Announcing Daniel Auction Company as the auctioneer for the 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show

Posted on 22 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Daniel Celebrating

ChooChooARTAnnouncing Daniel Auction Company as the auctioneer for the 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show

22 October 2014

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

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FOHBCFaceBookArtThe Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (FOHBC) is proud to announce that the Federation Auction for the 2015 National Antique Bottle Show in Chattanooga, Tennessee has been awarded to the Daniel Auction Company of Sylvester, Georgia. Owner’s Jim and Pattey Daniel have been antique bottle, glass and pottery collectors for 30 plus years. They have also been in the auction business for over 25 years. They specialize in conducting antique auctions throughout the year.

When the contract was signed with Jim, he said, “This has been a lifelong dream to have a bottle auction.” Let’s support Jim and Pattey by consigning quality bottles and go-withs to make this the best Federation auction ever.

Jack Hewitt
John Joiner
Co-Show Chairman | 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show

Jim Daniel’s contact information is:

E-mail: danielauction1@gmail.com

Mailing Address: Daniel Auction Company, PO Box 594, Sylvester, Georgia 31791

Shipping Address: Daniel Auction Company, 116 Kelly Street, Sylvester, Georgia 31791

Phone: 229.776.3998

Web Address: danielauctioncompany.com

Posted in Advertising, Advice, Auction News, Bottle Shows, Club News, FOHBC News, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alexander SaVille and his famous Delaware Bitters

Posted on 22 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Alexander SaVille and his famous Delaware Bitters

22 October 2014

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Apple-Touch-IconAI like the illustration of the SaVille Building in Wilmington, Delaware at the top of this post. Could there be a bitters story here? You bettcha! Look carefully at one of the storefront sign panels and you will see “DELAWARE BITTERS” on one side of the building. Alexander SaVille was the owner of this building at 512 Market Street where he sold wine and liquor. He was also the sole proprietor of the famous “Delaware Bitters”. Someone please find me an example!

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Alexander SaVille and mention of the famous “Delaware Bitters”. – Richard Edwards, Editor and Publisher, Wilmington, Delaware, 1880

At first I thought the Delaware Bitters was unlisted as I could not find it in the “D” areas of Bitters Bottles or Bitters Bottles Supplement. Then I checked the “S” grouping and sure enough, there it was.

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S 38  Alexander SaVilles Delaware Bitters
ALEXR SAVILLE’S / DELAWARE BITTERS // f // WILMINGTON / DELAWARE // f //
Depot SaVille Building No. 4 East Sixth Street
9 3/8 x 2 3/4 (7) 1/2
Square, Amber, LTC, Extremely rare
Alexander SaVille was born in 1814 and died in 1887. In 1863 he went into the business of selling wine and liquors in addition to bitters.
Newspaper advertisement 1875.

Alexander SaVille

Alexander SaVille was born in Delaware and was one of the most successful and prominent dealers in the wholesale liquor trade, in Wilmington, Delaware. In early business years he was in the stove, range and heater business and then moved to the liquor business in 1863. He owned a large property on the southeast corner of Sixth and Market where he sold a full assortment of domestic and foreign wines, whiskey, bourbon, rye and other spirits.

He accumulating considerable property including the ornate and handsome business structures in Wilmington, called SaVille’s Block which was located in the center of the city. He erected the building in 1860 and resided in a dwelling adjoining which was erected in 1803 by his father, Jonathan SaVille (1771-1849), an old and highly respected citizen of Wilmington. Alexander SaVille occupied the room that he was born in for just about his entire life. The SaVille block was occupied by a number of very desirable and first-class tenants.

SaVille was also the proprietor of the famous “Delaware Bitters,” which had a well-earned reputation throughout the region. He advertised, “These Bitters are anti-dyspeptic, tonic, alterative and diuretic, and have been used with great success in cases of dyspepsia, fever and augue, loss of appetite, etc. They purify, strengthen and invigorate both the system and the mind. They are an antidote to change of water and diet; they overcome the effect of late hours and dissipation; they prevent miasmatic and intermittent fevers. They make the weak strong, the languid brilliant, and are exhausted nature’s great restorer. Mr. SaVille warrants upon trial that the Delaware Bitters will be pronounced the best tonic in the world. With such recommendations it will earn its way into the favor of American people, on its merits alone. These are prepared exclusively by Mr. SaVille, and all are labeled with cut of his building upon them”.

Select Listings:

1814: Alexander SaVille, birth 25 December 1814 in Delaware.

1862: Alexander Seville, stoves and ranges, 512 Market Street – Wilmington, Deleware City Directory

1863 – 1873: Alexander SaVille, wines and liquors, 512 Market – Wilmington, Deleware City Directory

1874 – 1878: Alexander SaVille, wines and liquors (see 1877 advertisement below), 4 E Sixth Street – Wilmington, Delaware City Directory

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SaVille’s Delaware Bitters advertisement – 1877 Wilmington, Deleware City Directory

1880: Alexander SaVille, wines and liquors, 4 E 6th, coffees and teas, 512 Market – Wilmington, Delaware City Directory

1887: Alexander SaVille death, home at 1205 Washington, 05 April 1887, Old Swedes Churchyard (see marker below)

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Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley metropolitan area. Wilmington was named by Proprietor Thomas Penn after his friend Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, who was prime minister in the reign of George II of Great Britain. Read more…

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300 Block of Market Street during a Homecoming Parade, 1912 (Courtesy of Delaware Historical Society)

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

Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters

Posted on 21 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters

21 October 2014 (R•110414 – Rod Vining Examples) (R•061817) (R•033120)

Apple-Touch-IconAAs a follow-up to the J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters from Mobile, Alabama post, I thought it would be nice visit the Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters, also from Mobile. Actually it is thought to be the oldest embossed bitters from this city. My example is pictured at the top of this post and is from the American Bottle Auctions – Grapentine I sale in April 2007.

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

C 194  DR. COLEMAN’S ANTI DYSPEPTIC AND TONIC BITTERS
DR. A. W. COLEMAN’S // f // ANTI DYSPEPTIC / AND / TONIC BITTERS // f //
9 1/4 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/8 (7 1/4) 1/2
Rectangular, LTC, Applied mouth, Metallic pontil mark and Rough pontil mark,
Green (medium to black) – Rare; Aqua – Extremely rare
Smooth base examples usually black.
Note: One whole one and 8-10 fragments of the base were dug at the Canal Zone. Three green and two black glass dug in Mobile. Probably oldest Mobile embossed bitters. Coleman was druggist in Mobile.
Mobile Register & Journal, January 3, 1848. Daily Picayune 1846, 1847, 1848.

I have three colors of the Coleman’s (see picture of Rods bottles below), but one of my original emerald green ones was open pontiled instead of iron pontiled. The open pontiled ones are harder to find. The Coleman’s black glass ones have had their pontils fire polished off, or whoever blew that batch used some other technique to hold or rest the bottle on while forming the lip. They are not really any “newer” than the emerald green examples, but normally do not have a true “pontil scar” of any type on them. They were all blown in a flat bottomed mold, and some of the black ones, while “smooth base” have an irregular indention in the base, or at least smooth, sand like impressions or swirls in the glass. – Rod Vining

Coleman’s Antidyspeptic and Tonic Bitters in emerald green, olive green-black glass, and aqua. Emerald ones are iron and open pontiled, aqua is iron pontiled, black is smooth, probably had the pontil fire polished off. – Rod Vining Collection

Coleman’s Antidyspeptic and Tonic Bitters in emerald green, olive green-black glass, and aqua. Emerald ones are iron and open pontiled, aqua is iron pontiled, black is smooth, probably had the pontil fire polished off. – Rod Vining Collection

Tracking down Dr. A.W. Coleman

At first I thought it might be fairly easy to track down Dr. A.W. Coleman in Mobile, Alabama. I mean, just the other day, I was just searching within many Mobile, Alabama directories looking for information on John W. Hutchinson. His bitters first was sold in 1840, though probably not in an embossed bottle. That would come later. So what do the initials “A.W.” stand for? At first I was thinking it was Abraham Womack Coleman who was born around 1800. This is not correct. A red herring. Maybe we are talking about Asa W. Coleman who was born about 1808 in Georgia. Actually I think I am looking in the wrong part of the country.

“Put up in quart bottles, with the name of the inventor in larger raised letters on each bottle. Price $1 per bottle or six bottles for $5”

The top advertisement below indicates that this bitters originated and was sold around 1834, possibly in Boston or New York. The newspaper advertisements are from the south though. I suspect Dr. A.W. Coleman was from Dublin, Ireland and came over on a ship to New York city. He invented and sold this bitters early and for some reason he either died and gave the recipe to his son, E.D. Coleman or he moved to Mobile, Alabama. Advertising typically occurs in Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans Louisiana in 1846, 1847 and 1848. Certainly by that time, A.W. Coleman had passed away and E.D. Coleman, marketed the brand from 106 Dauphin Street in Mobile, Alabama and 92 Poydras Street in New Orleans. Note that one whole Coleman’s Bitters example and 8-10 fragments of the base were dug at the Canal Zone.

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Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters advertisement – The Times Picayune (New Orleans), Tuesday, June 6, 1847 *the late Dr. Coleman referenced.

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Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters advertisement – The Times Picayune (New Orleans), Tuesday, June 8, 1847

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Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters advertisement – The Times Picayune (New Orleans), Saturday, December 18, 1847 *Indicates that E. D. Coleman is selling his late fathers tonic bitters at 106 Dauphin Street in Mobile, Alabama.

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Dr. A. W. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic and Tonic Bitters advertisement – The Times Picayune (New Orleans), Friday, April 7, 1848 *Indicates that E. D. Coleman, son of patentee, is selling his late fathers tonic bitters at 92 Poydras Street in New Orleans.

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Iron pontil on Dr. Coleman’s Anti-Dyspeptic Tonic Bitters. Owned by bottleninja, from the Charlie Hall collection – AntiqueBottles.com

31 March 2020 update images: The only thing new here is the black one that I used to own, and purchased back from Dr. Aprill’s auction. This black one is whittled. Most of the black ones are smooth. – Rod Vining

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

J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters – Mobile, Alabama

Posted on 19 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters – Mobile, Alabama

19 October 2014 (R•110314 – Info and examples from Rod Vining) (R•053017) (R•061917) (R•040220 – Rod Vining Color Run)

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Apple-Touch-IconAI suspect many bitters collectors have noticed that spectacular example of a Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters from Mobile, Alabama in the current American Glass Gallery Auction #13. No sense hiding it. The right people know. I used the nice full-page Civil War illustration above from March 26, 1864 in Harper’s Weekly to set the tone for this piece. The map below is Mobile in 1815. You can actually see Dauphin Street running up the middle of town. John W. Hutchinson was a druggist at Dauphin and Warren Street (see this location now) as early as 1840.

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“Mobile in 1815” From Report on the Social Statistics of Cities, Compiled by George E. Waring, Jr., United States. Census Office, Part II, 1886. – Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection – University of Texas Libraries, Austin

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

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H 220  HUTCHINSON’S TONIC BITTERS
J. W. HUTCHINSON’S // TONIC BITTERS // MOBILE, ALA. // sp //
9 x 2 3/4 (7) 3/8
Square, Olive green, Olive amber and Amber. LTCR and LTC, Applied Mouth
4 sp – Rare; Aqua, Metallic pontil mark – Extremely rare
Mobile Directory: 1859-1881 John W. Hutchinson was a druggist at the southwest corner of Dauphin and Warren Streets.
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“J.W. HUTCHINSONS – TONIC BITTERS – MOBILE ALA”, America, 1860 – 1870. Rich yellowish olive amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 8 5/8″; (a little light exterior wear and a little faint “bloom” or dullness on a couple of the shoulders that is minor, otherwise excellent!) R/H #H220. A very rare southern bitters, great color, outstanding condition! – American Glass Gallery Auction #13

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“J.W. HUTCHINSONS – TONIC BITTERS – MOBILE ALA”, America, 1860 – 1870. Rich yellowish olive amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 8 5/8″; (a little light exterior wear and a little faint “bloom” or dullness on a couple of the shoulders that is minor, otherwise excellent!) R/H #H220. A very rare southern bitters, great color, outstanding condition! – American Glass Gallery Auction #13

Second Example. “J.W. HUTCHINSONS – TONIC BITTERS – MOBILE ALA”, America, 1860 – 1870. Yellowish honey amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 8 ¾”; (professionally cleaned to original luster with a little minor wear and a light “matte-type” finish remaining on a couple of the panels). R/H #H220. A very rare southern bitters that does not come around often. Beautiful color! – American Glass Gallery – Auction #18

What fascinates me is the long shelf-life of this bitters. From the best that I can tell, John W. Hutchinson was selling J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters from 1840 to 1879. That is 39 years. Hutchinson was a druggist located at the corner of Dauphin and Warren Streets in Mobile, Alabama all of those years. I suspect that there may be earlier examples of the bottle than the one pictured in the American Glass Gallery auction. Ring & Ham note aqua and pontiled examples out there too. Look at some of the really cool advertisements below that I found in Mobile City Directories. Notice that he also sells garden seeds.

It is my belief that most of the colored Hutchinson’s have had the original iron pontils fire polished off during manufacture. This is especially evident on my olive green example. (See picture below) You can see that it was pontiled, and removed. I also have large shards that I dug of a radically different EMERALD green Hutchinson’s, with a huge iron pontil on it. “The colored ones ain’t supposed to come that way” but at least one did, and I wish it had been whole. I also believe that the Hutchinson bitters were only sold for a very short time in embossed bottles. There was always advertising hype of “tried and true”, “Indian”, or even “ancient” recipes applied to even new concoctions in order to increase sales. I have found listings from the old city directories that list J.W. Hutchinson in business in Mobile from 1855 to 1872, so I don’t know why one of his ads has “1840” at the top. I also have pontiled and smooth base, embossed drug store bottles form J. W. Hutchinson, in five different sizes. Some of these may have been sold with a label only version of his bitters, before, during, and after he put it up in embossed bottles, but no one knows. – Rod Vining

New photos of the Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters. #85 is just the colored ones with strong backlight. From left to right, yellow amber from recent AGG auction #18, amber, olive amber from AGG auction #13, pure olive green. #119 is the whole bunch. Same colored ones flanked by a smooth base aqua on the left and an iron pontiled aqua one on the right. Note different tops Here is the story to go along with the yellow amber one. I have a bottle book from 1971 titled “1250 Bitters Bottles” by Ed Bartholomew. I am 99% certain that the yellow amber Tonic Bitters is the one pictured on page 182 as part of the author’s collection. It was a dug bottle, and in a black and white photo, but the top is unmistakable, since the “colored” ones almost always have a long tapered collar with no ring underneath. The only other colored example with a non-standard top has one of the bottom corners of the bottle missing. Also, the photo in the book shows a ring of glass under the lip that has a distinct up and down pattern to it visible on the “J.W. Hutchinson” panel. This is how I know this is the same bottle from the 1971 book. I found and called Ed Bartholomew about 15 years ago. He was an elderly man, and he no longer remembered much or seemed to care what happened to his bottles. He had no idea where or when he sold the Hutchinson Tonic Bitters. That was the end of the search until I saw the auction photo. I immediately dug out the old book to verify my hunch. Just another of one of those that I “had” to have. – Rod Vining Collection

The same group of Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters lying flat – Rod Vining Collection

[040220] I had some time to take some new photos and thought I would send you some updates for your website. Here are the J. W. Hutchinson’s with the newest addition in the center. The black mark visible through the base is the Black iron pontil on this never buried specimen. Thanks, Rod Vining

Select Listings:

1811: John W. Hutchinson born in New York – 1870 United States Federal Census

1840: Year indicated that J. W. Hutchinsons Tonic Bitters was created (see 1877 advertisement below)

1854: Advertisement (see below), J. W. HUTCHINSON, DRUGGIST, Corner of Dauphin and Warren Streets. Manufacturer of J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters. – The Southern Business Directory (Alabama)

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Earliest advertisement and mention of bitters, J. W. Hutchinson – 1854

1856: Advertisement (see below) J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters for Yellow Fever – Cholera – The Times Picayune (New Orleans) Monday, April 7, 1856

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Advertisement J. W. Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters for Yellow Fever – Cholera – The Times Picayune (New Orleans) Monday, April 7, 1856

1861: John W. Hutchinson, druggist (see advertisement below), 263 and 265 Dauphin – Mobile, Alabama City Directory

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John W. Hutchinson, druggist & Apothecary, 263 and 265 Dauphin (se cor Dauphin and Warren Streets) – 1861 Mobile, Alabama City Directory

1866-72: John W. Hutchinson, druggist and apothecary, se corn Warren and Dauphin and Warren, res same (see 1872 directory advertisement below) – Mobile, Alabama City Directory

1870: John W. Hutchinson, Retail Druggist, Mobile, Ward 6, Alabama (lives with William H. Crippen family) – United States Federal Census

HutchinsonsAd1872

J. W. Hutchinson, manufacturer of Tonic Bitters advertisement. – 1872 Mobile, Alabama City Directory

1873-79: Listing and 1877 advertisement (see below) John W. Hutchinson, manuf’r Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters, 263 Dauphin, res same – Mobile, Alabama City Directory

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J. W.Hutchinson’s Tonic Bitters. Indicates that product started in 1840. Not Dr. Ferguson’s Aromatic Bitters and Celebrated Cocktail Bitters being sold – 1877 Mobile Alabama City Directory

BITTERS ALERT!

Not that a Dr. Ferguson’s Aromatic Bitters is noted above. This appears to be unlisted. The Celebrated Cocktail Bitters is in reference to the extremely rare Davidson & Company “Cocktail Bitters”. This iOS C 183 in Ring and Ham.

1879: John W. Hutchinson, stationer, se corn Warren and Dauphin and Warren, res same – Mobile, Alabama City Directory

Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Auction News, Bitters, Color Runs, Digging and Finding, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Plan Your FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show Vacation

Posted on 16 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

ChattanoogaBottleHeaderPlan Your FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show Vacation

16 October 2014

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31 July – 02 August for Chattanooga in 2015!

Start planning  your vacation now and make the most of your trip to the 2015 FOHBC National Antique Bottle Show in Chattanooga, Tennessee (pictured below).

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If you are flying into the Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, here are some suggestions. If you’re interested in aviation, visit the newly renovated Delta Flight Museum. It houses one of Delta’s first DC-3’S, the Boeing 767 purchased by Delta employees and given to Delta, and a Boeing 737 simulator that you may want to try your hand at flying.  The museum is housed in the original hangar built in 1941 and holds lots of interesting aviation history .

For the Civil War buffs, the Atlanta Cyclorama is a must. It depicts the Battle of Atlanta in the world’s largest oil painting circa 1885. The next stop is the Atlanta History Center with an excellent display of Civil War items from the Battle of Atlanta. As you head out of town you should stop by Kennesaw Mountain Battle Field and see the historic Locomotive “the General” at the Southern Museum.

A visit to Downtown Atlanta should include the Georgia Aquarium; the World of Coca Cola (www.worldodcocacola.com) and the just opened College Football Hall of Fame, all within walking distance of each other.

I-75 North….next stop Chattanooga…again for Civil War buffs, you will want to check out  the battle fields around Chattanooga especially the Chickamauga Battlefield which has one of the best gun collections. (www.battlesforchattanooga.com). Be sure to make time to visit Lookout Mountain which includes Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Incline Railway and more (www.lookoutmountain.com). Down by the Tennessee River you will find the Tennessee Aquarium which is one of the best aquariums in the country. Lovers of early glass, ceramics, steins, toby jugs, majolica, Tiffany glass early furniture and more will enjoy the Houston Museum.  Across the street within walking distance is the Hunter Museum of American Art. The museum is perched on an 80 foot bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. These two museums are located in the “arts district” area which has some unique dining and shopping.

Downtown you can visit the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel and Restaurant. The Terminal Station has been converted into a fun and beautiful hotel with rooms in Victorian train cars, hotel suites, or standard rooms. Our show logo has been modeled after the historic roof-top sign. To accommodate your downtown sightseeing there is the “ Free Downtown Electric Shuttle” to restaurants, bars, shops and sightseeing areas, 7 days a week (www.virtualtourist.com).

Some of you will definitely enjoy the distillery tasting tours in Tennessee such the Jack Daniel’s, George Dickel, Old Forge and others. (www.tennesseewhiskeytrail.com)

We hope that while you are making plans to attend the FOHBC 2015 Chattanooga National Antique Bottle Show you will visit some of these sights to make your vacation even better.

Have fun,

Jack Hewitt and John Joiner
FOHBC Chattanooga National Show-Chairs

Click for More Show Info

Posted in Advice, Bottle Shows, Civil War, Club News, Cola, FOHBC News, History, Museums, News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Figaro, Figaro – Griffith’s Opera Bitters

Posted on 16 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Figaro, Figaro – Griffith’s Opera Bitters

16 October 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAWait to you see the gorgeous example of a Griffith’s Opera Bitters that John Pastor has in his American Glass Gallery Auction #13, now open for bidding. No, that is not it at the top of the post. That is my homely (to some) example of this very rare bitters that is a raw as the day it was found. I left it alone as it was the only one I had ever seen. I like it that way, but boy-o-boy is this new auction example a killer.

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Oil City Oil Trader by Day, Opera Goers by Night? – 1870

To my knowledge, this is the only bitters with the word “opera” in it. It is believed to be from Oil City, Pennsylvania and that was fairly easy to confirm as you will see. Opera and Oil City. Grease and water. Oil City is a city in Venango County, Pennsylvania that is known in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry. After the first oil wells were drilled nearby in the 1850s, Oil City became central in the petroleum industry while hosting headquarters for the Pennzoil, Quaker State, and Wolf’s Head motor oil companies. [Wikipedia]

Tarbell_1904_Fleet_of_Oil_Boats_at_Oil_City_1864

Fleet of Oil Boats at Oil City 1864

The Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham listing in Bitters Bottles is as follows. Note that amber is very rare and yellow and green are extremely rare. You mean there are yellow and green examples out there?

GriffithsOperaSketch

G 116  GRIFFITH’S OPERA BITTERS
GRIFFITH’S / OPERA BITTERS // f // A. R. GRIFFITH // f //
// b // L & W / 13
8 7/8 x 2 3/4 (6 7/8) 3/8
Square, LTC, Applied mouth, 2 sp; Amber, Very rare;
Yellow olive and Green, Extremely rare
GriffithsOperaAGG13

“GRIFFITH’S / OPERA BITTERS – A. R. GRIFFITH”, Lorenz & Wightman Glass Manufacturers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1863 – 1872. yellowish honey amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – “L & W / 13″ (on smooth base), ht. 8 7/8″; (professionally cleaned to original luster with a little light wear remaining; a shallow 3/16” bruise on shoulder). R/H #G116. Very rare. Provenance: Ex. Carlyn Ring collection. A very rare bitters, one that has not been offered for sale in quite some time, and believed to be from Oil City, Pennsylvania. – American Glass Gallery Auction #13

The Griffith Bothers, and there were at least three of them, were druggists and started a retail drug store business called Griffith and Brother in 1863. This was Albert R. Griffith and A.D. Griffith. Albert’s name is on the bottle. He was born in 1845.

They brothers had two drug stores in Oil City, Venango County, Pennsylvania and two stores later in New York City. Maybe one of the brothers went to New York City to get out of the oil field environment and see the opera and a few Broadway plays? Maybe adding a little culture would help this Charlie Tuna sell his bitters? In 1869, the brothers opened a second drug store opposite the Opera House on Washington Street in Oil City. As early as 1870 there were advertisements for Griffith’s Celebrated Opera Bitters. This is where the name most likely came from.

Later, younger brother Edward J. Griffith was running the show and sold the business in 1911 to Alfred W. Britton and Thomas Gaddess. Britton was previously employed as pharmacist with Griffith. That is a photography of one of their stores below. Look at all the bottles on the wall.

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1896 interior shot of Griffith Brothers Drug Store. Look closely on right wall. Probably bitters bottles and other medicines. – 1896 Derrick Souvenir Book

Select Listings: Griffith Brothers 

Albert R. Griffith, A.D. Griffith and Edward J. Griffith

1863: Griffith & Brother drug business established 1863.

1869: Griffith Brothers to open a new drug store notice opposite the Opera House (see below). – The Petroleum Centre Daily Record, December 01, 1869

GriffithBrosNewDrugStore

Griffith Brothers to open a new drug store opposite the Opera House notice (see below). – The Petroleum Centre Daily Record, December 01, 1869

1870: Griffith’s Opera Bitters sold by W. D. Terbell & Co. advertisement (see below) – Corning N.Y. Journal

GriffithsAd1870

Griffith’s Opera Bitters sold by W. D. Terbell & Co. advertisement – Corning N.Y. Journal, 1870

1876: A.R. Griffith & Brother, drugs, (A.R. Griffith & A.D. Griffith), 53 Centre – Titusville (Oil City), Pennsylvania City Directory

1883-85: Griffith Brothers (A.R. & A.D. Griffith), druggists, Centre & Sycamore, both living at  Harriott ave corner Washington with mother, Mrs. E. Griffith (also Thomas and William at other addresses) – Titusville, Pennsylvania City Directory

1885: Griffith Brothers open 3rd drug store in New York City at 2241 Third Avenue.

1887: Griffith & Bro’s Diuretic Cordial advertisement (see below) – The Oil City Derrick, Thursday, December 1, 1887

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Griffith & Bro’s Diuretic Cordial advertisement – The Oil City Derrick, Thursday, December 1, 1887

1892: Griffith Brothers advertisement “The People’s Druggist! (see below) – Oil City Derrick, Saturday, July 16, 1892

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Griffith Brothers advertisement “The People’s Druggist! – Oil City Derrick, Saturday, July 16, 1892

1896: Griffith & Brother listing (see below). They have two locations in Oil City and one location in New York city.

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Griffith Bros. established 1863 – 1896 Derrick Souvenir Book

1897: Albert R. Griffith death, April 7, 1897 (see below). Now notes two locations in New York City. – The Druggists’ Circular and Chemical Gazette

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Albert R. Griffith death, April 7, 1897 – The Druggists’ Circular and Chemical Gazette, 1897

1911: Alfred W. Britton previously employed as pharmacist buys, in partnership with Thomas Gaddess, the E.J. Griffith establishment, on of the oldest drug stores in Venango County – Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People

1916: Edward J. Griffith death (see below) – NARD Journal, 1916

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Edward J. Griffith death (see below) – NARD Journal, 1916

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

A labeled Mett (or Alett) Stomach Bitters from Joliet

Posted on 14 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

MettStomachBittersA labeled Mett (or Alett) Stomach Bitters from Joliet

14 October 2014 (R•101514)

EBLogo

Apple-Touch-IconALou Holis sent me the top picture via e-mail saying, “Hello. Picked this up last week on eBay. Bottle is from Joliet, Illinois (my home state). It is a label only, tooled top, bigger than most, square form. Can’t find any information. Think it is from 1906. Nothing great, just letting you know.”

This is interesting. Sure it is not a figural, or in some killer color but it is rare and possible unlisted. Like finding a new bug rocks an entomologist, this bittersologist gets just as excited. Looking at the label, I see a cool seal which I have isolated and cleaned up above. It has a interlocking “EB” typography and reads “Ettlinger Bros., Joliet, Ill.” in a decorative circle. Kind of cool to this grapicsologist too. By the way, Magen means stomach in German so we still have Mett Stomach Bitters. What is the deal with “Mett”?

Aaron Ellinger (1840-1884) was a cattle dealer in Joliet, Illinois. He had two sons, Benjamin S. Ettlinger and Ralph Carl Ettlinger who first worked together in a liquor store. Eventually the wholesale liquor business was called Alexander and Ettlinger (Robert Alexander and Benjamin Ettlinger) from 1902-1908. Both brothers united in business from at least 1909 to 1920 as Ettlinger Brothers at 303-305 S. Chicagio Street in Joliet. They were wholesale dealers in imported and domestic wines, liquors, gins and whiskies.

Mett is probably a word-play with “M“agen and “Ett“linger. It could also be “Alett” combining “Al“exander and “Ett“linger. Jury still out on that one. What do you think?

Select Listings 

1881: Aaron Ettlinger, cattle buyer – Joliet City Directory

1881: Birth Benjamin Ettlinger on October 6, 1881 in Joliet, Ilinois

1884: Aaron Ettlinger, cattle dealer – Joliet City Directory

1884: Birth Ralph Carl Ettlinger on June 1, 1884 in Joliet, Illinois

1901: Ralph C. Ettlinger, clerk, Benjamin S. Ettlinger, bookkeeper, Mary Ettlinger (widow Aaron Ettlinger), bds 537 S. Chicago – Joliet City Directory

1902-1908: Alexander & Ettlinger, wholesale liquor, (Robert Alexander and Benjamin Ettlinger), Ralph C. Ettinger is manager of Bottling department at Alexander &Ettlinger, 301 – 303 S. Chicago, Joliet, Illinois – Joliet City Directory

1909-1920: Ettlinger Brothers, wholesale liquors, (Robert Alexander and Benjamin Ettlinger), 301 – 303 S. Chicago – Joliet City Directory

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Ettlinger Brothers listing –1914 Joliet City Directory

1944: Death of Benjamin Ettlinger, 16 August 1944, Chicago, Illinois

Posted in Bitters, eBay, History, Liquor Merchant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Posted on 14 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

14 October 2014 (R•101514 – McGuire) (R•041519) (R•090619)

Apple-Touch-IconAThe Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is one tough brand to figure out. I mean, who is Dr. Forest and why is Bacon and Miller embossed on the bottle? I picked up my example (pictured below) in the Glass Works Auction #83 and it was ex: Dr. James Carter. Dr. Carter apparently specialized in “Dr” embossed bottles. I have many top examples from his collection. What brought this extremely rare brand to life, after many years of quiet shelf sitting, was the appearance of a second example in the present North American Glass auction. Their example is pictured at the top of this post.

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Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters, Ex: Carlyn Ring and Dr. James Carter – Ferdinand Meyer V Collection

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Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters, Ex: Carlyn Ring and Dr. James Carter – Ferdinand Meyer V Collection

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

F 68 DR. FOREST’S / TONIC BITTERS // f // BACON AND MILLER /
HARRISBURG, PENNA. // f //
9 1/2 x 2 3/4 (7) 1/2
Square, Amber, LTC, Applied mouth, 2 sp, Extremely rare
Harrisburg Directory (Pa.) 1878 -1889: George & Harry Bacon listed as bottlers.

Here is an unlisted miniature from a past Morphy Auctions that I did not even know existed! Bill Ham has provided the following new catalog listing.

F 68.5 DR. FOREST’S / TONIC BITTERS // f // BACON AND MILLER /
 HARRISBURG, PENNA. // f //
4 1/2 x 1 1/4
Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled lip, 2 sp, Extremely rare
Harrisburg Directory (Pa.) 1878 -1889, George and Harry Bacon listed as bottlers.
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4 1/2″ tall Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters (sample size) sold by Morphy Auctions in 2010.

(Sample Size), “DR. FOREST’S / TONIC BITTERS – BACON AND MILLER / HARRISBURG, PENNA.”, (unlisted), Pennsylvania, ca. 1880 – 1890, amber, 4 1/2”h, smooth base, sheared and tooled lip. About perfect, (a pinhead in size flake is off a corner at the base that probably occurred when the bottle was removed from the mould). Identical to Ring/Ham F-68, but in an unlisted and probably unique sample size!

What is most odd is that we have an applied top bottle with both “Bacon and Miller” and “Harrisburg, Penna.” embossed on it. We also have the miniature pictured above. George N. Bacon and A. E. Miller hooked up in 1887 selling patent medicines in Harrisburg. That, on the surface, may be too late for this bottle. Pay close attention to the George N. Bacon listing from 1875 below. He is listed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania selling “Chinese bitters”. I can’t figure this one out.

[New Listing]
C 145.3 CHINESE BITTERS, George N. Bacon, N. Main, Boyds’ Willkes-Barre City Directory, 1875

What we do have is the father George N. Bacon being born in 1838 in Pennsylvania. His father, Lewis W. Bacon, was an innkeeper by trade from Vermont. George’s wife was named Maria. Harry W. Bacon (George’s son), was born in 1864. I doubt the son had anything to do with this bitters. George starts out as a huckster in Scranton and in the early 1870s makes and sells segars in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In 1875 he his selling Chinese bitters in Wilkes-Barre and then files for a stove cover patent in 1877. Say what?After this, George Bacon moves to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and partners briefly with A. E. Miller from 1887-1890. This Miller guy is a tough nut to crack. They both are listed as selling patent medicines. This relationship would end and George and his son would go in the bottling business at 26 Grace avenue primarily selling beer though George started bottling earlier in 1878. I would target 1877 as the bottles date. (see new info below) Being extremely rare, probably means a short production span.

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G.N. Bacon, Harrisburg, PA bottle – Digger Odell

[From Eric McGuire]

Your listing of Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters got me curious. I have seen a number of California made bottles of the late 1880s with applied tops and the Bacon and Miller bottle appeared to be a similar type example. The first attached item would put the beginning of this product at about October 1889. Also, note the partners actually include Harry Bacon and not his father, who had already died in 1888.

Harrisburg Patriot, March 27, 1889. Genealogybank.com

The second attached notice gives little doubt as to the ending date of the product. This would give a terminal date of September 1890.

Harrisburg Patriot, Sep 12, 1890. GenealogyBank.com

Also attached gives a little information about A.E. Miller, who was previously engaged as a confectioner in Middletown, PA.

From Harrisburg Patriot, Oct 5, 1889. GenealogyBank.com

So, beginning in October 1889, and for about one year, this product was sold. The glassblower must have been “old school” and the run quite small, as the application of a separate piece of glass to create a top was generally no longer practiced at that time and this extra step would obviously slow down production. If payment to the blower was by the piece, this process would cost the blower money, unless he had nothing more to do after the run of Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters.

Select Listings:

1816: Birth, Lewis W. Bacon in Vermont.
1838: Birth George N. Bacon in Pennsylvania on May 1, 1838
1850: Lewis W. Bacon, innkeeper (son George N.) – 1850 United States Federal Census
1864: Birth Harry W. Bacon on 05 May 1864 in Scranton, Pennsylvania
1865: George N. Bacon, huckster, Scranton, PA. – Scranton, Pennsylvania City Directory
1871-73: George N. Bacon, segar manufacturer, 204 North Main, Wilkes-Barre, PA. – Boyds’ Wilkes-Barre City Directory
1875: George N. Bacon, Chinese bitters, North Main, ab Union (see below), Wilkes-Barre, PA. – Boyds’ Wilkes-Barre City Directory
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George N. Bacon, Chinese bitters listing – Boyds’ Wilkes-Barre City Directory, 1875

1877: Stove Cover Parent – Be it known that I, GEORGE N. BACON, of Wilkes-Barre, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stove-Covers and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of’ the same…
1878: George N. Bacon, bottler, Market cor 5th – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania City Directory
1880: G.N. Bacon, beer bottler, son, Harry (16) at school – 1880 Unuted States Federal Census
1881: Schlitz and Bavarian Beer advertisement (see below) from George N. Bacon – Harrisburg Daily Independent, August 11, 1881
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Schlitz and Bavarian Beer advertisement from George N. Bacon – Harrisburg Daily Independent, August 11, 1881

1882-85: Harrisburg Bottling Works (George N. Bacon), 26 Grace Avenue (various addresses) Harrisburg, PA. (see advertisement below) – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania City Directory
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Harrisburg Bottling Works (George N. Bacon), 26 Grace Avenue (various addresses) Harrisburg, PA. (see advertisement below) – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania City Directory

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Harrisburg Bottling Works (George N. Bacon), 26 Grace Avenue, Harrisburg, PA. (see advertisement below) – 1884 African American Newspapers

1887-1890: Bacon & Miller (Harry W. Bacon and A. E. Miller), patent medicines, 1002 Market, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Harry W. Bacon (son) was a clerk. – Harrisburg City Directory
1888: Death of George N. Bacon on 16 January 1888 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania
1889: A.E. Miller marriage (see clipping further above)
1890: The firm of Bacon & Miller, proprietors of Dr. Forest’s Tonic Bitters dissolve (see clipping further above)
1915: Death of Harry W. Bacon on 16 February 1915 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania
HBWMug

1961: Harrisburg Bottling Works Anheuser-Busch Mug

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Bottling Works, Breweriana, History, Medicines & Cures, Miniatures, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ask for Winter’s Stomach Bitters

Posted on 12 October 2014 by Ferdinand Meyer V
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Winter’s Stomach Bitters advertisement – The Argus, September 5, 1907

Ask for Winter’s Stomach Bitters

12 October 2014

Apple-Touch-IconAI love this advertisement above for Winter’s Stomach Bitters. I suppose if you drink the bitters you get a big stomach! This month, Greg Spurgeon has the very rare, Winter’s Stomach Bitters in his current North American Glass auction. I really have not thought very much about my example in some time so I thought we needed to find out about the brand. Very little is known except what is printed in Ring & Ham. The clue to research is embedded in the listing where Rock Island, Illinois is noted. Otherwise you get a ton of “bitter winter” listings when searching!

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

WintersBittersSketch

W 141  WINTER’S STOMACH BITTERS
WINTER’S / STOMACH BITTERS // f // S-13 at bottom of panel // f // // b // A.B.CO
9 1/2 x 3 (7) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled lip, Very Rare
A backbar bottle exists with white enameled lettering B. WINTER / ROCK ISLAND, ILL /
ANGOSTURA BARK. Winter was the manufacturer of the WINTER’S STOMACH BITTERS
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Winter’s Stomach Bitters – Ferdinand Meyer V Collection

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Winter’s Stomach Bitters – Ferdinand Meyer V Collection

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Winter’s Stomach Bitters – North American Glass

Winter’s Stomach Bitters

Winter’s Stomach Bitters is a very rare bottle though late with its tooled top. The brand was sold by Basilius Winter in Rock Island, Illinois. Basilius was born on the river Rhine in Gross Haibach, Bavaria (Germany) on July 28, 1849, and was the son of Joseph and Mary S. (Dauber) Winter, also natives of that country. Winter emigrated to America with his parents in 1853 and located first in Henry County, Illinois. Basilius was educated in both English and German and at the age of 14 years came to Rock Island, and began work for his uncle, Peter Fries in 1867 and later, after a period of farming, partnered with James E. Mott in 1880 where they called their business Mott & Winter. They were listed as rectifiers, wholesale dealers and importers of wines and liquors. In 1885, Henry Lemberg purchased Basilius Winter’s interest and the new business name was Winter & Lemberg. In 1890, Henry Lemberg retired and Basilius Winter ran the business with his sons (Louis Winter, R.V. Winter, Bazil Winter, Arthur Winter and George Winter). The company marketed and sold “Old McBrayer”, “Nelson Bourbon”, Nelson Rye”, “Good Luck”, “Anderson Bourbon”, “Old Taylor”, “Clark’s Rye”, “Tri City” and “Wild West.” It was from 1890 to 1908 that Winter’s Stomach Bitter’s was probably made and sold though it could have been after the turn of the century. The A.B. Co. on the base is probably the mark of a bottling company.

B. Winter

B. Winter, a wholesale liquor dealer engaged in business at 1512 Third avenue, Rock Island, is a self-made man who, without extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked himself upward.

Mr. Winter was born on the river Rhine, in Germany, July 28, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Mary S. (Dauber) Winter, also natives of that country, who emigrated to America in 1853 and located first in Henry county, Illinois. Later they removed to a farm near Milan in Rock Island county, where the father died in 1893, at the age of seventy-five years. Our subject was only three years old when he crossed the Atlantic, and was a lad of seventeen when he took up his residence in Rock Island county. His early educational privileges being somewhat meagre, he has become a self-educated as well as a self- made man.

On starting out in life for himself, Mr. Winter secured a position in a wholesale liquor house and has since been connected with the liquor business in one capacity or another. In June, 1880, he embarked in business for himself, forming a partnership with James E. Mott, one of the old settlers and highly respected business men of the city, and at the end of five years he purchased his partner’s interest and has since been alone. Although he started out in life for himself empty-handed, he is now at the head of a large and profitable business, the result of his own industry, enterprise and good management.

In Davenport, in December, 1871, Mr. Winter was joined in wedlock to Miss Lizzie Bartermeier, who was born, reared and educated in that city. They became the parents of four children: Agnes, at home; Louis J., who is now acting as his father’s bookkeeper; Robert, who holds a responsible business position in Rock Island; and Mamie, who died at the age of three years. The wife and mother died in 1882, and two years later Mr. Winter married her sister, Miss Johanna Bartermeier, who also spent her early life in Davenport, her native city. The four children born of this union are Cora; Basilius, Jr.; Florence; and George P.

In politics, Mr. Winter has been a lifelong Democrat, but at local elections generally votes independent of party ties. He has ever taken an active and prominent part in political affairs, and is now serving his third term as a member of the city council, being first elected in 1887. He is an influential and popular member of that body and the duties of his office he has most faithfully and capably performed, winning the commendation of all concerned. He and his family are all communicants of the Catholic church.

“The Biographical Record of Rock Island County, Illinois”, by S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1897.

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Basilius Winter Obituary – The Rock Island Argus – December 23, 1910

Select References for Basilius Winter:

1849: B. Winter was born on the river Rhine (Gross Haibach, Bavaria), in Germany, July 28, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Mary S. (Dauber) Winter, also natives of that country. – The Biographical Record of Rock Island County, Illinois

1853: B. Winter emigrated to America in 1853 and located first in Henry county, Illinois. Later they removed to a farm near Milan in Rock Island county – The Biographical Record of Rock Island County, Illinois

1867: Basilius Winter enters into the liquor business with his uncle Peter Fries.

1880-1885: Mott & Winter (James E. Mott; B. Winter), rectifiers, wholesale dealers and importers of wines and liquors, corner Seventeenth and Third avenue, Rock Island, Illinois – Rock Island and Moline, Illinois Directories

1885-1890: Henry Lemberg purchases Basilius Winter’s interest. The new business name is Winter & Lemberg.

1890: Henry Lemberg retires and Basilius Winter runs the business with his sons (Louis Winter, R.V. Winter, Bazil Winter, Arthur Winter and George Winter)

1898: Basilius Winter, in the Third ward, has been a resident of Rock Island for 30 years. Since 1880 he as been engaged in business here. He served a term-and-a-half as alderman from the Third ward in the 80’s, and two years ago defeated Fred Schroeder, the republican candidate. Mr. Winter is one of the city’s leading men, and is a prominent member of the Turner society. He is a native of Germany and was born in 1849. – Rock Island Argus, April 02, 1898

1903: Statement by B. Winter resident of Rock Island, III. 30 years. 5 Mar 1903. – IllinoisAncester.org

1909: Winter’s Stomach Bitters advertisement (see below) – The Argus (Rock Island, Illinois), September 8, 1809

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Winter’s Stomach Bitters advertisement – The Argus, September 8, 1909

1910: Basilius Winter death

Posted in Advertising, Auction News, Bitters, Collectors & Collections, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment