Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters

Posted on 28 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters

28 March 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAThere have been two (2) previous Peachridge Glass ‘Mountain’ post responses based on a question Matthew Tigue Levant asked over on facebooks Antique Bottles for Sale page, posting that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

“looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”

My first response and post, based on his question, was the extremely rare DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS – XR Square. The second post was on a far different looking bottle called ULMER’S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY.

This prompted a comment on the Dr. Black’s, “Beautiful example, it’s shame there is not a city and or state embossed on the bottle… is it from the Rocky’s or was it an eastern quack trying to capitalize on Western fever? And where can I hope to dig one?! I could swear I have seen a smaller size “Rocky Mountain Bitters”, (with that embossed in one line), with sunken panels. Possibly I’m confusing it with something else, the Sharp’s maybe? Thanks for posting Ferdinand” from Mathew Levant.

 “Possibly I’m confusing it with something else, the Sharps maybe?”

I do have an examples of a Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters that I won in a Glass Works Auction in 2003. It is probably the bottle that Mathew is referencing. Look at the upside down apostrophe in Sharp’s. That is pretty cool.

The bottle is rated Rare but it could be more than that, maybe Very Rare as I have not seen too many examples since 2003.

As with many older Bitters examples, I can not tell you much more than what is listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book which is as follows. We will have to wait until some advertising and/or a labeled example surfaces.

S 95  SHARP’S MOUNTAIN HERB BITTERS, Circa 1870 – 1880,

SHARP’S // MOUNTAIN HERB // BITTERS // f //
9 5/8 x 2 5/8 (6 1/2) 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Rare
Apostrophe upside down in Sharp’s

SHARP’S MOUNTAIN HERB BITTERS – Meyer Collection

SHARP’S MOUNTAIN HERB BITTERS – Meyer Collection

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ULMER’S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I did a post earlier today in response to Matthew Tigue Levant, over on facebooks Antique Bottles for Sale page, posting that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

“looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”

That made me pause and think a moment about my Bitters collection. The Dr. Black’s Rocky Mountain Biters, Blue Mountain Bitters, Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters and Mountain Root and Herb Bitters came quickly to mind. I suspect that there are others so when I reunite with my collection at home I will look.

So this morning I responded with a post on DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS – XR Square. Jeff Noordsy (see Jeff and Holly Noordsy) sent a comment attached to the post (I love when this happens) and said “Can’t forget one of my favorites, the elusive “Ulmer’s Mountain Ash Bitters.” Pontil as well!

“Can’t forget one of my favorites, the elusive “Ulmer’s Mountain Ash Bitters.”

Well. Jeff is right. I did forget. And guess what. I have a great example of this extremely rare, gorgeous, oddball, medicine styled aqua Bitters. As with many older Bitters example, I can not tell you much more than what is listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book which is as follows. We will have to wait until some advertising and/or a labeled example surfaces.

U 2  ULMER’S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS, Circa 1840 – 1860,

ULMER’S ( au ) / MOUNTAIN / ASH / BITTERS // REMEDY // c // NEW GERMAN //
7 1/2 x 3 3/8 x 2 (5)
Rectangular oval, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare
Unusual for a rectangular bottle to have two curved sides.

I did look up ‘Mountain Ash’ and found the following:

Mountain Ash is a name used for several trees, none of immediate relation.

It may refer to Eucalyptus regnans, the tallest of all flowering plants and other floral species, Fraxinus texensis, an ash tree species in Texas. Trees in the genus Sorbus in North America (mainly U.S.), which are often styled as mountain-ashes to convey their unrelatedness to true ashes.

Mountain Ash (Welsh: Aberpennar) also is a town and community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, deep in the South Wales Valleys of Wales. Mountain Ash is situated in the Cynon Valley and has a population of 7,039. Mountain Ash lies within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan.

Possibly dead ends here or maybe not. I’ll keep looking and keep my ears open.

ULMER'S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY - Meyer Collection

ULMER'S MOUNTAIN ASH BITTERS REMEDY - Meyer Collection

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS – XR Square

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Matthew Tigue Levant over on facebook Antique Bottles for Sale posted that he is “looking for any med, bitters, cure bottles with the word “Mountain” embossed in the glass”.

That made me think a moment about my Bitters collection. The Dr. Black’s Rocky Mountain Biters, Blue Mountain Bitters, Sharp’s Mountain Herb Bitters and Mountain Root and Herb Bitters came quickly to mind. I suspect there are others so when I reunite with my collection at home I will look. The Dr. Black’s which constitutes this post is Extremely Rare. I actually have two (2) examples from the Dr. James Carter Collection that was auctioned off by Glass Works in successive auctions back in 2008.

As with many cases, I can not tell you much more than what is listed in Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham’s Bitters Bottle book which is as follows. We will have to wait until some advertising and/or a labeled example surfaces.

B 116  DR. BLACK’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS, Circa 1865 – 1875

DR W. H. BLACK’S / ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS // f // f // BLACK & RICHARDSON / PROPRIETORS // // b // B.F.G. CO.
9 x 2 3/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare,

(Example A) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

(Example A) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

(Example B) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

(Example B) DR. BLACK'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN BITTERS - Meyer Collection (ex: Dr. James Carter Collection)

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – A Semi-Cabin in Sapphire

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – A Semi-Cabin in Sapphire

Sometimes life repeats itself…

26 March 2012 (R•121218 – Info on Samuel Sherwood Smith) (R•040119 – Aprill example)

Apple-Touch-IconAIn this post I would like to explore the commonalities between the beautiful coloration and faceting of blue Sapphire gems, the S. S. SMITH JR & CO. figural, rectangular semi-cabin (that probably contained a bitters, whiskey or rye) from Cincinnati, Ohio and Bombay Sapphire Gin (my preferred Gin).

The chamfered bottle design of the S. S. Smith certainly reminds me of the gem we are familiar with and the Bombay Gin bottle. Sapphire is a color that responds well to light and can refract lighter and darker tones that are gorgeous. Who wouldn’t want to pick this bottle off the shelf of a merchant in 1870 or so. I know I can usually spot this color and brand in a field of many behind a bartender now.

Sapphire is the official birthstone for the month of September as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also one of the birth stones for the Zodiac signs of Pisces, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius. Sapphire is given as a gem for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries while a star sapphire is given on the 65th wedding anniversary.

Sapphire is the non-red variety of corundum (the red variety of corundum is ruby). A 9.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire is the second hardest natural mineral.

Blue is by far the most popular color for sapphires, but they can be almost any color, including yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple. Padparadscha is the name for a rare orange-pink variety of sapphire and has a higher value than blue sapphires.

Bombay Sapphire’s Ad Campaign is Projected & Infused with Imagination

In the Glass Works Auction 94 this past March 2012 (Ides of March Auction) (see picture below) one of these S.S. Smith gems showed up. An example has not made an appearance for years. These are really tough to come by. I purchased my example in 2006 (see pictures below) in a private transaction from an East Coast dealer and auctioneer. I wish I had more information on the bottle such as a label or advertising but alas, I can not find a thing. I have heard rumors of an amber example. [Updated with amber information below] Hopefully this post will ferret out some more information from my collector friends.

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O. – Meyer Collection

Glass Works Auction 94 “The Ides of March” Auction. Closed 19 March 2012.

This example sold for $4,312.50 including auction house premium. Most examples have sold historically (I have seen two or three including my own) for around $6,500 meaning someone really got a deal.

148. “S.S. SMITH. JR & CO / CINCINNATI. O.”, (Denzin-SMI-21), Ohio, ca. 1870 – 1880, medium cobalt blue semi-cabin, 9 5/8”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth, perfect condition. For those of you who collect these popular semi-cabin bottles, this is a hard one to find, and gives you a chance to add some nice color to the collection!

S.S.Smith_GW98

“S.S. SMITH. JR. & CO / CINCINNATI, O.”, (Denzin SMI-21), Ohio, ca. 1865 – 1875, medium cobalt blue semi-cabin, 9 3/4”h, smooth base, applied mouth, about perfect (a few light scratches on the label panel). We sold this bottle in 1997 at the FOHBC auction in Jacksonville, Florida. – Glass Works Auctions – Auction #98

Lot: 54 “S.S. Smith. Jr.. & Co / Cincinnati.O.” Figural Whiskey Bottle, America, 1860-1870. Rectangular modified cabin form, medium cobalt blue, applied sloping collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 9 5/8 inches. Attractive form and color. Fine condition. Dr. Charles and Jane Aprill collection. – The Aprill Collection: Blue Bottles & Glass, Session I Premier Auction 172 – HECKLER

S.S.SmithAmber_GW_98

“S.S. SMITH. JR. & CO / CINCINNATI, O.”, (Denzin SMI-21), Ohio, ca. 1865 – 1875, golden amber simi-cabin, 9 5/8”h, smooth base, applied mouth, perfect conditino. Nice glass whittle, and considerably harder to find than it’s blue brother. – Glass Works Auctions – Auction #98

Samuel Sherwood Smith

Samuel Sherwood Smith was born on August 30, 1803 in Solon, Cortland County, New York. He was the son of Levi Smith and Hannah Holland and one of 11 boys from the couple. One newspaper article said he was the smallest, but lived the longest. He certainly accomplished a great deal in his life. He was married first to Margery (?) Smith in 1826 and then Elizabeth Andress Smith in 1832. Two of his children, S. S. Smith Jr. and Edwin Forrest Smith would eventually join him in the liquor business.

By 1820, Samuel Smith is found residing in Cincinnati, Ohio. U.S. Federal Census records do not list an occupation each decade until 1860 where he is listed as a merchant. I suspect Smith was a liquor dealer or some type of general merchant many of those years. That same 1860 federal record is missing S.S. Smith, Jr. who would have been 26 years old or so at the time. Edwin F. Smith was 18 years old at the time.

An article in the January 1995 edition of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine. mentions that the Booth family, part of an acting group, visited the Smith family in 1848 on an acting tour. Sol Smith, one of Samuels brothers, was an actor. John Wilkes Booth, then ten years old, was there, as well as the ten year old S.S. Smith Jr.

In 1862, we see the first listing of S.S. Smith & Company comprising of Samuel S. Smith and his son S.S. Smith, Jr. They are selling liquors at 56 West 2nd Street in Cincinnati. By 1869, it is S.S. Smith, Jr. & Company, Liquors located at No. 34 E. 2nd Street. They were dealers in fine bourbon and rye whiskeys. His partners were his sons Samuel and Edwin and Benjamin Ehrmen who had married his daughter Louise. Samuel Smith Sr. had moved on from the business by then and was now the president of a life insurance company.

In 1871, the following newspaper advertisement (below) appears in The Cincinnati Enquirer for S. S. Smith Jr., & Co. (S. S. Smith Jr., Edwin F. Smith and Benj. F. Ehrman) selling Wholesale Liquors at 58 W. Second Street in Cincinnati. Notice the “Proprietors of the Celebrated Morning Call Bitters.” Could this be the product in the bottle? Actually, I do believe this. This semi-cabin bottle shape now also found in amber, is basically the same form as many other bitters. Whiskey, rye and other spirits were typically bottled in round cylinder bottles. The only thing that casts doubt on this idea is another Morning Call Bitters being sold in Cincinnati around the same time period.

Read: A Morning Call Bitters Comparison

Samuel S. Smith (Senior) would continue in the insurance business. In 1876 and 1877, he is listed as the president of the Cincinnati Equitable Fire Insurance Company. He would die in 1885. Some type of fall hastened his death. His son, S. S. Smith Jr. would continue the business until 1876 or so. The following year he is listed as a travel agent.

Read more: S. S. Smith just Dug

Read More: Cincinnati Bitters Spotting – A cross reference of directories

Select Listings:

1803: Samuel Sherwood Smith born 30 August 1803, Solon, Cortland County, New York, Son of Levi Smith and Hannah Holland (1761–1814), Children of Samuel and Elizabeth: Edwin Forrest Smith, Louise (Smith) Ehrman, Sarah (Smith) Hinman, Charles Stembridge Smith, Child of Samuel and Margery: Ellen Smith – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
1820: Samuel Smith, Home in 1820: Cincinnati Ward 3, Hamilton, Ohio, Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820 – 1820 United States Federal Census
1830: Samuel Smith, Home in 1830: Cincinnati Ward 1, Hamilton, Ohio – 1830 United States Federal Census
1840: Samuel S Smith, Home in 1840: Cincinnati Ward 2, Hamilton, Ohio – 1840 United States Federal Census
1848: Article in the January 1995 edition of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine. The article mentions that the Booth family, part of an acting group, visited the Smith family in 1848 on an acting tour. John Wilkes Booth, then ten years old, was there, as well as the 10 year old S.S. Smith Jr. – Gary Beatty
1850: Samuel S Smith, Age: 46, Birth Year: abt 1804, Birthplace: New York, Home in 1850: Cincinnati Ward 2, Hamilton, Ohio, Household Members: Samuel S Smith 46, Elizebeth Smith 38, Ellen Smith 21, Marcus Smith 19, Samuel S Smith 16, Sarah E Smith 14, Edwin F Smith 9, Virginia Smith 7, Louisa Smith 2 – 1850 United States Federal Census
1860: Samuel S Smith, Merchant, Age: 56, Birth Year: abt 1804, Birth Place: New York, Home in 1860: Millcreek, Hamilton, Ohio, Post Office: Cincinnati, Dwelling Number: 1188, Family Number: 1319, Real Estate Value: 50,000, Personal Estate Value: 40,000, Household Members: Samuel S Smith 56, Elizabeth Smith 48, Edwin F Smith 18, Virginia Smith 16, Louisa Smith 12, Fanny Smith 9, Chas Smith 7 – 1860 United States Federal Census
1862: S.S. Smith & Co., (S.S. Smith & S.S. Smith, Jr.), Liquors, 56 west 2nd – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1869: S.S. Smith, Jr., Liquors, No. 34 E. 2nd St., S.S. Smith Jr. & Co. Dealers in fine Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys, 58 W. 2nd St.,partners were Edwin Smith and Benj. Ehrmen – 1869 City Directory of Cincinnati
1870: Samuel S. Smith, President Life Insurance Co, Age in 1870: 63, Birth Year: abt 1807, Birthplace: New York, Dwelling Number: 678, Home in 1870: Cincinnati Ward 14, Hamilton, Ohio, Personal Estate Value: 1000, Inferred Spouse: Elizabeth Smith (born England), Household Members (all born in Ohio): S Samuel Smith 63, Elizabeth Smith 58, Edwin F Smith 28 (Maker of Malt), Virginia Smith 24, Louisa Smith 21, Fanny Smith 19, Charles Smith 17 – 1870 United States Federal Census
1871-1872: S.S. Smith Jr. & Co. (S.S. Smith Jr., Edwin F. Smith and Benj. F. Ehrman), Wholesale Dealers in Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, &c., 58 w. 2nd. – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1871: Newspaper advertisement (below) S.S. Smith Jr., & Co. (S.S. Smith Jr., Edwin F. Smith and Benj. F. Ehrman), Wholesale Liquors, Proprietors of the Celebrated Morning Call Bitters, 58 W. Second Street, Cincinnati – The Cincinnati Enquirer, Saturday, November 4, 1871

1874: S.S. Smith Jr. & Co., (S.S. Smith Jr.) Wholesale Liquor Dealers, 58 w. 2nd. – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1876: S.S. Smith Jr., Liquors, h 105 Dayton – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1876-1877: S.S. Smith (Senior), President Cincinnati Equitable Fire Insurance Co., 1269 Race, Residence, 278 W.4th – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1877: S.S. Smith (Junior), Travel Agent, 249 W Pearl, h 105 Dayton – Cincinnati Ohio City Directory
1880: Samuel S. Smith, Fire Insurance Co. President, Age: 78, Birth Date: Abt 1802, Birthplace: New York, Home in 1880: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, Street: Huntington Block, House Number: 7, Dwelling Number: 182, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Elizabeth Smith, Father’s, Birthplace: New York, Mother’s Birthplace: New York, Household Members: Samuel S. Smith 78, Elizabeth Smith 66, Louisa Ehrmarna – 1880 United States Federal Census
1885: Samuel Sherwood Smith death: 5 Apr 1885 (aged 81), Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, Burial: Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, Section 77, Lot 4, grave 16 – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
1885: Newspaper notice (below) Samuel Sherwood Smith dead – St. Louis Post Dispatch, Wednesday April 15, 1885

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, Gin, Liquor Merchant, Spirits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glass Fishing Net Floats

Posted on 26 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I have to say, I feel a little remiss when I have written and referenced vintage Glass Paperweights, Lightning Rod Balls, Target Balls, Marbles, Fire Grenades, Witch Balls, Fly Traps and Christmas Ornaments and have ignored the float subject. The common denominator of course, is the geometric ‘circle’, as all of these collecting objects are primarily round.

I am aware of glass fishing floats but I could not tell you much about them, hence this post. I am a glass lover so this is just another dimension to this great hobby. I wonder if there are any Bottle Collectors that collect Glass Floats? Let me know.

A Little History about Glass Fishing Floats

[from Glass Float Junkie] The use of the first glass fishing floats can be traced as far back as 1840. The Norwegians used a small egg-sized float onwhich they tied a fishing line and a hook. As the use of nets increased, Norway went on to produce other sizes of floats since glass was an economical method of supporting the nets and offered plenty of buoyancy. Many European countries soon began using glass floats. Trademarks or embossing began appearing on the floats to identify the users and manufacturers of the floats.

Most floats are shades of green because the glass used was primarily recycled sake bottles

Around 1910, far eastern countries, primarily Japan began manufacturing and using glass floats, hence their most popular name; Japanese Glass Fishing Floats. To accommodate different fishing styles and nets, the Japanese experimented with many different shapes of floats, from as small as 2 inches in diameter to the gigantic size of 20 inches in diameter. Most floats are shades of green because the glass used was primarily recycled sake (wine) bottles, but clear, amber, aquamarine, amethyst, blue and other colors were also produced. The most prized and rare color being a red, or cranberry hue. These were expensive to make because gold was used to produce the color. Other brilliant jewel tones such as emerald green, cobalt blue, purple, yellow and orange were primarily made in the 1920´s-30´s. The majority of the colored floats you will find for sale today are replicas.

The most prized and rare color being a red, or cranberry hue. These were expensive to make because gold was used to produce the color.

Cork and aluminum floats appeared around 1920. These soon began to replace glass floats since they were more durable and could provide holes or eye features that made net attachment easier and more reliable. As manufacturing techniques improved, plastic floats soon followed. Unfortunately for net fisherman, glass floats would often escape their nets. Today, millions of glass floats are probably still floating in the world’s oceans.  When tide and weather conditions are just right, you can find glass floats that wash up on the beaches of Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Sometimes, several may arrive together in the same location. Often, these floats roll safely onto shore or may be tangled in seaweed or other flotsam. Sadly, they also can be shattered if the float should land on a rocky coastline. During stormy periods they can be thrust hundreds of feet onshore and will remain there until some lucky hunter should find it.

Today, millions of glass floats are probably still floating in the world’s oceans.

[PRG] I’ve put together a collage of pictures that I found online…many of the really nice pictures were taken by Robi at lightinawormhole at Etsy.

Japanese Fishing Trawler – Note the glass floats across the top of the boat.

New England glass float – Steven James Anderson

Vintage Fishing Float Japanese Molded Glass – photo lightinawormhole

Vintage Glass Fishing Float – 13 Inch Netted with Taiwanese Marks – photo lightinawormhole

Floats in an old wire basket – photo For the Love of a House

Vintage Fishing Float Glass, 6 Inch Plus Collectible – BIG Beer Bottle – NW Glass Co  – “That was one magical moment I won’t forget” Robi @ lightinawormhole (photo)

Glass Fishing Floats – Painted Thread

Vintage Glass Fishing Float – Sea Foam Frosted – photo lightinawormhole

Rare Antique Vintage Japanese KAWAGUCHI Marked Glass Fishing Float with Netting – eBay

Vintage Glass Fishing Float – Finally Spring, 3 PC – photo lightinawormhole

Kamichia used to live in Alaska (she now lives on the Oregon coast) and would take plane trips to remote beaches and find the likes of this….Photo by Glass Float Junkie

Glass Fishing Float Vintage Japanese – photo lightinawormhole

Japanese Glass Fishing Floats found on Aleutian Islands

Glass Fishing Floats Vintage Collectible – photo lightinawormhole

A Collection of baseball-size floats still in their nets. Vintage Biltmore Hotel Silver tray.

Autumn’s Gaze’ are a lovely pair of hand blown, vintage Japanese fishing floats – photo lightinawormhole

Fishing Floats on a Dining Room Table – photo For the Love of a House

Here’s an unusually striking beauty, bringing together a light powder blue net with the stunning deep emerald green seal ‘button’ – photo lightinawormhole

Antique Japanese glass fishing floats/buoys via Froulala.com

hand blown Japanese collectible measures 3-7/16″ diameter or 10-7/16″ in circumference. – photo lightinawormhole

Wire basket holding a collection of colorful Japanese glass fishing floats

Posted in Fishing Floats, History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Woody Douglas Glass Photography Gallery

Posted on 25 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Woody Douglas

Periodically I like to stop and gather photography and create an online gallery because the work of a certain individual glass collector is so wonderful. Most recently I have created Galleries for Jeff and Holly Noordsy and Mike Holzwarth. Today, I would like to post a few photographs by Woody Douglas from Medford, Massachusetts. I only know Woody on facebook but wow, his photography, usually in windows with still lifes of glass, takes my breath away. They are full of emotional elements such as light, shadow and transparency. Each shot has an element of mystery. Woody really understands composition and natural light. Enjoy…

I typically expand these galleries on PRG with new pictures so check back…

The Darwin Collection – The design of most contemporary flasks is a rare example of a genetic mutation causing evolution to come to a grinding halt. Given a choice I would naturally select a flask from the early 19th century any day. – Woody Douglas

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Cologne, Decanter, Demijohns, Early American Glass, Flasks, Photography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Two Exceptional Western New York Bitters

Posted on 24 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Jack Stecher with some nice bottles for sale – Baltimore 2012

Two Exceptional Western New York Bitters

Dr. Hill’s Restorative Strengthening Bitters & Dr. Mavor’s Stomach Bitters

24 March 2012 (R•010514)

It was fun meeting up with you again at the Baltimore show. As mentioned, I am sending you some info on a couple hard to find local bitters. Research didn’t produce much, but the following might be of some interest (also see attached photos).

Dr. Hill’s Restorative Strengthening Bitters Farmer N.Y.

DR. HILL’S RESTORATIVE STRENGTHENING BITTERS, FARMER NY – Stecher Collection

My H 122, Dr. Hill’s/Restorative/Strengthening Bitters/Farmer NY is in an “old amber” coloration and has a dcm, as shown. Ring/Ham pictures an applied mouth, like the #248 example sold in the Sam Greer pontiled med collection/auction back in 1988. I have only seen three of these bitters bottles over the years; this one, a deep amethyst specimen that surfaced in the Ithaca, NY area (near Candor, NY), and an aqua, ip example, which was displayed in a bottle display case in the Corning Museum several years ago. I personally know of no others.

I tracked the amethyst one through a collector/antique dealer in Auburn, NY back in the early 80s, but lost track and didn’t know where it went afterward. Joe Baldwin’s book, Patent and Proprietary Medicine Bottles, 1973, lists several of Dr. Hill’s other medicinal preparations, (C.H. Gardner, mfg., Candor, NY), such as, cordial, cough syrup, fever and ague mix, pain killer, and pulmonary syrup. Farmer, NY, was also called Farmer Village; it became Interlaken, NY in 1904, its current name. Interlaken, NY, is a village positioned between two Finger Lakes in upstate NY. I’ve not been able to locate any historical record of Dr. Hill, from Candor or from Farmer, NY.

DR. HILL’S RESTORATIVE STRENGTHENING BITTERS, FARMER NY – Stecher Collection

DR. HILL’S RESTORATIVE STRENGTHENING BITTERS, FARMER NY – Stecher Collection

DR. HILL’S RESTORATIVE STRENGTHENING BITTERS, FARMER NY – Stecher Collection

Dr. Mavor’s Stomach Bitters

Schermerhorn & Co.

The semi-cabin, Dr. Mavor’s/Stomach Bitters/Schermerhorn & Co., M 51, is from Rochester, NY, although not embossed as such. What the monogram A&C and letters in shoulder panels, B/A/&/C stand for, I have no idea. Suggestions are welcome. I found in the Rochester city directories listings from 1869 through 1879 for Schermerhorn & Co and Josiah Newman (employed by and succeeded Schermerhorn in 1877). They were local rectifiers and dealers in wines and liquors; no surprise there. However, no ads were found for the “bitters” in all those directory years. The applied ring mouth of the bitters and its deep amber color suggest manufacture in the early 1870s. Like the Dr. Hill’s, this bottle is also quite rare. I was fortunate to acquire mine about 10 years ago from eBay. – Jack (Stecher)

MavorsAd1884CDRochester

Josiah Newman advertisement noting Dr. Mavor’s Stomach Bitters – 1884 Rochester City Directory

JosiahNewmanBio

Josiah Newman information – History and Commerce of Rochester

DR. MAVOR’S STOMACH BITTERS, SCHERMERHORN & CO. – Stecher Collection

DR. MAVOR’S STOMACH BITTERS, SCHERMERHORN & CO. – Stecher Collection

DR. MAVOR’S STOMACH BITTERS, SCHERMERHORN & CO. – Stecher Collection

DR. MAVOR’S STOMACH BITTERS, SCHERMERHORN & CO. – Stecher Collection

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Globe Bitters – Byrne Bros & Co New York

Posted on 24 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Globe Bitters – Byrne Bros & Co New York

24 March 2012

Apple-Touch-IconAThe next bottle in the ‘transitional’ Figural Cannon Barrel Series is the Globe Bitters and is grouped and displayed in my collection with my other ‘Barrel’ forms such as the Warsaw Bitters, Brown’s Castlian, Castilian Bitters and Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters.

Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham in Bitters Bottles say ‘Bell’ as far as the bottle form (see R/H listing below). When I purchased the bottle from a previous Heckler auction the description read ‘Modified lighthouse form’. As I have said in previous posts, I group this type of figural bottle and think of it as a ‘transitional cannon barrel’ though I can not support this with documentary advertising, a patent drawing or label.

I really like this bottle because of the typography and how it is applied to the bottle form. Notice the circular typography on the canted shoulder between the cylinder and the formed neck. The applied lip is also spectacular. I have provided a few pictures below of my run of these bottle forms and my example of the Globe Bitters.

(L-R) WARSAW BITTERS, BROWN’S CASTILIAN, SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS, CASTILIAN BITTERS and a GLOBE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

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

G 47  GLOBE BITTERS, Circa 1860 – 1884
GLOBE BITTERS / MANUFACTURED ONLY BY / BYRNE BROS & CO / NEW YORK // c // // s // GLOBE / BITTERS // BYRNE BROS & CO NEW YORK //
11 x 3 1/2 (5 1/2)
Bell, Amber, Applied mouth, Very rare,
Note: 1874-1884: Bryne Bros. & Co. 122 Liberty and 125 Cedar Sts Trade Mark No. 2544

[Heckler bottle description] Also in this shape – Browns Castilian and Castilian Bitters, Modified lighthouse form, applied square collared mouth – smooth base, height 11-1/8 inches (some minor mouth roughness). Good looking bottle with lots of form and character.

GLOBE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

GLOBE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

GLOBE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

Read Further: Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters – Great Form

Read Further: Thad Waterman “Warsaw” Stomach Bitters – Figural Cannon Barrel, Lighthouse or House Roof?

Read Further: Brown’s Castilian Bitters – Transitional Cannon Barrel Figural

Read Further: Castilian Bitters – Brown & Embree Proprietors – New York

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters – Great Form

Posted on 23 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters – Great Form

23 March 2012 (R•110614)

(L-R) WARSAW BITTERS, BROWN’S CASTILIAN, SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS, CASTILIAN BITTERS and a GLOBE BITTERS – Meyer Collection

Apple-Touch-IconAThe next bottle in the ‘transitional’ Figural Cannon Barrel (or lighthouse) Series is the Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters and is grouped and displayed in my collection with my other ‘Barrel’ forms. Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham in Bitters Bottles say ‘Lighthouse’ as far as the bottle form. I can accept this because of the embossed vertical lines on the flared shoulder which seems reminiscent of windows. Again, no advertising, patent drawing or label to substantiate the form.

This is a great bottle. My example is a wonderful dark cheery amber color with nice bottle character. I have provided a few pictures below and with a comparison bottle in a lighter amber that appeared on Ed and Kathy Gray’s website GreatAntiqueBottles.com.

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

F 79  SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS, Circa 1875 – 1885
// s // SOL FRANK’S // PANACEA / BITTERS //
// f // f // f // FRANK HAYMAN & RHINE // c // SOLE PROPRIETORS // f / f //
NEW YORK // c // f // f // f //
10 1/4 x 3 5/8 (5 5/8)
Lighthouse, Round, Amber, LTCR, Applied mouth, Rare

SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS – Meyer Collection

SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS – photo GreatAntiqueBottles.com

SOL FRANK’S PANACEA BITTERS – photo GreatAntiqueBottles.com

164GWA105

“SOL FRANK’S – PANACEA / BITTERS (on shoulder) – FRANK HAYMAN & RHINE – SOLE PROPRIETORS – NEW YORK”, (Ring/Ham, F-79), New York, ca. 1865 – 1875, yellowish amber figural lighthouse, 10”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Near perfect. Fine example, brilliant color and with a better than average impression, which is usually very faint. One of the better ones! – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 105

Read Further: Thad Waterman “Warsaw” Stomach Bitters – Figural Cannon Barrel, Lighthouse or House Roof?

Read Further: Brown’s Castilian Bitters – Transitional Cannon Barrel Figural

Read Further: Castilian Bitters – Brown & Embree Proprietors – New York

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Target Balls – Glass Made to be Broken

Posted on 22 March 2012 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Target Balls – Glass Made to be Broken

22 March 2012

When I think of Target Balls, the first person that comes to mind is Ralph Finch. In looking at his online Journal and website (On Target! The International Journal for Collectors of Target Balls), he is often asked…

“What are Target Balls”

I’m glad you asked!

By Ralph Finch

Nowadays, hardly anyone knows what they are, but more than 100 years ago millions of people knew. From across the United States, throughout England, France, Germany, Italy and other European nations and on down to Australia, people young and old saw target balls in use. Common people to heads of state – U.S. presidents, Queen Victoria, the German kaiser, to name a few – saw target balls fly through the sky. So, again, what are target balls?

You are probably familiar with trap shooting — the firing with a shotgun at round, clay disks thrown into the air — and perhaps you have even done it. But while clay shooting has been around for more than a hundred years, what came before it?

Thousands and thousands of birds, particularly pigeons (which is why clay disks are still called “clay pigeons”) were flung from traps and blown to bits. But from around 1876 to 1885, because of a decline in the availability of live birds as well as changing social attitudes, glass balls often were the target of choice, particularly in exhibition, circus and Wild West show shooting. These balls, similar in size and appearance to today’s glass Christmas tree ornaments, were the “only substitute ever invented for the living bird,” something that Annie Oakley is said to have had silk streamers stuffed inside, something that in one summer the Bohemian Glass Works (in New York City) was making at the rate of 1,250,000 over six months’ time, something Buffalo Bill Cody chased after on horseback, “old ladies” darned socks on and babies allegedly cut their teeth on — all according to an 1878 ad! In their heyday, target balls sold for a little over a penny each; today one ball has sold for as much as $28,500, although “common” balls, generally in amber or blue, can be acquired for as little as $100. (read full post)

Here are a couple of GREAT online resources to investigate. I really like the Glass Target Balls website.

Glass Target Balls

The Target Ball Web Page for the Collectors of Antique Target Balls!

Antique Target Throwers – A History of Trap and Skeet Equipment

Antique Target Ball Hall of Fame

Agnew & Brown Target Ball Hits $29,120 at American Bottle Auctions

The Louisville Slugger: Rare Glass Target Ball Comes to Market

I ‘ve put together a few pictures below of great American Target Balls and related imagery. I encourage you to check out the links above and further explore.

Famous Louisville Glassworks Ball (The Louisville Slugger)

Bogardus 4 Dot – BOGARDUS GLASS BALL PADd APR. 10 1877. – photo Glass Target Balls

AGNEW & BROWN CORNER OF 24th AND SMALLMAN STS.PITSBURGH PA. – photo Glass Target Balls

Target Balls from the Peter Frobouck collection – American Bottle Auctions

Robert Frank Collection of Target Balls – Lompoc, California – photo Ferdinand Meyer

Bogardus Patent Glass Ball Trap Article

Ligowsky Clay Pigeons and Glass Balls and Traps Advertisement

FROM THE JOHNSTON GREAT WESTERN GUN WORKS 169 SMITHFIELD STREET PITTSBURGH PA. RIFLES SHOTGUNS REVOLVERS AMMUNITION FISHING TACKLE CHOKE BORING REPAIRING AND C. WRITE FOR PRICE LIST – American Bottle Auctions

Posted in Advertising, Collectors & Collections, History, Target Balls | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments