Drakes Plantation Bitters – Encased Postage

Posted on 19 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Drakes Plantation Bitters – Encased Postage

19 December 2011

Apple-Touch-IconAThere have been two (2) posts regarding Drakes Plantation Bitters this week (see…One of the Crudest Drakes You Will Ever See at PRG and Bottle of the Week 12~11~11, Straw Yellow Drakes Plantation Bitters at RicksBottleRoom.com) prompting a little poking around on the internet. This led me to Encased Postage for Drakes Plantation Bitters. I have posted a definition and a few images.

Encased Postage

In early 1862, just months after the American Civil War erupted, people predicted the hard times and shortages looming ahead and began hoarding resources, coins included. Many millions of dollars in gold and silver coins and even copper-nickel cents disappeared from the market as a result of this hoarding. Coins consequently commanded a premium over paper money.

The U.S. Mint soon coined copper-nickel cents almost exclusively, but demand exceeded supply. A resourceful public then used postage stamps as currency for small obligations, a situation that forced shopkeepers to accept stamps as change. Envelopes stating the amount of stamps contained within and cards bearing stamps were sometimes used to keep the stamps from sticking and being destroyed, and printers sold advertisements on large numbers of these envelopes. The government authorized the monetizing of postage stamps by July 1862 and soon began printing stamp impressions on bank note paper.
On August 12, 1862, John Gault received a patent for his ‘Design for Encasing Government Stamps’—that is, a design for encasing stamps for use as currency. Gault’s plans called for the corners of a postage stamp to be wrapped around a cardboard circle. A thin, transparent piece of mica covered the stamp, and an outer metal frame held these items secure. A heavier brass backing, suitable for advertising purposes, completed the piece. The size of a quarter but much lighter in weight, the object encased stamps from the 1861 issue-the 1-cent, 3-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent, 12-cent, 24-cent, 30-cent, and 90-cent. Gault sold his encased postage at a small markup over the value of the enclosed stamp and the cost of production.

Gault’s enterprise ended on August 21, 1862, when the government issued postage currency in 5-cent, 10-cent, 25-cent, and 50-cent denominations. The government issued fractional currency the next year. Increased production of brass and copper-nickel coinage in 1863 also undermined Gault. Still, encased postage proved very popular because it solved the major problems of stamp damage and the necessity of opening stamp envelopes to count the contents. At least thirty companies took advantage of the advertising possibilities with ads stamped on the brass backing. Perhaps $50,000 or a little more in encased postage eventually was sold and circulated, not nearly enough by itself to solve the nation’s small change crisis. Of the approximately 750,000 pieces sold, only 3,500-7,000 are believed to have survived.

Definition provided by Arago – James E. Kloetzel

Drakes Plantation Bitters Advrtisement

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Civil War, Ephemera, Figural Bottles, History, Postage, Tax Stamps | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One of the Crudest Drakes You Will Ever See

Posted on 18 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

One of the Crudest Drakes You Will Ever See

18 December 2011

Apple-Touch-IconARick DeMarsh over at RicksBottleroom.com asked me to send him a picture of one of my favorite Drakes Plantation Bitters. This is darn near impossible. I did send him a neat, soft, straw yellow example as one to consider for his Bottle of the Week post instead of one of my green examples. Well anyway, I was looking at my run and remembered this special Arabesque Drakes. It really is a heavy, crude monster.

I have posted a series of photos that I received from a prominent collector and dealer in the northeast five years ago this month. He stated that none of pictures quite nail the color but I think you will be able to get a sense of the crudity. The bottle is one that Don Keating sold at Skinners in the 80s (when he was acquiring the three blue bitters) and reacquired in the 90s. The early tags on the base include reference to Charles Gardner. This is a piece that you really need to have in hand in order to fully appreciate its beauty, as the color is maddeningly difficult to capture and it’s impossible to fully portray its heft, crudity and beauty through photography.

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

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

D 102  DRAKE’S PLANTATION BITTERS, Circa 1862 – 1870
// s // motif arabesque / DRAKES / motif arabesque / PLANTATION / BITTERS enclosed in a rectangle // 3 tiers of thatching // tier of thatching
/ PATENTED / 1862 / tier of thatching // 3 tiers of thatching //
10 x 2 7/8 (6)
Square cabin, LTC, Applied mouth, Amber, Puce and Amethyst-Rare; Green-Extremely rare
17 logs including the base, 6 logs over the label panels

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

D 102 – Arabesque Drakes Plantation Bitters – Meyer Collection

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

Liking this Color for a Lafayette/Masonic Historical Flask

Posted on 18 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Lot #94 LAFAYETTE/MASONIC. GI-89 Half-pint, 6 ½”. 1815-30. Pontil. Another bottle from the West Virginia cache, this is an unusual light to medium green and entirely outside the standard olives or ambers. We’ve seen a fair amount of Lafayette flasks and this one kind of threw us for a loop. We believe this is one of the few examples in this color, possibly unique. We are aware of an 89-A that is an apple green coloration, however this example does not fit the example of that nor 89-B. Fresh to the market and one we’re happy to present, Grades a 9.7 with some very light highpoint wear but and we in fact have redone the video to make sure you see every square inch of the surface.

Catalog for Auction #54

Reminder that American Bottle Auctions | Auction 54 is closing Sunday, December 18th, 2011 at 7:00 PM PDT / 10:00 PM EST.

Posted in Auction News, Flasks, Historical Flasks | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Union Bitters – Haven’t Seen this One Before

Posted on 17 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SECESSION PHYSIC CURE. To cure Secession and its ills, Take Dr. Scott’s Cast Iron Pills; Well mixed with Powder of Saltpetre, Apply it to each “Fire Eater.” With Union Bitters, mix it clever, And treason is warned off forever.

Union Bitters – Haven’t Seen this One Before

17 December 2011

Apple-Touch-IconARead the rest at my fellow Houston area collector, Jim Schmidt’s Civil War Medicine (and Writing) blog…“Union Bitters” and “Dr. Scott’s Pills” 

I have not seen an example of this bitters bottle that is pictured on the letterhead above. Look at those backward’s N’s. Thanks Jim! The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

Shot Glass
U 10 UNION BITTERS
2 inches tall, Round, Clear
TMS 415: Union Bitters was likely produced by many concerns as the formula was non-proprietary information. This bitters was listed as standard in catalogues of druggist’s supplies but no marked bottle is now known. See: Dr. A.S. Hopkin’s Union Stomach Bitters Shot Glass
UNION BITTERS
Table graduate 1-4, wine glass, tea graduate 1-8 Round Gold rim tapered
2 5/8 x 1 1/2 (base) 1 7/8 (top)

The new listing for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

Envelope
U 9.5 UNION BITTERS (Both ‘N’s’ backwards in UNION) (Illustration wine glass, powder, Union Bitters bottle and Dr. Scott’s Pills), SECESSION PHYSIC CURE. To cure Secession and its ills, Take Dr. Scott’s Cast Iron Pills; Well mixed with Powder of Saltpetre, Apply it to each “Fire Eater.” With Union Bitters, mix it clever, And treason is warned off forever.

Courtesy Bitters Bottles – Carlyn Ring, W.C. Ham

H 180 – Dr. A.S. Hopkins Union Stomach Bitters – Meyer Collection

H 180 DR. A.S. HOPKINS UNION STOMACH BITTERS, Circa 1882 – 1899
DR. A. S. HOPKINS / UNION STOMACH BITTERS / HARTFORD CONN. // f // sp // f //
L…Union Celebrated Root & Bark Bitters
9 3/4 x 2 3/4 (7) 3/8
Square, Yellow, Amber and Green, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Scarce
Label: Composed of sarsaparilla and other roots and barks. Compounded so as to act in concert, and assist nature in eradicating disease, stimulating, importing tone to the stomach, and strength to the system and a most efficient tonic. Warranted a pure vegetable medicine, guaranteed to keep in any climate and improve with age. Unequaled for hotel, family or medicinal Use. Cholera morbus, asiatic or spasmatic cholera, dysentery and diarrhea. It gives immediate relief in all cases of pain, bilious and painter’s colic, cramps, spasms, convulsions, etc… Cures sudden colds, coughs, fever and ague, canker in the mouth and stomach, kidney complaints, seasickness, headache, cleanses the stomach, regulates the bowels and imparts a tone of health and vigor to the body. Continued to be advertised in 1912.

H 179 – Dr A.S. Hopkins Union Stomach Bitters – Meyer Collection

H 179 DR. A.S. HOPKINS UNION STOMACH BITTERS, Circa 1882 – 1899
DR. A. S. HOPKINS / UNION STOMACH / BITTERS // sp // f // sp
Hartford, Connecticut
9 1/2 x 2 3/4 (7 1/8) 3/8
Square, Amber, Yellow Olive, and Green, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Scarce
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More FOHBC Virtual Museum Inspiration

Posted on 15 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

In from Marianne Dow with the Findlay Bottle Club. Thanks MD!

Fashion designer Valentino’s new virtual museum — wow! I’ll bet you will find some inspiration. With a big screen, it would be amazing.

http://www.valentino-garavani-archives.org/teaserweb.html

Yet another inspiration for the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors Virtual Museum of American Historical Bottles and Glass

Posted in FOHBC News, History, Museums, News, Technology, Virtual Museum | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BottleNut.com – Some Great Photography

Posted on 15 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Photo courtesy BottleNut.com

Jeff Burkhardt (Froggy) posted this comment in regards to the PRG Impressive Whiskey and Bourbon Bottle Photography at ABA Auction 54 post.

from Froggy: Here’s a link to BOTTLENUT.com:
http://bottlenut.com/products/13/CLICK-HERE-FOR-PHOTO-GALLERY.htm

You will see some of the most incredible bottle & glass photography EVER! Don’t you wonder the “who and how” and what could the photographer could do with BITTERS?

[PRG] Thanks Jeff! Wasn’t aware of this site. I agree. Wonderful photography. You find neat web sites as well as rare bottles! Thanks for sharing.

[BottleNut.com] This site is the product of my obsession. I, John Sprung, started collecting bottles in 1970. While looking for nickel deposit bottles, for food money, I found a 1936 Royal Crown soda bottle. Went to the library and found a book about old bottles. It said the RC bottle was worth 5 bucks. That was it. I was hooked. I have done most of my digging in Washington D.C., Alexandria Va, and Baltimore Md., or Bottlemore as we called it, with great success. I now live in rural Vermont. Hard to find much here. Thank you Ebay! Please enjoy this site.

Photo courtesy BottleNut.com

Photo courtesy BottleNut.com

Posted in Advice, Chestnut, Freeblown Glass | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Impressive Whiskey and Bourbon Bottle Photography at ABA Auction 54

Posted on 14 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Impressive Whiskey and Bourbon Bottle Photography at ABA Auction 54

14 December 2011

Apple-Touch-IconAThis is my second post reviewing the American Bottle Auctions | Auction 54 which ends this Sunday evening, 18 December 2011.

Not to long ago, Jeff Wichmann sent me some jpegs of some new experimental photography and asked me what I thought. I honestly responded that I could not see any difference or improvement since I had always admired his photographic skills and felt that his photography was spectacular. I would say he is right up there with the best of the best in bottle photography. I have seen his photo studio and appreciate the length that Jeff will go to capture a bottles essence and character. Coupled with his colorful descriptions and videos of subject auction bottles, I would have to say that Jeff is the leader in Auction cataloguing in our bottle and glass community. That is pretty good when you consider how tough his competition is at the other auction houses.

Anyway, I thought I would repost seven (7) of the cylinders from this auction and focus on the wonderful photography. I have placed the detail picture next to the full bottle picture to show the clarity and detail of the close-up photography.

Lot #51 C.W. STUART’S EXTRA KENTUCKY WHISKY with K in circle on reverse shoulder. Applied top, Thomas-146 1875-83. According to Thomas the F & P.J. Cassin bottle mold was used to make the mold for this bottle. We have however discovered new evidence of it being a re-worked SHM. The indentation on the back of the SHM is more likely as the design fits better. Basically it was filled in with a slug plate. There is no definitive reason for the “K on back shoulder as to who it. Probably Kellogg as he was hardly a stranger to liquor wholesaling. Absolutely loaded with tiny bubbles, it almost has a puce look to it, as the amber is reddish. In addition, it is very heavily whittled and has a very strong strike. Once again, the best known specimen, quite possibly, as we have certainly never seen a better one. Grades a 9.8, there are believed to be less than ten known. Dug by Tony Gospaliditch in either Gold Hill or Virginia City, NV. 1977. Ex Eastley, Mlasko collections.

Lot #51 C.W. STUART’S EXTRA KENTUCKY WHISKY – ABA 54

Lot #52 OPS BOURBON WHISKEY FROM AP HOTALING’S OLD PRIVATE STOCK SAN FRANCISCO. Thomas-52, 1879-85. Fifth, applied top. Here is a bottle that is not only a popular one but is almost legendary in its place among western fifths. Anyone who has been remotely associated with collecting western whiskeys, is familiar with John and especially the bible of all western whiskey books, Whiskey Bottles of The Old West. John would talk for hours about various western whiskeys but it always seemed to come back to this particular one. The bottle itself is truly an amazing specimen with unsurpassed whittle, super strike, wonderful color, and perfect condition. In his book Thomas writes, “The best whiskey I ever owned was the O.P.S. that Dennis (Eastley) got from me. I really loved that bottle and wish I still had it.” Although John passed in 2000, his legacy will not be forgotten. This bottle is one that will forever hold special significance for the western fifth collector and collectors in general. Grades a 9.8. Ex-Thomas, Eastley.

OPS BOURBON WHISKEY FROM AP HOTALING’S OLD PRIVATE STOCK SAN FRANCISCO – ABA 54

Lot #53 JOCKEY CLUB WHISKEY GW CHESLEY & CO. SF. Thomas-19, 1873-78. These sixth-sized whiskeys are often quite early, as the first western containers were a little smaller than what we are used to today. Most of the Jockey Clubs are amber to orange amber, we’ve also seen the dark almost tobacco but rarely have we seen an example as pristine and beautiful as this. This was dug by Jeff Rosen and Ken Salazar, child actor and fluent in Portuguese, in Oakland, CA in 1975 and was obtained by Mlasko through Dennis Eastley. Once again we raise the question, top specimen? This has loads of bubbles and just a flurry of whittle that when combined with its olive amber hue, provides some real fireworks. Since Dale refused to own anything but the best, we can assure you that this is a bottle he prized quite highly. Never cleaned, there may be a spot or two of very light stain, however it is inconsequential to the overall presentation of this bottle. This is really one for the books. Grades a 9.7.

Lot #53 JOCKEY CLUB WHISKEY GW CHESLEY & CO. SF – ABA 54

Lot #56 WM. H SPEARS & CO OLD PIONEER WHISKEY FENKHAUSEN & BRAUNSCHWEIGER SOLE AGENTS. SF with embossed WALKING BEAR. Applied top. Thomas-4, 1878-81. Here is a terrific example of the two-name bear and in fact this would certainly qualify as at least one of the top specimens known. Once again we see the Braunschweiger name but the real excitement of this bottle is the overall patina and handsome demeanor of the bottle. Not only is the strike exceptionally strong, but there is whittle and a wonderful variance in hues. Perfectly played out with the central area being a light golden amber. There is a little stain on the back exterior, which we are frankly, happy to see as this bottle has never been cleaned. A classic container, they don’t get much better than this. Ex-M. Boone, Eastley and Mlasko. Grade 9.8.

Lot #56 WM. H SPEARS & CO OLD PIONEER WHISKEY FENKHAUSEN & BRAUNSCHWEIGER SOLE AGENTS. SF with embossed WALKING BEAR – ABA 54

Lot #57 JF CUTTER EXTRA TRADEMARK OLD BOURBON WITH STAR & SHIELD. Thomas-46, 1870-85, probably variant 2 or 4, 1871-75, as all the A’s have flat tops and there is a star on the base. Here is a wonderful example of the Star & Shield fifth, this would go very nicely with the flask in this sale. A beautiful yellow green, this has some nice whittle and good strong strike. We would lean more towards variant 4 with the star despite the flat A’s as the bottle is fairly thinner than some we’ve seen. A sparkling and very beautiful piece, this one will truly light up your life. Ex. Eastley and Mlasko. Grades 9.8.

Lot #57 JF CUTTER EXTRA TRADEMARK OLD BOURBON WITH STAR & SHIELD – ABA 54

Lot #59 J. MOORE OLD BOURBON E CHIELOVICH & CO SOLE AGENTS with embossed ANTLERS and TRADEMARK. Thomas-90, circa mid 1870’s. Here’s a bottle that remains very popular even though there are as many as three dozen known. Why so popular? There’s just something about the antlers and the name along with the overall design of the bottle that is very appealing. It’s an early fifth and they usually come with lots of crudity. In this case, that is an understatement. In the many years we have been selling western fifths, very rarely have we come across anything as whittled as this. This is not simply whittled, it is whittle on top of whittle and to top it off the embossing is as bold as any we’ve seen. There is even whittle on the antlers! If the OPS in this sale was prized by Thomas as the best, this J. Moore stands right beside it as being one of the most beautiful examples of western whiskey bottles we’ve ever seen. Pictures will tell the story but this is definitely one for the books. Another top specimen Grades a 9.7. Ex- Doc Ritz, Eastley, Mlasko.

Lot #59 J. MOORE OLD BOURBON E CHIELOVICH & CO SOLE AGENTS with embossed ANTLERS and TRADEMARK – ABA 54

Lot #60 TRADEMARK BARKHOUSE BROS. & CO GOLD DUST KENTUCKY BOURBON N. VAN BERGEN & CO SOLE AGENTS. With embossed horse. Applied top. Few would disagree that the Gold Dust is right up there with the most popular of western fifths. With loads of embossing and an embossed horse, which happened to be a famous racehorse of its time, the Gold Dust remains a mainstay for those who can afford them. This example is a beautiful yellow olive with a ton of whittle and just about everything you’re looking for. We dare say this is one of the top specimens of this bottle known to exist. Ex-McClane, Virginia City, Nevada. Grades 9.7.

Lot #60 TRADEMARK BARKHOUSE BROS. & CO GOLD DUST KENTUCKY BOURBON N. VAN BERGEN & CO SOLE AGENTS – ABA 54

Posted in Advice, Auction News, Bourbon, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Nice Dark Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla on eBay

Posted on 12 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Nice Dark Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla on eBay

12 December 2011

Apple-Touch-IconAAs written up on eBay this morning: STRIKINGLY DEEP COBALT BLUE Dr. WYNKOOP’S SARSAPARILLA. This is a much darker bottle than I have seen before. Rather nice. Make sure you look at the John Feldmann family run beneath the eBay pictures. You can really see the color difference.

From eBay: There are probably only a few of us who have actually had an opportunity to see one of these WYNKOOPS SARSAPARILLAS up close and personal.. Believe me, These are some beautiful bottles.. I am offering this one for sale this evening because i figure i’ve had it long enough, about 35 years.. It’s time to let it go…

This WYNKOOPS SARSAPARILLA is a good deep cobalt blue, unlike some you’ll see that are really a cornflower blue.. It measures a whopping 10 1/4″ high X 4″ wide X 2 3/8″ deep.. Embossing reads on the front, Dr. WYNKOOP’S /  KATHARISMICHONDURAS /  SARSAPARILLA, and NEW – YORK on the side.. The base has a deep recess and a spectacular deep open tubular pontil near the center.. The applied tapered collar was crudely fastened to the sheared neck.. There is a stable pressure crack in the applied collar that seems to be about a half inch long.. It’s really no harm as it’s been there since i’ve owned it and probably since it was blown.. It is only in the lip and does not go into the neck.. Despite this minor infraction, it is still a choice Wynkoops and one that is quite difficult to find, especially in this deep rich color.. There are no chips, other cracks or stain on this bottle, and is a lovely example…flint12, Nokesville, Virginia. Buy it Now: $7,500

Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla – eBay

Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla – eBay

Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla – eBay

Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla – eBay

Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla Family – Feldmann Collection

Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla Family – Feldmann Collection

Posted in Collectors & Collections, eBay, Medicines & Cures, Sarsaparilla | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Nice Group of Pictures from a Collector in Ft. Collins, Colorado

Posted on 12 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

I first came across Mike Holzwarth, from Fort Collins, Colorado when I did a post for a rare Bitters Bottle he found. Mike has been digging bottles in Colorado for over 25 years. Read: Jepson’s Dyspepsia Bitters – Colorado. Next he responds with some Stone Ginger Beer pictures in response to my post on Irish Ginger Beers and Stone Stouts. This got me thinking…motorcycles, Colorado, bitters and Ginger Beers. What else is Mike into. Well Mike has allowed me to post some of his bottle and digging pictures that are quite nice!

Posted in Collectors & Collections | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Trade Mark Lightnings – You Think I Need This Color?

Posted on 10 December 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Randy Taylor (Chico, California) has this killer Trade Mark Lightning quart fruit jar that that I just have to have. He had it on his table again at the 49er Historical Bottle Club and Show this year in Auburn, California.

Do you think it is a color that might fit in with my group! Wow. Greg Spurgeon had a similar jar at Baltimore. I understand that there are no matching tops for this rare color variant. Hopefully it will still be around when I strike oil or something.

Quart Trade Mark Lightning Fruit Jar - Randy Taylor

Quart Trade Mark Lighting Fruit Jars - Meyer Collection

Posted in Collectors & Collections, Color Runs, Fruit Jars | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment