Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters – Savannah

Posted on 30 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

DeutenhoffAGG13

Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters – Savannah

30 October 2014 (R•11.12.15) (R•020319)

Apple-Touch-IconAHere is a tough bitters that I have never seen before. The Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters from Savannah, Georgia recently sold in the American Glass Gallery Auction #13 that closed this past Tuesday night. It is also embossed, G.M. Heidt. This bottle form very much reminds me of the Lippman’s Great German Bitters and Solomon’s Strengthening Bitters, also both from Savannah. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

D 55

D 55  Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters
DEUTENHOFFS / SWISS BITTERS // sp // G.M. HEIDT / SAVANNAH GA // f //
9 1/4 x 2 5/8 (6 5/8) 1/2
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 3 sp, Extremely rare
GeorgeMarionHeidt

Dr. George Marion Heidt

George Marion Heidt

George Marion Heidt was born in April 1831 in Effingham County, Georgia. His great-grandfather was John George Heidt I from Salzburger who came to Georgia Colony in 1749. His parents were Daniel Heidt (1809-1852) and Sarah R. Cannon Heidt (1798-1834). His wife was Maria Isabella Thomas Heidt (1825-1892). Their children were Isabelle Heidt Kolb (__-1883), Thomas Purse Heidt (1855-1905), George Daniel Heidt (1857-1858), Mary E Heidt (1859- __) and Willie Marian Heidt Cregar (1862-1949).

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G.M. Heidt & Co. Druggist, Savannah, GA Dose Glass – Dose Glass Collector

George M. Heidt was a druggist and member of the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association and was elected corresponding secretary for the state board of Pharmacists in 1882. He was also in the Masons and in 1882 was Grand Secretary of Masonic Lodge #48. He was also Director of the Savannah City Dispensary.

ThomasP_Heidt

Thomas Purse Heidt, Sr.

George owned a drug store called G.M. Heidt Company located at 145 Congress at the corner of Whitaker Street in Savannah, Georgia. He resided in Marietta, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Heidt apparently designed an early model of a soda jerk machine for his drug store, and one report said that he invented the original formula for Coca-Cola, which was stolen at an expo some time later. I can not validate this information and doubt it. Of course most records show the invention was by John S. Pemberton. In 1888 he gave the pharmacy to his oldest son, Thomas Purse Heidt, Sr. (b. April 26, 1855). One report says Thomas Heidt invented Talcum Powder which I also seriously doubt. Later, trapped a house fire, Thomas jumped out a window to escape causing severe head injuries. He never fully recovered and was placed in State Asylum in Milledgeville until his death on January 2, 1905.

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Notice that Thomas P. Heidt placed in State Asylum in Milledgeville

George Heidt moved on to run a 220 acre farm near Marietta, that he purchased in 1881. Sometime in the 1880s he also bought an additional 160 acre farm. In the 1890s he was a druggist at Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. On February 3, 1893, Heidt received an additional degree and graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens, believed to be the oldest student in the country at that time. George Marion Heidt died on August 17, 1900 in Bloomingdale, Chatham County, Georgia.

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“DEUTENHOFFS / SWISS BITTERS – G. M. HEIDT / SAVANNAH GA”, America, 1865 – 1875. Medium to deep amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 9 ¼”; (a ¼” x 3/8″ open bubble at edge of base appears to have been partially filled; some overall light to moderate fine scratches and wear, a little interior dullness). R/H #D55. An extremely rare bitters. It has been almost 20 years since this bottle has been offered at public auction. Ex. Carlyn Ring collection. – American Glass Gallery Auction #13

Lot216_Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters

“DEUTENHOFFS / SWISS BITTERS – G. M. HEIDT / SAVANNAH GA”, America, 1865 – 1875. Medium amber with a slight orange tone, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 9 ¼”; (professionally cleaned with some light exterior scratches and wear remaining; a bit of patchy very faint dullness, an 1/8″ flake at edge of lip, and a 1″ chip on the base). R/H #D55. The bottle displays well. Dug in Savannah and one of only two, or possibly three known. Note; the tiny white specs between the word, “Swiss” and “Bitters” are a reflection from the camera lighting, and not in the glass, or part of the bottle. – American Glass Gallery Auction #15

Lot216-reverse_Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters

“DEUTENHOFFS / SWISS BITTERS – G. M. HEIDT / SAVANNAH GA”, America, 1865 – 1875. Medium amber with a slight orange tone, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 9 ¼”; (professionally cleaned with some light exterior scratches and wear remaining; a bit of patchy very faint dullness, an 1/8″ flake at edge of lip, and a 1″ chip on the base). R/H #D55. The bottle displays well. Dug in Savannah and one of only two, or possibly three known. Note; the tiny white specs between the word, “Swiss” and “Bitters” are a reflection from the camera lighting, and not in the glass, or part of the bottle. – American Glass Gallery Auction #15

It made my day when I pulled this bad boy out of the ground. I dug it from a small 1860s to a early 1870s dump in downtown Savannah. This bitters is the rarest from Savannah and also one of the rarest from the state of Georgia The bottle is about 9 1/2 inches tall and is a dark puce amber color. A hard bottle to photograph due to the intense rainbow color patina on the bottle. – Robert Biro

Deutenhoff Swiss Bitters

Using online search methods so far, I can find no direct reference to Deutenhoff’s Swiss Bitters in period advertising. Possibly “Deutenhoff” is an older Swiss name. Wikipedia says that Swedish bitters is a Bitter and a traditional herbal tonic, said to have been formulated in a similar way by Paracelsus and rediscovered by 18th century Swedish medics Dr. Klaus Samst and Dr. Urban Hjärne. The alcoholic Swedish bitters is reported as having a similar flavor to Angostura bitters, though perhaps a little drier. Nowadays is more common to prepare Swedish bitters from a dry herbs mixture.

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Select Milestones

1831: George Marion Heidt was born in April 1831 in Effingham County, Georgia.
1853: George M. Heidt, City of Savannah, Georgia land record (see below)
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George M. Heidt City of Savannah, Georgia land record

1855: George M. Heidt, 10 May 1855, Court Records
1863: 40 Ounces P. and W. Quinine, Received and for sale by G. M. Heidt, Corner State and Whitaker sts. – Savannah Republican, June 8, 1863
1866-1867: Geo. M. Heidt, City Dispensary, dealers in drugs and chemicals, SE corner of State and Whitaker Streets (see 1866 advertisement below) – Savannah Georgia City Directory
HeidtAd1866

George M. Heidt advertisement – 1866 Savannah Georgia City Directory

1870-1874: G.M. Heidt & Co. (George M. Heidt and Augustus Richards), druggist, wholesale and retail, 21 Whitaker – Savannah Georgia City Directory
1879-1886: G.M. Heidt & Co. (George M. Heidt), drugs, druggist, seeds, wholesale and retail, 145 Congress, cor Whitaker, res Marietta – Savannah Georgia City Directory
1888: George M. Heidt transfers G.M. Heidt & Co. to his oldest son, Thomas Purse Heidt, Sr. 
1900: George M. Heidt death (see obituary)

HeidtObit

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

A pair of S. Rosenthal & Co. NYC bottles

Posted on 29 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

S_RosenthalPair_Eib

A pair of S. Rosenthal & Co. NYC bottles

29 October 2014 (R•020715)

Apple-Touch-IconARecently, I have corresponded with Chris Eib regarding various bottle related topics and during this exchange, Chris sent me the picture above of two S. Rosenthal & Co. bottles with a ton of embossed addresses. Kind of cool. The e-mail, “Perhaps you can see what you can come up with on the two S. ROSENTHAL & CO. square whiskies in that last picture. The larger one is a 30 oz. and the other, a 24 oz. The Corning Museum of Glass has one in their collection which was donated, but other than that, I’ve never come across any others. Your resources are MUCH better than mine and I have faith that you’ll be able to come up with a little information on these bottles. Thanks Ferdinand. Take care and have a good night.”

RosenthalCorning

Brown glass. Very large square-shaped bottle. 24 OZ. (on back); S. ROSENTHAL & CO.- 75 CANAL ST.- NEW YORK- 1769 PITKIN AVE.- BROOKLYN, N.Y.- 446 CLAREMONT P WAY- BRONX, N.Y.- 137 PRINCE ST.- NEWARK, N.J.- 541 AVENUE C- BAYONNE, N.J. (on face). – Corning Museum of Glass

Actually searching for “Rosenthal” around the turn of the century in America is almost as challenging as looking for “Smith” or “Jones”. Amazing how many Rosenthal listings there are in New York in 1910. Even a tighter search for “S. Rosenthal” or “Samuel Rosenthal” yields quite a few options. Obviously the clues are related to the addresses

S. ROSENTHAL & CO.

75 CANAL ST.
NEW YORK

1769 PITKIN AVE.
BROOKLYN, N.Y.

446 CLAREMONT P WAY
BRONX, N.Y.

137 PRINCE ST.
NEWARK, N.J.

541 AVENUE S.
BAYONNE, N.J.

The Canal address points us to Edward S. and Herman L. Rosenthal who were Jewish brothers selling liquor in New York City. Their father was Samuel Rosenthal who was born in Russia and operated a Saloon in New York City in 1900. S. Rosenthal & Co. was named after him. I found listings for all three Rosenthals, and a partner Samuel A. Kassell (1873-1930) from 1900 to 1919. Samuel Kassell was married to a sister, Minnie Rosenthal (1877-1945). Looks like they had five liquor stores around the region.

Interesting that Chris has not seen many examples except his two sizes and the one in the Corning Museum of Glass which is represented above.

Update: 07 February 2015

FDNY_Rosenthal

Ferdinand: I thought you might enjoy the enclosed photo which shows my great-grandfather Lieutenant John Joseph Jolly standing on a wooden aerial with the men under his command in front of Ladder 6 in 1913 next to the S. Rosenthal store. A friend of mine saw your post and knew of my photo, and sent your link to me. I have no doubt my great-grandfather and his men enjoyed some of the spirits sold therein.

Regards

John S. Jolly
Columbia, MD

Select Listings

1850: Birth Samuel Rosenthal (father) in Russia in May 1850.

1856: Simon Rosenthal, liquor, 58 second ave., h 33 Third – Trow’s New York City Directory

1876: Herman L. Rosenthal (son), born in Russia July 1876 – New York State Census

1886: Edward S. Rosenthal (son), born in New York

1900: Samuel Rosenthal, saloon keeper, wife Lena, sons Herman and Edward, daughters, Rebecca (Rae), Pauline (also Fannie and Minnie) – 1900 United States Federal Census

1908: Samuel Rosenthal died on 25 November 1908.

1908-1910: S. Rosenthal & Co. (liquors), Edward S. and Herman L. Rosenthal and Samuel A. Kassell, 75 Canal, New York – Polk’s (Trow’s) New York Copartnership and Corporation Directory, Boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx

1915: S. Rosenthal & Co. (liquors), Edward S. and Herman L. Rosenthal, 75 Canal and 446 Claremont Parkway, New York – Polk’s New York copartnership and corporation directory

1915: Herman L. Rosenthal, liquors, wife, Lilian – New York State Census

1919: S. Rosenthal & Co. (liquors), Samuel and Herman L. Rosenthal and Samuel A. Kassell, 75 Canal, New York – Polk’s (Trow’s) New York Copartnership and Corporation Directory, Boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx

1938: Herman L. Rosenthal Death, 03 September 1938

Posted in History, Liquor Merchant, Questions, Spirits, Whiskey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did you see that Schrader’s Highland Bitters?

Posted on 28 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SchradersHighland4Did you see that Schrader’s Highland Bitters?

28 October 2014 (Updated same afternoon with found Schrader’s Highland Bitters advertisement) (R•031215 GWA Example)

Apple-Touch-IconAGawd…I missed this one on eBay… hook, line and sinker, closing on Saturday, 22 October at 10:35 am. Well maybe that is part of the reason. This unlisted Schrader’s Highland Bitters closed on eBay last week with 20 bids and a closing price of $1,125. SunshineAntiques from Browning, Missouri was the seller. The location may help us find out the maker of this bitters as I have no clue. By the way, the pictures in this post are from the eBay listing. Congratulations to the new owner of the bottle (note below that measurements are needed for the bottle). See eBay listing

The new listing by Bill Ham for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

S 59.5  SCHRADER’S HIGHLAND BITTERS
SCHRADER’S // HIGHLAND // BITTERS // f //
9 ½? X 2 ¾?
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare
SchradersHighland7

Schrader’s Highland Bitters – eBay

SchradersHighland3

Schrader’s Highland Bitters – eBay

SchradersHighland2

Schrader’s Highland Bitters – eBay

So where do we look to find information? There is no city or other information embossed or showing on what remains of the label except “SCHRADER’S HIGHLAND BITTER’S”. The portion of the label does show a Scottish Highander I presume. Wikipedia says that Schrader is a family name very common roughly within the Triangle Hannover-Hamburg-Berlin within Germany (so-called “Eastfalia”, part of today’s states of Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt). It means ‘tailor.’ Carriers of this name have spread all over the world due to emigration from Germany. It is especially common in the United States, but there are also occurrences in France, Britain, and the Netherlands.

ScottishHighlanderSchraders

Portion of label showing Scottish Highlander on Schrader’s Highland Bitters (left) – eBay

I wonder if this is related to the rather well known Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic figural barrel from Memphis?

HighlandBittersLogo

No, I doubt it, as that bottle is related to Mansfield & Higbee. According to information supplied by the Mansfield & Higbee Co. when advertising the HIGHLAND BITTERS AND SCOTCH TONIC, it was originally developed by Sir George Ballangal, M.D., F.R.S, professor of military surgery in the far-famed University of Edinburg, Scotland.  It seems that climatic diseases were cutting off thousands of the British and French soldiers in the Crimea during the Russian War.  Sir George  was appointed by the medical commissioners to investigate in a scientific manner the extraordinary longevity and good health which had always characterized the inhabitants of the Scottish Highlands and the deplorable results, to the same people, when exposed to a change of climate.

Sir George, by patient research, discovered that the Highlanders had been in the habit of using certain combination of herbs and roots, indigenous to their native hills and glens, which, when combined with certain oriental aromatics, was found to be the most superlative invigorator and builder up of the human system that the world or suffering humanity had ever known.

After Sir George determined that the product “proved itself equal to every emergency,” the original recipe was given to a reputable pharmaceutical firm in Edinburg to be manufactured. The product was touted to have “superiority over all other preparations or stomach medicines, either in Europe or America, that upwards of THREE MILLION BOTTLES were sold in Great Britain alone, besides upwards of 700,000 dozen to all parts of the inhabitable globe.”

The product, a short time later, was then brought to the United States in the mid-1860s and was manufactured and sold exclusively by Mansfield & Higbee, Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing Chemists and Druggists, Nos. 301 and 303 Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee. [Gene Bradberry]

Next I see that there was a August C. Schrader in Baltimore (see obituary below). He was from Hanover, Germany and came to America in 1855 or so. Remember, Schrader is a German name from the Hanover area. August came to Baltimore when he was sixteen and opened a drug store. I would like to believe that this is a Baltimore bottle but I am doubtful. Made me think of another great figural barrel, Smith’s Druid Bitters from Baltimore though.

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Druggist Schrader Dead – January 27 – The Pharmaceutical Era, 1906

So I Google “Highland Tonic Bitters” and get a surprise as I see some advertising (see below) for an unlisted SCOTCH TONIC BITTERS made by the Highland Mineral Water Company from Dallas, Pennsylvania in The Scranton Republican (Pennsylvania) in 1896. Way, way to late here.

HighlandTonicBitters_The_Scranton_Republican_Mon__Jul_20__1896_

Advertisement for SCOTCH TONIC BITTERS made by the Highland Mineral Water Company from Dallas, Pennsylvania in The Scranton Republican (Pennsylvania) in 1896.

Next I try to put myself closer to the middle of the country and Browning, Missouri and find the following that is just interesting. Not really a good lead. I have a feeling though that later this will be valuable information for another bitters, so I park it here.

J. T. Higgins, born in Knottsville Precinct, Daviess Co., Ky., Aug. 31, 1840, is a son of John B.and Eliza (Higdon) Higgins, His father was born at Greenbrier, Va., in 1812 and died in November, 1882. His mother was born in Nelson County, Ky., and is now living with her son in Owensboro aged sixty-one years. 

There were two children — J. T. and Henry, both residents of Owensboro. Mr. Higgins came to this city with his parents when small and was educated here and at St. Joseph’s College, Bardstown, Ky. In 1855 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Compton, now of Evansville, Ind. The next year he went into the drug store of S. J. Howard, to learn the trade of a druggist. He was there a year and then went to St. Joseph’s College and remained a part of two years. He then returned to Owensboro and resumed the study of medicine with Drs. J. W. Compton and J. F. Kimbley, with the intention of becoming a physician. He remained with them a year and a half when the war broke out, and he went with Dr. Kimbley, as a medical cadet, in the Eleventh Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. In the spring of 1862 he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the regiment and served until October, 1864, when he was discharged at Bowling Green, Ky. After his return to Owensboro he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, under J. G. Harrison, and held that office a year. In 1866 he went into the sewing-machine business, having four counties under his supervision. In 1874 he formed a partnership with V. P. Wells in the drug business, under the firm name of Wells & Higgins. At the end of the year Mr. Wells retired, J. W. Carter taking his place and changing the name to Carter & Higgins. Feb. 1, 1876 they sold the business to J. C. Schrader. In August, 1876, Mr. Higgins opened a store in Knottsville, but only remained there till October, 1877. Jan. 3, 1878, he opened a store in Owensboro on Third street, where he remained two years and then removed to his present location, known as the Planters’ House drug store. Dec. 20, 1865, He married Kate N., daughter of Richard S. and Mira (Riley) Windsor. She was born in Daviess County, and educated at Louisville, Ky., and St. Francis Academy, Owensboro. They have three children —Eloise, John K. and Robert P. Two children, Ida M. and Joseph, died in infancy. Mr. Higgins has been connected with the Catholic church from his infancy. Mrs. Higgins’s father died in 1818 and her mother in 1858.

Looking specifically at Missouri, where the bottle was sold from, I see that there was a Edward Schrader who was a retail druggist at 14th & Morgan in St. Louis, Missouri. He was from Germany and born in 1828. Directory listings are from 1867 to the late 1880s. He could be our guy but I see no more clues than this. Browning. Missouri is a small town closest to St. Joseph and northeast of Kansas City.

Enough of this sleuthing for now. I need to do some business work. Can you all help me out here? Maybe this post will smoke some info out.

B I N G O !

Super detective Marianne Dow found the following advertisement in the North Missouri and Eastern Kansas Business Directory, for 1867-8. Apparently the brand is also listed in Bottled in Illinois. So, Schrader’s Highland Bitters is from Quincy, Illinois!

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Schrader’s Highland Bitters advertisement – North Missouri and Eastern Kansas Business Directory, for 1867-8

185_SchradersHighland_GWA

185. “SCHRADER’S – HIGHLAND – BITTERS”, (unlisted), American, ca. 1865 – 1875, amber, 8 3/4”h, smooth base, applied mouth. Some light inside dried contents remain, but no form of damage. Considering how many Bitters bottles are listed its a great rarity when one comes along that isn’t! The company was located at No. 61 Hampshire Street in Quincy, Illinois. – Glass Works Auctions | Auction 106

 

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

Looking at a Burdock’s Blood Bitters Rebus

Posted on 27 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Gourd_Burdocks F

Looking at a Burdock’s Blood Bitters Rebus

27 October 2014

by Joe Gourd

HunkDoriBittersDetailSmall

Ferd, Sorry, nothing for the Chicago Hunki Dori. I do have something for your Bath, Maine, Hunk (hairy eye) Dori post. Using the eye in place of the letter “i” is a form of a Rebus puzzle. I have seen them on a number of trade cards. Attached is one on the back of a Burdocks Blood Bitters card (see above and below images)

Gourd_BurdocksbackRebus

Also, below is a Wikipedia definition of Rebus. You will notice the very same “hairy eye” as on the Hunk Dori label on the 1865 Rebus Escort Cards.

Have a great day………..Joe

RebusEscortCardsCirca1865

Rebus Escort Cards – Circa 1865

A rebus is an allusional device that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words. It was a favourite form of heraldic expression used in the Middle Ages to denote surnames. For example, in its basic form, three salmon (fish) are used to denote the name “Salmon”. A more sophisticated example was the rebus of Bishop Walter Lyhart of Norwich, consisting of a stag (or hart) lying down in a conventional representation of water. The composition alludes to the name, profession or personal characteristics of the bearer, and speaks to the beholder. Non verbis, sed rebus, which Latin expression signifies “not by words but by things”

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Arolsen Klebeband Rebus

Read More: “Where Shall I Spend The Summer?” – Burdock Blood Bitters

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Ephemera, Holiday, Humor - Lighter Side, Medicines & Cures, Questions, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peachridge Glass: Mailbox Letters October – December 2014

Posted on 27 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

www.studiomathewes.com

Apple-Touch-IconAPlease feel free to send any antique bottle or glass questions to ferdinand@peachridgeglass.com. The information will be posted if relevant or of interest to the readers. I will try to answer or wait for another reader to respond. Quality images are very important. Thanks! If you want to see previous questions,go to “Mailbox Letters” in “Categories” on the right column of each page.

Mailbox Letters

October – December 2014

FOHBC Commemorative Bottles

FOHBCHandled_10

Hello Ferdinand. How are you? I hope you and yours are doing well. I am trying to help out a young person who has inherited his grandfathers bottle collection get fair prices for the collection, as he is trying to sell them. I am forwarding some pics nine in all of some commemorative FOHBC bottles, and would like to know if you have any idea of what they are worth. I appreciate your assistance here and thank you in advance for any or all help……Take care……Andy Volkerts, member, FOHBC.

[follow-up] Hello Ferdinand. Here is the embossing info. I have written it out along with the bottles color.Blueish white ceramic bottle, ABCC Denver Colorado 1966. Red Glass has the eagle from the pikes peak flask and is embossed Antique Bottle Club Denver Colorado 1867, reverse has pikes peak & has the miner on it. Golden colored glass bottle is embossed The Federation of Historical Bottle Clubs 1868 with an eagle in center of embossing. Blue glass bottle has the miner from pikes peak flask & is embossed Antique Bottle Club of Denver Colorado 1868. He also has not pictured, a Kelley’s style cabin bitters bottle in black glass with “ABCC” on one roof and “Cabin” on the other roof. Again I thank you for your effort to help us on this project. Yours……..Andy Volkerts

Andy…

Andy: I  have seen a few on eBay selling for under $50. We are putting together a History of the FOHBC piece so info like this is important. As far as value, I believe that is more sentimental and not based on rarity. Tough to make a call. Can you get a pic of the …Kelley’s style cabin bitters bottle in black glass with “ABCC” on one roof and “Cabin” on the other roof? – F

Wykoop’s found in a wall…

wyknoop's 1 mine as found

Hi Ferdinand, I was able to score on a great pick today. I have attached 4 pictures of this bottle in as found condition. This Wyknoop’s & Co’s Tonic Mixture Warranted To Cure Fever & Ague New York was found inside an interior wall of an 1860s homestead which is located in southern Michigan. After 150 years it gets to see the light again. The color is light cobalt in the middle and a darker cobalt in the top and bottom. Still has some of its label. This makes two of this recently turning up from southern Michigan. Frank (Wicker)

Read: Dr. Wynkoop’s Sarsaparilla – New York

Up in the Nets

SauceFisherman

Hi there, my partner is a fisherman and trawled up this old bottle from the east coast of Australia. We are just wondering how old it might be & where it may have originated from. See attached picture. Regards – Tanya

PRG: Looks like a small pickle or sauce bottle. Hard to tell with it not being embossed.

Basement of Bottles

Sir – Are there any antique bottle dealers here in metro Atlanta, Georgia? I have several boxes full of bottles, many are 40-50-60+ years old. I am cleaning out the basement, and have decided to try to sell those of any value. Charles, Atlanta, GA

Posted in Advice, Digging and Finding, Mailbox Letters, Questions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

An unlisted Anderson’s Wine Restorative Bitters reference

Posted on 27 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

AndersonDruggists

An unlisted Anderson’s Wine Restorative Bitters reference

27 October 2014 (R•011114)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile visiting some of the Bath, Maine city directories the other day for the Hunk Dori Bitters post, I came across an advertisement below for Anderson’s Wine Restorative Bitters. The proprietor was S. Anderson & Son who were druggists and apothecaries at the corner of Front and Arch Streets in Bath, Maine. The old photograph above, from the Maine Historical Society, shows Front and Arch streets in 1892. If you look closely, on the right side of the street, beyond the hanging boot, I believe you can see a portion of the Anderson drug store sign. This bitters appears to be unlisted in Ring & Ham.

The new listing by Bill Ham for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

Advertisement
A 57.8  ANDERSON’S WINE RESTORATIVE BITTERS, S. Anderson & Son, Proprietors, Druggists and Apothecaries, corner of Front and Arch Streets, Bath, Maine
Bath Maine City Directory 1867
AndersonsWineBittersAd

S. Anderson & Son advertisement mentions Anderson’s Wine Restorative Bitters – 1867 Bath Maine City Directory

Dr. Samuel Anderson and Son

Dr. Samuel Anderson was born in Deering, New Hampshire on March 9, 1807. He was the third of ten children of John and Nancy Anderson, of Deering. His ancestors came to New England from Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, in 1718. They were Scotch Presbyterians, driven from their homes by religious persecution. The grandfather, named Samuel, was captain of one of the ships that brought over these Londonderry immigrants, most of whom settled in New Hampshire and named their settlement “Londonderry,” in memory of their old home. Doctor Anderson was married, November 20, 1829, to Katharine Emerson of Edgecomb, who descended from the Emersons of Massachusetts. She was great-granddaughter of the Rev. John Emerson, fourth parson of Topsfield.

DrS_Anderson1856

Dr. S. Anderson Eclectic Physician, Bath, Maine – 1856 The Maine Register and Business Directory

Anderson came to Bath in 1834. A few years later he commenced the study and practice of medicine and subsequently opened a drug store, where he continued in business the remainder of his life. Advertising read, “Dr. S. Anderson”, Eclectic Physician”. He had five children, Edward Francis, Climena Katharine, Samuel Jr., Nancy Elizabeth, and Laura Ann. Samuel, Jr., was born in Bath on September 7, 1835. Samuel Jr. entered his father’s drug store at the age of nineteen, was afterward received as partner, and continued in the drug business his entire life. He married Almina Martha Norton, of Phillips, Maine. Their children were Harry Warren and Herbert Morrell. Harry Warren graduated at the College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, in 1884, and has since been in the drug business in Exeter, New Hampshire. Dr. Samuel Anderson died in Bath, Maine on April 22, 1873.

DrAnderson_1868

Dr. S. Anderson & Son Apothecaries, Bath, Maine – 1868 New England Business Directory

Dr. S. Anderson, Dr. Anderson & Son and S. Anderson & Son ran advertisements for their business from at least 1856 to 1868 though the drug store operated up until 1902 or so. As mentioned earlier, they ran their Apothecary and Drug Store on the corner of Arch and Front Streets. They were dealers in “Choice Drugs, Medicines, and Chemicals.” They had several proprietary medicines, including Anderson’s Honey of Hoarhound, Lung-Worth for Consumptives, Cocoa Balm For The Hair, and Wine Restorative Bitters.

Reference: History of Bath and Environs, Sagadahoc County, Maine: 1607-1894

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S. Anderson & Son Apothecaries Dose Glass – Bergsengs.com

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S. Anderson & Son embossing on base of bottle – I dug this unusual druggist bottle here in Bath, Maine. It is round 1″ x 2 1/2″ and only embossed on the base. Embossed S. ANDERSON & SON / PHARMACISTS / BATH, MAINE – Ye Olde Prospector – Antique-Bottles.net

As far as finding a bottle embossed, “Anderson’s Wine Restorative Bitters”, I’m afraid we are out of luck. Just the advertising reference in 1867 above and a few support pictures from S. Anderson & Son.

Select Listings

1807: Samuel Anderson, birth 9 March 1807 in Deering, Hillsborough, New Hampshire

1829: Samuel Anderson was married, November 20, 1829, to Katharine Emerson of Edgecomb

1834: Samuel Anderson moves to Bath, Maine.

1835: Samuel Anderson, Jr. Birth 7 September 1835 in Bath, Lincoln, Maine

1856: Dr. S. Anderson Eclectic Physician, Bath, Maine advertisement (see above) – 1856 The Maine Register and Business Directory

1867-1876: S. Anderson & Son (S. Anderson Jr.), druggists and apothecaries, cor. Arch – Bath Maine City Directory

1869: “Dr. Samuel Anderson of Bath, Me., aaas chosen Anniversary Chairman” – Proceedings of State Eclectic Medical Societies, Portland, Maine, June 29, 1869

1880: S. Anderson, druggists and apothecaries, opposite Arch – Bath Maine City Directory

1902: Samuel Anderson, druggists and apothecaries, 120 Front- Bath Maine City Directory

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

Hunki Dori Bitters – H.B. Matthews – Chicago

Posted on 26 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Hunki Dori Bitters – H.B. Matthews – Chicago

“Before they left, they evidently reached a high state of hilarity as they imbibed quite freely of Hunki Dori Bitters”

Burglars Drink Hunki Dori Bitters – 1874 new report (see below)
26 October 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAIt seems fitting, as a follow-up to the recent Hunk Dori Bitters post, to develop a post for another Hunki Dori Bitters. This brand was made by H.B. Matthews in Chicago, Illinois. The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows:

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H 210  HUNKI DORI BITTERS
HUNKI DORI / BITTERS // f // H.B. MATTHEWS / CHICAGO // f //
H.B. Matthews Sons, Manufacturer, 220 Lake Street
9 x 2 3/4 (7 1/4)
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, Rare
Chicago Directory 1877
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Hunki Dori Bitters – Meyer Collection

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Hunki Dori Bitters – Meyer Collection

Hunki Dori

Most modern definitions of “Hunki dori” mean “satisfaction”, “OK”, “every is all right”, “cool” etc. In a previous post, I said I thought Hunki Dori was a honky tonk in Saigon during the Vietnam War. The phrase actually dates back at least the early 1870s as noted in this news clipping in a social column below…

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“Honki dori” – Ottawa Free Trader – February 18, 1871

Henry B. Matthews

Henry B. Matthews was born in Johnstown, New York in 1809. I believe that he had five sons, Edwin S., Henry B., Thomas, John H. and Daniel S. who would follow and join him in various business capacities throughout his life. This is reflected in their business name, H.B. Matthews Sons. From New York, I see that they were farming in Davenport, Iowa in 1860 which seems odd and later show up selling stomach bitters and as travel agents at 220 Lake Street in Chicago, Illinois in 1873. Edwin and Daniel Matthews were running the operation by then. This lasts until about 1877 though they could have been selling bitters later as they were listed as selling liquor and patent medicines until 1882. Kind of the same thing back then.

Select Listings:

1809: Henry B. Matthews (father) birth in Johnstown, New York.

1830: Edwin B. Matthews (son) birth

1845: Married wife Mary?

1846: Henry B. Matthews (son) birth

1847: Thomas Matthews (son) birth

1850: John H. Matthews (son) birth

1854: Daniel S. Matthews (son) birth

1860: Davenport, Iowa, Henry B. Matthews, farmer, age 51, born in New York – 1860 Unites States Federal Census

1873: H.B. Matthews Sons (Edwin B., travel agent, H.B. jr., travel agent, Daniel S.D. Matthews, bookkeeper), stomach bitters, 431 Lake – Chicago Illinois City Directory

1874: “A state of hilarity”. Burglars drink Hunki Dori Bitters. – Sterling Standard (Illinois), Thursday, October 29, 1874

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“A state of hilarity”. Burglars drink Hunki Dori Bitters. – Sterling Standard (Illinois), Thursday, October 29, 1874

1877: H.B. Matthews Sons (Edwin B. and Daniel S.D. Matthews), bitters manufacturers, 220 Lake – Chicago Illinois City Directory

1878: H.B. Matthews Sons (Edwin B. and Daniel S.D. Matthews), liquors, 220 Lake – Chicago Illinois City Directory

1879: H.B. Matthews’ Sons selling Photo Visiting Cards (see below) – Harper’s Young People

MatthewsVisitingCards1879

1880: Chicago, Henry B. Matthews, retired grocer, age 71, born in New York, wife Mary, Edwin B. (age 50), clerk in store, Daniel S. (age 26), bookkeeper – 1880 United States Federal Census

1882: H.B. Matthews & Sons, patent medicines (Edwin B. Matthews), 954 W. Lake – Chicago Illinois City Directory

1897: Henry B. Matthews death in Chicago, Illinois, 4 November 1897

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

Hyde & Gay – Hunk Dori Bitters

Posted on 25 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

HunkDoriBittersDetail

Hyde & Gay – Hunk Dori Bitters

25 October 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAHere is another surprise that is up on eBay now. Another unlisted bitters! The pictures have been cleaned up a bit and have been taken from the eBay listing. Alerted by Frank Wicker and Bill Ham, the Hunk Dori Bitters by Hyde & Gay in Bath, Maine is labeled and oddly enough, is missing the “I” in “HUNKI” compared to another HUNKI DORI BITTERS from Chicago (see below). Hunki Dori means “everything is fine” or “satisfied” or something like that. One of those phrases that you just hear about and wonder. I always thought it was a cool bar in Viet Nam or something. An what is it with that ‘hairy eye’ illustration on the label? Pretty weird.

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H 210: Hunki Dori Bitters from Chicago – Meyer Collection

Bill Ham has given the labeled HUNK DORI BITTERS the following listing in the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

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H 209.5  L . . . Hunk Dori Bitters, Hyde & Gay, Proprietors, Bath, Me.
9 3/8 x 2 5/8
Amber, Square, LTC, Applied mouth

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The labeled HUNK DORI BITTERS – eBay

It was a bit amusing when I first Googled and searched for information on this brand. I got page after page of gay information or more officially homosexual listings. Uh.. no wonder. Looking at the words I entered, “Hunk”, “Gay” and “Bath” seemed to lead me to places that I didn’t know existed.

Anyway, I refined the search and quickly found out we are talking about Henry A. Hyde who was born in 1832 in Maine and worked as a bookseller with his father Henry Hyde in Bath, Maine. The Hyde name was big in Bath as other relatives were in to commerce and shipbuilding in the early to mid 1800s. In 1867, Henry A. was in partnership with a man with the last name Gay. Hyde & Gay were druggists and apothecaries at 2 Bank Block and they were the proprietors of the HUNK DORI BITTERS. You can see the partnership listing on the bottom of the label above.

I wonder if the label is a visual trick? When you see that “HUNK” is missing the “I”, what do you see and wonder about next? The ‘eye’. It was there all along!

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Mouth detail of the labeled HUNK DORI BITTERS – eBay

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Base of he labeled HUNK DORI BITTERS – eBay

Select Listings

1791: Henry Hyde (father) birth in Lebanon, Connecticut, August 25 1791. Book Seller

1832: Henry A. Hyde (son), birth in Maine

1860: Henry Hyde (bookseller “Henry Hyde kept a “circulating library” in his bookstore on Front, head of Center street, on the corner immediately opposite Lincoln Bank. – History of Bath) and Henry A. Hyde (clerk) – 1850 United States Federal Census

1860: Henry Hyde and Henry A. Hyde both book sellers (father and son) – 1860 United States Federal Census

1863: Henry A. Hyde, bookbinder, age 31 – Civil War Draft Registration

1867: Henry Hyde, gentleman, h. Middle, n. Centre – Bath, Brunswick and Richmond Directory for 1867-8

1867: Hyde (H.A.) & Gay (G.D.H.) druggists and apothecaries, 2 Bank block, Front, h. Middle, n. Centre – Bath, Brunswick and Richmond Directory for 1867-8

1870: Henry A. Hyde, druggist, Bath, Maine – 1870 United States Federal Census

1874: Henry A. Hyde marriage to M. L. Manson on 14 January 1874 – Maine Marriage Records

1874-1876: Henry Hyde, H. Hyde, gentleman, (father & son) h. Middle. n. Centre – Bath, Maine City Directory

1900: Henry Hyde, clerk, home Phippsburg, Sagadahoc, Maine – 1900 United States Federal Census

Posted in Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

FOHBC 2016 Sacramento Town Hall Meeting

Posted on 23 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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“Back to where it all began for the FOHBC”

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FOHBC 2016 Sacramento Town Hall Meeting

23 October 2014

[NOTICE] The FOHBC is planning to conduct a WebEx Town Hall Meeting for all interested parties within the next two weeks for the 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention. It will most likely occur at 8:00 or 9:00 pm CST on a weeknight evening to accommodate west coast participants. Please RSVP when the date is given. Comments now can be sent to fmeyer@fohbc.org

Topic: National WebEx or conference call for all interested parties in getting an update and determining the next steps for the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National Antique Bottle Convention.

Hosts: Ferdinand Meyer V and Richard Siri

Date: To Be Determined

Proposed Agenda: 

Facilities: McLellan Convention Center and Lion’s Gate Hotel (Note that contract has been signed and deposit was made)

Events: Board Meeting, Registration, General Membership Meeting, Local Tours, Cocktail Party, Cocktail Party Contest, Banquet, Banquet Speaker, Awards, Hall of Fame and Honor Role, Bottle Competition, Breakfast, Dealer and Early Member Event, Seminars, Regional Display, Auction, Educational Displays, Ribbon Cutting, Early Admission, Bottle Show Day 1, Bottle Show Day 2, Bottle Appraisal, Youth Events, Raffles, Official Show Photographer, etc.

Host Club: An opportunity for a host club

Co-Chairs: An opportunity for two co-chairs

Volunteer Areas: Work distribution for Advertising, Seminars, Bottle Competition, Regional Display, Displays, Registration etc.

Show Marketing: Slogan, logo, advertising, souvenir program, posters, banners etc.

Security: Theft prevention etc.

Steering Committee: FOHBC National and Local Participation

Schedule: What is next. What happens when.

Posted in Bottle Shows, Club News, FOHBC News, News, Questions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coleman’s Tonic Bitters – Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Posted on 23 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Coleman’s Tonic Bitters – Portsmouth, New Hampshire

23 October 2014 (R•102614)

Apple-Touch-IconABitters trade card authority Joe Gourd sent me the following e-mail in reference to the A.W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters post.

“Enjoyed your post on Coleman’s Bitters. While I don’t have a trade card for these bitters, I might have something you could possibly tie in. It is a trade card for an unlisted Coleman’s Tonic Bitters. These bitters were prepared by F.B. Coleman, Druggist, 61 Congress St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Perhaps a family member? In your post, you mentioned an historical connection to the northeast United States, possibly Boston or New York. My trade card dates to about 1880-90. This would be much later than the A. W. Coleman Bitters of Mobile. Could they be distant relatives? Calls for some more research?”

Congress_Street,_PortsmouthNH

Congress Street in 1905 where Fred B. Coleman had his apothecary. Could very well be one of the establishments represented on this post card, especially if that is Vaughan street intersecting Congress Street.

The new listing by Bill Ham for the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2:

Trade card
C 193.5  COLEMAN’S TONIC BITTERS, Prepared by F. B. Coleman, Druggist, 61 Congress St., Portsmouth, N.H. Took charge of business started by Mr. Thacher in 1874, and bought business May 1, 1878.

Fred B. Coleman

FRED B. COLEMAN, owner and proprietor of a well equipped drug store at the corner of Congress and Vaughn streets, Portsmouth, N.H., where he has been located for the last forty years, is a well known and popular citizen who has taken an active part in local affairs. He was born in this city February 17, 1855, a son of Joseph Wiley and Catherine (Rand) Coleman. Both parents were natives of Rockingham County, the father being a contractor and builder for many years. He is still living, being now in his ninety-first year. He and his wife had five children, of whom the only survivors are Fred B., and Florence, wife of Rev. John Everingham, a Baptist minister of Warren, Maine. Mrs. Catherine Coleman is now deceased.

Fred B. Coleman, after acquiring his education in the common and high schools of Portsmouth, entered the drug store of J. H. Thacher where he learned the business. June 1, 1874, he took charge of his present store, which had been established by Mr. Thacher in 1865. On May 1st, 1878, he bought out the business and has since conducted it very successfully on his own account.

A Republican in politics, he takes an active interest in local affairs and for two years was a member of the common council. He is a Free Mason of high rank, having taken all the degrees in the order including the 33d, which he took at Chicago in September of the present year (1914). Mr. Coleman was married in 1876 to Mary Griffin, a daughter of Orwin and Mary (Locke) Griffin. Her father, a native of Lowell, Mass., is now in the employ of the Rockingham County Light & Power Company. He is one of the old and original members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife, Mary Locke Griffin, was a member of the old Locke family of Rye, N. H. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, Mary, who married Mr. Coleman, died in June, 1913; Mr. and Mrs. Coleman were the parents of three children, namely: Florence, who married John Horace Peverly and has one child, Donna; Fred W., who is associated with his father in the drug store, and Ruth Abbott, who is an accomplished musician of the Boston Conservatory of Music. Mr. Coleman and family attend the Christian Church. They have a large acquaintance and stand high among the representative people of the city.

A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill, 1915

As Joe mentioned above, this is an unlisted bitters requiring a number in the forthcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2. As far as a relationship to A.W. Coleman, I could find no direct evidence but of course it is possible. There are quite a few Coleman’s in all of the topic cities. Is is interesting that “Tonic” was used in the name of both bitters brands. From the best that I can tell, the Coleman’s Tonic Bitters was sold from about 1880 to 1887, probably in an even tighter date window. I am not aware of any surviving examples. Hopefully one will show up.

Select Listings:

1855: Fred B. Coleman, birth, February 17, 1855, New Hampshire, Joseph Wiley Coleman and Katherine Pike Rand.
1865: Original apothecary established by J. H. Thacher – A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
1874: Fred B. Coleman runs the store of J. H. Thacher where he learned the business. – A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
1875: Fred B. Coleman, clerk, 61 Congress, bds 76 Water – Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Directory
1876: Marriage to Mary White Griffin, 29 November 1876, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
1877-1879: Fred B. Coleman, apothecary, 61 Congress, cor. Vaughan, boards 10 Union – Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Directory
1878: On May 1st, 1878, Fred B. Coleman buys out the apothecary of J. H. Thatcher.
1880: Fred B. Coleman, druggist – 1880 United States Federal Census
1881: F. B. Coleman, Druggist and Apothecary, Proprietor of Coleman’s Tonic Bitters advertisement (listing and advertisement, see below), 61 Congress, cor. Vaughan – 1881 Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Directory

ColemansTonicBitters1881Ad

1884: F. B. Coleman, Druggist and Apothecary, Proprietor of Coleman’s Tonic Bitters and Coleman’s Sarsaparilla advertisement (listing and advertisement, see below), 61 Congress, cor. Vaughan – 1884 Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Directory

ColemanAd1884

1886-1888: Fred B. Coleman, Apothecary, 61 Congress, corner Vaughan *No longer pushing Coleman’s Tonic Bitters in advertisement – Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Directory

Coleman1888Ad

1897-1908: Fred B. Coleman, druggist, patent medicines, 61 Congress, corner Vaughan – Portsmouth, New Hampshire City Directory

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1916: Fred B. Coleman, druggist of Portsmouth, was recently married to Miss Minnie Addie Johnson – The Pharmaceutical Era
1937: Fred B. Coleman, death, 6 Nov 1937 – Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire
Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics, Trade Cards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment