More on Harrison’s Columbian Inks

Posted on 9 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

When it rains ‘ink’ it Pours!

09 May 2012

The Aprils (that is John April and Charles Aprill (2 l’s) have continued to dominate the airways with their phenomenal INK posts of late. It has really been hard for me to keep up with the quality bottles and pictures that have been wowing so many people on facebook.

1853 Harrison’s Columbian Perfumery & Ink Advertisement

I am pausing here today to capture, nest and present some incredible April | Aprill photographs for HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKS.

I personally like grouping these photographs as it allows me to compare bottles, lip treatment, sizes, embossings etc. and add support images if possible. Just look at the Harrison’s examples below and decide for yourself, that these two gentlemen deserve a moment of applause for sharing such great pieces. In most cases, these Columbian’s are extremely rare and desirable ink bottles.

Read More: Two simply stunning inks in drop dead colors

Read More: Small Inkwell Bottles Page

Read More: The “Star of Baltimore”

HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKS, cylinders on left, panels on right. 9 in all. The two small paneled Harrison’s are just fine. Not as common as the cylinders. Mebane had the larger. He never did get a good tiny one. The half gallon is ex: Charles Gardner collection. The three 12 panel inks on the right are scarce. Harrison really did use very pretty bottles – Charles Aprill

Gorgeous green, 4″ tall, open pontil HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – John April

Two large gallon inks embossed HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK. Look at the expanded mouth example and the scale next to the two National Bitters (Ear of Corn figurals) – Mitchell Collection

Three small paneled HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKS in different colors – John April

Two small paneled HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK’s. Not as common as the cylinders – Charles Aprill

Gallon HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – Sandor Fuss Collection

Two extremely rare, HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK’s with near complete labels – Charles Aprill

HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK, cylindrical, 7 1/4″ high, medium blueish green, extremely rare and possibly unique in this color – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Extremely rare, HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK, brilliant sapphire blue, octagonal, pontil scar, 1 7/16″H, inwardly rolled mouth, a mint bottle with somewhat weakened embossed lettering. American, probably blown at the Whitney Glass Works, Glassboro, NJ, C. 1850, extremely rare color – Jeff & Holly Noordsy

Gallon HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – Mike Newman Collection

Rare HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN – INK, medium green, octagonal, tubular pontil scar, 1 5/8″ H, inwardly rolled mouth, American, C. 1850, rare color. Blown from green Jersey bottle glass, this delightful little ink is a super example of a very tough to find bottle. Typically blown in pale shades of aquamarine, this colored example is quite uncommon and undeniably beautiful – Jeff and Holly Noordsy

Gallon HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INK – OldBottleCollector.com

Range of HARRISON’S COLUMBIAN INKs in aqua. Note labeled examples on ends. Mitchell Collection

5″ Harrison paneled master & 4 1/2″ cylinder – Charles Aprill

4 1/2″ o.p. Harrison’s – John April

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Facebook, Inks, News, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Both Blue Fish Together Again – at least online!

Posted on 9 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

It is kind of a gray-blue rainy day here in Newport News, Virginia. What a nice time to post some blue fish bottles. Charles Aprill posted his blue fish last night on facebook. We talked three or so years ago about his example and I wrote about it in the FOHBC Bottles and Extras. Here both blue fish bottles appear on the same page!

“The bottle was being used to feed Liniment to a horse”. 

Blue Fish Bitters - Aprill Collection

Spread 2 - Exploration & Documentation

Read: Glass Passion and Color Part II : Exploration and Color

*as reprinted from The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) Bottles & Extra Magazine. November-December 2009.

Download PDF: Article_2

[Excerpt from article] As you may be aware, I was fortunate enough to obtain the classic Cobalt Blue Fish Bitters recently in a private transaction. This bottle came from the Don Keating collection thru an intermediary. This addition to my collection was very public and I believe created much positive publicity because I chose to be open and display the bottle on my table at the Pomona National FOHBC Show this past August.

With the publicity generated, this opened the doors for gathering information about this bottle. Through discussions and e-mails I have been able to gather the following valuable information to digest:

1) During the recent FOHBC Show, a trusted collector shared that this same bottle was discovered many years ago in Waupaca, Wisconsin on a farm. The bottle was being used to feed Liniment to a horse. A bottle collector discovered this and purchased the bottle for $500.00 and flipped it for $1,000.00. During the open Bitters Forum at the show, other collectors shared stories of the next series of owners.

2) The elusive owner of the only other known Blue Fish bitters contacted me and confirmed that their bottle lip is offset, ie. R/H F46. The owner looked at it again at my request and in good light and with a magnifying glass confirmed that there is no ‘The Fish Bitters’ embossing on the gills. Their bottle has a sheared lip. They further stated that their bottle ‘came from Elvin Moody (Ohio) many years ago’ and that ‘he had purchased it at a Skinner’s auction in Bolton Mass. in the mid 80′s’ he believed.

3) From another e-mail, ‘That fish appeared at the 1976 EXPO in St. Louis. I recall that the rumor then was that it had been purchased for the princely sum of $5,000.00. The good old days’.

Cobalt Blue Fish Bitters - Meyer Collection

Read More: World Famous Cobalt Blue “The Fish” Bitters

Posted in Article Publications, Bitters, Bottles and Extras, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, FOHBC News | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Western Bitters Survey 2012

Posted on 8 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Western Bitters Survey 2012

THE TOP 20 WESTERN BITTERS

08 May 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAThe western Bitters collectors, which is a strong, passionate group, have reactivated their desire to determine the TOP 20 WESTERN BITTERS. This task was done some years ago apparently.

This is somewhat of a challenge without defining qualifications such as:

What is a western Bitters?

Are we talking about a specific Bitters brand?

Should the word Bitters be on the bottle? on the label?

Are we talking about Bitters molds too?

Historical significance?

Eye appeal?

Desirability?

Rarity?

Voting pre-qualification?

Should points be used?

Extra points if the bottle has California, San Francisco etc embossed on bottle?

I suppose, in the end, this all has to weigh in when you cast your vote. Without a doubt, the major qualification should be that ‘the bottle was made at a Western (California) glass works’ such as Pacific Glass Works or San Francisco Glass Works.

Here is the post (see below) from Dale Mlasko from Oregon, that got me involved as I hold many nice western Bitters myself. I tried not to post mostly green bottles. The bottles are anonymous though many of us can determine the owners. I thought about making all bottle pictures black and white but that was painfully difficult to do. I also am asking for better pictures if they are available and looking for a Dr. Hauseman’s German Bitters (flask) picture or actual bottle!

Please send me an email of your top 20 for RANKING compilation or post on this site or Western Bitters News. I suggest we announce at the FOHBC 2012 Reno EXPO.

[from Western Bitters News]

Recently I was reviewing older posts on this blog, and came across the “Western Bitters Survey”. I also noticed that this survey was compiled without the internet, and prior to the forum Western Bitters News. Being mainly western bitters focused in my collecting, and the apparent increase in the popularity in these gorgeous and historically significant bottles, I thought that perhaps this survey of the top 20 western bitters could be tabulated by anyone who has the ability to post their top 20. Just thought it would be interesting…Dale R. Mlasko

For what it’s worth, here is mine…

    1. Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters (Cassin,s)
    2. California Bitters | Frisch
    3. G.A. Simon’s
    4. Dr. Wonser’s Indian Root Bitters
    5. Oregon Chittum Bitters (square)
    6. Lacour’s
    7. Chalmer’s Catawba
    8. California Wine Bitters | M. Keller
    9. Old Man’s Stomach Bitters
    10. Dr. Miller’s Ratafia
    11. Widemann & Chappas
    12. Salutaris Bitters ( shoulder embossed)
    13. Dr. Boerhaave’s
    14. Alex Von Humboldts
    15. Dr. Hauseman’s German Bitters( flask)
    16. Dr. Hauseman’s German Bitters( square)
    17. E.G. Lyon’s
    18. V. Squarza
    19. Rosenbaum’s (small)
    20. Wormser Bros. Barrel

Some bitters are great, but just not in the “western” way…Bryant’s, Catawba, etc. Dale

AT & Co (Asher Taylor & Company)

AT & Co (embossed monogram in oval on shoulder), Very interesting neck design. BITTERS not embossed on bottle. Assumed Bitters product. Colors range from amber to olive amber and yellows. Exciting color runs possible. AT stands for Asher S. Taylor. Not listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C Ham’s Bitters Bottles or Bitters Bottles Supplement.

AFRICAN STOMACH BITTERS

AFRICAN STOMACH BITTERS, R/H numbers A15, A16 and A18. Also embossed SPRUANCE STANLEY & CO on A16 and A18. A San Francisco product. Round, amber bottle. Look for crude examples with applied top.

ALPINE HERB BITTERS | T.T. & Co. (motif in monogram)

ALPINE HERB BITTERS (motif shield with monogram TT&CO), R/H A37. Square, amber bottle. Look for examples with an applied top.

DR. BOERHAAVE’S STOMACH BITTERS

DR. BOERHAAVE’S STOMACH BITTERS, R/H B133. Square, amber, yellow-olive and green. Extremely rare. Siegfried & Philip Wertheimber & Louis Waterman, San Francisco.

CALIFORNIA BITTERS | MANUFACTURED BY J.G. FRISCH | SAN FRANCISCO

CALIFORNIA BITTERS R/H C12. Tapered, amber rectangle. One complete example known. Broken and re-assembled examples exist.

CALIFORNIA WINE BITTERS | M. KELLER LOS ANGELES |  M.K. (monogram)

CALIFORNIA WINE BITTERS, R/H C24. Round cylinder that comes in exciting shades of green. A Los Angeles Bitters. Label reads M. Keller’s Celebrated Los Angeles Wine Bitters

CASSIN’S GRAPE BRANDY BITTERS

CASSIN’S GRAPE BRANDY BITTERS, F.P. Cassin, San Francisco, California. base viola shape, sensuous bottle. R/H C78 and C79. Great colors and color range possibilities. Two primary different molds.

CHALMER”S CATAWBA WINE BITTERS | SUTTERS OLD MILL | TRADEMARK

CHALMER’S CATAWBA WINE BITTERS R/H C119 (C119.5 missing SUTTERS OLD MILL). One example known of C119.5. Good looking, round, aqua cylinder with motif-oval with cabin in woods. Look for character. SPRUANCE STANLEY & CO PROPRIETORS

GRAND PRIZE BITTERS

GRAD PRIZE BIOTTERS, L…Dr. Cooper’s Celebrated Grand Prize Bitters, R/H G89, Louis Taussig Co, Sole Agents, San Francisco, California

DR. THOS. HALL’S CALIFORNIA PEPSIN WINE BITTERS

DR THOS HALL’S CALIFORNIA PEPSIN WINE BITTERS, R/H H11, Square, amber. Look for examples with applied top.

DR. HARVEY’S BLOOD BITTERS

DR HARVEY’S BLOOD BITTERS. R/H H67. Rectangular, rounded amber bottle with sunken panels. Thought from Salinas or Fresno, California.

DR. HAUSEMAN’S GERMAN BITTERS

DR. HAUSEMAN’S GERMAN BITTERS, R/H H70, Extremely rare, amber square. Looking for picture of flask with the same name.

DR. HENLEY’S EYE OPENER

DR. HENLEY’S EYE OPENER, Extremely rare cylindrical quart. Very limited production. Not listed in R/H

DR. HENLEY’S WILD GRAPE ROOT IXL BITTERS

DR.HENLEY’S WILD GRAPE ROOT IXL BITTERS, R/H H85. One of a series of Dr. Henley round cylinders with various embossings.

LACOUR’S BITTERS SARSAPARIPHERE

LACOUR’S BITTERS SARSAPARIPHERE, R/H L3, Three distinct variants. Round, lighthouse patterned favorite among collectors, Nice color range for runs.

E.G. LYONS & CO. MANUFACTURERS SANF CO.

E.G. LYONS & CO. MANUFACTURERS SANF. CO., not embossed BITTERS. Very rare square. Not listed in Ring & Ham. Backward ‘N’. Good color range.

DR. MILLER’S RATAFIA DAMIANA | SIEBE BROS. & PLAGEMANN S.F. | SOLE AGENTS PACIFIC COAST

DR. MILLER’S RATAFIA (motif of pegasus) DAMIANA SIEBE BROS. & PLAGEMANN S.F. SOLE AGENTS PACIFIC COAST, R/H M90, round, amber, whiskey shape. Bottle embossed with a sphinx.

O.K. BITTERS

O.K. BITTERS, Extremely rare, cylindrical quart. An unsuccessful product for Dr. Henley.

OLD MAN’S STOMACH BITTERS | MARCUS SASS

OLD MAN’S STOMACH BITTERS / MARCUS SASS, R/H O42. Extremely rare, amber square. Possibly one complete known example.

OREGON CHITTUM BITTERS | DR. G.W. BROWN’S

OREGON CHITTUM BITTERS | DR. G.W. BROWN’S, recent find, only know example, unlisted. Amber square.

ORIZABA BITTERS |  J. MARISTANY JR.

ORIZABA BITTERS | J. MARISTANY JR., R/H O88, odd shaped amber rectangular Bitters. Extremely rare.

PERUVIAN BITTERS (motif monogram in shield W&K)

PERUVIAN BITTERS (motif monogram in shield W&K), J.C. Wilmerding and Calvin W. Kellogg, San Francisco, California. R/H P66, Amber square. Look for applied top examples. Typically in amber, there are known examples in clear, aqua and SCA.

Dr. Place’s CUNDURANGO Bitters

L…Dr. Place’s Cundurango Bitters, embossed CUNDURANGO two sides. R/H P106, Geo. W. Chesley & Co., Sacramento, California. Square comes in interesting shades of amber, green and aqua. Possibilities for color run.

DR. RENZ’S HERB BITTERS

DR. RENZ’S HERB BITTERS, R/H R36-R38. Large and small letter variants. Great color range. Very popular square Bitters.

ROSENBAUMS BITTERS | N.B. JACOBS & Co.| SAN FRANCISCO

ROSENBAUM’S BITTERS, Very rare square listed as R93 and R94 (Typographic differences). Color groups possible.

SALUTARIS S.F. BITTERS | BYRNE & CASTREE

SALUTARIS S.F. BITTERS, Extremely rare, round lady’s leg. Green. Shoulder and base embossed.

G.A. SIMON’S MEDICATED AROMATIC BITTERS

G.A SIMON’S MEDICATED AROMATIC BITTTERS, R/H S112, Extremely rare square. Amber, puce and yellowish green. Only a few undamaged specimens.

STOCKTON’S PORT WINE BITTERS

STOCKTON’S PORT WINE BITTERS (motif monogram SW TRADE MARK), popular amber, rectangular bottle. R/H S198

V. SQUARZA

V. SQUARZA (Vincent Squarza), Presumed Bitters not listed in R/H. Cobalt blue pint, applied square collar. Labeled Bitters. No many known examples.

ALEX VON HUMBOLDT’S STOMACH BITTERS

ALEX VON HUMBOLDT’S STOMACH BITTERS, Very rare square, R/H V31.Hazlett & Miller, agents for the United States. Nice color possibilities with amber, yellow, green and yellow olive.

J.WALKER | V.B.

L…Dr. Walker’s California Vinegar Bitters. A rather common bottle but still a favorite with collectors. Nice color range possibilities. Base embossed. Not embossed BITTERS.. R/H W11

E. WIDEMANN & J. CHAPPAS

E. WIDEMAN & J. CHAPPAS, Spelled incorrectly. Assumed Bitters. Maker of ALPINE HERB BITTERS. Round cylinder. Shoulder embossed. Good colors in the less than 10 complete specimens known.

DR. WONSER’S U.S.A. INDIAN ROOT BITTERS

DR. WONSER’S U.S.A. INDIAN ROOT BITTERS, W146, Strong, round bottle with ornate fluting on shoulder and rings on neck. Great color possibilities. Highly popular and collectible.

DR. WONSER’S BITTERS U.S.A.

DR. WONSER’S BITTERS U.S.A., square, aqua version of the popular Dr. Wonser’s Bitters. Very rare, Aqua. R/H W145.

WORMSER BROS. | SAN FRANCISCO

WORMSER BROS (motif bullseye) SAN FRANCISCO, popular western barrel. Usually in amber, yellow and green (extremely rare). R/H W162.5

YERBA BUENA BITTERS, S.F. CAL

YERBA BUENA BITTERS | S.F. CAL, popular flask usually in amber, aqua and green. Extremely rare. R/H Y3-Y4.

 

Posted in Bitters, Glass Companies & Works, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jeff & Holly Noordsy Glass on display at the Philadelphia Antiques Show

Posted on 7 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Jeff & Holly Noordsy (visit their web site) posted photos from their booth at the 2012 Philadelphia Antiques Show. What an extraordinary layout and sense for dramatic appeal. The Noordsy’s always do things right whether it is for an indoor Antique Bottle Show or Antique Show or outdoor display such as the Annual Heckler Columbus Day Hayfield Event. Jeff did post, “the show was crazy busy and the hours were unbearably long. Did make some nice sales though”.

[PRG] I actually feel like I am in Winterthur when I look at this.

Posted in Art & Architecture, Collectors & Collections, Early American Glass, Museums, News, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The McKearin Historical Flask Groups

Posted on 5 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I have created a list of the McKearin Historical Flask Groups. This chart will help in identifying the major flask groupings. I also keep the BLASKE COLLECTION, The Edmund & Jayne Blaske Collection of American Historical Flasks handy for reference.

The McKearin Historical Flask Groups

Group I – Portrait Flasks

Numbers 1 through 61 are Washington Flasks, 
Numbers 62 through 79a include Adams, Harrison, Jackson and Taylor, 
Numbers 80 through 93 are Lafayette, Numbers 94 through 98 are Franklin, 
Numbers 99 through 107a are Jenny Lind. Other portrait flasks are listed in molds 111 through 131

Group II – American Eagle Flasks

There are 144 molds in American Eagle flask group

Group III – Cornucopia Flasks

There are 18 Cornucopia molds in this flask group

Group IV – Masonic Flasks

There are 43 molds in the Masonic flask group

Group V – Railroad Flasks

There are 12 Railroad flasks in this group

Group VI – Baltimore Monument Flasks

There are 7 flask molds for the Baltimore Monuments

Group VII – Cabin bottles

There are 6 molds in this Cabin flask group

Tom Haunton officially extended this group and added molds as documented in his book, Tippecanoe and EG Booz, Too

Group VIII – Sunburst Flasks

There are 30 flasks in the Sunburst group

Group IX – Scroll or Violin Flasks

There are 52 in the Scroll group

Group X – Miscellaneous Flasks

33 flasks include Good Game, Sloop, Murdock & Cassel, Summer/Winter, Jared Spencer, American System, Stoddard Flag among others.

This was the final group as documented in American Glass. The following groups were added with the publication of American Bottles and Flasks and Their Ancestry:

Group XI – Pike’s Peak Flasks

There are 54 molds in the Pike’s Peak flask group

Group XII – Shield and Clasped Hands

There are 43 molds listed in this group

There are several unlisted flasks known

Group XIII – Pictorial Flasks from the 1850 to 1880 Period

The group includes over 90 flasks including Flora Temple, Horseman/Hound, Sheaf of Wheat, Baltimore Glass Works/Anchor and others.

Group XIV – Traveler’s Companion Flasks

The are 9 flasks in the Traveler’s Companion Group

Group XV – “Lettered” Flasks

There are 28 mold in the Lettered flask group

These are mostly flasks with embossing indicating a particular glass works.

Posted in Early American Glass, Flasks, Historical Flasks, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

David Kyle gets the Capital Bitters on eBay

Posted on 4 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

First of all, congratulations to my friend, Dave Kyle from Thousand Oaks, California.

I first heard about this specific Capital Bitters in an email from a contact in Baltimore close to a year ago. I was rather excited because I knew this was an extremely rare bottle from Washington D.C.  I was approached a second time about the bottle from a leading dealer in a bar in Memphis this past July at the FOHBC National Bottle Show in Memphis, Tennessee with another ‘potential’ opportunity to obtain this bottle. As things go, everything went quiet…until about two weeks ago when this puppy showed up on eBay. I had 3 or 4 emails quickly notifying me of the posting so it was nice to finally see it again…Well a few things changed. Here is where we are now:

Hi Ferd, I am enclosing 4 pics of this “Capital Bitter’s Company Washington DC” bottle that “Ring/Ham’s Bitter’s Bottles” book has listed as “Extremely Rare”, reference # C-39. I’m wondering whether you or any of our “Hard Hitter’s” of the Bitter’s World either have seen or even heard of this bottle. I just won this from a gentlemen In Maryland on eBay at a reasonable “Reserve Price”. He bought It some years ago from a guy that was either dredging or digging In the Chesapeake Bay. He kept it for a few years and then decided to sell it and had an offer of $25k.

Through a very unfortunate accident, the bottle ended up with multiple cracks!! The cracks do not show at the front of the bottle and the embossing shows quite nicely. The glass is brilliant and very clean. I have checked Jim Mitchell’s “Antique Bottle Auction Price Results” book and ironically, there Is not ONE single listing of this bottle that has auctioned”. I also have checked other great Bitter collectors that have had their collections auctioned off, as per Gardner, Chris Batdorf, Burt Spiller, Judge MacKenzie and Bryan Grapentine, they evidently did not have this bottle.

Anyway Ferd, I’d like to throw this out and see if I can get any info at all about the bottle. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and keep up the good work guy. 

I have an update Ferd. After checking your archives about April 2011 and see you viewing this bottle that Sandor Fuss has. I’m sure absolutely mint and reading “Froggys” comment about Frank Kurcheski, did Sandor get the “Capital” from Frank and if so, how much?? Anyway, I’m delighted to have an example, even with the cracks. What’s the alternative? Wait for another perfect one? YEAH that’ll work!!

Dave Kyle

[PRG] I have seen the only other perfect example on three occasions during visits to see the magnificent Sandor Fuss collection in Denver, Colorado. Read More: Capital Bitters – Washington, D.C. I had also place a modest bid, as did Froggy (Jeff Burkhardt) to start things off. It is also ‘rumored’ that a third example resides in a reclusive collection in Virginia. Dave’s four pictures are represented in this post.

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, eBay, News | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The McKearin Group VIII – Sunburst Flasks

Posted on 4 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SunburstTrioHeckler

Sunbursts are considered one of the oldest of the American Geometric and Historical Flasks and are generally attributed to the period of 1815 to the early 1830’s.

The McKearin Group VIII – Sunburst Flasks

04 May 2012 (R•032214)

Apple-Touch-IconAThe collectors of Sunburst flasks have been posting some great pictures recently on facebook. My wife and I are admirers but not collectors of these gorgeous pieces that have a common ‘sunburst’ motif on the face of each flask. To understand the the basics of the 30 various molds in the McKearin Group VIII – Sunburst Flasks, I decided to review existing information in my library and online resources. Bill Ham has done a great job in two previous articles in Antique Bottle & Glass Collector that I used for the backbone of this post.

Sunbursts are considered one of the oldest of the American Geometric and Historical Flasks and are generally attributed to the period of 1815 to the early 1830’s. This dating results from historical research and the manufacturing techniques of the flasks. The Sunburst Flasks are all made with 2 piece molds with pontil scar bases and most having shred mouths. Except for the letter embossing on three forms, the sunburst patterns on both sides of the sunburst flask forms are essentially identical.

With many types of antique bottles and flasks, such as bitters, sodas, and medicines, the embossed names, products and locations, advertising, and paper labels greatly simplifies their historical research. Very limited historical information is available for sunburst flasks because they are from the early periods of the glass houses when good records were not maintained, or destroyed in glass house fires. Only 3 of the approximately 33 sunburst forms are letter embossed. There were no paper labels on the flasks because they were purchased without contents and then filled and refilled in bars and saloons.

Read More: Two Extraordinary Wide Mouth Sunburst Snuff Jars

Connecticut Sunburst Flasks

The first geometric flasks, those with sunburst and Masonic patterns were blown in about 1815. The first historical flasks, those commemorating a historical person or event were not blown until about 1824. Sunburst and Masonic flasks were blown at a number of glass houses during the approximate 1815-1830 period including two in Connecticut, the Pitkin Glass Works, East Hartford, and the Coventry Glass Works, Coventry. Historical flasks were also blown at these glass works. (Read More: Connecticut Sunburst Flasks by and with permission from Bill Ham)

Examples of Connecticut Sunburst Flasks

The Keene Embossed and Similar Sunburst Flasks

The three sunburst forms having letter embossing are the GVIII-8, GVIII-9, and GVIII-10, with “KEEN” in the center on one side and “P & W” on the other. These three flasks are attributed to the Kenne-Marboro Street Glass Works, Keene, New Hampshire. All the other sunburst flasks have been attributed to glass houses or regions through historical search of records, digging in the ruins of the various glass houses (2) and the similarity of glass quality and color between a sunburst form and other flasks forms from known glass houses. Two very similar sunburst forms that do not have the letter embossing, the GVIII-11 and GVIII-12, have been attributed to the Keene-Marboro Street Glass Works and New England, respectively. (Read More: The Keene Embossed and Similar Sunburst Flasks by and with permission from Bill Ham)

Examples of Keene Embossed and similar Sunburst Flasks

Sunburst Picture Gallery

I have compiled some picture and hope my bottle friends will continue posting their examples for inclusion into this gallery.

Here are a few New Hampshire sunbursts – Michael George

Four gorgeous GVIII-18’s in colors….One of my favorite molds in Group 8 – Rick Ciralli

GVIII-2 sunburst flask, the ‘Keene 2-Pounder’ – Meyer Collection

Rare colored “PITKIN” GVIII-16 sunburst 1/2 pint…Also made in Coventry – Rick Ciralli

Two GVIII-3 Coventry sunbursts – Mike Brauser

Here is another grouping of Connecticut sunbursts. From L to R: GVIII-3a, 7, 5a, 3 & 5 – Michael George

Two gorgeous green sunbust GVIII-5’s – Mike Brauser

Beautiful GVIII-7 sunburst – Maryo Collection

One of my all time favorite molds and very popular among flask collectors for it’s shape and form is the GVIII-18, here are some colors – Rick Ciralli

Sunburst flasks as sunrise – John April

I have this thing for sunbursts – a pair of GVIII-5’s and GVIII-5a’s – Rick Ciralli

GVIII-8 Keene Sunburst embossed P&W – ex: Meyer Collection

GVIII-11_067

Sunburst Flask, Keene Marlboro Street Glassworks, Keene, New Hampshire, 1820-1830. Sunburst designs encircling a plain oval on each side, brilliant greenish aquamarine, applied sloping collared mouth with ring – pontil scar, half pint; (1 inch series of cracks on the bottom corrugated edge on one side and a shallow flake with a 1/2 inch crack on the other corrugated side at the base). GVIII-11 in an unlisted color This bottle was found in a Glastonbury, Connecticut attic. It retains an old cork and some content residue. It will clean, it is not stained. Displays wonderfully. Rare unlisted color. – Heckler Auction 102

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Flasks, Glass Companies & Works, Historical Flasks, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glasshouse Turtle Whimsies

Posted on 4 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Recently on facebook, one of our more advanced collectors of early American glass posted a picture of some glass turtles in a garden setting (see below). It reminded me of some of the more whimsical glass pieces that I have collected over the years prompting this post.

Glass workers did not have time to amuse themselves with their creations during working hours. Pay scales were equated to the volume of the product or numbers of piece work. A major problem the workers faced when they made a whimsey, was preventing someone else from taking it. The item had to be cooled in the left overnight, and whoever was first to get to work the next morning had the opportunity to grab the whimsey if he was so inclined. Some workers just expected their whimsies to disappear and were surprised when it was still there for them to have.

These whimsical items the glass blowers made on their own time included canes, chain, hats, sock darners, doorstop turtles, bellows bottles, bells, witch balls, banks, powder horns, pipes, rolling pins, horns, and many more items. In fact, there are additional items coming to collectors’ attention every year. These include witch wands, gavels, screw drivers, pistols, and swords.

Glass “turtles” were easily made by glass workers. By taking a full ladle of molten glass and lying it on a table or cooling rack, and gently pulling at the glass for the legs, tail and head, a turtle was made! Reference: Glass House Whimsies By Mark and Elaine Corriero.

Here are a few pictures. I welcome additional pictures so I can add to this gallery.

FIGURAL TURTLE WHIMSIE in the crude form of a turtle. Probably a Stoddard glass-house piece, Stoddard, New Hampshire. Length 6 inches, pontil scar. Most unusual to find a pontiled example. Circa 1840 – 1870 – Meyer Collection

FIGURAL TURTLE WHIMSY, ice blue in the form of simplified turtle. Length 6 inches. Commonly known as turtle door stops. Circa 1840 – 1870 – Meyer Collection

A South Jersey dump turtle. These are often hard to say where they came from but this one has been attributed to Clevenger Bros. – sjerseyglass.com

South Jersey dump turtle. Crude and may have been used as a doorstop – sjerseyglass.com

Two Turtle Whimsies escaping from glass cabinet, or something like that. Posted by Woody Douglas on facebook

FIGURAL TURTLE WHIMSY, sea green, in the form of simplified turtle. Length 6 1.2 inches. Commonly known as turtle door stops. Circa 1840 – 1870 – Meyer Collection

South Jersey Turtle Doorstop – Old South Jersey Glass and Antiques

Deep green GIV-34 farmer’s arms Kensington Glass Works whimsey. There is a picture of this same whimsey on Page 433 of American Bottles & Flasks and Their Ancestry by McKearin/Wilson, its a great side view. Now THAT is a piece of glass! – Joe Butewicz

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Washington – Taylor Portrait Flask out of the woodwork….or something like that

Posted on 3 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

“Our flask was recovered from a privy in the Historic District in downtown Savannah. The privy dated to about 1820 and was in use until around 1900. The bottle was recovered from a “cleanout” pit about 8 feet deep adjacent to the privy. The privy was cleaned out and rebuilt after 1865”

Ferdinand,

Continuing our discussion of bottles coming out of the woodwork…thought this might make for interesting viewing…

This bottle is in our upcoming May 16th auction and has just surfaced… literally! Recently dug in Savannah, Georgia – one of the digging team writes “Our flask was recovered from a privy in the Historic District in downtown Savannah. The privy dated to about 1820 and was in use until around 1900. The bottle was recovered from a “cleanout” pit about 8 feet deep adjacent to the privy. The privy was cleaned out and rebuilt after 1865”.

This Washington – Taylor Portrait pint flask is a brilliant light yellow – an extremely rare color, with this example being particularly light to the point of having it appear almost clear in some portions near the midsection of the bottle. Good story, but even better color and strong embossing to boot!

Here is a video of the bottle being unearthed that was also provided by the digging team: http://youtu.be/HUSHLZQCk24

Hope all is well!

Jason Heckler
Norman C. Heckler

T. W. Dyott’s Glass Works at Richmond & Beach, as seen from the Delaware River, 1831

[from 19th Century Bottle Digging] The Dyottville Glass Works was built in 1770. At that time it was known as the Philadelphia Glass works. In the early 1800s Thomas W. Dyott came over from England and purchased the glass house. He proceeded to build an establishment called “Dyottville” it remained the ‘Dyottville Glass Work’s” into the 1930’s.

Dyottville was more then just a glass factory,it was a home for more the 300 boys and young men. These workers were molded at a young age to blow glass at the factory, Dyott had a strict manor about him and strong morals.He made sure his workers followed his lead. He believed that European man and the alcohol tainted American man had no place in his glass blowing business. The rules and regulations these boys (workers) had to follow were nothing short of bizarre. Here are a few examples.

1. No swearing, improper or abusive language.
2. 5$ fine or optional with proprietor,dismissal for breaking the rule prohibiting liquor on the premises.
3. 5$ fine for disobeying the orders of a superior.
4. Personal cleanliness and “necessary ablution” before meals,school and church.
5. Use of all fines to purchases books for the Dyottville Apprentices Library.
6. Strict prohibition of every species of gambling.
7. Immediate notification of the superintendent in case of a journeyman’s illness,so another could take his station in the factory,and in case of an apprentice,report to the principal teacher.

T.W Dyott was running a small community/glass factory. There was a school, church,hospital, library and a farm. He was a very interesting man indeed.

Posted in Auction News, Digging and Finding, Early American Glass, Flasks, Glass Companies & Works, Historical Flasks, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Celestial Dr. Planett’s Bitters

Posted on 3 May 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The Celestial Dr. Planett’s Bitters

03 May 2012 (R•101514)

Apple-Touch-IconAPam and Randy Selenak (Orange, California) recently returned from this wonderful Key West Vacation where they immersed themselves with bottles found in dives along the coast. Read further: Island Alex – A Man With A Passion. During a phone call during their trip, Pam asked me about a Dr. Planett’s Bitters that Alex had found. I said it was a great bottle and wondered what it was doing down in the Keys. I guess it thrown over a ship at some point. Anyway, Pam just informed me that the bottle was purchased from Alex and will be joining them in California.  A short trip I suppose for such a celestial bottle. Congratulation Pam and Randy. I suggest getting Marty Hall to clean it or just leave it alone it is so beautiful. Coincidentally, I purchased my super example of a Dr. Planett’s (see pictures below) from Marty Hall 5 years ago exactly. Marty was able to buy it from a collection where it has resided for 30 years. Again a short period for our celestial friend. I would hope my bottle detective friends might help me get some more information on this bottle.

“Alex intrigued me with his collecting of bottles by diving in the Key West waters”.

P 107  DR PLANETT’S BITTERS, Circa 1850’s

DR PLANETT’S / BITTERS // f // f // f //
9 3/4 x 3 1/4 (7 1/8) 1/2
Square, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Metallic pontil mark, Very rare
The Journal & Eagle (Preoccupies, N.Y.) July 20, 1850,

Newspaper advertisement: Create a healthy action throughout the body, restore the appetite, equalize the circulation, give tone and energy to the system, a create a power of resistance to disease in all its form, rarely to be obtained. They will perform a speedy and permanent cure of dyspepsia, ingestion, flatulency, general debility, liver complaint, and all the train of symptoms commonly called nervous affections. Headache will be immediately relieved by the use of this invaluable compound, which is purely vegetable, and is adopted to all ages and conditions. Females will find this delicate and palatable preparation, a combination of tonic, alternative, and apparent qualities, peculiarly adapted to their systems. The specific action that this article has on the liver and digestive organs, renders it complete antidote for fever and ague and bilious and typhus fevers.

Dr. Planett’s Bitters – Meyer Collection

Dr. Planett’s Bitters – Meyer Collection

Dr. Planett’s Bitters – Meyer Collection

AGGLot164

Dr. Planett’s Bitters – American Glass Gallery Auction #13

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments