My ex Callahan’s Old Cabin Whiskey – The Big Fish that Got Away

Posted on 8 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“The Big Fish that Got Away”

08 August 2012 (Updated 13 August 2012 with Greg Price email) (R•060614)

We all know about, and have probably experienced, “The Little Fish that Got Away” syndrome. Well, how about “The Big Fish that Got Away”. Also, how often do you get to own a great American bottle that is pictured on a United States postage stamp! Not often! How often should you lose it!

American Glass stamp sheet, Scott Catalog #3325 – 28. This mint never hinged sheet features 15, 33 cent United States postage stamps. This stamp sheet features four stamps which showcase distinct styles and production methods of artistic glass. Beautiful examples of Free-blown Glass, Mold-Blown Glass, Pressed Glass and Art Glass are shown on the stamps, while the selvage has an image of a Tiffany Glass work.

As primarily a Bitters collector, I once had the opportunity to purchase the great Callahan’s Old Cabin Whiskey figural cabin (see picture below) in the Norman Heckler Auction 76 in 2005. This exact bottle was used for the 33 cent American Glass postage stamp (pictured above) developed by Richard Sheaf about a decade ago. This same bottle has also been on exhibit at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York and and was once owned by Norman Heckler Sr.

Talk about provenance and a story!

[from Norman Heckler Auction 76 in 2005]

CALLAHAN’S OLD CABIN WHISKEY, yellow amber, near perfect, Circa 1865-1880, rectangular, modified cabin form. This exact bottle was used for the 33 cent American Glass postage stamp designed by Richard Sheaf a few years ago. This bottle has been on exhibit at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. ex: Norman Heckler Sr. collection. Tall cabin form with cathedral arched windows and doors, applied sloping collared mouth – smooth base, ht 9 inches. Norman Heckler Auction 76, Lot #25, November 2005.

CALLAHAN’S OLD CABIN WHISKEY – This exact example was pictured on the United States ‘American Glass’ 33 cent postage stamp and displayed at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.The bottle is ex: Norman C. Heckler Sr. and Ferdinand Meyer V. The bottle now resides in the Sandor Fuss collection.

At the Baltimore Antique Bottle Show in March 2009, I brought my CALLAHAN’s and had it sitting on my table for visual interest. Prior to the show, at a local hotel, I had made some purchases of some major, new rare Bitters and was “in the hole” as far as cash. Well along comes Ed Gray at my table saying “I have this client that may be interested in your bottle. I thought it was odd that Ed was using the term “client”. Typically it was “I have someone interested”.

Long story short, I sold the bottle to Ed for his “client”. As it turns out, this was my first experience, albeit indirect, with Sandor Fuss (Denver, Colorado). Sandor, up until this time, had been flying under the radar picking up some great bottles.

Well this is my “~~Little~~ Big Fish that Got Away“ story. I was again reminded of how great this bottle is, when a second ‘great’ example showed up in the current Glass Works Auctions 95. I have pictured that example below along with the Fuss (ex Meyer) example which is, in my opinion, a greater example because of the color and story.

Window photograph of a CALLAHAN’S OLD CABIN WHISKEY – Glass Works Auctions 95

[from Glass Works Auctions 95]

“CALLAHAN’S / OLD CABIN / WHISKEY” (on front and back panels) – “PATENTED / 1865 / PITTSBURGH, PA.” (on both side panels). (Denzin CAL-11), Pennsylvania, ca. 1865 – 1870, medium amber cabin, 9”h, smooth base, applied mouth, pristine perfect condition and with nice glass whittle. According to Don Denzin, author of ‘Antique Eastern Whiskey Bottles’. “This is the most sought after of all antique whiskey bottles”! We originally auctioned this bottle on August 17th, 1993 at the Federation of Historical Bottles Collectors auction in Richmond, Virginia. It was lot 77 selling for $8,000.00! Since that time it has been in the collections of Roger Long, Eric Schmetterling and most recently Chris Hartz. Of the known examples, and there aren’t many, it is considered to be the finest of its kind.

Hi Ferdinand ,

Nice website and great bottle content! Just thought I would pass along a little info on the Callahan’s Whiskey bottle that just sold for $20,000.00 in Glass Works Auction. I bought that bottle from a PA. collector around about Jan of 1993. I being a “Bitters Only” collector put it in with my Bitters Collection, for after all it looked just like an American Life Bitters. But after a short time decided to sell it. I contacted Jim Hagenbuch about putting it in one of his up coming auctions, but Jim made me an offer that included part cash and trade. I was pleased with the offer and the deal was made. A short time later the bottle sold for $8,000 being lot 77 in Glass Works Auction and where it made it’s start into the Bottle Collecting World. Now if I could just take it back and do it all over again!! Sincerely, Greg Price

CALLAHAN’S OLD CABIN WHISKEY – Glass Works Auctions 95

Callahans_The_Times_Picayune_Sat__Sep_23__1865_

Callahan’s Celebrated Old Cabin Whiskey – Hugh Callahan – advertisement – The Times Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana) – Saturday, September 23, 1865.

Posted in Advice, Auction News, Bottle Shows, Collectors & Collections, Early American Glass, Figural Bottles, History, Humor - Lighter Side, Museums, Postage, Whiskey | Tagged bitters, cabin, Callahan's, Chris Hartz, Corning Museum of Glass, Don Denzin, Eric Schmetterling, Ferdinand Meyer V, Figural, fish, Greg Price, Hugh Callahan, Norman C. Heckler, Old Cabin, postage, Richard Sheaf, Roger Long, sandor fuss, stamp, United States, Whiskey | 2 Comments

Unlisted Dr. Cropper’s Bitters spotted at ABA table at Reno Expo

Posted on 7 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Unlisted Dr. Cropper’s Bitters spotted at ABA table at Reno Expo

07 August 2012

“Example found in a barn in Iowa”

A number a people alerted me to a square, green bitters bottle that they spotted with Jeff Wichmann at the FOHBC Reno Expo in late July. Jeff’s American Bottle Auctions tables were across the big showroom floor, which might have been in Siberia as far as I was concerned. Tough to get away from my zone.

I finally was able to break-away from my table and take a shot or two of this puppy. Bill Ham was all over it and copied me on an email to Jeff (see below). Throughout the show I kept looking for the bottle in the Carlyn Ring and Bill Ham Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement to no avail. Appears to be unlisted. It kept nagging at Bill too, as I think Bill thought this bottle was referenced in his notes somewhere. WOW.

Apparently this bottle will be in Jeff’s next auction (Pictures and information from auction listed below).

Jeff

When I looked at the bottle in Reno, I thought there was a small embossing tail at he bottlom of the “C” formation area making the first letter a “G”. However, in looking at your picture, it really looks like a “C”. I think you are correct that it is a “C”. The original listing I had drafted had it as a “C”, which was apparently what the diggers believed also. What a fabulous bottle.

The bottle listing would then be (see below):

Thank you for your help with the info on the bottle. Hope your wrist is now mended.

Bill

The new listing by Bill Ham for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

C 254.3 Dr. Cropper’s Stomach Bitters

DR. S. CROPPER’S / STOMACH BITTERS // f // f // f //
9 5/8 x 3 (8) 3/8
Line under R or DR
Square, Deep olive amber and Emerald green, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare
Example found in a barn in Iowa. Broken examples dug in Peoria, Illinois and St. Louis

[07 August 2012 – Incoming email from a digger of a second Dr. Cropper’s]

I wish to remain anonymous. I dug this example in St. Louis out of a 1845-1860 era privy. Not pontiled but dates to the early 1860s. Closely resembles an early black glass Hostetter’s. I did a little research and it appears it could be from Cincinnati but that is just a guess. There was a Dr.Charles Cropper listed in 1866. This is the only Cropper I could find listed anywhere that had anything to do with medicine. I have a gut instinct that this bitters is from the Mississippi River valley area, probably St. Louis. Thanks…xxx

Follow-up from xxx: No it is not the same bottle. So two examples exist so far. Ironically when it was dug I thought it was a black glass Hostetter’s. It was dug in the middle the night on a construction site and there was hardly any light to see anything. So we put it to the side only to find out the next day what it was!

Example #1: DR. S. CROPPER’S STOMACH BITTERS – picture taken at American Bottle Auctions table at FOHBC 2012 Reno Expo.

Example #2: DR. S. CROPPER’S STOMACH BITTERS – picture provided from finder.

American Bottle Auctions Example

Dr. S. CROPPER’S STOMACH BITTERS. 9 5/8″. Here’s a bottle we picked up at the Reno Expo and are we glad we did. We spoke with bitters expert and author Bill Ham at the show and after examining the bottle concluded that is not only in his original book, but it doesn’t appear in his first supplement nor his soon to be published second supplement, although it will now. The bottle itself is a medium green with some lime thrown in. It’s very crude and although it’s not pontiled we agreed it’s probably a product of the 1860’s. We at first thought the name was Cropper but from the two only possible shard sightings of the bottle, it was reported as Gropper. We spelled it with a G in the catalog but it looks like a “C,” walks like a “C,” and quacks like a “C” so we’ve concluded that without a doubt it’s a “C.”. According to Bill, one shard was found in Peoria, Ill. and another found in St. Lous, MO. What a looker this one is, it has just about everything a collector is looking for; crudity, color and rarity. It is probably no mistake that the bottle resembles an early and obviously at the time a more popular Hostetter’s Bitters. Although it is a little taller. The condition is beautiful with just a minor scratch or typical very light usage wear. It was found in Iowa along with a Lediard’s Bitters according to the consignor. It’s not often we get the opportunity to offer such a beautiful and rare bottle but here it is. There was some interior haze at one level of the bottle and is prety much gone after a light washing with soap and water. Grades a 9.7, here’s one you don’t want to miss. Est. $3,000-6,000.

Example #1: DR. S. CROPPER’S STOMACH BITTERS – American Bottle Auctions

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Bottle Shows, Digging and Finding, FOHBC News, Questions | Tagged American Bottle Auctions, barn, Bill Ham, bitters, Bottle, Carlyn Ring, Dr. Cropper's, Iowa, Jeff Wichmann, Stomach, unlisted | 3 Comments

Two Bryant’s Stomach Bitters cones at Reno!

Posted on 6 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Richard Siri sitting ‘Watch’ over the Northwestern Bottle Club’s Gazebo at the 2012 FOHBC Reno Expo. You can see Richard’s BRYANT’S STOMACH BITTERS cone and ladies leg in the bottom shelf.

Two Bryant’s Stomach Bitters cones at Reno!

06 August 2012 (Updated 12 August 2012)

It seems like a good time to corral the various known specimens of Bryant’s Stomach Bitters. Two examples were seen at the FOHBC 2012 Reno Expo which is quite extraordinary. I almost brought mine for display too and would have placed in the famous Gazebo exhibit that was set up (see above). Here are the examples that I know of. I hope to update and clarify this list.

“It is believed that there are only four intact Bryant’s Stomach Bitters and another three examples that have been repaired or pieced together. It is reported that an intact example was recovered from Sacramento sometime in 1962 and another complete Bryant’s was un-earthed in the gold rush town of North San Juan. The third complete specimen of the Bryant’s was discovered at the “big dig” in San Francisco and a fourth example was found in Portland”.

Specimen 1 – Jim Chebalo (resides East Coast). Possibly first full, intact example found. ~~Rumor to have repaired lip chip~~. Note: We have heard from Jim and he has confirmed that there is NO repaired lip chip and the specimen is in good order. 12 August 2012.

Specimen 2 – Richard Siri (resides California). 2nd full intact example found. Dug by Henry Myers (sp?) in the mid 1960’s in North San Juan, California. Bottle at the 2012 Reno Expo. See picture below.

Specimen 3 – Ferdinand Meyer V (resides Texas). Found in the ‘Big Dig’. Dug by Bob Kaiser. Famous bottle auctioned in 1990’s for highest bottle price at that time. Much publicity. Purchased from Robert Frank through Jeff Wichmann. See picture and ABA press release below.

Specimen 4 – Bill Ham (resides California). Possibly dug by Rick Pisano. 3 owners at one time? See picture below.

Specimen 5 – Ted Siri (resides East Coast). Repaired example seen at the FOHBC 2012 Reno Expo. See picture below. Dug with my example at the ‘Big Dig’ in San Francisco.

From American Bottle Auctions Web Site (2009)

One of the rarest and most desirable bitters bottles ever found, the Bryant’s Bitters, was recently purchased in a private sale by Ferdinand Meyer and his lovely wife Elizabeth. With only a few Bryant’s in existence, this example is arguably the most famous antique bottle known having been on various television programs including the Travel Channel’s, Cash and Treasures and CNN along with other news shows. Articles on the bottle have appeared in numerous publications and it has almost become a symbol for the bottle collecting community.

Its real claim to fame is the fact that it set a record for the most ever paid for a bottle at auction. Sold by Pacific Glass Auctions, now known as American Bottle Auctions in 1999, it brought in a staggering $68,750, still a record for any bottle sold at auction. The original buyer of this 1850’s bottle, Robert Frank, decided it was time to let someone else enjoy it. The bottle was originally unearthed in what is now termed the “Big Dig,” referring to a dig of a mid-19th Century recycling plant in downtown San Francisco. There were actually two found but one of the examples was damaged. The bottle is so highly desired because of its unusual shape, it is officially known as the cone or megaphone. The fact that it is one of the earliest western bitters and one of only a few known also adds to its legendary status. The Bryant’s was most likely made in the east and delivered to San Francisco via ship around the horn.

So what are Ferdinand and Elizabeth going to do with their new acquisition? “Put it in a special shelf I designed,” says Meyers. With the bottle standing 14” high, that should be no easy task. The Bryant’s cone should go well with another recent acquisition by Ferdinand and his wife, a blue Fish Bitters, recently acquired at the National Show in Pomona, California. Why two of the rarest bottles known being bought within weeks of each other? “Sometimes the stars align for a brief period of time,” says Meyer, “and you just have to do it,” he said smiling broadly. The odd shape of the Bryant’s “cone” didn’t last long, as the clumsy eight-sided bottle was quickly re-designed to a less precarious stature. Rumors have the bottle selling in the six-figure category.

BRYANT’S STOMACH BITTERS cone and ladies leg – Richard Siri Collection

B 242 BRYANT’S // STOMACH BITTERS // f // f / f / f // f // f // 14 x 2 7/8 (height varies 13 3/4 – 14 1/4) Tapered 8-sided, Olive green in various shades ranging from yellow tone towards emerald, ARM, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare. All eight sides taper from base to neck.

Repaired BRYANT’S STOMACH BITTERS on sale at the FOHBC 2012 Reno Expo – Ted Siri Collection

BRYANT’S STOMACH BITTERS (The Big Dig example) – Meyer Collection

BRYANT’S STOMACH BITTERS – Bill Ham Collection

Posted in Article Publications, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, Figural Bottles, History, News, Questions | Tagged American Bottle Auctions, Bill Ham, bitters, Bob Kaiser, Bryant's, cone, Ferdinand Meyer V, gazebo, Jeff Wichmann, Jimmy Chebalo, ladies leg, Richard Siri, Robert Frank, Stomach, Ted Siri | 1 Comment

Blue Wells Miller & Provost & blue cathedral pepper sauce question?

Posted on 5 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Lou Pellegrini (Los Altos, California) standing with his award winning display of “Colored Food Bottles”. The display won the People’s Choice award which was voted on by the public at the recent FOHBC Reno Expo.

Blue Wells Miller & Provost & blue cathedral pepper sauce question?

05 August 2012

Dr. Charles Aprill (New Orleans), saw the picture above in another post, and commented, “In the top row, there are two blue bottles. Is the left one a WELLS, MILLER & PROVOST? Is the one on the right a smooth base, “cathedral” pepper sauce? Would love to see a photo of these. Love to discuss size, scarcity of these. Wonderful display.” c.a.

In response, I followed up with another picture (see below) and posted on the Dr. Aprill’s facebook page.

Detail of top shelf in Lou Pellegrini’s display of “Colored Food Bottles”. The two blue bottles in question are plainly apparent.

Dr. Charles Aprill, saw the picture above and commented:

The pic of the display was great. Prompts me to post some blue “foods”. Two ‘WELLS, MILLER & PROVOST” and a smooth base “cathedral” pepper sauce. Would love a dialog with Mr. Pellegrini. I’m curious about the scarcity of these items.

Mike Dolcini comments:

The blue WM&P in Lou’s display was dug in San Francisco.

Two ‘WELLS, MILLER & PROVOST” and a smooth base “cathedral” pepper sauce. – Charles Aprill

Charles Aprill:

I have an 8″ and 9″, dug in the “South”, another pair of “attic” WM&P, 8″ and 9″. Do not know where they came from? I wonder how scarce these are? c.a.

Inquiring minds want to know. Blue WELLS / MILLER / & PROVOST “pepper sauces”, probably held “catsup” They come in 8″ and 9″ variants. All are pretty scarce. Which size is the most scarce? Help from “food bottle ” or “blue” collectors. c.a.

Lou Pellegrini (email to PRG):

The cathedral is smooth base, I acquired it in 1988 from Kim Kokles, believe he acquired it from Russell Wilkes. Tom Phillips I believe, has some knowledge on these blue sauces also. My estimates is 4 to 6 examples . On the large size Wells, I had knowledge of the Aprills having one, now I know they have two !! The only other one I have seen Norm Heckler had for sale at the Expo in Las Vegas back in 1988 , sorry I passed on it then. The small size have popped up over the years a few have been dug on the west coast. I acquired mine from Mike Stuckey back in the 70’s . Still would estimate a dozen or so of that size.

Here are four WELLS MILLER & PROVOST pepper sauces. There are two 9″ and two 8″ bottles. An 8″ was recently sold at auction. I believe the one in the Pellegrini exhibit is also an 8″ variant. Does that make the bigger ones the rare size? Inquiring minds want to know. – Charles Aprill

WELLS, MILLER & PROVOST was a successful New York City food packing firm established in 1837 by John Wells. Ebenezer Miller and Stephen Provost joined with Miller by 1844 and operated under their three names until the mid-1880s (Zumwalt 1980). This particular bottle on the left (Photo Glass Works Auctions) has a crudely applied one-part extract type finish (more or less), blowpipe pontil scarred base, and was hinge mold blown with certainly no evidence of mold air venting (the author has never observed a pontil scarred, mold air vented bottle). These attributes are consistent with a manufacture during the 1850s or early 1860s. One of these bottles with an original label noted that it contained “tomato catsup” and similar bottles from this company have been recorded in cobalt blue and deep green, though the vast majority are aqua (Zumwalt 1980; empirical observations). Pickle bottles from this company were also excavated from both the steamships Arabia and Bertrand which sank in the Missouri River in 1856 and 1865, respectively (Switzer 1974; Hawley 1998). This gives some indication of how commonly used these bottles were during the mid-19th century. (Sha.org)

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Facebook, Pepper Sauce, Pickle Jars, Questions, Utility Bottles | Tagged Cathedral, Charles Aprill, Expo, Food Bottles, Lou Pellegrini, Miller, pepper, Pepper Sauce, Provost, Reno, wells | 3 Comments

Stampede – Reno Expo

Posted on 4 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Alan Blakeman, from across the pond, either left his wallet on his table or has the Olympic spirit. Go Alan!

*Where in the h*** is Alan Blakeman going?*

Alan, from the UK, has the Reno OLYMPIC Spirit!

Visit Alan at BBR

Sorry, I have not been keeping up to date with posts. I am a bit behind due to getting the FOHBC Bottles and Extras out to the printer with the Reno Expo articles and images. This will be a special issue filled to the brim with Expo news.

While we have thousands of photographs from our professional photographer, Scott Selenak, I was quite impressed with the next series that shows the gates opening at 1:00 pm on Friday afternoon for Dealers and Early Buyers. Alan Blakeman from the UK, gets my vote, for having the Olympic spirit at the Reno Expo.

Posted in Bottle Shows, Bottles and Extras, Club News, FOHBC News, Humor - Lighter Side, Photography | Tagged Alan Blakeman, Early admission, Expo, fohbc, Reno, Scott Selenak | 1 Comment

“Salvadora” in the bottle – Tom Quinn

Posted on 3 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A great photograph of “Salvadora” in the bottle – photo by Scott Selenak (FOHBC Expo Photographer)

From Tom Quinn (Benicia, California) who gave a ‘standing room only’ seminar to 80+ attendees at his “Bottle Digging in the West 2012” seminar at the FOHBC Reno Expo.

Tom Quinn speaking at his popular “Bottle Digging in the West 2012” seminar at the FOHBC Reno Expo – photo Scott Selenak

A picture of my snake “Salvadora” in the bottle. I had that on display during the seminar. I don’t know if you heard the story or not on the circumstances surrounding the excavation of the bottle with the snake inside or not. It came out of the bottom of a circa 1880’s-90’s privy, stopper stuck in the neck preventing the formaldehyde from leaking out. The yard was where a very uncooperative tenant woman from El Salvador rented the house. It’s fun to see that a picture of it wound up with the Expo pictures!

Tom Quinn

Gross, but interesting. I’d probably be so startled I’d drop the bottle!

Lauren Battone on facebook

Cool! We found a bottle one time in a deep privy in Cincinnati that had a 10 foot tape worm in formaldehyde!

E. George Brater III on facebook

Another photograph of “Salvadora” in the bottle focusing on the marble jar beyond – photo by Scott Selenak (FOHBC Expo Photographer)

Lou Lambert in the audience of “Bottle Digging in the West 2012” seminar at the FOHBC Reno Expo – photo Scott Selenak

Posted in Apothecary, Bottle Shows, Digging and Finding, Facebook, FOHBC News, Humor - Lighter Side, Marbles, Photography, Utility Bottles | Tagged Digging, E. George Brater III, El Salvador, Expo, fohbc, Lauren Battone, Lou Lambert, privy, Reno, Salvadora, Scott Selenak, seminar, Tom Quinn | Leave a comment

FOHBC Reno Expo Display Teaser Pictures

Posted on 2 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Some of the pictures are coming in of the great Displays and Displayers at the Reno Expo. Stay tuned for a great article in the next FOHBC Bottles and Extras! These pictures are credited to Scott Selenak (FOHBC Expo Photographer) and Alan DeMaison (FOHBC Business Manager). See a List of Displays and Displayers. Note: Don Dryer added for Western Bitters.

Become a member of the FOHBC and get Bottles and Extras.

Not one of the competitive displays but a great display none-the-less on Jeff Wichmann’s American Bottle Auctions table – photo Scott Selenak

The Displays and Displayers

Posted in Advice, Article Publications, Bottle Shows, Bottles and Extras, Club News, Collectors & Collections, FOHBC News, News, Photography, Publications | Tagged Alan DeMaison, Bottles and Extras, displayers, Displays, Expo, fohbc, Reno, Scott Selenak | 1 Comment

The little blue U.S.A. Hospital Bottle

Posted on 1 August 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Couple of pics of the U.S.A HOSP DEPT I mined from Ferdinand Meyer’s home. It is a Baltimore blown bottle and stands 4 3/4″ tall. The base shows no seams what so ever. – Brad Seigler

The little blue U.S.A. Hospital Bottle

01 August 2012

I thank Brad….he is happy and I am happy. Can’t beat that!

Brad Seigler visited with us at Peach Ridge recently, after the Houston Antique Bottle Show, (Read: 2012 Houston Antique Bottle Show – Rain or Shine!) and looked at my Bitters collection. As Brad was heading for the door and we were saying our good-byes, I remembered I had a hidden cache of smaller bottles on a wardrobe in one of the upstairs guest bedrooms. I believe I purchased or found most of these bottles in Kansas City, Missouri in the late 70’s when I was at student at the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design. I asked Brad to take a quick peak and grab a bottle for a visit gift. Brad reached up and pulled out a few bottles that were concealed behind some decorative wood trim. These were very dusty as they had been setting up here for years. One was this little blue, U.S.A HOSP DEPT bottle. It seemed like a nice token as Brad had driven all the way out to see us, so I said “keep it”. I honestly had forgotten about the cache and certainly did not know anything back then about USA Hospital Dept bottles. Anyway I thank Brad….He is happy and I am happy. Can’t beat that!

USA Hospital Department bottles were used by the Union army during the Civil War to carry a variety of chemicals, drugs, and even alcohol. They came in various sizes and colors, and were shipped to supply depots across the country, including St. Louis. These bottles would have been stored with other medical supplies in a pannier, a large wooden or reinforced wicker crate that weighed 88 pounds when filled. Hospital Department bottles were manufactured in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, though some archaeological evidence suggests that some may have been made in St. Louis. (source: The Civil War in Missouri)

“What is odd about this bottle is the fact that it is pretty early, but has next to no whittle. It is a well made little gem. I will forever be greatful to Ferd for this bottle. I will never forget the day it came to me. Thanks again Ferd you are a great friend and el presidente”

Brad Seigler

Follow-up email I received from Brad last night…

I know you are a busy man but if you get a moment the next time you have your camera plugged into the pc would you send me the pics from the day I visited? I would be very appreciative.

Also would you let me know the height of the tallest of your sample Bitters bottles? I am building shadow boxes that hang in windows and I want to build one for you to say thanks for allowing me into your home and the gift of such an amazing bottle. If you don’t want to use it, I understand but I think you will like it. The way they are built it can either be hung in a window or snapped into a wooden base then displayed on a table as a center piece. The front pane of glass slides out so the bottles can be placed on the shelves and then slid back in place. both the front and back are made from glass so that light can pass through the shelves. They are the best way I have seen to display small bottles and your mini Bitters would.be awesome inside one.

Hope you had a great time in Reno!

Brad

Even though I do not like it here is the bottle with a bit of white to help with the pic. I love this little bottle. – Brad Seigler

Another example of the small U.S.A. HOSP DEPT bottle – The Civil War in Missouri

A U.S.A. HOSP. DEPT. bottle made for US Army. Applied top. When looking for the perfect hospital department bottle, simply a picture of this outstanding specimen might suffice. Crudely applied top, millions of bubbles, hammer whittled, and in an exotic light to medium citron.

Posted in Advice, Civil War, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, Medicines & Cures, Peachridge Glass, Utility Bottles | Tagged army, Baltimore, Brad Seigler, Civil War, Peach Ridge, U.S.A. Hospital Department, Union | Leave a comment

FOHBC 2012 Reno Expo Banquet Pictures

Posted on 31 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The Banquet on Friday Evening

Elizabeth and I typically attend the FOHBC Banquet each year. There is usually a cocktail party first, good food, the keynote speaker (Warren Friedrich gave a talk on San Francisco Glass Houses), awards and the announcement of the new FOHBC officers for 2012 – 2014.

The FOHBC will be writing an article on the Reno EXPO for Bottles and Extras which will be delivered to FOHBC members by 01 September 2012 and hopefully sooner. I know some of you have been asking to see some pictures and I wanted to take a look at some of the shots myself from our professional photographer, Scott Selenak.

Anticipation

The Food

The Keynote Speaker

Announcement of New FOHBC Officers

Awards

Posted in Bottle Shows, Bottles and Extras, Club News, Glass Companies & Works, Glass Makers, History, News | Tagged banquet, Bottles and Extras, Expo, fohbc, Reno, Scott Selenak, Warren Friedrich | Leave a comment

FOHBC Reno Expo Shoot-Out Pictures

Posted on 30 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

San Francisco Ink Display was prominently featured at the event – Jim Jakobitz

Event Announcement Advertisement – Norman C. Heckler

We are writing a big article on the FOHBC Reno EXPO for Bottles and Extras which will be delivered to FOHBC members by 01 September 2012 and hopefully sooner. I know some of you have been asking for pictures and I wanted to take a look at some of the shots myself from our professional photographer, Scott Selenak.

The event was wildly successful with a large crowd, great food and of course great glass! Hopefully we can do this again.