The big star in Hollywood, Mississippi is the Imperial Levee

Posted on 26 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

An absolute favorite bottle of mine is the ‘Imperial / Levee / J. Noyes / Hollywood / Miss.‘  figural wine bottle. This bottle comes embossed with the typography noted above and un-embossed. The bottle was made somewhere between 1845 and 1860 and is in the form of a cluster of grapes and grape leaves on a stump. It has an applied mouth with ring and an iron pontil mark. This is a beautiful and very fancy bottle and is probably the finest Mississippi bottle in form, color and age. Most examples are amber, with only a few known in cobalt.

Updated information 13 June 2012: James Noyes – Hollywood, Mississippi & the Imperial Levee

James Noyes Hollywood Plantation was located near Natchez, Mississippi

Updated 13 June 2012: Hollywood is the name of the Noyes plantation near Natchez, Mississippi. Hollywood does not refer to Hollywood, Mississippi.

Vicksburg, Mississippi Levee, after the Surrender, July 4, 1863.

An absolute killer example of this bottle was posted by advanced collector, Charles Aprill on my facebook page a few nights ago per my request. You see, though I have not met Charles, he is a legendary collector of blue bottles and glass. We even spoke once, years ago, about my blue fish. The picture is posted below with a few comments from Charles.

The Casper's Whiskey is for size comparison. The blue on the right is unembossed, but otherwise identical to the famous amber Mississippi whiskey - Aprill Collection

[Charles Aprill describing the bottle] The top and bottom of the bottle are of thicker glass and qualify as “cobalt blue”. The middle, about the grape clusters is thinner glass and is “sapphire”. This bottle is extremely light in weight, surprisingly so. The camera settings are off. The background is a white wall and door, the bottles are sitting on a white marble top table.

[Charles Aprill discussing how he obtained the bottle] I got a Polaroid photo of this blue one, which we kept on the refrigerator for about 25 years. The owner was not identified and the dealer wouldn’t left me know who it was. Just a tiny tease. Suddenly I was informed he wanted to sell. I jumped and it has had a happy home for the last 10 years or so.

Figural Cluster of Grapes - eBay 2005

One of the rarest of the Imperial Levee bottles (pictured above) was this 10″ Figural Cluster of Grapes on a Stump in cobalt blue sold on eBay in 2005 for $18,800. I have owned two or three unembossed examples over the years and have added a few pictures below. I think I will put Charles’ blue example on my refrigerator door for good luck!

Unembossed example Figural Grapes - ex Meyer Collection

Unembossed example Figural Grapes - ex Meyer Collection

Unembossed example Figural Grapes - John April

Unembossed example Figural Grapes - John April

Posted in Civil War, Collectors & Collections, eBay, Facebook, Figural Bottles, History, Whiskey, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Snuff Bottles

Posted on 25 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Extreme rarity in Early American Glass, from the famed Norman Heckler Sr collection. Behold the " Pitkin sided snuff" - Rick Ciralli

I was looking at all of the Peachridge Glass (PRG) post categories (see the right area of every page) thinking I had written about American snuff jars and bottles before and was surprised that I had missed this intriguing area. Actually yesterday, PRG was one year old, as I launched the site on 24 April 2011. Well over 500 posts and nothing on Snuff… until now.

Most snuff jars have a distinctive, box-like appearance and wide mouth. 

Well back to snuff, which is a tobacco product either powdered or taken (snuffed) into the nostrils by inhalation or ground and placed between the cheek and gum. While popular amongst the royalty in early Europe, the product declined amongst the well to do around 1850. Snuff is still widely used today throughout Europe.

Most snuff jars have a distinctive, box-like appearance and wide mouth. Many of the early examples are pontiled. The glass colors are usually yellow olive, olive green and a greenish amber.

Braille dot pattern on base

Apparently, many of the early jars have dot patterns on the base. The jars were filled before the labels were put on because of the strength properties of the snuff, so the packers needed the dots to know what went where. Most folks were illiterate back then, so dots were used instead of words. 5 and 6 dots would indicate heavy snuff for the mouth, which was not to be sniffed. A pontil marked, 1840-1850’s snuff may have two marks purposely made with iron rods on the bottom while a 20th century machine made snuff had the dots too. I would like to hear more about this from the snuff jar collectors.

Looking around the web and facebook allowed me to use a few pictures to show how nice-looking these bottles are.

Early New England black glass is GREAT! - Michael George

Michael George: The big snuff I got from Rick Ciralli compared to an "average" sized snuff!

Three embossed snuffs, J.J. Mapes, Leonard Appleby and E. Roome - Michael George

Incredible 18th century snuff - Jeff Noordsy

Here is a small group of snuffs...mostly New Hampshire - Michael George

A pair of larger snuffs in clean colors - Rick Ciralli

Two embossed snuffs - Charles Aprill

Bubbly, rich green Snuff jar - Rick Ciralli

A pair of early snuffs, probably Hartford County, 1800-1820 - Rick Ciralli

Snuff grouping - Cindy Suter

Octagonal (not square with beveled edges but eight equal sides). Unquestionably New England and probably Connecticut in origin - Jeff Noordsy

Nice, yellow-toned Snuff - Rick Ciralli

Colloquially referred to as the Pitkin egg. This example came from a Southerner by the name of Richard Haygood. It arrived in Vermont wrapped in a sock and packed in "popcorn" (not the foam stuff but the type you put butter on) – Jeff Noordsy

Rick Ciralli notes Snuff's acquired from Jeff Noordsy, Norman Heckler Sr, Dana Charlton-Zarro, Jeff Noordsy again and the last lil pup is now in the Michael George collection

Beautiful puce colored, open pontil Snuff - John April

Rich green Snuff - Rick Ciralli

Three Snuffs posted by Steven James Anderson

Unusual shaped snuff - ex Noordsy

Over the years, called a snuff and a mustard. The bottle was dug about 15 years ago by Roy Topka in the rough area of Mount Vernon/Mount Pleasant. Also in the hole were half a dozen Brinckerhoffs (which I bought second hand at the time for $400 and struggled to sell for $450), multiple Phoenix Bitters and the famed "Icelandic Balm for Pulmonary Consumption." The piece has a HUGE tubular pontil scar and some interesting base markings. It is to this day the only example I've encountered - Jeff Noordsy

Open pontil and iron pontil. A. Delpit / No.16 / ST. Louis St. / New Orleans, Yellow-green and deep red-amber. circa !842-1858. c.a. - Charles Aprill

Two very interesting mid Atlantic snuffs. Both are badly damaged but blown in the same dip mold. The one on the left is an amber with darker striations shading to black in the shoulder and lip. The one on the right is a pale yellow green shading to a yellow-amber in the lip. These along with the blue Baltimore star ink came of out an 1830s-50s privy dug in west Baltimore – Chris Rowell

Big green Hartford County snuff - Jeff Noordsy

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Early American Glass, Glass Makers, History, Peachridge Glass, Snuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Dr. J. Boveedods Imperial Wine Bitters

Posted on 25 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. J. Bovee Dods’ Imperial Wine Bitters

25 April 2012 (R•072014) (R•122314)

Apple-Touch-IconAJohn Bovee Dods (1795 – 1872) was a spiritualist and former clergyman. He settled in Brooklyn, New York in 1850, and remained there until his death. His Imperial Wine Bitters were advertised in newspapers around the country from 1859 to 1861, first making an appearance for sale in December 1858. They sold for a $1 dollar a bottle or 6 bottles for $5 dollars.

From Civil War authority Jim Schmidt (Spring, Texas) (see Civil war Medicine (and Writing):

was “mining” some 1861 Galveston papers this evening and came across some bitters ads…

Wow, what was this New York bitters doing in a Galveston, Texas newspaper? The Dr. Bovee Dod’s is a great big, gorgeous aqua bottle that gets lost in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Hams Bitters Bottles and Supplement books because it was incorrectly given a ‘D’ designation for Doctor, I suppose. Some think it is unlisted. It is however a D 80 index.

I like when I get information like this because it allows me to connect it with a bottle and hopefully an example I own (see pictures below). Notice how the advertisement spells Bovee Dods’. It is also neat that the advertisement confirms the Ring and Ham Charles Widdifield & Co. NY address but also includes a G.A. Behrman, Galveston as Sole Agent for Texas.

BoveedodsSign

 Dr. John Bovee Dods

D 80  DR. BOVEE DODS’ IMPERIAL WINE BITTERS, Circa 1855 – 1865,
DR. J. BOVEEDODS // IMPERIAL / WINE BITTERS // NEW YORK // sp //
Charles Widdifield & Co.   Proprietors   78 William Street
10 x 3 3/4 x 2 1/4 (8) 3/8
Rectilinear, Aqua, DC, Applied mouth, 4 sp, Rare
New York Daily Times 1859, A delicious beverage and cures sore throat, consumption, paralysis, indigestion and pyles. Works like a charm!

“A delicious beverage and cures sore throat, consumption, paralysis, indigestion and pyles. Works like a charm!”

“Dr. J. Bovee Dods’ Imperial Remedy and Imperial Wine Bitters for safety, speedily, and effectually restoring the system to health, and preventing disease.”

DR. BOVEE DODS’ IMPERIAL WINE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

DR. BOVEE DODS’ IMPERIAL WINE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

BoveeDods_The_Plymouth_Weekly_Democrat_Thu__Sep_26__1861_-2

Dr. J. Boveedod’s Imperial Wine Bitters advertisement – The Plymouth Weekly Democrat, Thursday, September 26, 1861

Credit: Dr. J. Bovee Dod’s Sign from Henry Tankersley
Posted in Advertising, Article Publications, Bitters, Civil War, Collectors & Collections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Small Inkwell Bottles Page

Posted on 24 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A stunning array of small inkwells has been posted on facebook over at Bottle Collectors of late.

(includes various additions of importance from elsewhere)

Discovered in the wall of a house in Northern NY state. Blown three mold construction inkwell. Suspected Mount Vernon Glassworks – Michael George

Small Inkwell Bottles Page

24 April 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAA stunning array of small inkwells has been posted on facebook over at Bottle Collectors of late. It is so exciting to see a collector post a great ink, and then someone else posts a picture of another ink. All with information! WOW. This is so exciting!. Our hobby is growing at so many levels and facebook is at the forefront of a new digital era that is linking collectors, research and great glass images. I am also seeing a trend of collectors taking more time to photograph their gems which is so very important.

I plan to add to this page and expand in specific areas as I did earlier with the “Star of Baltimore” post and the Umbrella Ink post. As noted in many posts previously, all images on Peachridge Glass, are being archived for the FOHBC Virtual Museum project.

Read More: Umbrella Inks in the News

Read More: The “Star of Baltimore”

Read More: Hinks Inks – Post 1 “This Guy collects Labeled Inks”

Read More: Hinks Inks – Post 2 “John hINKel”

Read More: Hinks Inks – Post 3 “Carter’s Ink Company”

Colorless BTM Inkwell – John April

A couple of shouldered Cone Inkwells – Michael George

GII-15 Mt Vernon type Geometric Ink – John April

Monster XR blue Umbrella Ink – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Very early Connecticut Annular Ring Inkwell – Michael George

Green labeled Igloo Ink – John April

Redware Ink, Connecticut, circa: 1730’s – Charles Flint

Left to Right – op purple/wine type tone, pink 12 sided op, op puce ink and a smooth based lilac purple that looks like watered down welch’s grape juice – John April

Geometric Ink in a spectacular shade of green, believed to be the GIII-25 mold attributed to the Boston & Sandwich Glass factory – Michael George

Bubbly open-pontil Cone Ink – John April

Ailings Ink Bottles posted by Lucy Faulkner

Pinkish puce ink recovered from a demolition near the Baltimore area. Expanded mouth, maybe a mucilage or for some other use – Michael George

S.O. Dunbar, Taunton Mass & Harrison’s inks – John April

Labeled Umbrella that recently sold on e-Bay from Burlington NJ

New England Door Knob Ink with pontil – John April

Diminutive-sized, light-colored Pitkin Square Ink – Michael George

A really old and dark Cone Ink – John April

Beautiful blue Cone Ink dug in California – Matthew Tigue Levanti

Bennington, Vermont Ink in a Rockingham glaze. circa1820-1840’s – Charles Flint

Connecticut Annular Ink – John April

1 1/8″ tall ex-Covill cobalt blue Tea Kettle Ink – John April

Blown three mold Annular Ring Inkwell (also pictured at top of page) – Michael George

Beautiful yellow green Baltimore Star Ink – GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Three Cottage Inks – 2012 Glass Discoveries Auction

They are known as “melon” inks, and this one was made 28 rib dip mold. They are attributed to CT, 1780-1820 – Michael George

Umbrella Inkwell with “R” embossing – Lucy Faulkner

Warren’s Congress Ink – Michael George

Ohr_Biloxi_Inkwell

George Ohr Pottery Cabin Inkwell, Mississippi, ca. 1880 – 1900, mottled olive green glaze, 3”h, ‘G.E. Ohr / Biloxi’ impressed on the base, perfect condition. A classic Ohr Pottery cabin inkwell with windows, doors, stone chimney and roof opening, typical of Southern Mississippi cabins of the late 1800’s. – Glass Works Auction #96

OHR_Cannon_GW96

George Ohr Pottery Cannon Inkwell, Mississippi, ca. 1880 – 1900, mottled brown glaze cannon on an olive green glaze mount, 2 1/4”h, 5” long, ‘G.E. Ohr / Biloxi’ impressed on the base, A tiny chip is off the edge of the base, otherwise in perfect condition. The cannon and mount are two separate pieces of clay joined together. Extremely rare, we have not seen another like it! – Glass Works Auction #96

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Facebook, Glass Companies & Works, Inks, Stoneware | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The “Star of Baltimore”

Posted on 23 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

You just have to love these umbrella style inks called the ‘Star of Baltimore” or ‘Baltimore Star“. Different from an Umbrella Ink in that the sides are concave and create the form of a star when viewed from the bottom.

At a recent Baltimore Antique Bottle Club meeting, Phil Edmonds casually gestures with a small cornflower-blue bottle with a sunburst-shaped bottom, a mid-19th-century ink bottle type known as “The Star of Baltimore” that he found on a privy dig. “This is probably a $1,500 bottle,” he says.

Quote from Baltimore City Paper 29 February 2012

Typically pontiled (made by a glassblower by hand, and have a telltale mark on the bottom called the “pontil scar” where the rod that held the bottle in place as it was formed was snapped off) and dug primarily in the Baltimore area, the Stars were a product of Baltimore Glass Works which was known for producing glass in a variety of unusual colors, particularly from the 1840s to the 1860s. At its peak in the 19th century, glass production was Baltimore’s third-largest industry, in part because of the vast, varied output of Baltimore Glass Works, a factory based in Federal Hill.

 

In their midst, he also found an amber open-pontil scalloped or star umbrella ink in perfect condition.

Quote from Christmas Isn’t Just for Kids!
But for dedicated bottle diggers, too!
 by Andy Goldfrank

A few great pictures to look at…..

Beautiful yellow green Baltimore Star Ink - GreatAntiqueBottles.com

Baltimore Star Ink Bottle in a rich olive green - April Collection

Similar to figures 139 and 140 in Covill's book. This Baltimore Star example is a blood amber/puce color - Antique Ink Bottle Hall of Fame

Dark Sapphire Blue Baltimore Star - April Collection

Pontil mark on the dark sapphire blue Baltimore Star - April Collection

Posted in Article Publications, Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, Glass Companies & Works, History, Inks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bennett’s Stomach Bitters – A real puzzler

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

In from my friend, Civil War authority Jim Schmidt:

see: CIVIL WAR MEDICINE (AND WRITING)

* Thanks to Rick DeMarsh for token, and newspaper submissions.

Stomach Bitters   1.75

Sure Death to Rats   2.00

1866 D.M. Bennett bill-head from Cincinnati, Ohio…recently added to collection…see the Bennett’s Stomach Bitters listing!…”Sure Death to Rats” poison Love the name…D.M. Bennett did issue a Civil War Proprietary Medicine Stamp (re30)..Enjoy!

D. M. Bennett, Cincinnati druggist, produced one or more proprietary items. Private die stamps were issued for his firm from February, 1865 through August 17, 1871. 329,700 were issued on old paper.

This is a puzzle to me. There are two western Bitters squares, a BENNET’S CELEBRATED STOMACH BITTERS (B 73) and a BENNET’S WILD CHERRY STOMACH BITTERS (B 74) both with SAN FRANCISCO embossing. Note there is only one ‘T’  in BENNET on the western examples. What bottle is this billhead referring to when they say D.M. BENNETT and Cincinnati druggist. I need help on this one folks. I have come up with the following on D.M. Bennett:

DeRobigne Mortimer Bennett

Dr. D.M. (DeRobigne Mortimer) Bennett compounded Dr. Bennett’s Family Medicines. Dr. Bennett learned to compound drugs while studying herbal medicine during the time that he was a member of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (i.e. the Shakers). Bennett is probably most famous as “the founder, publisher, and editor of the Truth Seeker, the largest and most radical free thought and reform journal in the world” as described by as Roderick Bradford in his article titled “Theosophical Odyssey of D. M. Bennett”. 1856 Williams’ Cincinnati Directory: not found. 1859-1860 Hawes’ Ohio State Gazetteer and Business Directory: not found. 1860 Williams’ Cincinnati Directory: D.M. Bennett, druggist and apothecary, southwest corner of Chestnut Street and Western Row. 1860-1861 Hawes’ Ohio State Gazetteer and Business Directory: “Cincinnati . . . Bennett D.M., druggist, cor. Central Ave. and Chestnut.” 1861 Williams’ Cincinnati Directory: “Bennett D.M., druggist, 435 Central Av.”. 1862 Williams’ Cincinnati Directory: “Bennett Derobigne M., drug store, s.w.c. Chestnut and Central Av., h. 21 Chestnut.” 1863 Williams’ Cincinnati Directory: “Bennett Derobigne M., druggist and apothecary, proprietor of Bennett’s Family Medicines, and manufacturer of sealing wax, s.w.c. Central Av. and Chestnut, h. 21 Chestnut.” 1864 Williams’ Cincinnati Directory: “Bennett Derobigne M., druggust & apothecary, and manufacturer of sealing wax, & c., s.w.c. Chestnut & Central Av., h. 21 Chestnut.”

Posted in Bitters, Civil War, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, History, Poison Bottles, Tax Stamps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Really liking this “Charleston Shield” Superior Soda Water

Posted on 22 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Really liking this “Charleston Shield” Superior Soda Water

22 April 2012

You can not miss this eBay listing for a blue Superior Soda Water or “Charleston Shield”. The bottle is drop dead gorgeous and is in great condition. This has to be one of my favorite sodas because of the embossing, locale and the various colors that I have seen.

I recently saw a run of these at Mike Newman’s (see pictures below) house in Augusta, Georgia. Anyway, the eBay listing is as follows:

Damage Free – Iron Pontil – Smokey Blue – 100% the real thing –  Charleston Shield

eBay: 9965ralph Huntley, Illinois

eBay description:

Voted as one of Charlestons top ten most famous bottles. Many of these have been tampered with replacing the missing tops, this one is 100% there, no repairs or any other real concerns, a dug bottle fresh to me from the privy and guaranteed to be original! Professionally cleaned by me, (and to use an over used phrase), to its original luster!!! All kidding aside it truly is a top shelf gem of soda deserving a prominent place on your shelf.

It is virtually stain free, save a small spot on one side of the interior upper most part of the neck, retaining some minor ground-ware mainly in the form of light sporadic scratching and a few mineral swirls, there are no chips, dings, cracks or any other form/s of damage!!!! It is a smokey blue in color almost having a tone of gray to it. The pictures are accurate and you get a real good idea of its true color!!! A knock out gotta have it soda in excellent shape!!!!

Iron pontiled with a thick grayish residue remaining. It has a super crude undamaged taper top and it is guaranteed not to have been repaired or altered in any way. There is no heavy ground-ware on the shield/eagle etc. Itself, and it is bodly embossed from the top of its sun-rays to the bottom of it’s branches and from flag to flag, in other-words a strong strike top to bottom as well as side to side on its front with the famous rays/pikes/ eagle/shield/flags and branches.

On it’s reverse and unlike most, this one is strongly embossed in the usual very thin print: superior/soda water with the ‘er’ in water being a bit weaker than the rest of the lettering but there is no problem reading them, or in other words they are all very legible and mentioned for complete accuracy only as this soda is a glow in the dark gem that displays well in any situation. The pictures are an accurate portrayal of it, my feedback speaks for itself, so please bid with confidence. 7-3/4” x  2-5/8″. Estimate: S1,700-2,300

Superior Soda Water “Charleston Shield” typography – eBay

Superior Soda Water “Charleston Shield” eagle and shield embossing – eBay

Within a minute Tom popped out another soda: an iron-pontiled Superior Soda Water with an embossed eagle, shield and crossed flags in cobalt!

Looking around on the internet I found a great digging story where many great bottles were found including a Superior Soda Water “Charleston Shield” Read further: Christmas Isn’t Just for Kids!
 But for dedicated bottle diggers, too!
 by Andy Goldfrank. The phrase “Within a minute Tom popped out another soda: an iron-pontiled Superior Soda Water with an embossed eagle, shield and crossed flags in cobalt!” really jumps out. I can only imagine the excitement of finding a bottle like this.

I have also posted some pictures of Mike Newman’s Superior Soda Waters which were spectacular when I saw them in Augusta on a visit to see his magnificent collection last year.

Read More: Mike Newman Bottles – Upstairs Sodas

Read More: Mike Newman Bottles – Upstairs Flasks

Read More: Mike Newman Bottles – Downstairs

Superior Soda Waters “Charleston Shield” – Newman Collection

Superior Soda Waters “Charleston Shield” – Newman Collection

Superior Soda Waters “Charleston Shield” – Newman Collection

blackish Charleston Eagle/Shield that recently sold on eBay for close to $5,000

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, eBay, Soda Water | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AT & Co. means Asher S. Taylor & Company

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

AT & Co. means Asher S. Taylor & Company

21 April 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAAhh…what a nice trio of AT & Co bottles that are represented in the American Bottle Auctions | Auction 55 that is now on line. AT & Co. means Asher S. Taylor & Company.

I first became aware of these bottles when I saw them pictured in Jeff Wichmann’s Antique Western Bitters Bottles which honestly, was instrumental in fueling my passion for collecting Bitters Bottles back when I started in 2002.

Interestingly enough, the AT & Co. is prominently embossed in an oval on the shoulder but does not have the word ‘Bitters’ embossed on the bottle. Most likely, the bottle was labeled with one of the Bitters products marketed by Taylor. This is an elaborately shaped bottle with a beautiful neck design that is like no other.

AT & Co pictured on Page 22 of Wichmann’s Antique Western Bitters Bottles book

Jeff notes in his book that many AT & Co. bottles, usually found in yellow, amber and olive amber,  were unearthed in the famous San Francisco dig in 1998 at the 19th century recycling plant.

For more information on Asher S. Taylor I reference Warren B. Friedrich’s landmark book Early Glassworks of California.

[referencing Early Glassworks of California by Warren B. Friedrich]

Asher S. Taylor is primarily know for operating a soda water factory (see bottle patent below) in San Francisco and Sacramento. Having his background in the soda water industry, Taylor may have concocted a bitters beverage for which he applied for two trademarks on January 17th, 1868: one for his Champagne Wine Bitters and the second for his Champagne Soda Bitters. After only s brief time of advertising his Champagne Wine Bitters, Taylor filed for a trademark of a Calisaya Bitters on July 22, 1869. In the 1871 San Francisco Directory, Taylor was listed as an agent for a Sparkling Medicated Gin Bitters.

The elegantly shaped bottles is most likely a product from the San Francisco Glass Works. The Pacific Glass Works was out of blast at the time Asher Taylor marketed the Champagne Wine Bitters, however the Pacific Glass Works was the only glassworks in operation at the time Taylor advertised the Calisaya Bitters in July 1869.

 

Read more: Asher Taylor’s Sacramento Connection at Western Bitters News

AT & Co | Lot 95 | American Bottle Auctions | Auction 55

Lot 95 AT & CO on shoulder with applied top. We are lucky enough to have three of these unusual western bottles in this sale. Until the San Francisco dig of 1990, there was only one of these bottles thought to exist. A number were found in that dig and they have been collected and treasured by western bitters collectors ever since. Through the work of Warren Friedrich and his exhaustive efforts in uncovering the Asher Taylor provenance, much more is now known about this interesting bottle. For more information please refer to Early Glassworks of California. This example is amber and a pretty one at that. As all of these examples are revealed, you’ll see three mint specimens in varying colors. Interestingly the three-piece mold accommodates a great deal of whittle in the upper section with some lesser crudity through the bottom. A terrific example in the hard to find amber. The top appears a little different color than the bottle. Grades 9.8.

AT & Co | Lot 96 | American Bottle Auctions | Auction 55

Lot 96 AT & CO on shoulder with applied top. And another of the Asher Taylor bottles, this one also in super condition in an olive coloration. Under high intensity light we are seeing some nice bubbles and crudity again mostly in the upper half. Maybe a few light scratches but generally a Grade 9.6.

AT & Co | Lot 97 | American Bottle Auctions | Auction 55

Lot 97 AT & CO on shoulder with applied top. This last example is a brilliant yellow and is one that will really stand out in any collection. Taylor started in New York in the 1850’s before coming to San Francisco in 1854 and then Sacramento. According to Friedrich, his Champagne Wine Bitters was marketed in Sacramento, he also filed for a trademark for Calisaya Bitters in 1869. The history is intriguing and very worthwhile for collectors of early western glass. We doubt a trio of these will be offered again for some time.

Asher S. Taylor patent for Soda Bottling Apparatus

Asher S. Taylor patent for Soda Bottling Apparatus

Just a nice group of three Bitters Bottles with the AT & Co on the right. The left is a Lacour’s and the center is a Drake’s.

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Color Runs, Glass Companies & Works, History, Soda Water, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bitter Witch – What a great name!

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Bitter Witch – What a great name!

21 April 2012 (R•043016)

Apple-Touch-IconAIn looking at the latest American Bottle Auctions | Auction #55 I was impressed, as usual, the the variety, depth and presentation of the bottles. That is expected. Next I was drawn to the BITTER WITCH flask which is usually passed by, by many collectors, because some say it did not contain a Bitters product nor does it have the ‘s’ on bitter.

This really doesn’t concern me. This is still a neat flask to collect (you will see pictures of my amber one below). With a double rolled lip and the sensuous flask shape, it is propelled into greatness by the addition of the horseshoe which gracefully follows and compliments the contours of the bottle shape.

the horseshoe usually points downward and it is said that “no witch will pass under it.”

Now a little on the horseshoe. Without a doubt, the most commonly encountered lucky charm in modern North America is the horseshoe. In regions where the horseshoe is placed facing upward, folks believe the horseshoe must point up “or the luck runs out.” In places where it is hung facing downward they say exactly the opposite, “it must point down so the luck can pour onto you.” However, in its function as an amulet for magical protection, especially over the doorways of barns and stables, the horseshoe usually points downward and it is said that “no witch will pass under it.”

The Bitters Witch example in Jeff Wichmann’s auction is a great color as you will see.

First the Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham Bitters Bottles listing:

B 112.5  BITTER WITCH, Circa 1870-1875
BITTER / motif horseshoe with TRADE / MARK / WITCH // sp //
8 x 4 x 2
Flask, Amber, DCM, Applied mouth, 2 sp
A Westeren brand.

The description in the American Bottle Auctions listing is as follows:

BITTER WITCH. Double roll applied collar. Here we have a western bottle that leaves some people scratching their heads. Although it has the name “Bitter”, it also has a horseshoe and is frankly a little odd. An old wives tale notes that witches were at one time afraid of horses and one could nail a horseshoe (open end down) onto their front door to prevent witches from entering their home. We’re not sure if this works, but it couldn’t hurt to try. Whatever the story, there’s nothing odd about the curved “R’s” and this beautiful yellow olive. In addition, it has some nice overall crudity with a double roll collar. A terrific San Francisco bottle, this is as good as they get. Grades a 9.8. See the great video of Jeff describing this bottle. Click Bitter Witch.

I did see some dialog over at Western Bitters News related to a Pratt’s New Life posting that I have noted below:

“I thought I saw an ad many years ago when I was reading an old 1870s Marysville newspaper at the Marysville library, showing Pratt as being the manufacturer or originator of the “Bitter Witch” product. Has anyone else seen something similar showing Pratt being involve with that product?”

“Interesting that you would bring that up. At the Anderson bottle show recently, I was talking to Tom Jacobs who mentioned a Bitter Witch with a full label was shown at the annual Ken Schwartz open house a few years ago. He mentioned that the manufacturer was indeed a well known medicine manufacturer in S.F. but could not recall exactly which one it was. he was going to send me a photo he had taken of the label. When and if I receive it, I will post it. From what he could recall, Bitter Witch was not a bitters or tonic, but a general remedy and cure all. Dale M.

Bitter Witch Man_Los_Angeles_Herald_Tue__Mar_16__1875_

The Bitter Witch Man – Los Angeles Herald, Tuesday, March 16, 1875

Read: Mystery of the “Bitter Witch” finally solved.

Yellow olive BITTER WITCH – ABA Auction #55 – Lot 93

Yellow olive BITTER WITCH – ABA Auction #55 – Lot 93

Amber BITTER WITCH – Meyer Collection

Amber BITTER WITCH – Meyer Collection

Amber BITTER WITCH – Meyer Collection

Amber BITTER WITCH – Meyer Collection

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Flasks, Historical Flasks, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Antique & collecting hobby is under attack!

Posted on 20 April 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

[Incoming PRG email…can this really be true?…anybody know anything about this? This could be a real mess..our Liberty as bottle and glass dealers may be at stake]

Dear Antique Faire shoppers, flea market enthusiasts and collectors everywhere,

Assembly Bill 391 is moving quickly with a priority status and is now in final stages at the Senate Public Safety Committee before being voted on by the State Senate and it threatens the future of our antique faire as well as all similar events statewide!

In the guise of creating an electronic reporting database to recover stolen property, it will force secondhand dealers, Pawnbrokers and coin dealers to report via an electronic database, (yet to be created and maintained with the fees that will be required) ALL secondhand tangible property — except firearms — which have been purchased, taken in trade, taken in pawn, accepted for sale on consignment or accepted for auctioning within 24 hrs of purchase. If you, as a collector, ever plan to resell anything, then this affects you as well.

Currently the Bill calls for all property to be reported. We believe the legislators do not understand how the antique business works or how dealers sell. Many do not have brick and mortar shops or a means of submitting electronic reports in the manner and timeline they are requesting. If AB 391 goes through, many of them will no longer be able to engage in the business of buying used goods and selling them at venues like our antiques faire and you will see the faire shrink in size until it closes down.

Antique dealers and secondhand dealers currently hold business licenses and pay fees, State Resale taxes and Income tax, so they are accountable too. We believe this class of sellers should be excluded, except for specific classes of high theft goods that are over a determined $ value. We also believe that auction houses should be exempted since they place all material to be sold on public display.

Passage of this Bill will require sellers of ALL secondhand tangible property to:

1) Obtain fingerprints and photo ID from anyone that sells them merchandise.

2) Report daily or on the first working day following the receipt or purchase of secondhand tangible personal property to a statewide electronic database. Full description, serial numbers and inventory of each item purchased.

3) Hold all merchandise for 30 days prior to selling anything.

4) Register as a Second Hand Dealer, submit fingerprints relative to a required criminal background check and pay an initial licensure fee & annual renewal fee of up to $300.

5) It appears the way the bill is written, they would be required to obtain the above licensure for each location in which they sell.

Needless to say this would devastate the antique industry and force a majority of dealers out of business. This would also lead to the end of events such as our faire, flea markets garage sales, and secondhand stores.

Please review the latest updates to Assembly Bill 391 using this link. We implore you to call the Governor’s office, your local State Senator and the Senators on the Public Safety Committee today. If it passes, it will take effect immediately.

AB 391 is very serious. Call the Governor’s office and as many State Senators as possible.  And please forward this email to your collector friends!

GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN

Use this easy link to send a letter to Governor Brown and tell him what you think:

Or send a letter:

c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814  Phone (916) 445-2841

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY:

Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 9:30am, Room 4203

& 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 9:30am Room 3191

Senator Loni Hancock (Chair) 916-651-4009 (Capital Office) 510-286-1333 (Oakland)

Senator Joel Anderson (Vice Ch) 916-651-4036 (Capital Office) 619-596-3136 (El Cajon) or 951-676-1020 (Temecula)

Senator Ron Calderon 916-651-4030 (Capital Office) 323-890-2790 (Montebello)

Senator Tom Harman 916-651-4035 (Capital Office) 714-957-4555 (Costa Mesa)

Senator Carol Liu 916-651-4028 (Capital Office) 818-409-0400 (Glendale)

Senator Curren Price 916-651-4026 (Capital Office) 213-745-6656 (Los Angeles)

Senator Darrell Steinbert (Pro Tem) 916-651-4006 (Capital Office) 916-651-1529 (Sacramento)

When speaking with Representatives and Senators, please stress that this will turn honest dealers from being a taxpayer to someone needing assistance and force tens of thousands of citizens out of work statewide.

Stress that antiquing is pure recycling and a major GREEN activity. All the things that Antique Dealers will no longer be able to sell will go to the landfill. This Bill is anti-recycling.

Remind the Legislators there are millions of Californians that love going to antique fairs and will be very upset when their hobby is taken away from them.

Educate them on the thousands of variations in the merchandise.  What would a database be like that encompassed such a massive listing of items?

Do they really understand?  Even breaking it into categories would still leave hundreds of variations. Will the law enforcement officials have the time and wherewithal to search it?  Or will all the time and expense fall short and do nothing but force dealers out of business and end the fun and savings of buying vintage items?

Don’t let this happen!  Please speak up now. Your input will help them create a more viable solution.

Sincerest Regards,

Allen Michaan, President

Antiques By The Bay, Inc.

Posted in Advice, Bottle Shows, News, Questions | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments