To support the Houston group, and to have some fun, I brought a few of my Drake’s Plantation Bitters to the Houston Bottle Show yesterday. By coincidence, Dan Cowman brought some of his green toned Drakes. We both chuckled and discussed that the casual show goer must have walked by our tables and figured green drakes are a dime a dozen.
Here is a strong barrel in two forms that you do not come across often. I have only seen examples in the great Feldmann and Ferraro collections and have not been fortunate enough to obtain an example. High on the desirability list, Favorite Bitters and the later People’s Favorite Bitters from Naperville, Illinois.
FAVORITE BITTERS Patent Drawing – Tony Shank
The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:
Favorite Bitters – Bitters Bottles Supplement
“PATENT APPLIED FOR / FAVORITE BITTERS / POWELL & STUTENROTH”, (Ring/Ham, F-6), Illinois, ca. 1868 – 1875, amber barrel, 9 1/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Perfect condition. Morris Powell and Charles Stutenroth were in Naperville, Illinois. Of the two “Favorite Bitters” barrels this is the earlier one. After the patent was received a new mold was made to include the word Peoples. Both bottles are extremely rare making it a real challenge to own both. Purchased from Glass Works Auctions, ‘The Dr. Burton Spiller Collection’, in 2000. – Glass Works Auctions – Bob Ferraro Collection – Part 2
“PATD JULY – 28 1868 / PEOPLES FAVORITE BITTERS / POWELL & STUTENROTH”, (Ring/Ham, P-41), Illinois, ca. 1868 – 1875, yellow amber barrel, 10 3/4”h, smooth base, applied tapered mouth. About perfect. One of the rarest of all barrel bitters bottles, three possibly four known examples of which this is possibly the nicest! Ex. Tony Shank, Dave Bowers and Carlyn Ring Collections. Purchased from Glass Works Auctions #42 in 1996. Winning Bid: $ 30,000 (28 Bids) – Glass Works Auctions – Bob Ferraro Collection – Part 3
Peoples Favorite Bitters – Bitters Bottles Supplement
Broadside: Testimonials 1880 P.W. Hubbel & Co. as agent for J.W. Perkins & Co. See: Favorite Bitters
[Glass Works Auctions] Newspaper advertisement – April 21, 1869 A medicine so potent, palatable and pure that wherever known it becomes at once the Favorite of the people. In all cases of Dyspepsia, Liver Complaint, Headache, Loss of Appetite, Humors in the Blood, Blotches and Pimples on the Face, Weakness of the Kidneys, General Debility, Nervous Complaints, Impurities of the Blood, Chills, Fevers, and Diarrhea, The People’s Favorite Bitters should be used. The unimpeachable testimony of ladies, farmers, mechanics, commercial and professional men who have practically tested the mixture of The People’s Favorite Bitters, prove it to be beyond question, the best medicinal compound for the above diseases now offered to the public. If a reasonable attention to diet be given, and The People’s Favorite Bitters be taken strictly according to the directions, and no relief obtained in any or all the ills mentioned above, THE PRICE OF THE BITTERS WILL BE REFUNDED by the proprietors, or any of their authorized agents. The reason The People’s Favorite Bitters have met with much unprecedented success, and are now so generally and highly esteemed, is because they ASSIST nature, instead of exhausting her; they give tone to the stomach and the digestive organs, enrich the blood, and tend to build up rather than tear down; in short, they import vigor to the entire frame, and help the system to throw off disease. The following are the ingredients of The People’s Favorite Bitters: Sarsaparilla, Dandelion, Wild Cherry, Buchu, Cubeba, Orange Peel, Anise, Gentian, Columbo and Sassafras. Any one, at all acquainted with medicines, will know at once that no better or more wholesome Bitters could be made. One trial will convince the most skeptical that The People’s Favorite Bitters are all that they are recommended. For LADIES they are excellent; for TRAVELERS invaluable; for mechanics, farmers, persons of sedentary habits, for professional men, overtaxing the brain at the expense of the body, The People’s Favorite Bitters are a necessity. During sudden changes in the weather, in time of general sickness, these Bitters can be taken with advantage. At any time they are useful, and should be constantly on hand. If you want to save money, preserve your health, do the most good, and get the greatest happiness, use The People’s Favorite Bitters. Price, $1.00 per Bottle. POWELL & STUTENROTH, Proprietors and Manufacturers, Naperville, ILL. Powell & Stutenroth’s Favorite Bitters
FAVORITE BITTERS Patent – Tony Shank
[Glass Works Auctions] By Tony Shank
A number of years ago I acquired a People’s Favorite Bitters, a very rare bitters barrel. With the exception of being 1 1/4″ taller and having a patent date of July 28, 1868 on the shoulder, this barrel has the same design as the Favorite Bitters. The Favorite Bitters has “pat. applied for” on its shoulder. I was always curious about the patent date on the People’s Favorite and often wondered what information, if any, was available on this bottle. Then, Zane and Barbara Shaffer entered the search. While talking with Zane at a bottle show I happened to ask if he knew anyone in the club who could obtain information from the patent office. “Sure,” said Zane, speaking freely of Barbara’s time, “my wife works at the patent office.” So, after much hard work on Barbara’s part, she found the patent date, July 28, 1868, listed on the People’s Favorite Bitters to be the date that the patent was approved for the Favorite Bitters. After the design of the Favorite Bitters was patented, the size and appearance of the bottle changed a little and the name became People’s Favorite Bitters. From this we can surmise that the Favorite Bitters was bottled a year or two before 1868 and the People’s Bitters was bottled after July 28, 1868…..
PEOPLE’S FAVORITE BITTERS (left) and the earlier FAVORITE BITTERS – Feldmann Collection
PEOPLE’S FAVORITE BITTERS from the famous Carlyn Ring collection sale
FAVORITE BITTERS – Ferraro Collection
A Powell & Stutenroth “Favorite Bitters” bottle, one of only a few known and graded 9.7 out of 10 for condition, soared to $64,960 at the 50th Internet and catalog ever held by American Bottle Auctions. The bottle was the top lot of the more than 300 rare and vintage bottles sold. Most dated from the mid-to-late 19th century.
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
Spectacular photograph of WORMSER BROS SAN FRANCISCO figural barrels – American Bottle Auctions (Jeff Wichmann)
OK, let’s knock out this great Wormser Brothers figural barrel that I have posted about before on Peachridge Glass. This “belly button”, “bulls-eye” or “bunghole” barrel, with the much desired San Francisco embossing, is a hot one for any bitters, figural or western collector. The world according to Wormser was relatively calm of late until the spectacular green example showed up and was sold by American Bottle Auctions for the princely sum of $18,480 to a prominent western collector in 2011.
Here is what we have on this exciting and well-proportioned barrel starting off with the Ring and Ham Bitters Bottles listing:
W 162.5 WORMSER BROTHERS, Circa 1869 (?)
WORMSER BROS ( au ) / motif bullseye / SAN FRANCISCO // c //
9 3/4 x 3 (7 3/4)
Barrel, 4-3-3-4, Amber
Example with partial whiskey label found in Nevada.
[Western Bitters News – Rick Simi] The firm of Wormser Bros. was located on the corner of California and Front Streets in San Francisco and listed as importers and jobbers of wines and liquors. Started sometime in 1856, Isaac Wormser, who was living in Germany, was the president of the company and his brother Lewis was the manager. In 1864 Lewis left San Francisco and his brother Simon took over management of the company. In October of 1867, during Simon’s management of the firm, they trademarked the “Golden Sheaf” brand of whiskey. By 1872 the Wormser Brothers business was sold to the firm of Braeg Frank and Dallemand.
It is believed the barrel shaped bottle with an applied tapered top and a smooth base embossed WORMSER BROS. SAN FRANCISCO was produced for a very short period of time, possibly in 1869 only. Although I could not find any advertisements to confirm what these bottles contained, Western collectors believe this container held a whiskey bitters product.
This barrel shaped bottle comes in various shades of amber from light yellow to darker brown amber. Most examples show very little crudity but a couple examples that I have observed have some pretty good whittle to the glass.
It is thought that there are between 25 and 30 of the Wormser Brothers barrel in collections at the present time. Most collectors that I have talked to, don’t consider these bottles rare, but in my humble opinion are a very rare and collectible piece of Western glass.
06 October 2011
SACRAMENTO, California – A Wormser Brothers barrel bitters bottle, made between 1867 and 1871 and quite possibly the only green example in existence (most are amber in color), soared to $18,480 in an internet and catalog auction that began in late August and ended on September 8th by American Bottle Auctions. It was the top lot of the 146 bottles sold.
Wormser Brothers barrel bitters were an early western bitters made in San Francisco, mainly in the 1860s. They were considered extremely rare until a group was found in Virginia City, Nevada, some years ago. Then the bottle just sold plus seven others (all amber) were found near the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon more recently. The owner consigned the green one for this sale.
“That very same bottle in amber would probably only fetch around $1,800,” said Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle Auctions. “Color is everything, and this is the only green example I’m aware of. It is also heavily whittled, something you don’t often see in Wormser bottles. The top was crude and perfect and we graded it 9.6, only because of a light cleaning.”
The auction, which grossed just over $182,000, was a success by any measure, Wichmann said. “The page received over 60,000 views, and we had 192 bidders and 98 winners. Some, but not many, phone bids were also recorded. The average bottle sold for around $1,200, and usually it’s more like $1,000. That was a big plus, and bidder participation was very strong.”
The sale featured mainly historical flasks, bitters and food jars (such as pepper sauces). “Once again, quality excelled,” Wichmann said. “A good number of bottles sold in the $3,000-$15,000 range, and that to me is a strong sign that the overall market for rare and vintage bottles is very healthy, even in a down economy. And we continue to get in killer consignments.”
Read More on Wormser Bros: Watching these Wormser Bros SF Belly-Buttons
Read More on Wormser Bros: Bottle Still Life Shots from our Porch in Downieville
The famous and extraordinary green WORMSER BROS SAN FRANCISCO figural barrel sold by American Bottle Auctions to a western bitters collector for $18,480.
WORMSER BROS SAN FRANCISCO figural barrel in golden amber – Meyer Collection
Pair of WORMSER BROS SAN FRANCISCO figural barrels sold by American Bottle Auctions (Jeff Wichmann)
Two WORMSER BROS figural barrels sitting on our porch table one evening during the Downieville, California show last September 2011
Golden Amber WORMSER BROS figural barrel sitting off to the left during my visit to see the Western Bitters collection of Don Dwyer.
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
Here is another figural Bitters barrel that most Bitters collectors possess or are familiar with. Not terribly hard to find, as they are rated Very Scarce, but they do show up, usually in a darker amber color. I am surprised that there is not much information on the brand that was made by the Keystone Bitters and Cordial Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. I am hoping that this post will generate some more examples and support material such as advertising.
Please look at the comparison image below comparing the KEYSTONE BITTERS form with the WORMSER BROS and MIST OF THE MORNING figural barrels. You can also follow this link to see the similar HALL’S BITTERS.
The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:
KEYSTONE BITTERS, American, ca. 1865-1875, deep reddish amber barrel, 10 1/4″h, smooth base, applied sloping collar mouth. A tough one to find, especially in this pristine condition – Meyer Collection
“KEYSTONE / BITTERS”, (Ring/Ham, K-36), Ohio, ca. 1865 – 1875, deep reddish amber barrel, 10 1/4”h, smooth base, applied mouth. Some minor scratches, but no form of damage. Purchased from John Stampe in 1971. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection – Session 1
Up for auction very rare, applied top, amber barrel, KEYSTONE BITTERS bottle. It is in good condition, but has small scratches and small dings in the rips and bottom. The bottom of the bottle is distorted. Inside a little bit dirty. Measuring 9 3/4 tall on 3 1/2 wide. – eBay (vlupul1970) *available now
(L) WORMSER BROS SAN FRANCISCO (C) KEYSTONE BITTERS (R) MIST OF THE MORNING. All figural barrel Bitters with similar shapes. All about 10″ tall. The Keystone is a little more trim. Obviously different embossings and applied tops. – Wormser Bros and Keystone barrels are Meyer examples.
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
The earliest and latest with the blue W. Wolf’s Pittsburgh barrel
Barrel Series – Brent, Warder & Co. – Louisville
Barrel Series – I. Nelson’s Old Bourbon
Barrel Series – B.M. & E.A. Whitlock & Co. – New York
Bennett & Carroll – Figural Barrel Series
Barrel Series – Liquore del Diavolo Figural Barrel
Barrel Series – Crow’s Celebrated Tonic Bitters
Barrel Series – Chapin & Gore – Chicago – Sour Mash
Barrel Series – Bininger Old Kentucky Bourbon
Barrel Series – Columbus in a Barrel
Barrel Series – Stillman & Breen
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
The Robinson & Lord Figural Barrel – Baltimore
The James A. Clark barrel from Louisville
The Hull Brothers barrel from Detroit, Michigan
Barrel Series – Out of the Ashes, the Wolford Z – Whiskey
Over the years, since I started collecting bottles, I have picked up some nice examples of facsimile currency and advertising notes relating to the bottles that I collect. As a collector of US Postage and Revenue Stamps, there is a nice ‘cross-over” with currency design as the illustrations and product references sometimes mention medicines, bitters and glass works just to name a few. Look at these great examples, mostly from Heritage Auctions. I am keeping a close look at this company as their web site is great and they are currently announcing a new Currency Auction in Philadelphia on 03 August 2012.
Read More: Drakes Plantation Bitters – Encased Postage
New Brooklin, NJ- New Brooklin Glass Works (Ezra Lake) 3¢ Wait 1609. The first of a likely complete denomination set from this issuer, which includes several denominations not listed in the Wait New Jersey reference. – Heritage Auctions
Front and back of a John Roots Bitters advertising note – Meyer Collection
Waterford, NJ- Waterford Glass Works 3¢ Oct. 1, 1875. A lovely example of this rare 3¢ note. – Heritage Auctions
Rochester, NY- Jew Davids Bank 50¢ Ad Note. An ad note promoting E. Taylor’s Hebrew Plaster, guaranteed to cure everything from spinal disease to hand tumers [sic]. This note, from a time when ethnic sensibilities had not yet reached the refined state we now enjoy, is truly a piece of living history. Fine, engraved by W.L. Ormsby of New York City, a well known bank note engraver. – Heritage Auctions
Salisbury, VT- Vermont Glass Factory $1 Jan. 1, 1814, The factory opened in 1813 employing 40 people. However, it closed in 1815. The scrip for this company was redeemable at the Farmers Bank of Troy, New York. – Heritage Auctions
New York City, NY- Plantation Bank – Drakes Plantation Bitters Ad Note circa 1860’s. This is a great ad note on this merchant that issued encased postage stamps in many different denominations for his product. – Heritage Auctions
Salem, NJ- Salem Glass Works 5¢ Aug. 22, 1870 – Heritage Auctions
(New York, NY) – Vorodyne Universal Pain & Ache Cure Ad Note circa 1870s – Heritage Auctions
Bath, NY- Geo. W. Hallock, Banker 10¢ 1862, Redford, NY- Redford Glass Company 25¢, Mr. Hallock’s banking company began on Jan. 1, 1849. The business was destroyed by fire in 1862 and was rebuilt. The 10¢ note features a very attractive and patriotic eagle vignette at center. The lovely Redford note features a vignette of a glassblower. – Heritage Auctions
Buffalo, NY- Loveridge Wahoo Bitters $100 Advertising Note 1863. This is a rare advertising note. Mr. Loveridge proclaims that his Wahoo Bitters may be drank as a beverage or taken as a medicine. – Heritage Auctions
Cleveland, NY- Cleveland Glass Works 10¢ 187__ Harris 2. This is an issuer we seldom see. This remainder has its handling restricted to the corners. There is an unusually detailed vignette of glass blowing activities at left. – Heritage Auctions
New Haven, CT- O.B. Leavenworth 25¢ Ad Note. An ad note for Dr. Barker’s Tar Syrup, which product promised “To cure your Cough Cold, Catarrh, Hoarseness, Loss of Voice, Difficulty of Breathing, or Preventive of Consumption.” Dr. Barker’s address is listed in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, making this a two state ad note. – Heritage Auctions
Tom Hardy Kentucky Straight Whiskey Advertising Note 10,000 circa 1960s, Old Tom Hardy is the portrait on this advertising note that almost has its lower right-hand corner detached. – Heritage Auctions
Lancaster, PA- Mishler’s Herb Bitters $10 Ad Note, A very scarce ad note for this early patent medicine. This form, which very closely approximates a banknote. – Heritage Auctions
Bridgeton, NJ- (Bridgeton Glass Works) $1 Nov. 1869. A rare note, this $1 remainder is from the Bridgeton Glass Works. The company was established in 1836 and was well known for their historical flasks that are collector’s items today. – Heritage Auctions
Washington, DC- Columbia Bank $3 Oct. 20, 1852, Two Coupon Certificate Issued by Barker, Moore & Mein Medicine Co. An evenly circulated Fine $3 issued by one of the many fraudulent banks during this time period using District of Columbia addresses in an attempt to fool the populace. Part of the United Profit Sharing Coupon plan out of New York and had a cash value of 2/5 cent. – Heritage Auctions
Facsimile T67 $20 1864 for Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pills circa 1890. On the back of this facsimile note are testimonials for Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pills. This Very Fine example has edge tears with the longest being approximately three-fourths of an inch. – Heritage Auctions
The Turner Brothers are each depicted on this Civil War era scrip note payable in Buffalo or New York City. The portraits are extraordinarily realistic and were engraved by W.L. Ormsby. The note also bears the New York Bank Note Co. imprint who did the actual printing. – PCS Currency
Pittsburgh, PA- Hostetter Company 2 1/2¢ Revenue Stamp circa 1880. Hostetter Company produced a “stomach bitters” (gin masqueraded as a medicinal cure-all.) This brand was the most successful of the many due to its high alcohol content. This revenue stamp was soaked off a bottle. The portrait is of Dr. Jacob Hostetter who devised the formula. – Heritage Auctions
Pittsburgh, PA- Hostetter & Smith 1¢ circa 1860 – 1874 Hoober 312-135. Hostetter & Smith produced a “stomach bitter” (gin masqueraded as a medicinal cure-all.) This brand was the most successful of the many due to its high alcohol content. These “notes” were cut from the attached label of the bottle. This was a product that was heavily purchased by the Union Army. Portrait is of Dr. Jacob Hostetter who devised the formula, while one George W. Smith put up the capital. – Heritage Auctions
Basto, NJ- Batsto Glass Works 10¢ Waite UNL A crisp, evenly margined remainder from an issuer we have never before had the opportunity to offer. Waite did not list the 10¢ denomination in his book on New Jersey money. – Heritage Auctions
$1 Berkshire Crystal Glass Works, Berkshire, MA, Extremely Fine. A bare-breasted America tramples on the snake of tyranny as seen on this scarce lithographic – Heritage Auctions
Nice email from Tim Henson that allowed me to compare his new Dr. Smiths (S 127) find to my Dr. Smiths (S 127.5). What do you all think about the 2781 number boldly embossed on both bottles? Could it be “February 7th, 1881” as Tom Doligale suggests or the reversed “1872” as Warren Friedrich suggests? What about the “O.S.”? The best answer here would be “Old Style” right?
Hi Ferd,
I made the Tulsa show this past weekend and got this really nice bitters. We was on our way out when my buddy asked me if I had seen the bitters that another friend of ours got the day of the setup. He said it’s got one of the best applied tops he’s ever seen on a square so I had to check it out, and he wasn’t kidding! It was actually one I’ve wanted. There are 3 variations of this bottle known I believe. A really killer and crude example loaded with seed bubbles and well the top speaks for itself! It’s a St. Louis bottle and the Union Medicine Co. was the sole proprietor. The OS 2781 on the reverse is interesting, perhaps 2/7/81? Hope you enjoy the photos.
~Tim Henson
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
Dr. A.H. Smith’s Celebrated Old Style Bitters – This bitters was heavily advertised in newspapers from Colorado to Georgia in 1873. I have seen no clue as to what the numbers mean. – Eric McGuire
The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127.5), St. Louis bottle. Passes light in the upper half of the bottle. Lots of bubbles. Perfect condition with just a tiny lip roughness. This is from manufacturing. – Meyer Collection
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
DR. A.H. SMITHS OLD STYLE BITTERS (S 127) – Tim Henson
I enjoy collecting squares and notice the article on the Dr. A H. Smith Old Style Bitters. I attached some pics of a S 127 in a light golden amber color. – Frank Wicker www.bottlepickers.com
“DR A. H. SMITH’S / CELEBRATED / OLD STYLE BITTERS – O S / 2781 – THE STANDARD TONIC / AND / BLOOD PURIFIER”, America, 1870 – 1880. Medium to deep amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 8 7/8″, virtually attic mint; (a couple of very minor, 1/8″ or less, onionskin-thin open surface bubbles, otherwise pristine!) R/H #S127.5. A great looking, very scarce bitters, heavily embossed, crude, outstanding condition. – American Glass Gallery Auction #18
[PRG] I am hoping that someone in the New England area, with a knowledge of Lightning Rod Balls, would be interested in visiting and conducting an inventory of this collection. Please contact me if this is a possibility. I may be interested in making an offer for the collection and would certainly partner with someone. If I do not make an offer, I will certainly be directing Melinda to others who may have an interest so please let me know. I will also ask for more pictures.
If you look at the boxes, you will see examples of Chestnut, Hawkeye, Moon and Stars, Ribbed Horizontal “Pee-Wee”, Diddle Blitzen, Plain Rounds, Pleated Rounds, Ribbed Grape, Raised and Flat Quilts, JFG, D & S and W.C Shinn balls etc.
Please read the email below.
Post amended 11 July 2012 with three advertisement submitted by Eric McGuire showing the Mist of the Morning product being sold as Bitters (see below). Also see comment from Eric below. Bob Ferraro examples (2) added on 15 September 2016.
Here is a barrel very similar to the Wormser Barrel (Read more on Peachridge Glass from September 2011: Watching these Wormser Bros SF Belly-Buttons). Same form, size and belly button which of course was the barrel opening or bunghole. I do not possess an example of this Whiskey (see above) barrel, as I am a Bitters collector but trust I will someday as I see from some of the pictures that I have gathered, that they come in some nice amber colors.
What I find especially interesting is the secondary embossing which is noted as the following taken from the pictures I posted. Notice the “S. M.” initials flanking the bunghole on most examples. The “S.M.” has been replaced by “SOLE AGENTS” on the yellow example below. The name “BARNETT & LUMLEY” is also different. I wish I could find some more information on this barrel. Hopefully this will be forthcoming so I can update the post.
Three advertisements submitted by Eric McGuire showing MIST OF THE MORNING being sold as a Bitters product. (top) New York Herald, 14 October 1868, (middle) New York Herald, 28 September 1869, (bottom) Cincinnati Daily Gazette, 31 December 1867.
PS: The two pictures of the barrel superimposed on mist photographs is just me playing around.
Figural Barrel, MIST OF THE MORNING / S. M. BARNETT & COMPANY, deep amber, 10″ high, applied top, bold embossing, America, circa 1860 – 1880 – sold GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Figural Barrel, MIST OF THE MORNING / S. M. BARNETT & COMPANY, deep amber, 10″ high, applied top, bold embossing, America, circa 1860 – 1880 – sold GreatAntiqueBottles.com
“MIST OF THE MORNING / S. M. BARNETT & COMP’NY” Figural Whiskey Bottle, America, 1860-1880. Barrel form, golden amber, applied sloping collared mouth with ring – smooth base, ht. 9 7/8 inches. H #585 Strong embossing, good color, fine condition. Ex Charles B. Gardner collection #585. – Norman C. Heckler & Company
A MIST OF THE MORNING / S. M. BARNETT & COMPANY figural glass whiskey bottle, America, 1860 to 1880. Barrel form, yellow amber with an olive tone, applied sloping collared mouth and smooth base.
Golden Olive Green Barrel Form Bottle marked in raised letters “MIST OF THE MORNING/ SOLE AGENTS / BARNETT & LUMLEY”, tapered lip and concave base. 10″
Golden Olive Green Barrel Form Bottle marked in raised letters “MIST OF THE MORNING/ SOLE AGENTS / BARNETT & LUMLEY”, tapered lip and concave base. 10″
“MIST OF THE MORNING / S. M. / BARNETT & COMPANY”, (Denzin, BAR-61), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, yellow amber barrel, 9 3/4”h, smooth base, applied double collar mouth. Fine condition. When the original mold was made for this bottle, like lot 26 had the words Sole Agent on each side of the indented circle. This embossing was later peened out of the mold and replaced with the letters S. M. Purchased from Dick Judge in 1970. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection – Session 1
“MIST OF THE MORNING / SOLE AGENTS / BARNETT & LUMLEY”, (Denzin, BAR-62), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, deep reddish barrel, 9 3/4”h, smooth base, applied double collar mouth. Near perfect condition and in a difficult to find color! For whatever reason some mold alteration can be seen on several of the logs. Considerably harder to find than lot 25 the Barnett & Company embossed barrel! Purchased from Pacific Glass Auctions in 2001. – Glass Works Auctions #112 – Bob Ferraro Collection – Session 1
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
Three (3) W.S. WRIGHT’s (Virginia City). Early Pacific Glass Works blown bottle. 1. Bluish Aqua 2. Green, crude & a thousand seed bubbles 3. Turquoise – Dennis Bray
This is the green Wright out in the sunlight. I was trying to get a few shots with the light showing off the bubbles, crudity & color (you don’t see very many green examples). – Dennis Bray
Three (3) various Nevada sodas. 1. BREMENKAMPF & REGLI, Eureka, lime green 2. STEPHENS & JOSE, Virginia City, bluish aqua 3. PIONEER / BROWN & CO, Hamilton, light blue – Dennis Bray
THAT’S THE STUFF figural barrel whiskey bottle, America, 1840 to 1880. Bright yellowish golden amber, crudely applied flared mouth and tubular pontil scar. Probably one of only three known examples.
No, this is not a “John” April Fools joke but a pontiled barrel that most of us have never seen or heard of before. And look at the embossing slogan! I think Rick Ciralli summed it up best when he said “Shut the Door…” It is really unusual to emboss a slogan on a bottle as usually the product name and/or maker name is embossed prominantly. Reminds me of the tiny “TRY IT” flask (also pictured below).
That’s the Stuff is the Right Stuff! A few facebook comments…
THAT’S THE STUFF figural barrel – I haven’t seen one since, i liked the slogan so I went for it. Ex: Spiller collection, the other sticker says A.G.E. Laconia 71. – John April
THAT’S THE STUFF figural barrel – Open pontil. Ex: Spiller collection, the other sticker says A.G.E. Laconia 71. – John April
The tiny “TRY IT” flask – John April
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
