Ed Herrold Passing – A True Bottle Friend

Posted on 26 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Ed & Juanne Harrold

Ed Herrold Passing – A True Bottle Friend

26 July 2012

This just in. It is with great sadness in my heart, that I must tell you and pass on this email to you about the passing of one of our finest long time collectors. Mr. Ed Herrold has passed away last evening. He will be sorely missed. Our prayers goes out to his family for their tragic loss.

Dwight A. Pettit Jr.
President
Deland Florida M-T Bottle Club

I came across this picture looking online for pictures of Ed. I found one with Ed getting ready to tell me a funny story at the 2003 Baltimore Antique Bottle Show – Southeast Bottle News

Ed was a past Board Member of the FOHBC and a person that I considered as a friend. Ed was instrumental in getting me hooked on Bitters bottles. As a matter of fact, my first Bitters bottles were purchased from Ed at the DELMARVA Bottle Show in 2002. In the picture above, you can see I went straight to his table a few months later in Baltimore in 2003. I am truly sad. I hope his sweet wife Juanne is holding up. Stay tuned for more information.

Posted in Bitters, Bottle Shows, Club News, Collectors & Collections, FOHBC News, News | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

D&C | Dealers & Collectors unveils at the FOHBC Reno Expo

Posted on 26 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

PRG: Folks, this has been hard to keep under my hat as this new web site and book could change everything! I am not even going to tell you who is behind this ground-breaking endeavor, as you can find out for yourselves at the FOHBC Reno Expo when you visit their table. The email below came in yesterday requesting a post on the Peachridge site.

AUCTION PRICE RESULTS 

For Dealers & Collectors of Bitters, Flasks, Medicines, Poisons, Sodas & Whiskeys

AVAILABLE NOW!

D&C | Dealers & Collectors Antique Bottle and Glass Auction Price Results represents thousands of hours of effort over the past year. We referred to hundreds of auctions held by 19 auction houses over the past 27 years. Typically this was about 1,500 listings per year. All this data was meticulously screened and formatted into a consistent style for ease of reading and presentation.

We have organized this resource to make it as easy as possible to find what you are looking for quickly – listings are organized by category and within category by reference number or common name. There are headers on each page to make it easy to scan through the sections to locate a given listing.

This publication represents only half of the value of this new resource – this companion website is an even more powerful part of this package. On the website, you can do simple or complex searches by reference number, keywords, auction house name and much more. Both old and new auction results will be continually added to the website for a perpetually current, yet historically grounded, auction results resource.

Be sure and stop by our table at the FOHBC Reno Expo where you can purchase the book.

A few sample pages..

Posted in Advice, Auction News, Bitters, Flasks, Historical Flasks, Medicines & Cures, News, Poison Bottles, Price Guides, Publications, Soda Bottles, Technology, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barrel Series – W.C. Bitters

Posted on 25 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

W. C. BITTERS | BROBST & RENTSCHLER

W.C. BITTERS shoulder embossing – Meyer Collection

Here is a figural bitters barrel that takes a back seat to the other heavy hitter barrels such as the Old Sachems, Greeley’s and Roback’s (see bottom of page).

It a later bottle from Reading, Pennsylvania in a form that is unique to me in figural barrels. I actually like this shape but have always had a hard time with the name. Ring & Ham gave it a ‘W’ classification because it is called W.C. BITTERS. The “W.C.” standing for Wild Cherry. I guest they did not want to deal with the two partners names, “BROBST” and “RENTSCHLER” which are uncommon and tough to pronounce.

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

W 57  W.C. BITTERS, Circa 1885 – 1895

// s // W. C. BITTERS // c // BROBST & RENTSCHLER ( au ) / READING, PA // sp //
10 5/8″ x 2 3/4″ (6 5/8)
Barrel, 3-3, Amber, ARM, Applied mouth and Tooled lip, Very scarce

I could only put my hands on two pictures of the bottle. One example resides in my collection while the other example is in the current Glass Works Auction.

Brobst & Rentschler advertisement showing address in Reading, PA.

Amber W.C. BITTERS, Ex: Carl Fisher – Meyer Collection

Lot 278. “W.C. BITTERS (on shoulder) – BROBST & RENTSCHLER / READING, PA.”, (W-57), Pennsylvania, ca. 1885 – 1895, yellowish amber figural barrel, 10 1/2”h, smooth base, tooled mouth. A scarce ‘Wild Cherry Bitters’ bottle! – Glass Works Auctions

Read More on Figural Barrels

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 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Barrel Series – Stillman & Breen

Posted on 24 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

STILLMAN & BREEN | MEMPHIS, TENN

Brandies, Wines, Teas And Cigars

24 July 2012 • 28 July Update: See comment from Robert Cutchins below.

I guess this weeks figural barrel posts are about extremely rare bottles found in thrift shops. Why not? It happens all the time right?

Apple-Touch-IconARecently, it was the 2nd example of a W. WOLF PITTSBURGH barrel showing up in a Chicago area thrift shop (see: Barrel Series – W. Wolf found at Thrift Shop for $1.00). Today it is the extremely rare, STILLMAN & BREEN | MEMPHIS, TENN barrel which I believe is unique. This bottle was found in a Texas thrift shop in early 2010. This is unheard of folks, come on now, a Thrift Shop?

The STILLMAN & BREEN, by coincidence, or is there a link, is the same form and size, and looks like the same mold as the W. WOLF. Even the typography and bunghole is similar. Go figure!

Maybe a good place to look for unlisted, pontiled, figural barrels from the mid to late 1800’s.

I am trying to get in touch with the fellow who found the bottle in Texas. Apparently it is a contact or friend of Texas patent medicine collector, Brad Seigler. What we also know, is that Glass Works Auctions sold the bottle in December 2010 (see below). I am also trying to get these details. Why is this an incomplete post? Well, I am off to the Blue Bird Circle Shop and the Salvation Army to look for lamp shades, bean bag chairs and unlisted, pontiled figural barrels. Oh, and we are catching an early bird tomorrow to Reno for the FOHBC Expo!

Glass Works Auctions “Christmas Comes Early” Auction #90 closing 06 December 2010. You can see the short STILLMAN & BREEN barrel.

From Memphis Diggers Read: Unknown Memphis Whiskey Barrel Found] From the information that Memphis collectors have found, Stillman & Breen looks to have been in business from 1861 to 1862. Also the owner found a site on the net that had some canceled checks and letterheads of Stillman & Breen from 1861 – 1862. (see examples below pulled by PRG)

“Stillman & Breen looks to have been in business from 1861 to 1862”

[Memphis Daily Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, April 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 7]
“Bottles, Bottles. Bring on your second-hand bottles. We will pay the highest cash price for bottles delivered at our store on Second street. Stillman & Breen”

STILLMAN & BREEN | MEMPHIS, TENN – photo Memphis Diggers

STILLMAN & BREEN | MEMPHIS, TENN – photo Memphis Diggers

W. WOLF PITTSBURGH – Ferraro Collection

To me it is astounding that the STILLMAN & BREEN MEMPHIS and the W. WOLF PITTSBURGH are so similar. Look closely at the serifed typography! Extraordinarily similar for such early bottles.

Stillman & Breen, Memphis letterhead – image Fold3

Stillman & Breen, Memphis letterhead – image Fold3

Stillman & Breen, Memphis invoice – image Fold3

Stillman & Breen, Memphis invoice – image Fold3

Stillman&Breen_Faulkenberry

Stillman & Breen barrel with Glass Works Auctions sticker – Faulkenberry Collection

Read More on Figural Barrels

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 Digging and Finding, Ephemera, Figural Bottles, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Shupp’s Grove 11th Annual Bottle Festival Pictures

Posted on 23 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I’ve always wanted to go to the Shupp’s Grove Bottle Festival as there are not to many bottles shows outdoors. This and the annual Heckler Columbus Day Event in Connecticut are the only ones that come to mind. I guess it is because the date is so close to the FOHBC National Shows and I am so far away.

We were talking at the Houston Antique Bottle Show recently about the possibility of organizing the 1st Annual Peachridge Hayfield Event this October or early November or some other mild weather month. Would any of you’ll come to Texas? Hate to have a party with no guests. So far Alicia Booth would head up the food committee, Brad Seigler would be there with some of his great Texas bottles and Sandor Fuss said he is coming down. Anyway I am getting off the subject. Here are the Shupp’s Grove pictures culled from the Bottle Collectors facebook page.

Peach Ridge Driveway after a rain. Hayfield in back.

Shupp’s Grove 11th Annual Bottle Festival, Sat/Sun 6am-dusk at Shupp’s Grove, Dry Tavern Rd. Denver, PA 17517. Fri: Dealer setup 10am, Early buyers 3pm. Info: Steve Guion, (717) 371-1259, Email: affinityinsurance@dejazzd.com

My first time there, as you can see, I enjoyed myelf and I will be back…

Jim Eifler

Shupp’s Grove Bottle Festival 2012

My Paterson bottles from Shupp’s Grove, many are new additions, some are upgrades and some are traders…
My first time there, as you can see I enjoyed myelf and I will be back… – Jim Eifler

Yours truly and Mark Yates – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

Edward D. Nikles’ booth – busy all day! Jim Jack’s son Jim brought goodies, and Ed invited me to put out bottles too (thank you Ed!) – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

Wheeling and dealing, my diggin friends Mark and Randy at dusk last night. – photo Laurence Tod Cagle

Mr. Vuono doing his thing !!!! (Jim & Jody Halls table) – photo Mike Brauser

‎Mark Yates, Jim Becker, Bob Barenski – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

From Bob Barenski’s table – Bob knows what I like!! – Dana Charlton-Zarro

Karl Knapp, Edward D. Nikles, Jim Becker, me – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

Jim Jack, Jr. and Edward D. Nikles – Jim was a wonderful stand-in for his famous Dad, who was home with a new granddaughter and family! Jim and Ed, thank you for all the fun this weekend – it was great! – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

‎Edward D. Nikles, Connor Rush, Matt Greig, Annie, and me (Dana Charlton-Zarro). Annie is in this photo! A show is more fun when we can be there together. She didn’t find any bottles, but lots of sticks! – photo post Dana Charlton-Zarro

Here are my David Boyle pint hutches, I added two new ones yesterday from Shupp’s Grove. The undated version from 1894-5, then a single digit 1906, four digit 1908, 11 & 1912 which like is dated on the bottom just like the blob of the same year. I also have a single digit 1908 that I need to go pick up, not sure why they would have a single digit and a four digit. The single digit 06′ variant was also a four digit example at some time, you can see the mold was peened out and they went with a single 6 instead… The bottle second from the left with “registered” at the bottom is the only known example of a “Thomas Patent” closure for this bottle, my bottle mentor would really like to have that bottle. It was a dug example but it cleaned up like brand new… – Jim Eifler

Larry Cahill, Karl Knapp, Edward D. Nikles, Jim Jack’s son Jim Jack, Jr. – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

Tom Doligale, this one’s for you! – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

Connor Rush & Jim Eifler – photo Dana Charlton-Zarro

Posted in Advice, Bottle Shows, Collectors & Collections, Facebook, Hutches, News, Peachridge Glass, Photography, Schnapps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on 22 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

W. WOLF PITTSBURGH

Up until now, the only known example of a W. WOLF PITTSBURGH figural barrel – Ferarro Collection

Article by Cecil Munsey on Bob Ferraro. The W. Wolf is pictured in the upper right corner.

This just in. An extraordinary find in a thrift shop.  Are you ready?….. for $1 Dollar!

[1] Hi, I have a Blue Barrel shaped W. Wolf Pittsburgh Whiskey Bottle. I am trying to get information on value and best way to sell it. I see on your website that Mr. Bob Ferraro owns one. Would he be able to contact me and give me advise? Or anyone that he would delegate it to? I would appreciate it. I am attaching pictures of my bottle. It measures approx. 8″ high, 3 1/4″ in diameter at base, it looks like blown glass from a mold, the glass itself looks old, wavy with bubbles and inclusions. It has a pontil mark on the bottom with brown (looks like clay) residue. Thank you for your time

[2] Dear Mr. Meyer, here are the pictures I promised, I apologize for the poor quality, hope you can see the details, if you need more let me know.
 Measurements are approx.–8″ high, 3 1/4″ in diameter at base, has mold marks on sides, pontil on bottom with red clay residue, glass looks old (wavy with bubbles and inclusions). Thank you for your interest and your help, xxx

I most likely will be advising these folks as to the best course of action to take with the bottle. There is one known example residing in the great Bob Ferarro collection in Nevada. Please let me know if you are interested. This is the real McCoy.

Read More: What is John Feldmann Telling Bob Ferraro?

Read More: Is there a Blue Embossed Bitters Barrel?

Read More: Ferraro Visit – July 2009

The Thrift Shop Find

Read More on Figural Barrels

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 Advice, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, Figural Bottles, News, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Barrel Series – Ben Franklin Bitters

Posted on 22 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS

22 July 2012 (R•021718)

“Prove all things.”

Ben Franklin bitters figural bottle, America, 1840 to 1860. Tapered barrel form, medium blue green, applied square collared mouth and pontil scar. This is a label only bitters, an extremely rare example with 90% or more of its original labels, which although difficult, are readable. An extremely rare bottle with extremely rare color. R/H F80L. – previous Norman C. Heckler Auction (I believe this bottle resides in the Bob Ferraro collection)

Here is a really great figural barrel in a conical form with tapered horizontal ribbing. There in NO embossing but at least two labeled examples exist (see pictures below) calling this a BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS POOR RICHARD’S TONIC. I love this bottle!. It is very architectural and reminds me of the New England annular inks. I’ve seen Heckler, Ring & Ham and the New York Historical Society publish different date ranges for this brand which is puzzling. FYI, I do posses two pontiled examples (see below).

Annular Pitkin or Coventry G-2a Inkwell. – Rick Ciralli

Pay special attention to the New York Historical Society example. I was not aware of this bottle until today. WOW. Look at that gorgeous label!

Carlyn Ring | W.C Ham Listing in Bitters Bottles

F 80  BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS, Circa 1855 – 1865
L…Ben Franklin Bitters Poor Richards Tonic
G. Mansfield Rowland Proprietor New Haven, Connecticut
10 x 3 1/2
Barrel, 10-10, Amber, Green, Cobalt, NSC, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark
Body tapers shoulder to base
Label: These pleasant and healthy bitters are compounded of pure vegetable materials, and as a tonic cannot be surpassed. A simple trial will convince the most skeptical that these bitters are of the highest merit. Prove all things!

New York Historical Society Museum & Library Description

Description: 10 x 3 5/8 inches, Light green glass bitters bottle blown in a three-part mold with patent lip and rounded string rim, ball neck, conical body with horizontal ribbing and paper labels, and base with concave profile.
Label: paper label: on obverse: “Prove all things.” paper label: on reverse: “BEN FRANKLIN BITTERS / POOR RICHARD’S TONIC / . . . PURELY / Vegetable / MATERIALS / And as a Tonic cannot be / surpassed / G. Mansfield Rowland / PROPRIETOR / A Single Trial / Will convince the most / skeptical . . . / Highest Merit. / DIRECTIONS. / . . . / NEW HAVEN / Conn.”

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor.

Prove all things Ben Franklin Bitters – New York Historical Society Museum & Library – This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman’s collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman’s entire collection in 1937.

Ben Franklin Bitters in a mint green coloration – Meyer Collection

Ben Franklin Bitters in a copper puce coloration. Sand pontil – Meyer Collection

Ben Franklin Bitters in a moss green coloration – Meyer Collection

Top detail Ben Franklin Bitters in a moss green coloration – Meyer Collection

Ben Franklin Bitters in a two-tone honey apricot coloration. – Meyer Collection

Color run of Ben Franklin Bitters – Meyer Collection – Meyer Collection

BEN FRANKLIN-TYPE BITTERS BOTTLE, (Ring# F80L), bright moss green, conical with barrel staves and indented label panel, sand chip pontil scar, 10″H x 3 1/2″D, applied mouth, about mint (a bean-sized base edge bubble is open at the surface). American, C. 1850, rare. This rare, New Haven, CT barrel-shaped bitters bottle is blown in an unusual shade of moss green bottle glass that is filled with bubbles and impurities. – previously sold by Jeff and Holly Noordsy (This looks familiar)

Read More on Figural Barrels

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, Color Runs, Figural Bottles, Museums, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reno EXPO Quick Tips

Posted on 22 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Download Show Packet

Registration

Registration will be at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino Convention Registration Desk #3.

Show Times

The Show will be on the Summit Pavilion. Early Admission is on Friday (See below). General Admission: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Saturday and 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Sunday. Folks this could be the biggest show ever with tables sold out. Look for close to 350 tables filled to the brim with antique bottles, glass and related collectibles. There may not be a 3-day show like this for years to come! See Show Flyer

Early Admission on Friday, 27 July:

1:30 pm – 6:00 pm. Early admission, in the Summit Pavilion, is for non-dealers that would like the privilege of buying early at the show with the dealers. The early admission fee will be $70. For individuals or a family couple (including minor children under 18). This price includes a complimentary souvenir program. Discounted cost for early admission to the National Shows is another privilege of FOHBC membership. The discounted rate for current, paid up Federation members is $50. General Admission on Saturday and Sunday is $5. Read More

Antique Bottle and Glass Judged Shoot-Out!

Saturday 28 July, 5:45 pm. The event will be sponsored by Norman C. Heckler & Co. This will be a landmark chance and great opportunity to see many great examples together in one event which rarely happens. A cocktail event will occur simultaneously. Categories to be displayed and judged include Drakes Plantation Bitters (4 log , 6 log and Arabesque), J H Cutter Whiskey (Circle Cutter, #43 in Thomas Whiskey Book, Sole Agent, plain reverse) and Umbrella Inks (pontiled base, smooth base). See Promotional Ad

Exceptional Educational Seminars!

The FOHBC is pleased to host a wonderful selection of Educational Seminars that you will not want to miss. Click for Educational Seminar Schedule and Information. All Seminars will be in Carson Rooms 1 – 4.

* New Seminar Added: How to dig bottles in the Year 2012 in the West.” by Tom Quinn. It will be about urban digging in backyards and const sites, not ghost towns. It will include how to do research, choose sites, get permission, and how to probe. Tom will start with the basics, for new diggers, and then also have a section on advanced digging (technical digs such as concrete and asphalt  probing/digging in parking lots and inside garages/bldgs and making professional repairs).

• Values and Investing by Fred Holabird, President Holabird – Kagin Americana, Reno Nevada.

• The EC&M Insulators by Dennis Bray.

• The Effects of Radiation and Thermal Exposure on Vintage and Antique Glass by Dwayne Anthony, this will be a real eye opener for anyone collecting objects made of glass.

• Hutchinson Type Soda Bottles by Ron Fowler, noted author and researcher.

• Eric McGuire’s seminar will feature over 200 product labels from California bottles that date between the 1850’s and 1890’s. Eric is a long time collector and researcher that have penned numerous articles on antique bottles.

• Ferdinand Meyer V from Texas and Sheldon Baugh from Kentucky will tag team a double seminar on Trends in the Bitters Collecting Field and Medicinal Bitters Bottles. Bitters bottles are one of the most popular fields in bottle collecting.

• A seminar that covers Early Western Soda Bottles and California Beer Bottles will be presented by Thomas Jacobs, long time collector and authority on the subjects.

• Grace Bros. the Company and its Products will be presented by John Burton, the leading authority on the Grace Bros. Breweries. His talk will cover bottles, cans, labels, glasses and the various breweries owned by the Grace Bros. Free to the first 25 people who attend this seminar will be a CD covering all the above.

Displays

Look for an exciting array of exhibits such as Rare Fire Grenade Bottles, W.H. Hutchinson, Early Souvenir China from Nevada, 50 State Hutch Sodas, Early Heinz Bottles, Kidney Bottles, USA Hospital Bottles, Hair Bottles, Colored Food Bottles, Swirled Bottles, Jars & Insulators, Rare Hyacinth Vases, XL Dairy Bottles, Sacramento California Bottles, IXL Bottles, Cigar and Tobacco Jars, 18th Century Black Glass, Unique Nevada Bottles, San Diego Bottles, EC&M Insulators, Miniature Bottles, Western Bitters, Quack Pot Lids, Poison Bottles, Mary Gregory, B&S Glass, Jars etc.!!! See a list of Displays and Displayers.

Fantastic Display Gazebo

Bring your two favorite bottles. The Northwestern Bottle Club is going to take to Reno their famous Gazebo and set up a feature for people that want to display bottles in a non-competitive setting. The Gazebo will hold all sizes of bottles from inks to tall bitters. The bottles will be signed in with the person’s name on the bottom and that person is the only one able to remove them. There will be hired security along with others watching this display. Read: FOHBC RENO 2012 EXPO Display Gazebo (in preparation of being filled with great collector bottles)

The Banquet

Banquet Reception: 6:00 pm. Banquet: 7:00 pm. It gives us great pleasure to announce that Warren Friedrich will be the guest speaker for the banquet at the FOHBC Reno Expo and will also be one of the two 2012 FOHBC Hall of Fame inductees at the event. We hope to see you for some good food, great company as well as an informative presentation on a brief history of the “Early Glassworks of California” from the first commercial bottle factory in 1859 to the demise of the largest factory in 1899.

FOHBC Board Meeting

Bi-Annual meeting for FOHBC Board Members. 8:00 am – 9:00 noon.

FOHBC General Membership Meeting

Bi-Annual meeting for FOHBC Membership. Members and interested persons invited. 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm.

Professional Show Photographer

A professional photographer has been engaged to cover and document all aspects of the show. Look for Scott Selenak and his equipment!

FOHBC Hall of Fame Video

Outgoing Federation President has compiled a video of past FOHBC Hall of Fame recipints. Look for at the registration area.

Door Prizes

There will be five door prizes given out, 2 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and one on Sunday. Each will be $500 donated by American Bottle Auctions.

Visit FOHBC.org for all related show information…see you soon!

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

Barrel Series – Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic

Posted on 21 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC 

21 July 2012 (R•110813) (R•111313) (R•112813 – Mansfield Medicine Book) (R•090516)

“EUREKA. UNPARALLED SUCCESS of the WORLD-RENOWNED HIGHLAND BITTERS! Or, SCOTCH TONIC, The Greatest Remedy for all Diseases of the STOMACH, LIVER and BOWELS EVER DISCOVERED. Health to the Sick! Drink and Live!”

February 20, 1861 – Memphis Daily Appeal

MansfieldAdGene

Apple-Touch-IconANow to the great Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic. Here is a dark horse and tough figural bitters barrel to obtain from Memphis, Tennessee. I have only seen three or four in collections and now have two examples in my collection that are pictured below. To me, the most exciting aspect, is finding an earlier metallic pontiled example, two of which are pictured and included in this article. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is noted below:

H 117  HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC, Circa 1860 – 1875
HIGHLAND BITTERS (au) / AND / SCOTCH TONIC ( ad ) // c // 9 5/8 x 2 1/8 (8) Barrel, 10-10, NSC, Applied mouth, Yellow, Amber and Olive green – Rare; Amber and Olive green and Metallic pontil mark – Extremely rare The Mansfield Drug Company, Memphis, Tennessee
Note: The Mansfield Drug Company was in business from 1840 – 1900 and produced a great variety of medicines and drugs.
Drug Catalog: 1883 Schieffelin
See: M 31 | Mansfield’s Highland Stomach Bitters (coffin flask) and M33 | Mansfield’s New Style Highland Stomach Bitters Scotch Tonic (square)
Read More: What!!! Pontiled Green Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic

Amber HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC – Meyer Collection

Olive amber HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC figural barrel. Fantastic bottle, dug by John Odell (actually found resting under a tree stump). Never been cleaned. Purchased from Mary Ballentine at the FOHBC Collinsville National in 2007 – Meyer Collection

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“HIGHLAND BITTERS / AND / SCOTCH TONIC”, (Ring/Ham, H-117), Tennessee, ca. 1860 – 1870, yellow amber barrel, 9 7/8”h, smooth base, applied mouth. A tiny flake is off the edge of the base, otherwise pristine perfect. Highly whittled glass, almost a pure yellow color. Most of the amber Highland Bitters are usually in a medium amber color, making this bottle a rare exception. Purchased from Ed and Kathy Grey at the 2002 Keene Bottle Show. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection (Session 1)

Amber HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC figural barrel. Red iron pontil. One of the earliest examples – HistoricBottles.com

Amber HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC figural barrel. Red iron pontil. One of the earliest examples – HistoricBottles.com

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Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic – Tom Phillips Collection

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Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic – Heckler Auctions

I just snagged the super rare pontiled Memphis barrel a couple days ago. I’ve talked to many people about the Highland Bitters, and none Ive talked to in the past few years have ever seen a green one with a pontil. – David Reed (see Peachridge Glass post: What!!! Pontiled Green Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic

P.P. Van Vleet of the Mansfield Drug Company

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Samuel Mansfield began as an apothecary in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1840. Around 1870 he entered into partnership with Hugh H. Higbee to act as agents for and to manufacture proprietary medicines. These included Mansfield’s Hungarian Balsam for the Lungs, Mansfield’s Eclectic Pile Salve and Mansfield’s Mississippi Diarrohea Cordial, among others. The company ordered a private die stamp, and instructed Joseph R. Carpenter to perforate some in sets of four and some in pairs in addition to regular full perforation. – rdhinstl.com

Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Co.

P. P. Van Vleet, president of the Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Co., Memphis, Tennessee was born in 1849 at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and received his education in the Kalamazoo College. Just after completing his course, he started out for himself, with no particular place north of New Orleans in view, but on reaching Memphis he was quick to see and realize the possibilities of the place and secured a position as prescription clerk with G. W. Jones & Company, at that time the largest drug house in that town. In 18i9 he purchased a half interest in the business. This interest he sold in 1884 and established the wholesale house of Van Vleet & Co., which business was continued profitably until 1894, when the business of the Mansfield Drug Co. was purchased, thus establishing the Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Company. VanVleetMmain1911 Mr. Van Vleet is a man of great executive ability to which there could be no better monument than the largest Southern drug house of which he is the head. He is one of the most public spirited men in Memphis, and, while he does not take an active part in politics, he is always ready to contribute his money and services for the welfare of the city. Mr. Van Vleet is an ardent fisherman and a prominent member of the Tarpon Club at Aransas Pass, Texas, where he goes several times a year in quest of the gamiest of fish. He is also a great traveler and has made several trips to Japan and Europe, and has been round the world once. [source: Digger Odell Publications]

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Mansfield Drug Co. Mansfield’s Memorandum and Medicine Book. Memphis, TN, 1887.

A gorgeous, amber yellow HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC figural barrel from the famous Carlyn Ring sale.

MANSFIELD’S  NEW STYLE STOMACH BITTERS & MANSFIELD’S  STOMACH BITTERS, rectangular squares – The Memphis Diggers

From the Proceedings in U.S. Courts – The Memphis Daily Appeal – November 30 1887

Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Co., Memphis, Tenn. – “Our New Home” c. 1917 paperweight

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Van Vleet Mansfield Drug Company, 48-54 S. Main, Memphis, Tennessee

Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Company was one of the leading producers of pharmaceuticals in the south. Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, Van Vleet-Mansfield was part of a large market of drug companies who resided in Bluff City. The downtown building located at Second and Gayoso was built in 1917 and still stands today. This beautiful building is no longer home to Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Company but it is currently being retrofitted for a new use: mixed use.

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Old tin advertising tray for “La Creole” Hair Color Restorer, Van Vleet Mansfield Drug Co., Memphis, Tennessee

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S. Mansfield Advertisement – 1853

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1860 S. Mansfield & Company Wholesale Druggists, Memphis, Tennessee advertisement – Memphis Daily Appeal

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Highland Bitters advertisement – The Tennessean, Saturday, June 9, 1860

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Highland Bitters advertisement – Memphis Daily Appeal, Saturday, January 19, 1861

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Highland Bitters advertisement – The Tennessean, Thursday, April 25, 1861

Read More on Figural Barrels

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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dealer Contracts and Information for the FOHBC 2013 National Antique Bottle Show

Posted on 21 July 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“table section will be as the contracts arrive to the FOHBC. I’m figuring it’ll start at the 1st tables closest to the door then fan out from there so people who get their contracts in the quickest will be up front of each aisle” – Maureen Crawford (Show Co-Chair)

Download Contract

Visit Show Page

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Bottle Shows, Club News, Early American Glass, FOHBC News, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment