, he was often called a “doughface”, a Northerner with Southern sympathies, who battled with Stephen A. Douglas for the control of the Democratic Party. Buchanan’s efforts to maintain peace between the North and the South alienated both sides, and the Southern states declared their secession in the prologue to the American Civil War. Buchanan’s view of record was that secession was illegal, but that going to war to stop it was also illegal. Buchanan, first and foremost an attorney, was noted for his mantra, “I acknowledge no master but the law.”

When he left office, popular opinion had turned against him, and the Democratic Party had split in two. Buchanan had once aspired to a presidency that would rank in history with that of George Washington. However, his inability to impose peace on sharply divided partisans on the brink of the Civil War has led to his consistent ranking by historians as one of the worst Presidents. Buchanan biographer Philip Klein puts these rankings into context: “Buchanan assumed leadership … when an unprecedented wave of angry passion was sweeping over the nation. That he held the hostile sections in check during these revolutionary times was in itself a remarkable achievement. His weaknesses in the stormy years of his presidency were magnified by enraged partisans of the North and South. His many talents, which in a quieter era might have gained for him a place among the great presidents, were quickly overshadowed by the cataclysmic events of civil war and by the towering Abraham Lincoln.” Buchanan was the last president born in the 18th century. [from Wikipedia]

BUCHANAN’S figural cannon sitting on the shelves of the great figural collector, Bob Ferraro. Bob and Connie Ferraro posing during my visit to Boulder City, Nevada.

Detail of BUCHANAN’S figural cannon sitting on the shelves of the great figural collector, Bob Ferraro.

Read Further: R. & G. A. Wright – Great Gun Cologne

Read Further: General Scotts Artillery Bitters – The Ultimate Cannon Barrel Figural

Read Further: Tobias Barto and his Great Gun Bitters – Reading, PA

Read Further: Figural Cannon Bottles – J T GAYEN / ALTONA

Read Further: A. M. Bininger & Co. Figural Cannon

Read Further: Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters – Great Form

Read Further: Thad Waterman “Warsaw” Stomach Bitters – Figural Cannon Barrel, Lighthouse or House Roof?

Read Further: Brown’s Castilian Bitters – Transitional Cannon Barrel Figural

Read Further: Castilian Bitters – Brown & Embree Proprietors – New York

Posted in Civil War, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, History, Questions, Stained Glass, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Evolution of Syphilis Posters

Posted on 15 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

While working on the recent post on the great SWIFT’S SYPHILITIC SPECIFIC (SSS), I came across some wonderful vintage posters from an international community of graphic designers. These posters are quite spectacular.

Read More: Swift’s Syphilitic Specific – “Hey, I’ve got Syphilis”

SWIFT’S SYPHILITIC SPECIFIC in natural light. The dark one is 8 1/2″ tall. The lighter one has a longer neck, 9″ tall. Close inspection suggests these two bottles were from the same mold. Fairly dramatic difference in the blue – c.a. (Charles Aprill)

Antique French syphilis medicine apothecary bottle

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis. Other human diseases caused by related Treponema pallidum include yaws (subspecies pertenue), pinta (subspecies carateum), and bejel (subspecies endemicum).

The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary depending in which of the four stages it presents (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). The primary stage classically presents with a single chancre (a firm, painless, non-itchy skin ulceration), secondary syphilis with a diffuse rash which frequently involves the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, latent syphilis with little to no symptoms, and tertiary syphilis with gummas, neurological, or cardiac symptoms. It has, however, been known as “the great imitator” due to its frequent atypical presentations. Diagnosis is usually via blood tests; however, the bacteria can also be visualized under a microscope. Syphilis can be effectively treated with antibiotics, specifically the preferred intramuscular penicillin G (given intravenously for neurosyphilis), or else ceftriaxone, and in those who have a severe pencillin allergy, oral doxycycline or azithromycin.

Syphilis is believed to have infected 12 million people worldwide in 1999, with greater than 90% of cases in the developing world. After decreasing dramatically since the widespread availability of penicillin in the 1940s, rates of infection have increased since the turn of the millennium in many countries, often in combination with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This has been attributed partly to unsafe sexual practices among men who have sex with men, increased promiscuity, prostitution, and decreasing use of barrier protection.

The Posters

Posted in Advertising, Art & Architecture, Ephemera, History, Humor - Lighter Side, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barrel Series – Chapin & Gore – Chicago – Sour Mash

Posted on 15 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

CHAPIN & GORE

CHICAGO SOUR MASH 1867

15 August 2012 (R•041519)

Gardner Spring Chapin & James Jefferson Gore

Next in the figural barrel series is the Chapin & Gore Sour Mash whiskey from Chicago. Chapin & Gore were major liquor merchants with quite a bit of history as you will see below. I like this bottle because it is in a different form than most barrels and it comes with a stopper which is pretty cool.

CHAPIN & GORE / CHICAGO // SOUR MASH / 1867,
Amber, 8 1/2″, Barrel shaped whiskey bottle, 8 1/2″ high.
With correct matching amber glass stopper.

From OASG: Chapin & Gore listed as wholesaler 1870-1919. According to John Panek, in the early 1850s, Gardner Spring Chapin, a broker in mining stocks, met James Jefferson Gore, who was handling freight overland to Nevada. Gore, sick, and in need of money, asked Chapin for a $200 loan so he could continue on to Nevada. The loan led to a lifelong friendship. Chapin moved to Fairbault, MN, where he opened a dry goods store. When the business went poorly there he moved to Chicago and established a grocery on Madison street. Gore became a successful businessman and sought out Chapin in Chicago. They opened a grocery store in 1865 at the corner of State and Monroe. Gore convinced Chapin to add a liquor department, and soon liquor was their major enterprise.

Just before the big fire in October 1871, they put out a brand of their own which they called “1867.” Gore soon added the words “Sour Mash.” The firm prospered and gained world wide fame. Branches were established in Kansas City, Indianapolis and Paris, and the partnership acquired their own distillery in Kentucky (RD #10, 6th District?). Gore died in 1891.

The company used the brand names, “Chapin & Gore Sour Mash 1887” and “Old Jim Gore”.

Business name timeline: Chapin & Gore (1870-1910, 1913-1918), Chapin & Gore Inc (1911)

Address timeline: 162 State (1870-1871), 71-75 Monroe (1873-1902), & 142 22 nd (1873-1880), &121 Clark (1877-1880), & 73 S Halstead (1877), & 152 22 nd (1894), & 214 31 st (1894), 16-22 Adams (1904-1910), 61-67 E Adams (1911)

History of Chicago and Souvenir of the Liquor Interest: The Nation’s Choice for the Great Columbian Exposition, 1893

The house of Chapin & Gore was originally established in 1866, at the corner of State and Monroe Streets. In October, 1871, driven out by the fire scourge, the firm opened a place at 152 Twenty-second Street, where for a time they had their headquarters, and May 13, 1872, their present headquarters were established at 73 and 75 Monroe Street, at which time a third partner, J. S. Carter, was admitted to the firm. Since that date branches have been opened at 214 Thirty-first Street; 247 Clark Street; 133 Van Buren Street; 1042 Union Avenue, Kansas City. The Twenty-second Street house is still open, and the bulk of trade is done on Monroe Street.

The individual members of the firm were three, and deserve special mention in this biographical review. G. S. Chapin was born near Boston fifty-nine years ago. He passes the bulk of his time traveling in the East and California. He is a gentleman widely known throughout the States as being at the head of the wealthiest and most famous liquor house in the West.

J. J. Gore was sixty-one years of age, and was born in Georgia. He was an active worker, and had always been at his desk early and late attending to the manifold duties that devolved upon him. Like Mr. Chapin, he was notable for his congeniality, and was a popular member of social and business circles. In September, 1891, Mr. Gore died, and his death removed one of Chicago’s best known and most prominent merchants.

One of the hardest workers, however, and perhaps the one upon whom the most of the burden of labor falls, is J. S. Carter. Born in New York in 1850, he has, as before stated, been with this house since 1872. He is a popular, conscientious gentleman, and honorable to the last degree. It would be impossible to correctly estimate the magnitude of the business transacted annually by this house.

Their stock is enormous, and embraces the finest of the choice wines from the best markets of the world; brandies from the most notable manufacturers; cigars, the best the universe affords; cordials delicious; all kinds of aeriated waters, bitters, bay rum, etc. Imported liquors are of their own importation, in bond or free of duty, the records of the Internal Revenue Department showing that this firm have never bought or sold any alcohol, high wines, Cologne spirits, or compounded goods of any description. In addition to the Monroe Street wholesale department there is a fine bar and a gentleman’s restaurant.

DIED SEPTEMBER 25, 1891. Many of Chicago’s old residents attended the funeral of James J. Gore, which was held at the family residence, 2618 Michigan Avenue, on September 27th. The large crowd of respectful mourners, and the profusion of floral tributes bespoke the esteem in which the dead merchant was universally held. Music was furnished by the choir of Trinity Episcopal Church, where the deceased attended, though not a member. An impressive sermon was delivered by the rector, Rev. John Rouse, after which the remains were conveyed to Oakwoods Cemetery where interment took place A large procession followed the body to the grave. The honorary pall bearers were Carter H. Harrison, ex-Judge Egbert Jamieson, George H. Allen, A. Burnham, Joseph Shephard and Albert Martin. The active pall bearers were Charles E. Rector, Charles Clayton, T. Robinson, E. Hagenbuck, O. Burdick, Matthew Fisher, Thomas Miller and Walter A. Barker.

Telegrams of condolence were received from many of the deceased’s business associates in various parts of this country and in Europe. Among the firms who testified to their respect for Mr. Gore in that way were W. S. Barres & Co., Paris; Allen & Co., of New York; Frank S. Stevens & Co., Fall River, Mass.; C. S. Bush, New Orleans, G. S. Chapin, Santa Barbara, Cal., and M. Bouche, Mauriel Sur Ay, France. Mrs. Poog of Brooklyn, a sister-in-law of Mr. Gore, and Mrs. Platt, a cousin, living in Cincinnati, and Captain William F. Fleming of New York, were present at the funeral.

Chapin & Gore Building, 63 East Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois

The Chapin and Gore Building, at 63 East Adams Street, was commissioned by Chapin and Gore, a liquor distilling firm, to combine warehouse and office spaces with a street level retail store and bar. Built in 1904 by one of the most progressive architectural firms of the early 20th century, architects Hugh M. G. Garden and Richard Schmidt demonstrated the aesthetic possibilities of a functional building through exterior expression of interior functions, fine brickwork, and decorative terra cotta. The building’s ornamental capitals and cornice were removed in the 1950s. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 1979 and later designated as a Chicago Landmark on January 21, 1982.

The Chapin and Gore Building is currently the home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra administration. It is part of the Symphony Center campus, attached in 1997 to Orchestra Hall. The Rhapsody Restaurant is on the ground floor, serving orchestra patrons and the public. [source Wikipedia]

CHAPIN & GORE / CHICAGO // SOUR MASH / 1867, amber, 8 1/2″, figural barrel shaped whiskey bottle, with correct matching amber glass stopper – Meyer Collection

CHAPIN & GORE / CHICAGO // SOUR MASH / 1867, amber, 8 1/2″, figural barrel shaped whiskey bottle – Meyer Collection

Figural barrel, CHAPIN & GORE / CHICAGO // SOUR MASH / 1867, HAWLEY GLASS CO HAWLEY PA on base, applied top with internal screw threads, has the original stopper which is embossed AMERICAN SCREW STOPPER CO. NY – sold by GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Figural barrel, CHAPIN & GORE / CHICAGO // SOUR MASH / 1867, HAWLEY GLASS CO HAWLEY PA on base, applied top with internal screw threads, has the original stopper which is embossed AMERICAN SCREW STOPPER CO. NY – sold by GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Chapin&Gore_GW98

“CHAPIN & GORE – CHICAGO” (on shoulder) / SOUR MASH / 1867”, (Denzin, CHA-33), Illinois, ca. 1867 – 1875, olive yellow barrel, 8 1/2”h, “H. FRANKS PATD. AUG. 1872” on smooth base, applied mouth with internal screw threads, correct “PAT. AUG. 6” embossed amber glass screw thread closure. Two ‘V’ shaped chips, each about 3/8” wide are off the side of the applied mouth, otherwise perfect. After looking at hundred’s of amber Chapin & Gore barrels it is refreshing to see one in a different color! – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 98

Caricature of George Ade and Orson Collins Wells, 1912, by William Herman Schmedtgen. George Ade lived in Chicago and was a nationally-known satirist and playwright. By 1899, his Fables in Slang was syndicated across the country, and his fans included Mark Twain. Ade travelled all over the world with his companion, Orson Collins Wells, a Chicago businessman. This painting hung at one of the male-only Chapin & Gore bars in downtown Chicago. – Chicago History Museum

Later, 1954 Chapin & Gore Whiskey advertisement featuring Buffalo Bill Coty – eBay

Vintage whiskey, CHAPIN & GORE Shot Glass – eBay

Read More on Figural Barrels

Barrel Series – Brent, Warder & Co. – Louisville

Barrel Series – Bininger Old Kentucky Bourbon

Barrel Series – Columbus in a Barrel

Barrel Series – I. Nelson’s Old Bourbon

Barrel Series – W.C. Bitters

Barrel Series – W. Wolf found at Thrift Shop for $1.00

Barrel Series – Ben Franklin Bitters

Barrel Series – Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic

Barrel Series – Smith’s Druid Bitters

Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the smaller ones)

Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the big boys)

Barrel Series – Dr. Chandler’s Jamaica Ginger Root Bitters

Barrel Series – Favorite Bitters & Peoples Favorite Bitters

Barrel Series – Wormser Bros San Francisco

Barrel Series – Mist of the Morning

Barrel Series – Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic

Barrel Series – Turner Brothers New York & San Francisco

Barrel Series – The Mysterious Blue Barrel

Barrel Series – Original Pocahontas Bitters

Figural Barrel Series – Hall’s Bitters

Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters – aka Vertical Greeley’s

Peach colored Bourbon Whiskey Bitters added to Color Run

Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters – A Great Boston Bitters Barrel

Posted in Art & Architecture, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, Shot Glasses, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fishing Floats – Leisalu to Leeceelou

Posted on 14 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Hi Ferdinand,

I was checking out your web site & saw the fishing float story. I have been collecting floats for a few years now I have about 50. Last year I bought a cool purple pumpkin float at the Canyonville show. I love all the unusual ones with crudity, swirls and odd shapes. The smaller ones I display on top of bottles in the window. My son brought me the most bizarre one I have. It’s called a trinary float. While doing research, I found one that sold for $1,400 in 2009 on Worthpoint. Someday I might put a pix on our web site so people can check it out. I thought I would share a couple pix with you. You are welcome to use them on your site if you want. You’ve done a great job on your site and it’s real nice. Hope to see you & Elizabeth at our Downieville show (see information below).

Leisa Lambert

So what is Leisalu To Leeceelou? That is Leisa and Lou Lambert’s eBay handle. Mine and Elizabeth’s is Leeceelou. Always thought that was interesting. Elizabeth’s father called her Leecee. When I met her I called her Leeceelou. She answered me by calling me Hootus so I stopped.

Read and See more Floats: Glass Fishing Net Floats

08 September 2012 (Saturday) Downieville, California – 2012 Downieville Antique Bottles & Collectibles Show and Sale at the Downieville School Gym, Historic Hwy 49, Dealers at 7:00 am for set-up. Early Lookers 8:00 am – 10:00 am $10.00, Open 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Free, Free Raffle ticket with Early Looker Fee, For Show info: Rick & Cherry Simi, Tele: 530.289.3659 or email: ricksimi@att.net or Tim Higgins, Tele: 707.745.1026, Display info: Warren Friedrich, Tele: 530.265.5204, Don’t miss out on this great Bottle Show in the heart of the California Gold Rush Country! FOHBC Member Club

Posted in Bottle Shows, Collectors & Collections, Fishing Floats, Humor - Lighter Side | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Barrel Series – Brent, Warder & Co. – Louisville

Posted on 14 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BRENT, WARDER & CO – LOUISVILLE KY

14 August 2012

Pictured above is the only example I could find of the elusive Brent, Warder & Company figural barrel. This small, 6 3/4″, amber-copper figural barrel, embossed BRENT, WARDER & CO. / LOUISVILLE KY sold on eBay for $2,257 by thebottlevault as reported by the Southeast Bottle Club – AntiqueBottles.com in late 2004. I wonder who has the bottle now? Are there others?

What an elusive bottle. I am really scrapping the bottom of the barrel for information on this one. I did find a listing for a Elmore D. Warder and a John P. Warder with Brent, Warder & Co. in Louisville in 1861 (see below). The brand most likely contained a Bourbon product.

Read Update and New Post: Elusive Brent, Warder & Co. barrel found in Antique Mall

Illustration of Louisville around 1850 – 1860

City Directories for Louisville, Kentucky -1861

Louisville, Kentucky circa -1853

Read More on Figural Barrels

Barrel Series – Columbus in a Barrel

Barrel Series – I. Nelson’s Old Bourbon

Barrel Series – W.C. Bitters

Barrel Series – W. Wolf found at Thrift Shop for $1.00

Barrel Series – Ben Franklin Bitters

Barrel Series – Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic

Barrel Series – Smith’s Druid Bitters

Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the smaller ones)

Barrel Series – Roback’s Stomach Bitters (the big boys)

Barrel Series – Dr. Chandler’s Jamaica Ginger Root Bitters

Barrel Series – Favorite Bitters & Peoples Favorite Bitters

Barrel Series – Wormser Bros San Francisco

Barrel Series – Mist of the Morning

Barrel Series – Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic

Barrel Series – Turner Brothers New York & San Francisco

Barrel Series – The Mysterious Blue Barrel

Barrel Series – Original Pocahontas Bitters

Figural Barrel Series – Hall’s Bitters

Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters – aka Vertical Greeley’s

Peach colored Bourbon Whiskey Bitters added to Color Run

Greeley’s Bourbon Bitters – A Great Boston Bitters Barrel

Posted in eBay, Figural Bottles, Questions, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Solomon’s Strengthening & Invigorating Bitters – Savannah, Ga.

Posted on 13 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

S140_pairART

SOLOMONS’ STRENGTHENING BITTERS

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

13 August 2012 (Post updated 18 December 2012) (R•020219)

Apple-Touch-IconASometimes I have bottle posts that take a longer and broader range approach such as the Fancy Square Series and the Figural Barrel Series etc. Other posts just announce antique glass related topics or deal with current events for bottle shows and auctions. This post today occurs because of a request or inspiration from a fellow collector. In this case, it is Charles Aprill, again. Charles and Jane Aprill are the King and Queen of Blues in the Crescent City or NOLA. Read more: The Charles & Jane Aprill Blue Gallery.

Anyway, I did a post yesterday on  Swift’s Syphilitic Specific and anchored the post with two great examples from the Aprill collection. I had included a picture of a trio of blue bottles (see above) that included a Swift’s Syphilitic Specific (SSS). Sitting to the left of the Swifts were examples of a Solomon’s Strengthening Bitters (center) and a Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla (left). Well, Charles saw this picture and suggested a post on each, the Wynkoop’s and Solomon’s, discussing the variants for each. So here we go. Let’s do the Solomon’s first.

Any bitters collector who is worth his salt, will own a Solomon’s. Why you ask? Because they are usually cobalt blue and are from the South! A near perfect one, with no issues, will usually sell for around a grand. Lately these costs have been rising due to the resurgence of collecting squares and of course, color. You have to watch out though, and try to avoid an example that has been dug and overly cleaned. For some reason, the soil in the South is not agreeable to this bottle.

There are two examples or variants as noted by Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham in Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement. The difference is the placement of the apostrophe. The S 139 has the apostrophe before the ‘S’ in SOLOMON’S while the S 140 has the apostrophe after the ‘S’ in SOLOMONS’. Both are pictured below. This confusion is because Abraham Alexander Solomons had an ‘s’ on the end of his last name.

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

S 139  Solomon’s Strengthening Bitters
SOLOMON’S STRENGTHENING & / INVIGORATING BITTERS // sp // SAVANNAH / GEORGIA // f //
9 5/8 x 2 11/16 (7) 3/8
Square, Cobalt blue, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp. Very scarce
This bottle and the following (S 140 bottle) are often confused due to the placement of the apostrophe.
S 140  Solomons’ Strengthening Bitters
SOLOMONS’ STRENGTHENING & / INVIGORATING BITTERS // sp // SAVANNAH / GEORGIA // f //
9 5/8 x 2 11/16 (7) 3/8
Square, Cobalt Blue, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp. Very scarce
This bottle and the preceding (S 139 bottle) are often confused due to the placement of the apostrophe.

I was able to pick up a great example for my collection of the S 140 variant in 2002 in a private purchase from a fellow with the handle of MedFlask on eBay. This bottle did not sell for the reserve so I contacted him and bought, I believe, three bitters bottles. This was near the time I started collecting bitters bottles.

Pictured below you will find examples from the Aprill Collection (both variants), an example from my collection and some related collateral material I was able to pull together. As usual, this is a living post and I welcome additional information and images.

SOLOMON’S STRENGTHENING BITTERS

Front embossing, Solomon’s Strengthening & Invigorating Bitters – Meyer Collection

Rear embossing, Solomon’s Strengthening & Invigorating Bitters – Meyer Collection

Pair of Solomons Strengthening & Invigorating Bitters (S 139 and S 140) – Aprill Colection

Pair of Solomons Strengthening & Invigorating Bitters (S 139 and S 140) – Aprill Colection

Abraham Alexander Solomons and The Solomons Company

The Solomons Company was one of the oldest and most highly honored institutions in Savannah and certainly south Georgia. Their robust business was conducted throughout the eastern United States for well over a century. The family has an interesting history which I will try to capture here as every bottle has a story. Like the Solomons family Album Quilt pictured above, there are a lot of parts to their success.

The Solomons Company was founded in 1845 by Abraham Alexander Solomons, a life-long apothecary and druggist. Abraham was born on May 2, 1816 in Georgetown, South Carolina. His father was Israel Solomons (1770–1830) and his mother was Eleanor Joseph Solomons (1795–1856). Their children were Moses Joseph, Lizar Joseph, Abraham Alexander, Mordecai, Sarah Judith, Judah Joseph and Joseph M. Solomons, who would eventually join Abraham in business. You can see the Solomons brothers and sisters in the portrait photograph below.

Israel Solomons was born in Amsterdam, Holland where his last name was van Blitz. He changed it to Solomons when he came to America where he established himself as a successful merchant in Georgetown, South Carolina. Georgetown is the third oldest city in South Carolina, following Charleston and Beaufort and was founded in 1729. It became an official port of entry in 1732. Prior to this, all foreign exports and imports had to pass through Charleston. Duties and the added freight had to be paid there. With the designation of Georgetown as a port of entry, the area’s merchants and planters could deal directly with all ports, bypassing Charleston. Israel Solomons would die on August 10, 1830 in Georgetown at the age of sixty, and was buried in the Jewish Cemetery.

Abraham A. Solomons married Cecelia Moses (1815–1882) on December 6, 1843 in Charleston, South Carolina. She was the sister of Sarah Moses, daughter of Isaiah Moses and Rebecca Phillips and was born in Charleston on July 18, 1815. Cecelia was noted as a woman of fine judgment and strong character. A strict but loving disciplinarian. She had eight children, three sons and five daughters, Israel, Abraham Alexander, Gertrude Moses, Rebecca Ella, Israella, Isaiah Abraham, and Louise Freighley. Israel, Abraham, Gertrude and Louise died in childhood. Only three lived to majority, Rebecca, Isaiah, and Israella. Isaiah would eventually join the Solomons drug company.

Abraham served the usual apprenticeship and clerking jobs prior to obtaining his license by the Medical Society of South Carolina to run an apothecary on December 15, 1835. This license stated that Abraham A. Solomons had studied in Charleston and proved his qualifications to “carry on the business of Apothecary and Druggist in all of their branches in the State of South Carolina.”

Abraham’s father Israel had died when he was fourteen years old which threw many family responsibilities upon himself and his mother. With a strong work ethic and determination, Abraham first opened an apothecary shop in Savannah at Whitaker Street and Bay Lane in 1845 with his brothers, Joseph M. and Moses J. Solomons. The new company, A. A. Solomons and Company, like most druggists at that time, manufactured most of their drugs and medicines from crude vegetables and plants of the region and imported drugs from other companies. With success, the company began to supply other drug stores and establishments eventually going into the wholesale drug business.

Abraham and his wife, Cecelia, and their children lived near Pulaski Square in downtown Savannah when the Civil War began. At that time, Abraham was in business with his younger brother Joseph. They were now established wholesale and retail druggists, and manufacturers of proprietary articles and were located at 167 Congress Street.

On account of his age and calling, Abraham did not serve directly in the field for the Confederate States but served as a Captain of the Home Guards. He was quartered inside his 165 Charlton Street address during the occupation by Sherman’s army as his family fled. When Fort Pulaski fell, little Rebecca Solomons recalled that it “meant the fall of Savannah. So all who could, left the city, our family amongst the refugees.” The Solomons fled to Columbus, Georgia where Mrs. Solomons sister Sarah Alexander and her brother Isaac and Ezra Moses lived. Joseph volunteered for Company C (Republican Blues), 1st (Olmstead’s) Georgia. As an apothecary, he was appointed acting assistant surgeon.

Please prepare for me the enclosed prescriptions and return them with the medicine and oblige, Yours, Robert E. Lee.

Two notable patrons of the Solomons drug business were noted in Solomons advertising and documents. You have to take these types of testimonials with a grain of salt. The first occurred on August 24, 1869 when Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy wrote: “Gentlemen – Please send me half a dozen bottles of your bitters. I have been using them lately upon the recommendation of a friend, with decided benefit, in giving tone to the digestive organs and general strength to my system. Send by Express with value endorsed, C.O.D.” The second occurred on April 10, 1870 when General Robert E. Lee, on a visit to Savannah, addressed a communication to the company as follows, “Messrs. A.A Solomons & Co.: Please prepare for me the enclosed prescription and return them with the medicine and oblige, Yours, R. E. Lee.”

These endorsements fit in nicely to when Solomons Strengthening & Invigorating Bitters bottles were made which was from 1869 to 1871. At least that was when they were advertised. It was also called The Regulator of the Liver and Stomach and the Best Tonic of the Age. It certainly their biggest seller and signature brand during those years.

For many years, A. A. Solomons and his brothers, Lizar, Joseph M. and Moses J. were among the most prominent and popular citizens of Savannah, particularly Joseph M. who had served in 1864 on the staff of General Joseph E. Johnston in the campaign from Dalton to Atlanta and might be said to have been a prime favorite of the City until his death at the age of 96.

An interesting record in the archives of the Solomons Company is the agreement of their Northern creditors to extend payment of their liabilities because of the post-war hardship. Some of the debts included: $4,010.32 to W. H. Schieffelin & Co., John Neidlinger, John Mathews, Jessup & Childs, Powers & Weightman, William A. Kinnilly, Dodge & Olcott, Jas. T. Maxwell, Jas. T. Aspinwall, Exr., Jas. T. Aspinwall, G. R. Hendrickson & Son, Sparkman Truslow & Co., F. C. Wells & Co., Struelms & Palmer then Palmer & Co., J. M. Thorburn & Co., Carter V. Hawley, Sam. G. Penniman, Sectry., Henry Waldron & Co., Christol, Dow & Sons, A. B. Sarras & Co., Geo. Tiemann & Co., V. W. Busicliolipf, Hagerty Brothers, Fomes and Melveiner by Fomes Melveiner & Co., Hegemann Co., Furnald & Weill in Liquidation. Chas. Pfizer & Co., Thos. Andrews & Co., Cary Howard Sanger
& Co., Alex Ilsa & Son., Sinclaire & Rore, B. Keith & Co., Earle & Co., Sami. C. West, Braman & O’Connor, Carnes & Haskell, S. Haskell, C. H. Haskell, John Vogt & Co., J. Grube, Secy., Charles T. Hurlburt, J. W. Digramann, (Boston) T. W. Worcrop, Agt.

Abraham A. Solomons was a life long member of the Congregation Mickve Israel of Savannah and a member of the Benevolent Association of Savannah, a society whose members were pledged to remain in Savannah to assist the sick and bury the dead during yellow fever epidemics—a deadly and constant menace until the discovery of its control.

This stately four-story revival-style townhouse is located on West Charlton Street facing Pulaski Square in Savannah. It was built by Cecelia Moses Solomon, whose husband, Abraham Alexander Solomon, founded Solomon’s Drug Company.

On December 6, 1899, Abraham A. Solomons died in his residence at 165 Charlton Street in Savannah that faced Pulaski Square. Their drug business would certainly continue. Over the years the Presidents of the Solomons drug business was as follows:

1845 – 1899  Abraham Alexander Solomons

1899 – 1921  Joseph M. Solomons (brother of Abraham)

1921 – 1940  Isaiah A. Solomons (son of Abraham)

1940 – Isaiah A. Solomons, Jr. (grandson of Abraham)

Since 1913, their drugstore was located at 337 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia. Over the years, this drugstore evolved into a wholesale and retail seller of prescription drugs, had a soda fountain, and an ice cream parlor. It was one of the oldest drugstores in the country until its closure in 1981.

Solomons Druggist Bottles

Solomon’s Postal

The Drug Store

Solomons Drug Store post card. Guards Armory Savannah Ga. Now part of Savannah College of Art and Design and named Poetter Hall. The Armory was designed by William G. Preston. The postcard was postmarked in 1911 – Savannah Postcard Collection

Solomon’s Drug Store is apparent in this turn of the century photograph of Potter Hall in horse and buggy days. – Georgia Historical Society

A. A. Solomons & Co. Soda Water Token

Image Robert Biro

Newspaper Notices and Advertising

Not a New Thing, Solomon’s Strengthening and Invigorating Bitters, A.A. Solomons & Co,, Druggists, Savannah, Georgia -The Atlanta Constitution, Tuesday, June 1, 1869

Solomon’s Bitters – This Preparation, Alexander H. Stephens testimonial – The Charleston Daily News, Monday, August 30, 1869

Solomon’s Bitters !!, The Regulator of the Liver and Stomach – The Montgomery Advertiser, Friday, May 6, 1870

Solomon’s Bitters, The Great Tonic, A.A. Solomons & Co., Savannah, Georgia – The Atlanta Constitution, Thursday, June 16, 1870

Select Listings:

1816: Abraham Alexander Solomons, Birth: 2 May 1816, Birth Place: South Carolina, Father: Israel Solomons (1770–1830), Mother: Eleanor Joseph Solomons (1795–1856), Siblings: Mordecai Solomons (1818–1881), Spouse: Cecelia Moses Solomons (1815–1882), Children: Leah Harris Solomons (1845–1879), Israel Solomons (1847–1854), Rebecca Ella Solomons Alexander (1854–1938), Louise Freighly Solomons (1860–1870) – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
1830: Alexander Solomons, Home in 1830: Charleston Ward 4, Charleston, South Carolina, Free White Persons – Males – 60 thru 69: 1, Free White Persons – Females – 60 thru 69: 1, Total Free White Persons: 2, Total – All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 2 – 1830 United States Federal Census 
1835: Abraham A. Solomons served the usual apprenticeship and clerking jobs prior to obtaining his license by the Medical Society of South Carolina to run an apothecary on December 15, 1835. – Drugs and Pharmacy in the Life of Georgia, 1733-1959 by Robert Cumming Wilson.
1845: Abraham A. Solomons first opened an apothecary shop in Savannah at Whitaker Street and Bay Lane in 1845. – Drugs and Pharmacy in the Life of Georgia, 1733-1959 by Robert Cumming Wilson.
1850: A A Solomons, Druggist, Age: 34, Birth Year: abt 1816, Birthplace: South Carolina, Home in 1850: District 13, Chatham, Georgia, Family Number: 246, Household Members: A A Solomons 34, C M Solomons 34, J A Solomons 3, J M Solomons 24 (Druggist), Z M Solomons 20, M J Solomons 21 – 1850 United States Federal Census 
1869: Newspaper advertisement (above in post) Solomon’s Bitters – This Preparation – The Charleston Daily News, Monday, August 30, 1869
1870: A A Solomon, Wholesale Druggist, Age in 1870: 54, Birth Year: abt 1816, Birthplace: South Carolina, Dwelling Number: 102, Home in 1870: Savannah, Chatham, Georgia, Father of Foreign Birth: Y, Male Citizen over 21: Y, Personal Estate Value: 25000, Real Estate Value: 25000, Inferred Spouse: C M Solomons, Inferred Children: Rebecca Solomons, Israella Solomons, Isaiah Solomons, Household Members: A A Solomons 54, C M Solomons 53, Rebecca Solomons 15, Israella Solomons 14,Isaiah Solomons 12 – 1870 United States Federal Census 
1870: Newspaper advertisement (above in post) Note From Lee – The Atlanta Constitution, Monday, September 10, 1934

1870: Newspaper notice (below) Solomon’s Bitters!! – The Montgomery Advertiser, Friday, May 6, 1870
1871: Solomons & Co. (Abm A. and Joseph M. Solomons), wholesale and retail druggists, and manufacturers of proprietary articles, 167 Congress, Savannah, Georgia – Savannah, Georgia, City Directory, 1871
1874: Solomons & Co. (Abraham A. and Joseph M. Solomons), druggists, wholesale andretaiul, Congress se for Barnard, Savannah, Georgia – Savannah, Georgia, City Directory, 1874
1885: Solomons & Co., (J.M., M.J. and I. A. Solomons), wholesale and retail druggists, 197 Congress, Savannah, Georgia – Savannah, Georgia, City Directory, 1885
1895: Solomons & Co., (J.M and I. A. Solomons), wholesale and retail druggists, 168 and 90 Bull, Savannah, Georgia – Savannah, Georgia, City Directory, 1895
1899: Abraham Alexander Solomons, Death Date: 7 Aug 1899, Death Place: Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, Cemetery: Laurel Grove Cemetery (North), Burial or Cremation Place: Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, Father: Israel Solomons, Mother: Eleanor Solomons, Spouse: Cecelia Solomons, Children: Rebecca Ella Alexander, Isaiah A. Solomons, Israel Solomons – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
1904: Solomons Co., Joseph M. Solomons, president; Isaiah A. Solomons, vice-pres and mngr; Max Wolff, asst mngr; J.H. Stroms, secty, wholesale drugs, surgical supplies, etc. 127 Congress, w, and druggists 133 Congress, w, and 336 Bull, Savannah, Georgia – Savannah, Georgia, City Directory, 1904
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