Knapp’s Health Restorative Bitters – New York City

Posted on 6 December 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

KnappsDrugStore

Knapp’s Health Restorative Bitters – New York City

06 December 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAIt was widely reported that Peter B. Knapp ran the oldest drug store in New York City at 362 Hudson Street. His Knapp’s Wholesale and Retail Drug Store and Knapp’s Medical Laboratory was established in 1839 when herb remedies were in vogue and prescriptions unknown. He operated the business without interruption until the time of his death, at the age of 89 years, in 1900. After his death, his son Franklin F. Knapp of the Lee Broom & Duster Company in Chicago, came to New York to continue to run the business. He was a graduate of the New York College of Pharmacy, class of 1875. That is Peter B. Knapp standing in the doorway above.

Mr. Knapp also put out Knapp’s Health Restorative Bitters from around 1835 – 1850 as the advertisement below indicates. He sold it for 50 cents per bottle.

What prompted this post was the very similar Restorative Bitters by Charles H. Ring, also from New York City.

Knapps_The_Brooklyn_Daily_Eagle_Sat__Nov_2__1850_

Knapp’s Health Restorative Bitters advertisement – The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Saturday, November 2, 1850

Knapps_New_York_Tribune_Mon__Oct_21__1850_

Knapp’s Health Restorative Bitters advertisement – New York Tribune Monday, October 21, 1850

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

K 62Drawing

K 62  KNAPP’S HEALTH RESTORATIVE BITTERS
KNAPP’S // HEALTH / RESTORATIVE  // BITTERS
8 1/8
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Rough pontil mark, Very rare
New York Daily Times May 12, 1852
Drug Catalog: 1883 Schieffelin

Peter B. Knapp

1839: Knapp’s Wholesale and Retail Drug Store was established in 1839.

1842: Peter B. Knapp, botanic medicine, 362 Hudson – The New York City Directory

1844: Peter B. Knapp, druggist, 362 Hudson, h. 362 Hudson – The New York City Directory

1850: Knapp’s Health Restorative Bitters advertisements (see above)

1855: Peter B. Knapp, age 44, druggist, New York City, Ward 12, wife Elizabeth, children, Mary E., Emma A., Julia F. and Franklin  – New York State Census

1856: Peter B. Knapp, druggist, 362 Hudson – Trows New York City Directory

1877: Peter B. Knapp, druggist, 362 Hudson – Gouldings New York City Directory

1900: Peter B. Knapp, one of the oldest retail druggists in New York city, died last month, July 1800 – The Western Druggist

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Confederate Stomach Bitters – Angelo Velati – Columbus Georgia

Posted on 5 December 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

CSBLabel

Confederate Stomach Bitters

Angelo Velati – Columbus Georgia

05 December 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAThere is an interesting bitters label that is presently making an appearance at Heritage Auctions. Thanks to Lou Holis for the tip. The label reads, “Confederate Stomach Bitters” with a Confederate flag. Beneath the flag is “A. Velati, Columbus, Georgia.” If you google Confederate Stomach Bitters, you pull up the following quote from Treasure Depot. I believe this is in reference to another later labeled bitters from New Orleans.

"Here’s one I just got that came out of the wall of a old house. I have never seen this before it was no doubt used only here in the South. It may have a UK orgin by the “LTD” after the makers name and then sold in New Orleans. Has anyone every seen this one before.? It is still covered in the fine coating that wall/attic dust will give a bottle over 100 years. I am guessing it is somewhere in the 1880’s or so era.

Treasure Depot *No Picture Attached

Angelo Velati

Angelo Velati was born in Italy around 1819 and sold cigars in Columbus, Georgia later in life. He probably sold a bitters too. Velati is a tough fellow to track down but I do see that he was a Confederate soldier during the Civil War enlisting as a Private in Everitt’s Company, Georgia 5th Infantry Regiment and was also a member of Chapman’s Company, Georgia Infantry aka, the Georgia Defenders. In 1864 he petitioned to be removed from being sent to the front. The letter below says he was invaluable in providing vegetables to Walker Hospital in Columbus. He also had Rheumatism which was also a contributing factor in him not fighting on the front lines. The letter below is quite interesting.

I have a problem with this label. Why can’t I find a listing confirming the brand? Bright orange paper? Obviously recreated, at least in my mind. So what goes? Oh, and there is no listing in Ring & Ham. Hmmm.

VelatiCivilWarLetter

Select Listings

1819: Angelo Velati born in Italy. Father and mother born in Italy.
1854: Angelo Velati marriage to Elizabeth Adams April 8, 1854 in Montgomery County Alabama.
1860: A Valatti, 38, Birth Year: abt 1822, Birth Place: Italy, Home in 1860: Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia, Post Office: Columbus, Dwelling Number: 271, Family Number: 271, Occupation: Candy Maker, Personal Estate Value: 5,000 – 1860 United States Federal Census
1861: A. Velati, enlisted as Private, Georgia. Enlisted in Everitt’s Company , Georgia 5th Infantry Regiment. Confederate, Georgia, Capt. Chapman’s Co., Georgia Infantry (Georgia Defenders)

Velati5thInfantry

1863: Confederate States purchase 1 horse from A. Velati October 14 1863 for $500 (see below)

VelatiInvoiceHorse

1864: A. Velati excused from going to the front of the war (see 25 October 1864 letter)
1865: Tax Assessment for Angelo Velati
1879-1880: Angelo Velati, cigar manufacturer, 35 St. Claire – Shole’s Georgia State Gazetteer
1880: Angelo Velati, age 61, widower, cigar maker, Columbus, Muscogee, Georgia –  1880United States Federal Census
1881: A. Valatti, Birth Place: Italy, Death Date: Nov 1881, Cemetery: Linwood Cemetery, Burial or Cremation Place: Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia, United States of America – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
Posted in Bitters, Civil War, History, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Restorative Bitters – Charles H. Ring

Posted on 5 December 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Broadway,New_York_1840

Restorative Bitters – Charles H. Ring

05 December 2014

RingCHNY

Apple-Touch-IconACruising mid 1800 newspapers in New York City for Bryant’s Stomach Bitters, I came across an 1850 advertisement for what appears to an unlisted Restorative Bitters by Charles H. Ring. Mr. Ring or Dr. Ring as he was referred to, was a druggist who was born in New York around 1818. He had an apothecary and drug store, first at 644 Broadway in 1840, selling things like Ring’s Verbena Cream, which was a tooth paste and his Elixir of Life. He is mentioned in bankruptcy documents in 1841 and resurfaces in 1848 at 192 Broadway in New York City selling Ring’s Cough Candy, Ring’s Compound Syrup and other drug store items. He seems to leave the druggist profession around 1860 and retire as a farmer in Cornwall, New York.

The Restorative Bitters was for disorders of the stomach, liver, nervous system and bowels. He said his bitters had been used for a number of years previously in the 1850 advertisement. He said it did not contain mercury nor any other metallic preparations. Thank goodness.

Select Listings for Charles H. Ring

1818: birth abt 1818, Charles H. Ring, New York, father Robert E. Ring

1840: Ring’s Verbena Cream advertisement, C. H. Ring, 644 Broadway (see below)

RingsVSoapad1840

Ring’s Verbena Cream advertisement, C. H. Ring, 644 Broadway

1841: Letter to Dr. C. H. Ring advertisement (see below), 644 Broadway, NY – The Remembrance

Ring1841Advertisement

Letter to Dr. C. H. Ring advertisement, 644 Broadway, NY – The Remembrance, 1841

1842: Charles H. Ring, Druggist, 53 Fulton – The New York City Directory

1843: Charles H. Ring, Druggist, New York – An alphabetical list of applicants for the benefit of the Bankrupt Act, in the Southern District of New-York

1848: Charles H. Ring, Druggist, 192 Broadway, h. 96 Spring – The New York City Directory

1850: Charles H. Ring, druggist, age 32, wife Evelina J., daughter, Sarah C. and son Charles H., New York Ward 8 District 1, New York – United States Federal Census

1850: Restorative Bitters advertisement (see below), Charles H. Ring, 192 Broadway, New York – The Evening Post, Saturday, May 4, 1850

RestorativeBitters_The_Evening_Post_Sat__May_4__1850_

Restorative Bitters advertisement, Charles H. Ring, 192 Broadway, New York – The Evening Post, Saturday, May 4, 1850

1852: Charles H. Ring, Druggist, 192 Broadway & asst. alderman, 8th W, h. 96 Spring – The Directory of the City of New York City

1855: Charles H. Ring, druggist, age 37, wife Evelina I., New York City, Ward 8 (children, Sarah, Laura and Robert) – New York State Census

1856: Various Charles H. Ring advertisements for products (see below) in the New York Times

Ring1856NYTr

Various Charles H. Ring advertisements for products in the New York Times, 1856

1860: Charles H. Ring, druggist, age 42, wife Evelina, home Cornwall, Orange, New York – United States Federal Census

1865: Charles H. Ring, boarding house, age 47, wife Evelina, home Cornwall, Orange, New York (children, Sarah C., Laura V and Robert B – New York State Census

1870: Charlers H. Ring, agriculture, Cornwall, Orange, New York – New York State Census

1875: Charles H. Ring, age 56, wife Evelina I., home Cornwall, Orange, New York (children, Ella, and Robert B – New York State Census

1880: Charles H. Ring, age 63, wife Evelina, home Cornwall, Orange, New York – United States Federal Census

Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John Dente Recollections

Posted on 2 December 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

John Dente Recollections

02 December 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAThe following e-mail communications are posted in the hopes of recording memories and recollections of great bitters bottles that have changed hands. We are only temporary custodians of these great beauties. Thank you to John Dente for sharing.

[Sunday, October 12, 2014, 8:40 am]

Hi, Ferdinand, I have visited your web site for a while now, really great, as I used to collect bitters from 1975 to 1982. I sold my small collection, about 30 bottles, mostly to Frank Kurcezesky, and Judge MacKenzie, and one here and there to other collectors I knew at that time.

ChandlersAmber_ABA

I have two stories related to two of your posts. First, the Dr. Chandlers, in amber, that sold in the Grapentine Auction (pictured above), was mine at one time. Read: Barrel Series – Dr. Chandler’s Jamaica Ginger Root Bitters. Story is, a very interesting fellow, named Sheldon Ray, who knew all the collectors, around 1978-1979, contacted me, and asked if I wanted a Chandlers that was full of contents, dried out, had a cracked label, with a sealed top. He drove to Bedford, my town, and said he was from, Louisiana and knew Tony Shank. Well, I purchased the bottle, for $3,000 dollars and decided to remove the label, that was distracting, open the top, pour out the bitters, and hope that there were no stains or interior haze. Lucky for me, the bottle was perfect. This Chandlers, Sheldon told me, was Charles Gardners, and had been purchased at the Gardner Auction.

HalfCash&Greeleys

I sold it to Judge MacKenzie using half cash, and trading a vertical Greeley’s Bourbon Whiskey Bitters in aqua (pictured above). I know that is my bottle you posted, or was, because of the long slender bubble on the left front of the upper neck. As you know, when you collect, each bottle has a unique blueprint, all different from the next.

R127_Russ'_FMV

Second, a great story, involving old friends at the time. John Feldmann, from Long Island, called me about the Russ Stomach Bitters (Read: Russ’ Stomach Bitters – A New York Lady’s Leg), he dug, and priced it to me at $900 dollars, and said there was a small potstone crack, on the neck. If I remember correctly, it had a graphite pontil. He sent it, and I did not purchase it, and I sent it back to him. About two weeks later, Jim Whetzel, from Ardsley, where Jim’s Bottle Shop was, called me and said “come in right away, I think I have something you might like.” So, my Dad and I went on Sunday, and what did Jim have?, the Feldmann, Russ Stomach Bitters bottle! I could not believe it! I told Jim that John Feldmann offered it to me for $900, and I sent it back. After yelling at me, in disbelief, Jim convinced me to purchase it, now at $1,000 dollars. To conclude, I am pretty sure, I sold it to Kurczesky, as Frank had a green example also, plus he had some really nice bottles, including a Seaworth Bitters (example pictured below), and I think, a green Dingeons (example pictured below). I can go on and on…

DingenTrio

I dealt with Judge Blaske and his wife at a show in Pennsylvania, and purchased an aqua National Bitters, (figural ear of corn, example pictured below, and at the same show, Tony Shank, had a Bartos Great Gun Bitters in amber (example pictured below), slight upper interior haze, and gave it to Jim Hagenbuch to sell. Yes, I purchased that also. So enough said. I wrote this because I know as a collector, history and the changing of hands of these bottles is important. I now collect art from Provincetown artists where my family and I have been vacationing for the past 26 years. Best to you and family. I wish I had the money to collect bitters again, John Dente………..

ClearCorn&Bartos

[Sunday, October 12, 2014, 10:50 am]

Ferdinand, after sending out the first e-mail, I started to think of all the days gone by. At that show I mentioned in Pennsylvania, I met Don Keating while I was walking around for the first time and Elvin Moody (Read: Elvin Moody Bottle Collection pictures surface!). He had on a table, I will never forget, a broken upper top and side of a Sol Franks Panacea Bitters (Read: Sol Frank’s Panacea Bitters – Great Form) bottle (see example pictured below).

F79_F

I do remember selling my Barto’s Great Gun bitters to, Chris Batdorf. I think Chris was a school teacher. Here are some of the collectors I became friends with and purchased and sold to … Kit Barry, James Hagenbuch, John Feldmann, Tony Shank, Frank Kerzchesky, Jim Whetzel, Norm Heckler, Burton Spiller, Don Keating and I can not remember, there was a guy, my age at the time, who collected only green bitters, and had amazing bottles. I remember, when I spoke to him, he said he was sick. I think, kidney disease or failure. I think he lived in upstate New York and think Don Keating knew him. One bottle I purchased from Jim Hagenbuch, I drove and met him at the Delaware Water Gap, was The Best Bitters in America (Read: Is the Best Bitters in America the Best Bitters in America?)(see example pictured below). A real beautiful bottle in light amber. I was just thinking, and thought you might like some more bottle stories, and to conclude, the best thing about collecting anything, is the great people you meet along the way, always interesting, always great stories! – John Dente……

B92_Best Bitters_RH

[Monday, October 13, 2014, 7:13 am]

Hi Ferdinand, you can post anything. You might want to re-write it a bit, as I am a lousy writer. One more add-on to the Hagenbuch meeting at the Watergap. Jim sold me the Best Bitters in America, as I said. I also purchased Frank Kurczeskys, Old Homestead Wild Cherry Bitters (Read: Log Cabin Series – Old Homestead Wild Cherry Bitters) with an annealing crack in the applied top. The color was a medium shade of puce that leaned toward strawberry (see example picture below). It was a beautiful bottle, and one Frank talked to me about the most. Also, Jim had a Dingeons Napoleon Bitters with an annealing crack, and already owning one, I passed. I remember, after further thought, Frank purchased the aqua National Bitters (corn) from me. I think Jim had the start of the Kurczcesky collection breakup in his van.

OldHomesteadStrawberryPuce

One more note: Jim also showed me, a Halls Bitters barrel (read: Figural Barrel Series – Hall’s Bitters), not the regular one, the one that was a mold like a Greeley’s or Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic as it had rings (see example pictured below). It was sort of a smoky, orange amber and I had never seen this before. It was reserved for someone else so I could not buy it, or I would have. I have a feeling this bottle went to Carlyn Ring, as her picture in the bottle book looks the same and it looks like the one I saw with Jim Hagenbuch. Good Memoiries… Hope my small circle of collecting recollections, brings others to fill in the gaps, as far as, where did the bottle come from. Thanks for the reply. John Dente…..

H 009 Hall'sBitters

[Sunday, October 19, 2014, 5:35 pm]

Ferdinand, one final memory concerning Jim Whetzel. Jim, was a huge poison bottle collector and displayed his collection in his shop in Ardsley, New York. He had from what I could see, and he told me, “just about every poison bottle out there including the three rare figural skulls (see examples pictured below). When he passed he left the poison collection to his niece Lenore. She was also his assistant. Those of us he knew got a special invite to purchase any and all remaining bottles and cases in the store. My dad and I went, no bitters for me, but what beautiful, rare colored sunburst, scroll, Pitkins and Washington flasks, and more. I was not into anything but Bitters so I did not purchase any bottles. Just another memory gone by. Take care, John Dente……

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Posted in Advice, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, History, Poison Bottles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Comus Stomach Bitters – Crescent City

Posted on 1 December 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

ComusStomachBittersR_ebay

Comus Stomach Bitters – Crescent City

01 December 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAThe four “C’s”. I guess I could have said NOLA or New Orleans but”Comus”, “Clerc” and “Crescent City” roll off the tongue a little easier. I suppose many of you bitters collectors have seen or heard of the Comus Stomach Bitters presently on eBay. The Sole Proprietor is Clerc Brothers & Company, Limited, New Orleans, Louisiana. The eBay seller, cockerell4141, calls out the following, “Up for auction from the collection of an advanced bottle collector is this fabulous condition Clerc Brothers & Co Limited Sole Proprietors New Orleans, LA–COMUS Stomach Bitters. This minty bottle looks absolutely wet and I see no chips, cracks, or stains. This bottle does have bubbles in the hand blown glass. The bottom features a two-inch indentation.” The top pictures have been modified in Photoshop to remove the background.

NOLA1901pic

New Orleans around 1900

This eBay example could be an unlisted variant according to Bill Ham, co-author, with Carlyn Ring, of Bitters Bottles and Bitters Bottles Supplement. Their listings in Bitters Bottles for two previous known examples is as follows:

C 212  COMUS STOMACH BITTERS
COMUS / STOMACH BITTERS // CLERC BROS.
9 x 2 3/4 (6 1/2) 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled Lip, Scarce

C213Drawing

C 213  COMUS STOMACH BITTERS
COMUS / STOMACH BITTERS / // f // SCHMIDT & ZIEGLER LIMITED / SOLE PROPRIETORS / NEW ORLEANS, LA. // f //
9 x 2 3/4 (6 1/2) 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely rare
Schmidt and Ziegler were grocers *1875-94 *actually 1845

It is entirely possible that the C 212 listing in Bitters Bottles may have been light in information and that this example on eBay is a C 212. We will wait for Bill Ham to decide.

Comus

ReignCostacomus

The Reign of Comus by Lorenzo Costa.

Wikipedia says that in Greek mythology, a Comus is the god of festivity, revels and nocturnal dalliances. He is a son and a cup-bearer of the god Bacchus. Comus represents anarchy and chaos. His mythology occurs in the later times of antiquity. During his festivals in Ancient Greece, men and women exchanged clothes. He was depicted as a young man on the point of unconsciousness from drink. He had a wreath of flowers on his head and carried a torch that was in the process of being dropped. Unlike the purely carnal Pan or purely intoxicated Dionysos, Comus was a god of excess. This makes perfect sense for the name of a New Orleans bitters.

Smith & Ziegler

Smith & Ziegler were prominent wholesale grocers, and importers of wines and liquors in New Orleans whose business spanned almost 50 years. The partnership was formed in 1845 by William B. Smith and Francis Michael Ziegler, both Germans. The business constantly grew until it was one of the largest wholesale grocery concerns in the South with trade occurring throughout most parts of the United States, Central and South America and Europe. Schmidt and Ziegler met in New Orleans in 1843 and put together an idea for a grocery store. Schmidt contributed $100 while Ziegler contributed $300. Their grocery store opened on November 5, 1845 on the levee (now Decatur Street), near the French Market. The business prospered, and by 1865, they opened a wholesale grocery in newer and larger quarters at the corner of South Peters and Gravier street. Four years later they built their own building with a sign that read, Schmidt & Ziegler, Ltd. The firm weathered all of the turmoil of the Mexican War and Civil War and had great credit to allow them to grow and prosper.

Schmidt&ZieglerClip

Schmidt & Ziegler profile – New Orleans and the New South by Andrew Morrison, 1888

William B. Schmidt

WB_SchmidtNOLA

William B. Schmidt

William B. Schmidt was born in Schwierberdingen, which is a village of Wurtemburg, Germany in 1823. When he was 15 years old he came to New Orleans and stayed his entire life. In 1845, he formed a partnership with Francis Michael Ziegler who married his sister. They both entered the wholesale grocery business as Schmidt & Ziegler. Later in life, at the time of his death on 16 June 1901, Schmidt was vice-president of the Louisiana Planter and Sugary Manufacturing Company as well as holding many other positions of significant importance in business and civic roles.

Francis Michael Ziegler

FM_Ziegler2Nola

Francis Michael Ziegler

Francis Michael Ziegler was the partner of William B. Schmidt at Schmidt & Ziegler. Ziegler was born in Oberndorf-on-the-Neckar, Wurtemburg in 1818. In 1839, at the ripe young age of twenty-one years old, he came to United States arriving in New York City. Soon after his arrival he moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania where he was employed until 1841. He then headed south to New Orleans down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on steamboat. He first works at the wine and liquor house of Charles E. Alter. In 1843 he meets William B. Schmidt and the two men join in partnership.

The Clerc Brothers & Company, Limited

Brothers Albert Peter Clerc and Rene F. Clerc were both born in New Iberia, Louisiana in 1871 and 1874 respectively. Albert was in the hat business and was also a very successful traveling salesman for a grocer in the South. Rene F. Clerc was also a successful traveling salesman for Albert Mackie Grocery Company. Rene then moved on to work for Schmidt & Ziegler. With Smith & Ziegler finally shutting their doors after 50 years of grocery business, the two brothers and Andrew Gildaud form Clerc Bros. & Co. Limited on 01 May 1897. They are addressed at 400 Tchoupitoulas street in New Orleans and only last two or three years. This is when the Clerc Brothers Comus Stomach Bitters, the bottle on eBay, is put out. Rather late for a bitters bottle. It follows the exact form and embossing of the Schmidt & Ziegler Comus Stomach Bitters which was probably made in the late 1880s or early 1990s. Both are very rare to extremely rare bottles. I can not find any advertising for the brand.

AlbertClerc_The_Times_Picayune_Mon__May_10__1897_

Albert P.Clerc profile – The Times Picayune (New Orleans) Monday May 10, 1897

ReneClerc_The_Times_Picayune_Mon__May_10__1897_-2

Rene F. Clerc profile – The Times Picayune (New Orleans) Monday May 10, 1897

Select Listings:

1818: Francis Michael Ziegler born in Oberndorf-on-the-Neckar, Wurtemburg.

1823: William B. Schmidt born in Schwierberdingen a village of Wurtemburg.

1845: Schmidt and Ziegler, grocers established in 1845.

1871: Albert Peter Clerc born in New Iberia, Louisiana

1874: Rene F. Clerc born in New Iberia, Louisiana

1873: Residence of William Schmidt (see below), Coliseum Street, from Jewel’s Crescent City Illustrated, 1873

SchmidtResidenceNOLA1873

Residence of William Schmidt (see below), Coliseum Street, from Jewel’s Crescent City Illustrated, 1873

1890-1891: Albert P. Clerc, clerk, R. E. Lee Hat Store, H. & U. Laroussini, jr., 50 Louis street – New Orleans, Louisiana City Directory

1895: Albert P. Clerc, travel agent, Laudaner & Meyer, 422 Canal – New Orleans, Louisiana City Directory

1895: Rene F. Clerc, travel agent, Albert Mackie, 535 Magazine – New Orleans, Louisiana City Directory

1897: Clerc Bros. & Co. formed on 01 May 1897 by Albert P. Clerc, Rene F. Clerc and Andrew Gildaud

1900: Clerc Bros. & Co., 400 Tchoupitoulas street, New Orleans – The Commercial Year Book, 1900

1906-1912: Albert P. Clerc, clerk, Jaubert Bros., 200 Magazine – New Orleans, Louisiana City Directory

1906-1907: Rene F. Clerc, vice pres., Schmidt & Ziegler, Ltd., 432 S. Peters – New Orleans, Louisiana City Directory

1912: Rene F. Clerc, manfrs agt, 323 Board of Trade pl – New Orleans, Louisiana City Director

1915: Albert P. Clerc death on April 23, 1915 in New Orleans

Posted in Bitters, eBay, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Dose | December 2014

Posted on 1 December 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

DECEMBER  |  2 0 1 4

Tuesday, 30 December 2014

DickWatson70s

So unfortunate to lose Dick Watson. Great man. Really feel privileged to have known him as a collector and a Federation board member. Was a good friend of my father too. Cool picture from the 187os. Dick in ochre tie. Read about Dick

Tough post with all of the Dr. Kaufmann Sulphur Bitters variations. Think I got most of it figured out. Here are a few more Joe Gourd trade cards that did not make the post.

Birds_B&F_Gourd

Birds_front_4_Gourd

Birds_front_3_Gourd

Birds_front_2Gourd

Monday, 29 December 2014

Been busy with family and the holiday. Back in the city today. Working on large post for Dr. Kaufmann’s Sulphur Bitters. Lots of cool images.

Another Indianapolis bitters.

BSB_The_Indianapolis_News_Tue__Aug_6__1878_

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Dreary, blah, cold rainy day here. Snow in other parts of Texas. I really like this typography in this art for Dr. Roback. The Botany – Chemistry – Pharmacy – Experience triangle occurred in 1861 newspaper advertising and on a Roback’s 1861 Almanac. Read about the big Roback’s Stomach Bitters barrels and small Roback’s Stomach Bitters barrels.

RobacksTriangle_The_Plymouth_Weekly_Democrat_Thu__Sep_26__1861_

Dr. Roback’s Blood Pills and Blood Purifier art – The Plymouth Weekly Democrat, Thursday, September 26, 1861

Dr. J. Boveedod’s Imperial Stomach Bitters post updated.

Monday, 22 December 2014

FOHBCsmoking_santa_clausDuo_NL

Art for FOHBC Christmas piece above. Anybody ever seen a Dr. Wonser’s stoneware jug?

WonserJug

Sunday, 21 December 2014

AppleBrandyBitters_ABA

OK, Texan’s just beat the Raven’s. That’s cool. XR bitters keep showing up on Jeff Wichmann’s American Bottle Auctions, Bottle Sales page. Nice concept with shopping cart. Shipping charges need a little tweaking.

Statigers Stomach Bitters

Friday, 19 December 2014

HathawaysEbay1

An unlisted Hathaway’s Celebrated Stomachic Bitters from Wilkes-Barre, PA sold on eBay yesterday. Look for a post. I was in Reading, PA yesterday, home of the H.P. Herb Wild Cherry Bitters. Mark Warne reminded me of this. The XR Bloch’s German Bitters also just sold on eBay. In Dallas now for business. Headed home to Houston midday. Lots of rain.

Wednesday, 17 December 2014

LittleAdrianaPapa

Yesterday was my granddaughter Adriana’s 19th birthday. She’s in college now and collects poison bottles and horses. She is a member of the APBCA. Read: Granddaughter Adriana stirs up traffic at Balto Show – 2004

Off to Philly then Dallas for business. A bit backed-up with posts.

Sunday, 14 December 2014

BobFerraro_ThePontil_June1965.pdf-1

Who is that handsome gent at the left? Looks like he could be a politician. Hint, he is a major figural bitters collector. This may have been the FIRST image used in the ABCA newsletter The Pontil from June 1965. There was concern about the extra cost for b/w images.

Saturday, 13 December 2014

Would today be the 13th day of Christmas? Not part of the song but I sang “13 dogs a running” this morning during my jog.

PurpleBoydRowell

[Chris Rowell] Here is the Torpedo we dug last night. As you can see the color is an awesome shade of light pinkish amethyst. I was about blown away by this bottle when it came out of the privy. I have to thank my friends Bruce Adwell and Bruce Curtis for letting me add this one to the collection.

Friday, 12 December 2014

BurtonSpiller1966

Anybody ever heard of a Burton’s Bitters? New to me. Can any one guess who this legendary bitters collector is? This picture is from a 1966 Mardi Gras masquerade party. I am adding 1960s issues of the ABCA newsletters to the FOHBC web site. So fun looking at these great stories and pictures. The ABCA was the forerunner of the FOHBC.

ABCALogo_small

Thursday, 11 December 2014

c

Like this vintage picture of an old Coca Cola script letter C.

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

Thanks for the dog bite well wishes. Healing nicely I think. Not foaming at the mouth, except at that puce Dr. Townsends.

Stillmans_nolabitters

Above is a new picture that I came across showing what may be the elusive Dr. Stillman’s Temperance Bitters. It is not known what may or may not be embossed on the reverse of the bottle.

Friday, 05 December 2014

Took an ambulance today to the ER. Free Advice…”Do not stick arm in the middle of a dog fight”. Odd label from Heritage Auctions. I’ll check it out. Read More

“Confederate Stomach Bitters” Bottle Label. Printed on orange paper measuring 4.75″ x 3.75″, the label features a Confederate flag surrounded by an ornate border. The bitters, a popular digestive remedy at the time, were produced by A. Velati of Columbus, Georgia. Mounting remnants of the verso, else fine. Estimate: $700 – up.

ConfederateStomachBitters_label

Thursday, 04 December 2014

Bryants_The_New_York_Times_Mon__Mar_26__1860_

Bryant’s Stomach Bitters post updated with NYC advertisements and a little info on Dr. George N. W. Bryant.

Bill Ham alerts us to a new Greer’s Eclipse Bitters variant on eBay. See Listing. He says that there is not much difference except that it is slightly smaller than the other two flat panel ones. It is shorter and has a smaller base dimension than G 109 and G 110, although having all flat panels. G 111 is similar height but has smaller base dimension and three indented panels. It is actually closer to 8 3/4 inches high. Should have had number G 110.5. Listing…

G 110.5 // GREER’S ECLIPSE / BITTERS / f / LOUISVILLE, KY. / f /
8 3/4 x 2 5/8 (6 ¾)1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Very rare

Wednesday, 03 December 2014

FrogMate

Refreshed a older Crooke’s Stomach Bitters post earlier this AM while sitting in the Charlotte airport.

Monday, 01 December 2014

Hoping I can make it out west to the Roseville Show. Need to head to the east coast first. Look for a post for Comus Stomach Bitters from NOLA.

Posted in Advice, Daily Dose, News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bottle News from the Big Sky Country

Posted on 30 November 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BigSkyLicPlate

Bottle News from the Big Sky Country

30 November 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAAlways like to hear from James Campiglia up in Bozeman, Montana aka Big Sky Country. He and his digging buddies with Outhouse Patrol have it covered or uncovered in this case. James takes a moment to bring us up to speed.

"Going digging tomorrow in an 1869 camp. Still can’t find a thing, but only spent about three days there. The trash pit just had cans and some bones. I am researching a lot, have some maps and now own a drone. We will fly around and image from the sky now and can run over on other property too if needed. Long as the hunters don’t shoot us down! Found tiny pieces of a Drakes Plantation Bitters in a yellow-green coloration. Found a nice military button with an eagle. I do plan to get an article together for you this time with some nice pictures. James

Cylinder&Brady's_JC

P.S #1: Ferd, Just wanted to show you the Brady’s Family Bitters, cleaned up. The Whiskey is a nice McCully Pittsburgh bottle from an 1869 hole. Dug the rest of the hole and nothing to exciting other than a new base marked, W. Mc C & Co. Six straight across for my collection but plain amber. And two, J & C Maguire, St Louis, MO., clear though. Bottles were mixed with a heavy seed layer at the very bottom for most then some Jamaica Gingers up higher but all were 5+ feet and we were lucky to find this very filled-in hole.

Digging was tough this year but I played hookey as you know and went to shows a lot. Dug til the rain came down and down last Sunday and the next day snow and now below zero temps warming to about 10 tomorrow. We were on a great site but the one hole we found after 2 days searching was all burned with a heavy iron content, old stove parts, springs, etc. and all the old black ales were smashed and that is all there was; ales or Guinness, old 3-molds from across the sea. Probably 80’s so the old holes from 1865 to the 1880s still are to be found. Next Spring.

Frozen in Montana but want to dig more!

Regards, James

JamesPic1

P.S. #2: Thought you might enjoy some of my pictures. The Hostetter’s with the hooked J and base marked W. Mc C & Co. (in arch) 6. Fun to pair up the molds in totally different colors. Dug a nice W Mc C lately too but not a great color but 1869 camp in the hole where the Brady’s Family Bitters was found and some old J & C Maguire St. Louis bottles. Not many bottles but all were whole in the hole. 

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P.S. #3: Two more with nice colors W Mc C & Co G but slight different G’s.

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JamesPic4

P.S. #4: Hello Ferd, Another one from my book cabinet/DVD player cabinet… I change this display often. I have really gotten more into the Townsends. Have quite a few now..

JamesDeskTopR

P.S. #5: Ferd, A few more pics.Hope all is well, Keep up all the great bottle work. Cant wait for the next National. What a hobby! – James

James5

James6

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Digging News from St. Joe

Posted on 29 November 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

STMMap

Digging News from St. Joe

29 November 2014

SJBrick

Apple-Touch-IconANice to get some digging news from St. Joseph, Missouri. I went to college in Kansas City, Missouri and I remember St. Joe being north. In business I am aware of St. Joe bricks. The Kansas City Queen figural bitters showed up at a bottle show in St. Joe a couple of years back. A jealous, Cajun girlfriend threw an almost cooked turkey out the back door in 1979 or so in Rulo, Nebraska in a frozen, snow-covered cabin once. It slid down a hill onto a frozen lake. Image etched in my mind. We drove thru St. Joe to get to Rulo in my girlfriends car. I had to hitchhike back to my dorm. Memories take on many levels here.

Hello Ferdinand

I live In St Joseph, Missouri and have been digging here heavily for the past fifteen years. I have been following your website for the past few always enjoying images of bottles we don’t dig in our area.

This spring I was complaining to myself how we never find any good whiskeys or bitters here even though there are a few dozen great whiskeys and bitters from St Joseph. After over 1,500 pits dug here, we only had a scant few examples to show.

This year things finally started to change a little with a dig in May. We found what I believe is an unknown E. H. Taylor Jr. Co whiskey (see pic below) from a pit dating to about 1881. I read your story about a stoneware jug from that distillery and decided I should share this info with you.

Read: A question regarding an “Old Taylor” find

Read: 20th Century Old Taylor Kentucky Bourbon Advertising

EH_Taylor

Since May, things have gotten crazy here. It has truly been our best year of digging.

Other notable finds concerning whiskeys and bitters were:

1/2 pint “Not For Joe” in aqua, unknown. (see pic below) 

NotForJoeStJoe

2 Dr. B.F. Sherman paper label bitters from mid 1860s (of the Prickly Ash Bitters Co. of Kansas City). We dug 2 of these 15 years ago also on my very first dig in my own backyard! (see pic below) 

MishlersStJoe

1860s side-wheel steamboat figural whiskey nip in clear with a ground top.

Last but not least was an unknown mid 1860s bottle from a St Joe firm that was in business 1 year-1867. An olive whiskey with a strap side flask body and a fifth type quart neck. To make the story really crazy – I live in the house built for one of the partners listed on the bottle! (see pics below)

SmithKerrOgden4 SmithKerrOgden3 SmithKerrOgdenDetail SmithKerrOgden1

PRG: Ogden J C, of Smith, Kerr & Ogden. – North Missouri and Eastern Kansas Business Directory, 1867-68

In 1857, James Cochran engaged in the grocery business in Lexington, Missouri In 1859, he moved to St. Joseph, Mo., where he was a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Kinney & Ogden, which relation continued till the early part of the Civil War. In 1864, he was with Kercheval, Kinney & Powell, who, with 600 head of oxen and 60 wagons, loaded with groceries, crossed the plains, and located at Virginia City, Mont., the firm clearing about $150,000. The following year, Mr. Ogden entered the firm of C. D. Smith & Co., a grocery jobbing house in St. Joseph, Mo., the firm later becoming Smith, Kerr & Ogden. Mr. Ogden later withdrew, and as Buck & Ogden, at St. Joseph, engaged in the jobbing of hats. He established a number of retail grocery houses in small towns near that city, and was with the one at Union Star, Mo., when he died. James C. Ogden was an excellent business man, and possessed a remarkably straightforward religious character. “His religion was always on hand – week days, as well as Sundays.”

The Ogden Family in America

I plan to get you some good images of these, but just wanted to drop you a line now so I will stop putting this off.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Daniel Moser

Posted in Bitters, Digging and Finding, Historical Flasks, Liquor Merchant, News, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Virgin’s Wine Bitters – Concord, New Hampshire

Posted on 27 November 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Virgins2GWA105

Dr. Virgin’s Wine Bitters – Concord, New Hampshire

27 November 2014 (R•030516)

Apple-Touch-IconAFirst of all…Happy Thankgiving. Here is another important bitters that sold this past Monday night in the Glass Works Auctions, The ‘Christmas Comes Early’ Catalog Auction #105 . The Dr. Virgin’s Wine Bitters from Concord, New Hampshire (Ring/Ham, V-24) is bluish aqua, 10 1/8” tall with a smooth base and has an applied double collar mouth. This particular bottle is also from the Paul Hadley Collection and is extremely rare, possibly even unique. It is also Ex. Carlyn Ring Collection. All the bells and whistles. Both pictures in this post are from the auctioneer.

Read about the other aqua bitters that sold: T. J. Lummus’ A.V. Bitters – Lynn Mass

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

V24Drawing

V 24  DR. VIRGIN’S WINE BITTERS
f // DR. VIRGIN’S // WINE BITTERS // CONCORD N.H. //
10 1/4 x 4 x 2 3/8 ( 6 1/2) 1/2
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, 3 sp, Extremely rare
VirginsGWA105

“DR. VIRGIN’S – WINE / BITTERS – CONCORD, N.H.”, (Ring/Ham, V-24), New Hampshire, ca. 1865 – 1875, bluish aqua, 10 1/8”h, smooth base, applied double collar mouth. Paul Hadley Collection. Near perfect, (a 1/8” long vertical in manufacturing ‘crazing’ line is in the top edge of the lip). Overall pristine condition, super impression. Here’s one that’s extremely rare, possibly even unique! Ex. Carlyn Ring Collection. – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 105

The Virgin Family

This bitters story starts with Ebenezer Virgin (1702-1766) who was the founding father of the Virgin name in America. It is thought that he came from Salisbury, England to Salisbury, Massachusetts in 1722. From Salisbury, Virgin went to Dunstable, Massachusetts, which was then called Tyngsboro, and in 1726, with seven men sent by the Massachusetts Bay Colony, he went to lay out a township on the Merrimack River, then called Penny Cook, later Rumford, and now called Concord. Concord, N.H. is embossed on the bottle. Of course this was too early to be making bitters here in the states.

Ebenezer Virgin married Mary Chandler of Andover, Massachusetts and they had five children, Phineas, Ebenezer II, William, Jonathan, Miriam, Elijah and John. Ebenezer Virgin II was born on May 25 1735. He had a son Jonathan (1758-1813) who had a son named Issac (1789-1870) who had a son named Rufus (1818-1899) who was the father of Fred Peaslee Virgin who I believe, put out the Dr. Virgin’s Wine Bitters.

FredPVirginFred Peaslee Virgin was born on January 25, 1853 and was the second son of and fifth child of Rufus and Mary Ann (Stevens) Virgin. He was a self-made man and one of the early outstanding citizens of New Hampshire. He obtained his education in public schools at Penacook and Pinkerton acadamies. He worked in farming like most of the many Virgins in New Hampshire but left when he was sixteen years old to go to Boston where he was employed by Martin L. Hall & Company, wholesale grocers. They were reported to be the largest wholesale grocery house in New England. He first started out as a clerk and was later promoted to salesman and by 1883 was made a partner of the firm that was established in 1831. Fred died in 1908 in Boston.

First_Concord_BridgeI said “believe” earlier because there is no information, advertising or a label to support that Fred P. Virgin was a doctor or put out this bottle. He is the only Virgin, that I can see, that was a salesman and merchant. I can picture Fred on that horse on the illustration above of the first bridge in Concord (1795) heading off to the big city in 1869 with nothing but ambition, his family name and the family recipe for wine bitters. He would then pitch this product as a salesman at Martin L. Hall & Company and they made a run of bottles and a batch of Dr. Virgin’s Wine Bitters from grapes from one of the Virgin’s Concord, New Hampshire farms or vineyards. Concord N.H. was not that far from Boston. Remember, this could possibly be the only known example of this bottle. There would not have been many made.

UPDATE:

Ferdinand,

I was pondering that Dr. Virgin’s bitters from Concord, New Hampshire that you wrote about some time ago. I really think that the fellow that put these out may have been Frank Pierce Virgin.

Franklin Pierce Virgin was born on October 13, 1850 in Rumford, Maine to Benjamin F. Virgin and Eunice L. Virgin. In 1870, He lived in Lewiston, Maine.

In 1876 we find him listed in the Concord, New Hampshire directory as a student at Gage & Conn, who were physicians in Concord, New Hampshire. In 1872 we find him listed as a Sophomore at Bowdoin College; he graduated in 1875 from undergraduate school and appears to have continued on as a medical student in Concord. His preceptor was listed as Gage & Conn in the Bowdoin directory in 1876 and 1877. He apparently actually received his medical degree from the Detroit Medical College in 1877 while still at Gage & Conn.

By 1878, it appears that he was a doctor in Dover, New Hampshire. By 1880 he was a physician in Rochester, New Hampshire, and the 1900, 1910, and 1920 census lists him as a physician in Weymouth, Massachusetts, where he apparently moved in 1888.

I would guess that during his time with Gage & Conn in the 1876-1877 timeframe, he put this medicine out as this looks like the right timeframe for the bottle, and it appears that he had some family money so may have tried to get into the patent medicine business.

Note that there was another Frank Pierce Virgin who was the son of Rufus of Concord, but he was born in 1847, was a farmer and passed away in 1871.

Best Regards,

Brandon DeWolfe, P.E.

Posted in Bitters, History, Medicines & Cures, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

T. J. Lummus’ A.V. Bitters – Lynn Mass

Posted on 26 November 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

LUMMUS014a_GWA105r

T. J. Lummus’ A.V. Bitters – Lynn Mass

26 November 2014 (R•112714) (R•121115)

Apple-Touch-IconAAn important bitters sold this past Monday night in the Glass Works Auctions, The ‘Christmas Comes Early’ Catalog Auction #105 . The T. J. LUMMUS’ A.V. BITTERS from Lynn, Massachusetts (Ring/Ham, L-133) is bluish aqua, 7 1/2” tall with an open pontil and has an applied tapered collar mouth. This particular bottle was from the Paul Hadley Collection and is extremely rare, this being the first to come to auction in almost 20 years according to Glass Works. Both pictures in this post are from the auctioneer. The lot closed with call backs at 30 bids and a price breaking $3,500 with the auction house premium. I did find reference to another example residing in the Old Sturbridge Village Museum.

I was curious about this bitters so I developed this post. I wanted to find out who T. J. Lummus was and what A.V. Bitters was? The best I can come up with so far is “A Valuable” Bitters or “A Vegetable” Bitters or “Anti-Virus” Bitters or “Anti-Vomit” Bitters? I have ruled out “Audio Visual”, a term used in my profession. At this point I can find no advertising for the bitters or a label.

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

L 133drawing

L 133  T. J. LUMMUS’ A. V. BITTERS
T. J. LUMMUS’ / A. V. BITTERS //LYNN // f // MASS. //
7 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 2 (5 1/4) 3/4
Rectangular, Aqua, LTC, Rough pontil mark, Extremely rare
Lettering reads base to shoulder
LummusGWA105

“T.J. LUMMUS’ / A.V. BITTERS – LYNN – MASS.”, (Ring/Ham, L-133), Massachusetts, ca. 1840 – 1860, bluish aqua, 7 1/2”h, open pontil, applied tapered collar mouth. Paul Hadley Collection. Pristine attic mint condition, wonderful glass whittle and no trace of wear. Extremely rare, the first to come to auction in almost 20-years! – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 105

Thomas Jefferson Lummus

Thomas Jefferson Lummus, not too much doubt here as to who he was named after, was born on September 22, 1803 in Lynn, Essex County Massachusetts. He came from a line of doctors and medicine men and ended up as a shoe man.

His grandfather was Dr. Aaron Lummus who was born in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, on 17 August 1757. His wife was Eunice Coffin (1760-1843). He died on 5 January 1831 in Lynn, Massachusetts. His father was John Lummus (1722-1785) and mother Hannah Porter (1724-1787). In 1792, Dr. Lummus settled in Lynn, Massachusetts. and had a number of sons and daughters including Aaron Lummus (b 1792), Edward A. Lummus (b 1794), George Lummus (1796-1860), Charles F. Lummus (1801-1838) and Thomas J. Lummus (b 1803). This is our “T. J.”. Daughters were Clarissa Lummus (1787-1807), Hannah Lummus (b 1789) and Elizabeth C. Lummus (b 1798).

Aaron Lummus was a Justice of the Peace and grocer, George Lummus was also a druggist and Edward Lummus was a grocer who sold medicines. Thomas J. Lummus, the subject of this sketch, was a druggist in the late 1830s and went into the ink and shoe blacking business the second half of his career. These guys were all intertwined in business in Lynn. The Lummus’ A.V. Bitters was made and sold in the early 1840s, probable for only a year or two. Still do not know what “A. V.” stands for. The “A.V.” stand for “Aromatic Vegetable” per this 1841 Salem, Massachusetts advertisement below submitted by Brian Wolff.

LummusAd1841Salem

According to Ring and Ham, T. J. Lummus was a witness to the battle between the HMS Shannon and the American frigate Chesapeake, was a schoolmate of William Lloyd Garrison and played the clarinet in a Lynn band during a ceremony to lay the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument.

Read about another New England ink manufacturer that made a bitters: S.O. Dunbar & his Tomato (ya ya ya) Bitters

Lummus1867Ad

T. J. Lummus Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, Perfumery, Patent Medicines advertisement – 1867 Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory

Lummus1880Ad

T. J. Lummus Shoe and Ink advertisement – 1880 Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory

Lummus1883Ad

T. J. Lummus, ink and blacking, Union Block, Union Street, Lynn advertisement – 1883 Haverhill, Massachusetts City Directory

Hi Ferdinand,

I got a chance last night to catch up on your excellent website when I saw the photo essay you did on the TJ Lummus AV Bitters, I thought I’d send you a note about a situation that is very unusual – to me at least. I’m just wondering if this is a more common experience than I think.

I am attaching three photos of the TJ Lummus AV Bitters. The first is the property of the Lynn Historical Society; the second you featured on your website and the third is in my collection. They are all the same body design and color, and OP, as well as height to shoulder, but the neck lengths and lips are all different:

LHS bottle: flare lip
Peachridge bottle: tapered lip
My bottle: square applied lip

This bitters was lightly advertised through the decade of its existence and my guess is that less than a thousand were made and sold over that time. I would love your thoughts on why it would be manufactured in three lip styles? I have a few thoughts, but I’d sure love the benefit of your expertise and insight!

Thanks so much for your time and interest.

Andy Rapoza

Microsoft Word - TJLummus.docx

Microsoft Word - TJLummus.docx

Microsoft Word - TJLummus.docx

Select Listings

1757: Dr. Aaron Lummus born in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts,. Dies 05 January 1831.
1786: Dr. Aaron Lummus marries Eunice Coffin in Glouchester, Mass.
1792: Dr. Aaron Lummus settles in Lynn, Massachusetts.
1803: Thomas J. Lummus born September 22, 1803 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts.
1833: Thomas J. Lummus marriage to Abigail M. Newhall on November 3, 1833 in Lynn, Massachusetts
1837: Thomas J. Lummus, Lynn, member of the convention, N.E., Christian Convention – The Liberator (Boston, Massachusetts)
1841: Thomas J. Lummus (also Edward A. Lummus, apothecary at another address), Apothecaries, 14 N. Common st. cor Franklin Avenue – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory

Lummus1841

1841: Advertisements for T. J. Lummus’s Aromatic Vegetable Bitters
1850: Thomas J. Lummus, apothecary, Lynn, Massachusetts – United States Federal Census
1851-1854: Thomas J. Lummus (a number of other Lummus family members), drugs and medicines, 62 Market, corner Tremont, house 19 Franklin – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory

LummusFamily

1854-1860: Thomas J. Lummus, Apothecaries, drugs and medicines, 62 Market, c Tremont, house 19 Franklin – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory *Also Edward A. Lummus, Apothecaries, 187 (Old No. 67) Summer **William Lummus, architect boards at 19 Franklin (1860)
1860: Thomas J. Lummus, druggist, Lynn, Massachusetts – United States Federal Census
1863-1867: T. J. Lummus, apothecary and ink manufacturer, No. 18 South Common st, Lynn – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory
1865: Patent US46684, Improved Red Ink, Thomas Jefferson Lummus, 7 March 1865
1878: T. J. Lummus, inks and varnishes, Union Block, rear 158 Union, house 17 Franklin – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory
1880: Thomas J. Lummas, merchant, Lynn, Massachusetts – United States Federal Census
1880: T. J. Lummus Shoe and Ink, Union Block, Union Street advertisement (see above) – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory
1883: T. J. Lummus, ink and blacking, Union Block, Union Street, Lynn advertisement (see above) – Haverhill, Massachusetts City Directory
1885-1886: T. J. Lummus, Shoe, Boot and Ink stains and varnishes, Union Block, Union Street – Lynn, Massachusetts City Directory
1895: Thomas J. Lummus Death 10 February 1895 in Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts
Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Auction News, Bitters, Blacking, Druggist & Drugstore, Glass Makers, History, Inks, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment