National Insulator Association Convention and Show

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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The “Cutter” Depot

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Picked up from Western Glob Top Whiskies / Western Glass web site:

Here’s a few pictures from one of our more interesting recent digs. Down we went through eight feet of rubble and then a two foot clean dirt plug layer. Under that there were 5ths stacked in there like cord wood. A fourteen foot deep brick lined privy that produced almost every variety of circle Cutter known. It started out 1890s and went back to the 1870s.

The highlights included thirty Cutters and four rare pumpkin seeds. There must have been at least another 75 busted Cutters as well. Strange thing was that this pit lacked almost any other kind of bottle besides whiskey, all Cutters……………..

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Monster 1850’s – 1860’s Privy Dig in the Gold Country

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

In from Western Bitters News…!

DIGGING NEWS: THE CLUBHOUSE HOLE:

It’s funny how things sometimes happen. Coming up on December 3rd & 4th the 49er bottle club is holding their annual show and sale in Auburn California. The feature attraction is “A NON COMPETITIVE GROUP DISPLAY IN TWO CATEGORIES, LONDON JOCKEY CLUBHOUSE GINS AND WISTERS CLUB HOUSE BOTTLES”.

It just so happens a couple of local boys, this past week, hit a monster 1850’s – 1860’s privy here in the gold country. It wasn’t luck…… they have been probing and digging this area of the gold country for the last couple of years. As they say “persistence pays off” and in this case it payed off big time….

Included in the whole non damaged bottles were:

3 – Wistar’s Clubhouse Gins
2 – Jockey Clubhouse Gins
2 – W.S.C. Clubhouse Gins
2 – J.T. Daly Clubhouse Gins
2 – Von Thofen’s Aromatic Schnapps (small size)
1 – Black Glass Hostetter’s

Visit Western Bitters News for more pictures!

02 & 03 December 2011 (Friday & Saturday) Auburn, California 49er Antique Bottle & Antique Show “The Best of the West” (9:00 am to 3:00 pm, early admission Friday $10.00 at Noon – 7:00 pm) at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn, California, Info: Mike McKillop, 117 A Estates Court, Roseville, California 95678, 916.367.1829, pville1871@yahoo.com

Can’t wait. I’ll be at Auburn. Hopefully see some of these bottles!

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Roped Squares – Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Roped Squares – Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters

15 November 2011 (R•020714 Copper Puce Example) (R•030714 – Labeled example added) (R•031215 Black Example)

Apple-Touch-IconAThough not quite as ornate as the similar National Tonic Bitters or Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters, the Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters is a favorite with bitters collectors simply because of the name, strength of bottle design, mold variations and glass color variety. You will not find the stunning color range in the two (2) tonic bitters previously reviewed. There are also labeled examples which, if I am not mistaken, are not known in the two tonic bitters either.

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

B 9  BAKER’S ORANGE GROVE BITTERS, Circa 1865 – 1875
BAKER’S / ORANGE GROVE // f // BITTERS // f //
C. & J. F. Baker & Co. 107 Commercial St. Boston, Mass.
9 1/2 x 3 x (7)
Square, Amber, yellow and puce, LTC, Applied mouth, Roped corners, Common.
Many molds were made for this popular brand, including plated ones.

Label, Front: This is a pleasant tonic, the ingredients are recommended by physicians in their every day practice. Its combination stands ahead of the world as a bitters.
Reverse: Statement that this brand has been analogized and is “free from deleterious substances” by S. Dane Hays, State Assayer, Mass. dated February 15, 1869.
Boston Directory, Business Directory etc: Indicates John and James were merchants in 1810. By 1840 their firm included Joseph. Cyrus joined Joseph 9 years later. They were mentioned as grocers and provisioners. They are listed as C. & J. Baker & Co., Grocers until 1895 when they were called ship chandlers.

Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters in Golden Yellow – Meyer Collection

Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters in Puce – Meyer Collection

Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters in Citron – Meyer Collection

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters in a copper puce varying to lighter tones in the shoulders, fantastic crudity throughout and sparkling clean in attic condition. – North American Glass Auction (now Meyer Collection)

Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters (color variations) – Meyer Collection

152BakersBlack

“BAKER’S / ORANGE GROVE – BITTERS”, (Ring/Ham, B-9), Massachusetts, ca. 1865 – 1875, black amethyst, 9 1/2”h, smooth base, applied tapered collar mouth. Fine example having crude wavy glass, and a very crooked applied mouth. For those of you who are putting together a color run of Baker’s, here’s a chance to add one in an unrecorded color. – Glass Works Auctions

Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters – Anonymous Collection

LabeledBakers_10

Labeled Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters – ebay

BakersNeckFoilTop_10

Top foil embossing on above labeled Baker’s Orange Grove Bitters – ebay

Read: Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

Read: Roped Squares – Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters

 

 

OrangeBittersSeriesArt

De Kuyper’s Orange Bitters

Mack’s Orange Tonic Bitters – a sweet bitters from Orlando

California Aromatic Orange Bitters – San Francisco

Fine Aromatic Orange Stomach Bitters – Berry, Demoville & Co. – Nashville

The Color Orange in Antique Bottles & Glass

More on the Color Orange in Antique Glass

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Three (3) Bottle Shows this weekend!

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Looking for something to do this weekend?

18 & 19 November 2011 (Friday & Saturday) Terre Haute, Indiana The Wabash Valley Antique Bottle and Pottery Club presents the 14th Annual Illiana Antique Bottle and Pottery Show and Sale Friday, 18 November: Historical Bottle Auction 7:00 pm at Shadow Auction Barn, 1517 Maple Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana 47804, Saturday show hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, 7:30 am early admission $15.00. Tables are $15.00 each. Contact Ed Newman at bottleed@aol.com 1522 Grand Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana 47804

19 November 2011 (Saturday) Milford, Ohio St. Andrew Church Antique Bottle Show, St. Andrew Parish Center, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Early Admission $15 (7:00 am) 533 Main Street, Milford, Ohio. Information: Steve Singer, 513.732.2793,singersams@yahoo.com St. Andrew is located at 553 Main St. in historic Milford, Ohio. Five minutes from I-275 (exit 57) and less than 2 miles from a Holiday Inn Express (513-831-7829) and Homewood Suites (513-248-4663) for those of you who would be joining from out of town. View Flyer: StAndrewBottleShow

20 November 2011 (Sunday) Greensboro, North Carolina 10th Annual Greensboro Antique Bottle, Pottery & Collectibles Show & Sale indoors at the Farmer’s
Curb Market on 501 Yanceyville St, Greensboro, North, Carolina, Public admission 9am-3pm for $1. Free appraisals. Dealer setup 7am-9am, No Early Buyers. Info: Reggie Lynch 704.221.6489. www.antiquebottles.com/greensboro

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The Owl Drug Co. – Let’s give a Hoot

Posted on 14 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Antique OWL Drug Co Poison Large 19" Original Store Display Stoneware Bottle

Ferdinand:

Per our conversation, the following information pertains to The Owl Drug Company of San Francisco. I have created a blog entitled the Owl Drug Collectors Blog where you will find 16 postings as of this week pertaining to different subjects related to the Owl Drug Company and other related bottle activities.

The blog includes several pictures of items of interest or for sale including the Owl Drug Handbook, Volume I; Baseball type cap; and a set of dog tags. I have also created a facebook page entitled Owl Drug Collectors where pictures are part of the wall of the facebook and some of the blog postings are listed. I have included pictures of what our Handbook looks like with some of the examples that are shown in the book itself along with the history of the company and its leadership. Volume II of the handbook is in the process of being published and should make its appearance before Christmas. Both volumes of the Owl Drug Handbook is being presented later to the Director of the Library of Congress for their permanent collection. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us by email or phone.

David Levine

[PRG] I visited the Owl Drug Collectors Blog and found the following information posted about David Levine.

Hello Fellow Owl Drug Collectors! Permit me to introduce myself….

My name is David Levine and I am an Owl Drug Collector. I have been a collector for over 40 years. At the time I started collecting Owl Drugs I lived in California. I was going to college in Northern California at the time under the GI bill. I had gotten out of the service and returned to school in Sacramento and transferred to Chico State University to finish up my last two years of schooling. As a college student you are always looking to earn money, as you can understand. I held many jobs and did many things during this period, one of which was “digging”. My digging brought me many things some of which were Owl Drug items. This is how I started my collection.

Another reason I got started collecting Owl Drug items was because one of the foremost Owl Drug collectors in the Western US lived in the same community that I was going to school in. Anyone who was a collector knew this man and talked about him and his collection. Whether he knew it or not he was quite well known throughout the Western United States for his collection. I met with him several times during this period when he shared information about Owl Drug items, showed me portions of his collection, and was a “mentor” and an inspiration to me. It is due to this man that I became a collector at the level that I am currently at and have the collection that I have today. This blog, in a sense, is also because of him too and how he helped me get started.

I am sure that there are many of you out there who are looking for help in understanding the Owl Drug Company and its products, how to collect, what to collect, etc.

As we go along on this road together in the discovery of the Owl Drug, I look forward to sharing information, answering questions and discussing Owl Drugs with you.

Over the years there have been numerous myths and misinformation about the Owl Drug Company. I hope that we can dispel and correct a great number of these myths, misinformation, and misconceptions. In my research during the past year I have found a great deal of information that will clear up a lot of these issues for the Owl Drug collector or potential collector.

I look forward to hearing from any of you about concerns, questions or just want to share information about Owl Drug, collecting, digging, experiences, etc.

[PRG] A few pictures I have gathered either from David’s blog or the internet…

Posted in Advertising, Collectors & Collections, Druggist & Drugstore, Ephemera, Facebook, Medicines & Cures, Poison Bottles, Utility Bottles | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jelly Jammers Cupboard – New Website

Posted on 14 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The Jelly Jammers have announced the introduction of their webpage at:

www.jellyjammers.com

The Jelly Jammers are a group of collectors that collect jelly related items and share information about jelly jars, preserves and jelly advertising. They also share by displaying their collections at FOHBC National shows and local shows. The club members try to meet 3 to 4 times a year.

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Roped Squares – Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters

Posted on 14 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Roped Squares – Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters

14 November 2011

Apple-Touch-IconAYesterday I wrote about the National Tonic Bitters which probably is the most ornate of the roped bitters. 

Read: Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

It prompted a few responses that leads me quickly to the very similar Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters. This bottle is almost identical in brand and mold design.

R 133  RUSSIAN IMPERIAL TONIC BITTERS, Circa 1860 – 1880

RUSSIAN // f // IMPERIAL // TONIC BITTERS //
9 1/2 x 3 (7)
Square, Aqua, LTC, Roped corners, Applied mouth, Very rare
11 dots over each lettered panel

Note: Panel with Tonic Bitters identical in this brand with National Tonic Bitters. 4th side plain in this brand. 4th side roped and dotted in National Tonic Bitters.

[PRG] There is a surprising lack of information on these bottles. Anybody have any more info like where they were made, are there Trade Cards, is there advertising etc? Warren?

Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters (L) & National Tonic Bitters (R) – Meyer Collection

Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters – Meyer Collection

Russian Imperial Tonic Bitters – Meyer Collection

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

Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

Posted on 13 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Roped Squares – National Tonic Bitters

13 November 2011

Apple-Touch-IconAAn obvious question in looking at ‘fancy squares’ is “What about the roped squares such as the classic Bakers Orange Grove Bitters, National Tonic Bitters and others etc.?

Personally I do not consider these roped corner Bitters as utilitarian squares but more of a transitional bottle somewhere between a square and a figural. Of course it is a square but looking at the fancy decorations such as the ropes and rivets, I am reminded of  a strong, fancy bottle emblematic of the growth of our country and the power of marketing a tonic in a manly shape and form. Look closely and you feel like the bottle is patterned after a classic early american bank safe.

The first bottle we will look at is the National Tonic Bitters. A proud bottle and a great looking pair in amber and aqua.

N 13  NATIONAL TONIC BITTERS
NATIONAL // f // TONIC BITTERS // f //
9 1/2 x 3 (7 1/4)
Square, LTC, Applied mouth, Roped corners, Amber – Extremely rare; Aqua – Scarce
Variant 11 dots one panel, 10 dots on remaining 3 panels

National Tonic Bitters in amber – Meyer Collection

National Tonic Bitters in aqua – Meyer Collection

National Tonic Bitters pair – Meyer Collection

Read further: The ‘Liberace’ of Square Bitters

Read further: A Couple of Fancy Gents

Read further: A ‘Fancy’ Bitters Square for Headaches

Read further: Dr. Goddin’s Compound Gentian Bitters on eBay

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Figural Bottles, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Complete Set of Twelve Quilted Diamond Poisons + Stoppers, 1/2 oz to 1/2 gallon on eBay

Posted on 12 November 2011 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Wow…look at this run of twelve cobalt blue quilted diamond Poison Bottles & stoppers!

Quilted Poison Bottles - Bottleski eBay Listing

[eBay Listing reads]

We hope you’ll like this phenomenal set of poisons. It is a complete set from 1/2 oz. to 1/2 gallon, including all the known sizes in cobalt blue, with all the correct stoppers. All bottles and stoppers are in mint condition. The 1/2 oz. and 1 oz bottles did not have stoppers because the neck is too small for the glass base of the stopper. The other sizes are 2-4-6-8-10-12-14 and 16 oz, plus 1 quart and 1/2 gallon sizes. The smallest is about 2 1/2″ tall; the largest about 11 1/2″ tall. Some of the bases are plain; a few are embossed W.T. & CO. All stoppers are embossed POISON on both sides and the top. American Bottle Auctions recently sold a gallon size (the only size not included here) and mentioned in an aside that it took 10 years for him to assemble a set like this. BUT You can do it this week! If this doesn’t sell, it will not be re-listed. The reserve is very fair; 5 or 6 of these are quite scarce sizes and all are in condition that is as good as you’ll ever get.

[PRG] George Waddy is bottleski and he is, without doubt, the prime example of a PERFECT eBay dealer. Many of my early bottles have been purchased from bottleski. He has a 100% Top-rated seller designation. FYI: The current price is $710.00 which does not meet reserve. 

Quilted Poison Bottles - Bottleski eBay Listing

Quilted Poison Bottle Group - Meyer Collection

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