Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial

Posted on 5 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial

05 November 2018

Norman C. Heckler & Company has an exciting Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial that I have never seen before in their current Auction #170. Their write-up is as follows accompanied by their fine photographs of the bottle:

Lot: 63 “Dr. Wright’s / Tonic Bitters / And / Invigorating / Cordial” Bitters Bottle, America, 1845-1860. Square with beveled corners, yellow with an olive tone, applied sloping collared mouth – iron pontil mark, ht. 10 inches. R/H #W-163.5 Extremely rare and beautiful with a pristine exterior surface. One of two known examples. Fine condition. Estimate: $6,000 – $12,000 Minimum bid: $3,000

Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial Bitters was put out by Homer (Hoemer) Wright in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from about 1855 to 1858. He sold his bitters in quart bottles for $1. Yes, this is early Pittsburgh glass with an iron pontil. As good as it gets. Previously an amber example was recorded. This one is yellow with an olive tone with lots of character. It is extremely rare, either color.

Dr. Homer Wright was born in Wellsville, Ohio on April 8, 1833 and was a son of Dr. Hugh Wright, an eminent physician, and Ann (Laughlin) Wright, both from Ireland. Dr. Wright came from Shippensburg, Pa., lived for a time in Wellsville, Ohio and practiced in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and in 1845, at the time of the great fire in Pittsburgh, was practicing at No. 8 Grant Street in Pittsburgh. This was also the location for his manufactory and principle depot for his bitters and Dr. Wright’s Family Medicines.

Dr. Wrights parents had moved to Pittsburgh when he was quite young, and his education was obtained in the public schools of the old Second Ward. After leaving school he began the study of medicine under his father, but later abandoned professional ambitions and entered the manufacturing business in Pittsburgh, the center of the glass manufacturing industry in the United States

Homer Wright had a number of patents and is best known for being partners in Collins & Wright (Henry H. Collins, Benjamin F. Collins & Homer Wright). They were the purchasers of the Pittsburgh Britannia Manufacturing Company in the early 1860s, a concern established in 1838 by Orrin Newton. The company, under its new title and ownership, continued the manufacture of britannia ware, pewter buttons, and metal trimming used in the production of glass tableware, such as salt and pepper shakers. Homer Wright died in Pittsburgh on June 3, 1919.

A much more complete biographical sketch and a picture of Dr. Wright can be found below. His eldest son, James Homer Wright (1869-1928), practiced pathology in Boston from 1893 until his death in 1928. He was rather well known. His biography is also below.

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

W 163.5 Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial

DR. WRIGHT’S TONIC BITTERS // AND // INVIGORATING // CORDIAL // f //
10 5/16 x 2 7/8
Square, Amber, Yellow with olive tone (add), LTC, Metallic pontil mark, Extremely rare

Homer Wright

History of Pittsburgh and Environs, Volume 1, American Historical Society, 1922 – Pennsylvania

HOMER WRIGHT – A man of studious, quiet disposition, Mr. Wright’s tastes called for a professional career rather than a mercantile life, but when his course was directed in commercial lines he brought from these sources valuable result. It was his intention to follow in his father’s footsteps, his study of medicine having been begun when circumstances prevented the execution of his plans, and his long and useful life was spent as a manufacturer. Homer Wright was a son of Dr. Hugh Wright, an eminent physician, and Ann (Laughlin) Wright. Dr. Wright came from Shippensburg, Pa., lived for a time in Wellsville, Ohio, practiced in Beaver county, Pa., and in 1845, at the time of the great fire in Pittsburgh, was practicing on Grant street. Dr. Wright came to Western Pennsylvania in stage-coach days, and was a pioneer settler in some of the sections in which he lived.

Homer Wright was born in Wellsville, Ohio, April 8, 1833, and died in Pittsburgh, June 3, 1919. His parents moved to Pittsburgh when he was quite young, and his education was obtained in the public schools of the old Second Ward. After leaving school he began the study of medicine under his father, but later abandoned professional ambitions and entered manufacturing lines. In the late sixties, in association with Henry and Benjamin Collins, under the firm name of Collins & Wright, he was a purchaser of the Pittsburgh Britannia Manufacturing Company, a concern established in 1838 by Orrin Newton. This company, under its new title and ownership, continued the manufacture of britannia ware, pewter buttons, and metal trimming used in the production of glass tableware, such as salt and pepper shakers. The operations of Collins & Wright were pursued in the center of the glass manufacturing industry of the United States, and the firm prospered in exceptional degree. Their location for many years was on Second avenue, between Wood and Smithfield streets; later they moved to First avenue and Cherry way; and in 1905 occupied the factory at Fifty-fifth and Butler streets, where the business is still conducted (1921) by members of the Wright family. Homer Wright continued active and prominent in the affairs of the firm until a few years prior to his death in his eighty-seventh year, and retained a firm, keen grasp upon practical affairs long past the usual age of retirement .

There were two influences of paramount importance in Mr. Wright’s life—his business connections and his home. In the world of affairs he became known for uprightness of character and steadfast adherence to lofty principles of business conduct. He was the possessor of a memory of almost unlimited capacity, and its retentiveness and exactness were the causes of remark among his friends. He read widely in current and classical literature, and in the pursuits of home life, the companionship and love of his family, found life’s highest rewards. Mr. Wright was confirmed in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, of Pittsburgh, but after his marriage attended and was for many year s a trustee of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Pittsburgh. A blameless life won him the heartfelt benediction of all who knew him, and until his death respect and honor were paid him and have since been accorded his memory in the same measure.

Homer Wright married, Jan. 2, 1868, Sarah Livingston Gray, who died March 11, 1894, daughter of James H. and Julia (Livingston) Gray. Children: 1. James Homer, a world renowned pathologist, for twenty-five years pathologist of the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston, Mass.; married Aagot Lunde, of Christiana, Norway. 2. Edwin L, manager of Collins & Wright; makes his home with his sister, Mary R. Wright. 3. W. Howard, secretary of the Commercial Lithographing and Printing Company of Akron, Ohio; married Janette Williamson Swan, daughter of John Swan, a former postmaster of Allegheny, Pa., and has children: Janette Ramsey, Christine Livingston, and Virginia Swan. 4. Mary R., resides at No. 917 North Negley avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Select Listings:

1833: Homer Wright was born in Wellsville, Ohio, April 8, 1833. Homer Wright was a son of Dr. Hugh Wright, an eminent physician, and Ann (Laughlin) Wright. – History of Pittsburgh and Environs, Volume 1, American Historical Society, 1922 – Pennsylvania

1845: Dr. Wright came from Shippensburg, Pa., lived for a time in Wellsville, Ohio, practiced in Beaver county, Pa., and in 1845, at the time of the great fire in Pittsburgh, was practicing on Grant street. – History of Pittsburgh and Environs, Volume 1, American Historical Society, 1922 – Pennsylvania

1850: Homer Wrights, Student, Age: 17, Birth Year: abt 1833, Birthplace: Ohio, Home in 1850: Pittsburgh Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA, Household Members: Hugh Wrights 45, Ann Wrights 42, Homer Wrights 17, Eliza Wrights 14, Agnes Wrights 9, Henry Laughlin 23 – 1850 United States Federal Census

1855: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial – The Tennessean, Wednesday, December 19, 1855

1857: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial, prepared only by Dr. Homer Wright, Proprietor Dr. Wright’s Family Medicines, Manufactory and Principle Depot, No. 8 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Wyandot Pioneer, Thursday, March 12, 1857

186o: Homer Wright, Age: 24, Birth Year: abt 1836, Gender: Male, Birth Place: Ohio, Home in 1860:, Pittsburgh Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Post Office: Pittsburgh, Dwelling Number: 2107, Family Number: 2703, Occupation: Student, Household Members: Name Age, Hugh Wright 56, Ann Wright 53, Homer Wright 24, Agnes Wright 18 – 1860 United States Federal Census

1863: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Collins & Wright, Britannia and Brass works, No. 139 Second Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pittsburgh Gazette, Saturday, October 10, 1863

1864: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Collins & Wright, Britannia and Brass works, No. 139 Second Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pittsburgh Gazette, Monday, June 6, 1864

1867: Newspaper patents notice (see below): Patent for an Improved Jug Top, Homer Wright, Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, Saturday, October 12, 1867

1868: Homer Wright married, Jan. 2, 1868, Sarah Livingston Gray, who died March 11, 1894, daughter of James H. and Julia (Livingston) Gray.

1869: Newspaper patent notice (see below): Patent 3637 dated October 27, 1868 for a Fruit Jar, Henry H. Collins, B.F. Collins and Homer Wright, Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, Thursday, September 16, 1869

1869: James Homer Wright (pictured below) was born on April 8, 1869, in Pittsburgh, the oldest of five children of Homer Wright and Sara L. Gray. Dr. Wright’s father had a business that made decorative glass tableware. – James Homer Wright (1869–1928) – by Robert H. Young and Robert E. Lee

James Homer Wright (1869-1928), the eldest son of a Pittsburgh glass merchant, was educated in Baltimore and practiced pathology in Boston from 1893 until his death in 1928. In 1896, when not quite 27 years old, he assumed directorship of the newly founded Pathology Laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a post he held for the next 30 years. He is remembered eponymously by the blood cell stain that bears his name and the Homer Wright pseudorosettes of neuroblastoma, but he made many additional contributions to pathology. These include the following: determination of the cellular lineage of multiple myeloma, identification of the megakaryocyte as the cell of origin of blood platelets, recognition of the cell of origin of the neuroblastoma, demonstration of spirochetes in syphilitic aneurysms of the aorta, and clarification of misconceptions about actinomycosis. Additionally, Wright coauthored, with Dr. Frank B. Mallory, the book Pathological Technique, which was a staple of laboratories for >40 years and exemplifies Wright’s wide-ranging interests in, and contributions to, practical aspects of pathology including staining, culture and frozen section techniques, photography, and development of the rotary microtome. He received Honorary Doctor of Science Degrees from Harvard University, the University of Maryland (his alma mater), and the University of Missouri. He was the recipient of the Gross prize in 1905 for his publication on actinomycosis and the Boylston Medical Prize in 1908 for his discovery of the origin of platelets, and he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1915. Although shy and somewhat austere in the workplace, a different side was shown by his anonymously sending flowers to a young Norwegian opera singer whom he subsequently married. The pathology laboratories of the Massachusetts General Hospital were named the “James Homer Wright Pathology Laboratories” in 1956. Today James Homer Wright is remembered and honored 100 years after his description of the stain that, along with the pseudorosettes of neuroblastoma, carry his name into eternity and ensure his great contributions will never be forgotten. – James Homer Wright: a biography of the enigmatic creator of the Wright stain on the occasion of its centennial. – Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, PA

1870: Homer Wright (Collins & Wright), Brittania Manufacturers, 139 Second Avenue, res. 8 Grant, Hugh Wright, physician, 8 Grant – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1870

1880: Homer Wright, Age: 47, Brass & Tin Manufacturer, Birth Date: Abt 1833, Birthplace: Ohio, Home in 1880: Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Street: Logan St, House Number: 41, Dwelling Number: 438, Married, Spouse’s Name: Sarah Wright, Father’s Birthplace: Ohio, Mother’s Birthplace: Ohio, Occupation: Brass Foundry, Household Members: Homer Wright 47, Sarah Wright 33, James Wright 11, Edward Wright 7, Howard Wright 5, Mary Wright 9/12 – 1880 United States Federal Census

1900: Homer Wright, Manager Britannia Ware, Age: 67, Birth Date: Apr 1833, Birthplace: Ohio, Home in 1900: Pittsburgh Ward 8, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Ward of City: Eighth, Street: Cliff St, House Number: 20, Marital Status: Widowed, Father’s Birthplace: Ohio, Mother’s Birthplace: Ohio, Household Members: Homer Wright 67, L Edwin Wright 17, W Howard Wright 25, P Mary Wright 20, Teresa Wetzel 36 – 1900 United States Federal Census

1919: Homer Wright died in Pittsburgh on June 3, 1919.

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Blown Glass, Cordial, Glass Makers, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged bitters, Britannia, Collins & Wright, Cordial, Dr. Wright, Glass, glassware, Grant, Hoemer, Homer, Homer Wright, Hugh, invigorating, Ireland, James Homer Wright, Medicine, Norman C. Heckler, ohio, Orrin Newton, Pennsylvania, physician, Pittsburgh, pontil, Sarah Livingston Gray, Tonic, Wellsville | Leave a comment

Life Everlasting Bitters – Atlanta, Georgia

Posted on 1 November 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Life Everlasting Bitters – Atlanta, Georgia

01 November 2018

Here is a great bitters square that John Pastor had in his recent American Glass Gallery Auction #21 which closed earlier in the week. The picture at the top of the post is from the auction. The Life Everlasting Bitters is one of the top Georgia bottles (see list further below).

Here is the auction write-upon the bottle:

“LIFE EVERLASTING / BITTERS / ATLANTA, GA.”, America, 1880 – 1890. yellowish golden amber, square with beveled corners, tooled sloping collar – smooth base, ht. 9 ½”; (professionally cleaned with some light etching, swirls and streaks of tiny bubbles on the interior surface of the glass; a couple of hard-to-see ¼” hairline fissures from a potstone or un-dissolved slag, otherwise excellent). R/H #L91. The condition issues are relatively minor, the bottle displays near mint. What a great name! Believed to be a unique example! One of Georgia’s top bottles. If you want something unique and different, this is it! A great bitters, and a bottle that would also appeal to those who collect nostrums and quackery.

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

L 91 Life Everlasting Bitters

LIFE EVERLASTING / BITTERS / ATLANTA, GA. // f // f // f //
9 5/8 x 2 1/2 (7) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled lip and Applied mouth, 1 sp. Extremely rare

The only direct reference I find is this “The Seven Wonders” Newspaper advertisement (below) noting a Life Everlasting Bitters sold at Heinitsh’s City Drug Store in Columbia, South Carolina in 1875. The problem is, this isn’t Atlanta which is embossed on the bottle. Columbia is a little more than 200 miles east of Atlanta.

The Seven Wonders Newspaper advertisement: Life Everlasting Bitters sold at Heinitsh’s City Drug Store – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina) Sunday, July 4, 1875

One has to wonder if this bottle is related to the Ponce De Leon Bitters, also from Atlanta (see comparison above). Pretty darn similar! Both bitters names seem related.

Juan Ponce de León (1474 – July 1521) is associated with the legend of the Fountain of Youth, reputed to be in Florida. He was a Spanish explorer and conquistador and became the first Governor of Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named. If this is the case, the brand was started by George J. Howard.

Read: Ponce De Leon Bitters – George Jefferson Howard and the Coca-Cola Connection

There was a syndicated piece that appeared in many newspapers and periodicals around the country in the late 1890s and early 1900s that reads:

Theophrastus Esculapius Stubbe, proprietor of the Universal Life-Everlasting Golden Bitters, was in his office, and about him was gathered an eager group, listening to an account of the wonderful cures he had wrought with his medicine. By and by a man in sober garb—a thin, pale-faced man, sedate and melancholy— entered the office and inquired for the proprietor. “I am the , man,” said Theophrastus Esculapius Stubbe, with dignity. “You are the proprietor of the ‘Universal Life-Everlasting Golden Bitters’?” said the pale visitor. “I am. How can I help you?” “I have come to see if I couldn’t get you to establish an agency for your bitters in our town. I want you to send a smart man—one who can sell a large quantity of your medicine.” Theophrastus rubbed his hands and smiled exultingly. “You see,” pursued the sombre visitor, “my business is getting dull, and I thought with your help we might revive it.” “Can’t you take the agency yourself, my friend?” asked the great Stubbe. “No, no,” said the melancholy man, with a shake of the head. “It wouldn’t do for me. People might think I was interested.” “Ah! What’s your business?” “I am an undertaker!”

Edward H. Heinitsh

Practical Apothecaries, Fisher & Heinitsh Pharmaceutists and Druggists newspaper advertisement – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina), Friday, June 9, 1865

Newspaper Advertisement: Queens Delight and Sarsaparilla, Fisher & Heinitsh – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina), Tuesday, August 28, 1866

Newspaper Advertisement: Heinitsh’s Horse Powder, E.H. Heinitsh, Pharmacist – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina), Wednesday, March 10, 1869

Newspaper Advertisement: Edward H. Heinitsh, The Drug and Chemical Store – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina), Sunday, September 25, 1870

The Seven Wonders Newspaper advertisement: Life Everlasting Bitters sold at Heinitsh’s City Drug Store – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina) Sunday, July 4, 1875

Newspaper Advertisement: A New Life jn the Land!, Dr. Heinitsh, E. H. Heinitsh & Son – The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, South Carolina), Thursday, November 1, 1877

Newspaper Advertisement: Heinitsh & Reagan Will Open About September 1, H.E. Heinitsh & J.S. Reagan – Asheville Citizen Times, Friday, July 15, 1892

Posted in Advertising, Apothecary, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged amber, American Glass Gallery, atlanta, auction, bitters, drug, Druggist & Drugstore, Everlasting, Georgia, Heinitsh, life, rare, square | Leave a comment

Jacob & David Hostetter – Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters

Posted on 30 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Jacob & David Hostetter

Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters

30 October 2018 (R•033119) (R•130919)

David Hostetter was a millionaire manufacturer of one of the most, if not the most famous and successful bitters ever produced, the Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. Much has been written about the brand. I thought I would try to tie it all together.

Dr. Jacob Hostetter and David Hostetter

Of Dutch extraction, David Hostetter was the eldest child of Jacob Hostetter by his wife Mary Landis, and was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on 23 January 1819. Dr. Jacob Hostetter was born on 13 October 1785 in York County, Pennsylvania and actually developed the original formula for the bitters. Dr. J. Hostetter prescribed the medicinal tonic to his clientele and it evidently did not occur to him to place the product at the disposal of others outside of his own practice.

Dr. Jacob Hostetter

David Hostteter was educated in Lancaster County and at the young age of 15, was employed as a clerk and salesman in a dry goods establishment in his native town. He worked in this capacity up until 1842 when he began a business of his own that met with moderate success.

In 1850, David Hostetter moved to California to capitalize on the Gold Rush and settled in San Francisco with a grocery business. The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California from the rest of the United States and abroad.

In the following September, Hostetters entire stock was destroyed by fire. The San Francisco Fire of 1851 (May 3–4, 1851) was a catastrophic conflagration that destroyed as much as three-quarters of San Francisco, California. During the height of the California Gold Rush, San Francisco endured a sequence of seven bad fires, of which this was the sixth and by far the most damaging. In terms of property value, it did three times as much damage as the next most destructive of the seven fires. With this disaster, Hostetter returned home to Pennsylvania where he worked as a paymaster for McEvoy & Clark and a contractor for the railroad at Horseshoe Bend.

Hostetter & Smith

In 1853, Hostetter associated himself with George W. Smith, a boyhood friend, and organized the firm of Hostetter & Smith selling Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters. George. W. Smith, Esq., was a junior partner and was also a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He was born in the city of that name on 22 February 1823.

David Hostetter married Rosetta Cobb Rickey in Cincinnati, Ohio on 13 July 1854. She was born on 06 October 1829 and died on 03 July 1904 and was a daughter of Randall Hutchinson Rickey by his wife Susanna McAuley.

At that early period in its history, the firm of Hostetter & Smith occupied part of a building on Penn Street in Pittsburgh, at a rental of $175 per annum. The total staff of employees engaged in the manufacture of the bitters would scarcely number half a dozen.

The medicinal compound was manufactured in Pittsburgh in accordance with the formula discovered by his father, Dr. Jacob Hostetter, who in 1853 retired from medical practice and gave his consent to his son David, who had for some time realized the value of the medicine, to manufacture and sell the formula to the American people. The first few years of business were rather discouraging, but the partners were young men with limitless ambition, and after a great deal of missionary work, and with what was then considered quite an expenditure for advertising, the business began to grow during the late 1850s. Naturally, the reputation that the medicine obtained in Pennsylvania reached neighboring states and was finally known, not only in United States but also in South American countries.

The trade mark of St. George and the Dragon, early on became synonymous with Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters (see above). Saint George (c. 275/281 – 23 April 303) was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a soldier in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography, Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic (Western and Eastern Rites), Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox churches. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His memorial is celebrated on 23 April, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.

Read: Saint George the Dragon Slayer – Not only on Hostetter’s

Later in the 1850s, Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters would became a national best-seller. With the increase of business, Hostetter & Smith moved to Nos. 57, 58, 59, 60 and 61 Water Street in Pittsburgh. The additional space was added until the concern occupied five, three-story buildings fronting 110 feet on Water Street, with a depth of 160 feet to First Avenue. They covered an area of over half an acre and were admirably situated for purposes of shipment by rail or river, through which mediums large quantities of Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters were shipped to all parts of the United States and territories, to South America, Australia and other foreign countries.

The earliest Hostetter’s bottles could be from John Agnew and Son, Pittsburgh, 1854-1866, or Adams and Co., Pittsburgh Pa., 1854-1891. One of the largest early mass producers of bottles for Hostetter’s was Lorenz and Wrightman (L&W), Pittsburgh, Pa, 1862-1871. Another notable large producer was W. McCully & Co. There were also other glass houses that made the bottles such was the need for bottles.

A Growing Business

Nine accountants, correspondents, etc, were engaged in the counting rooms of the firm, and it is was not an over-estimate to say that in its direct and contingent operations, such as the gathering and growing of the necessary medicinal drugs, the manufacture of the paper with its dependent industries, the product of grain and its conversion to spirit, etc., the firm eventually employed directly and indirectly the labor of 1,000 people daily, and so far, aside from the intrinsic merits of its specialty, becomes a great factor in promoting the general good in Pittsburgh.

When first established, the manufacture of Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters was entirely a manual operation. The enormous increase in production, however, made this process impracticable, and machinery and apparatus of the best construction, with a capacity for putting up 500 dozen bottles per day was employed in preparing and bottling the bitters. In this department of the work, there were fourteen very large tanks, 15 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, and ten tanks 8 feet high and 6 feet in diameter. The department employed, in manufacturing, packing and shipping, not less than 50 hands.

About this time, it was necessary for Hostetter & Smith to establish a branch office in New York City, and agencies in New Orleans, San Francisco and St. Louis. From the early 1860s, the business developed from several hundred thousand dollars until in 1872, it had reached the million dollar mark. One big reason for this success was the Civil War.

During the Civil War, Dr. J. Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters was sold to soldiers as “a positive protective against the fatal maladies of the Southern swamps, and the poisonous tendency of the impure rivers and bayous.” The original formula was about 47% alcohol and was 94 Proof! The amount of alcohol was so high that it was served in saloons by the glass.

Hostetter sweetened the alcohol with sugar to which he added a few aromatic oils (anise, coriander, etc.) and vegetable bitters (cinchona, gentian, etc.) to give it a medicinal flavor. Flowerly advertising stated, “Our Bitters, which are made entirely from the choicest remedial roots, barks and herbs, the active essences and freshly expressed juices of which are preserved in chemically pure spirits, forming a compound of the most remarkable vital force and efficacy, peculiarly active in the rapid and in many cases almost miraculous relief afforded in all diseases arising from climatic causes or derangements of which an impaired stomach is the prime occasion.”

Marketing

David Hostetter, from the beginning of business, formulated a wise policy of making personal visitations on wholesale drug and commission houses. This was augmented by consistent advertising in almanacs, newspapers, magazines and exhibits. Hostetter published almanacs continuously from 1861 to 1910, when it was discontinued and no edition was published until 1933.

The business, however, contained the elements of success, and under the consummate tact and resolution of its projectors annually increased, with rapidly augmentive revenues and proportionately enlarged facilities in every department. The extent to which the operations of Hostetter & Smith reached may be illustrated by the fact that in 1866 it became necessary to do all its own printing. No firm in Pittsburgh, or perhaps in the whole country, was capable of producing, either in kind or quantity, the work requisite in carrying on the trade of the rapidly growing business.

In the Printing and Binding departments, alone, there were employed eighty compositors, pressmen and others. The equipment in machinery consisted in part of ten large cylinder presses, and eight smaller ones, all of which were kept running ten months during the year upon the publication of Hostetter’s Illustrated United States Almanacs, which were printed in the English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Welsh, Norwegian, Swedish and Bohemian languages.

As noted above, their first Almanac was issued in 1861 and was published only in German and English, increasing its edition each year and reaching, in the year 1867, one million copies, which were disseminated in these two languages. Still increasing its edition each year it reached, in 1876, 9,000,000 copies, which were produced that year in all the various languages above enumerated, the average issue per year eventually leveling out at 10,500,060 copies. This consumed annually, 16,000 reams of white paper, and about 2,000 reams for covers alone.

Other Ventures

With his business flourishing, and using his capital and experience, David Hostetter, in 1867, became a director in the Pittsburg Gas Company and in 1869, was elected president. He remained in this position and was a very influential person in this institution. He was also the largest stockholder and one of the most energetic movers in the East End and Allegheny Companies.

In March 1874, Hostetter purchased the charter of the Columbia Conduit Company and hastened the work forward to completion. Upon this occasion he was elected president but he declined to accept the office. With the Penn Gas Company in Philadelphia, he was a prominent director and also the second largest stockholder. He was also a director in the Farmers’ Deposit National Bank and in the Fort Pitt Bank of Pittsburg.

George W. Smith was largely engaged in other enterprises too, and was regarded, in the fullest sense, as a self-made man, liberal, intelligent and sincere.

As an aside, the city of Pittsburgh’s name is commonly misspelled as Pittsburg because innumerable cities and towns in America make use of the German -burg suffix, while very few make use of the Scottish -burgh suffix. This problem was compounded by the fact that from 1891 to 1911, the spelling of the city’s name was federally recognized as Pittsburg. Now of course, we spell it Pittsburgh.

As noted above, David Hostetter was connected during his life with various public and private enterprises; he was also the organizer of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad, known as the “Little Giant” which enabled the city of Pittsburgh to secure a competitive outlet to the North and Northwest; one of the promoters and prime movers, with Franklin B. Bowen, William H. Vanderbilt, and others, in the organization and development of the South Penn Railroad Company, which enterprise was throttled by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company before its completion; one of the pioneers in the production, carriage, and utilization of natural gas, and also of oil and connected with the construction of the Pittsburg Water Works plant.

David Hostetter possessed a degree of great nerve, sound judgement, and power of resource, qualities which always characterized him times of emergency. A contemporary writer once said of him, “Those who are strangers look upon David Hostetter, see a man of brain and strong will power, and instinctively accord to him the possession of faculties of the highest order.”

Hostetter & Company

Upon the death of George W. Smith in 1884, his interest was purchased by David Hostetter, and the firm name changed to Hostetter and Company, with Milton L. Myers as a partner. The partnership ceased upon the death of David Hostetter in 1888. Hostetter was said to be worth from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 upon his death. Quite an amazing accumulation of wealth and an amazing story of success in America.

The Hostetter Company

On April 10th, 1889, The Hostetter Company was incorporated by the widow and surviving children of David Hostetter, with D. Herbert Hostetter being president and Theodore R. Hostetter, vice president.

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters advertisement showing office and laboratory on Water Street. At the time it was was being run by D. Herbert and Theo E. Hostetter, two sons of David Hostetter – 1890, Harpers New Monthly

Circa 1890 illustration of one of the floors of The Hostetter Company out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. – The Overland Monthly, Samuel Carson, 1890 (San Francisco)

Circa 1890 illustration of one of the bottling department of The Hostetter Company – The Overland Monthly, Samuel Carson, 1890 (San Francisco)

Circa 1890 illustration of the printing and label department of The Hostetter Company.

Theodore R. Hostetter died in 1902 and D. Herbert Hodstetter, Sr. died 1924. Upon the death of the latter, Frederick G. Hostetter and D. Herbert Hostetter, Jr. sons of the deceased, were elected president and vice president, respectively. Frederick G. Hostetter died in 1931 and his brother D. Herbert Hostetter, Jr. succeeded him as president of The Hostetter Company. By 1934, the business was in its fourth generation of the Hostetter family and in its 81st year of uninterrupted health-giving to the American people.

Gallery | Bottle Examples

Richard T. Siri, Western collector, and 2018 FOHBC Hall of Fame member, is the absolute authority on Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters. His knowledge is as deep as his collection and he has displayed his Hostetters at many bottle shows and conventions.

Richard states in Bitters Bottles Supplement that there are many variants of Dr. Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters bottles. Variations in height, and size of embossing as well as variations in the R embossing of DR are often noted. Bill and Betty Wilson in Western Bitters, 1969, was the first work that cataloged more than the generic identification. Their work identified thirty-nine different variants. Later variants were identified by Carlyn Ring in For Bitters Only, 1980.

A group of applied mouth Dr. J. Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters bottles with 166 variants was eventually assembled. This group was made up of a large collection assembled in the West Coast combined with a large collection assembled in the Midwest and East.

Dr. J. Hostetter Stomach Bitters (with original front and back labels), a Pittsburgh glasshouse, Medium, pure olive green, (9 ¼) – American Glass Gallery

Three Dr. J. Hostetter Stomach Bitters, probably Pittsburgh district glasshouses. L-R: Medium yellow olive green (9 1/4), Green olive (9 1/4) and Deep Olive Amber (9 5/8) – American Glass Gallery | Auction #21

Four Dr. J. Hostetter Stomach Bitters, probably Pittsburgh district glasshouses. L-R: Light yellow olive green , Olive Amber and Yellow amber and Amber – Meyer Collection

Four Dr. J. Hostetter Stomach Bitters probably Pittsburgh district glasshouses. L-R: Deep yellowish olive amber, square with beveled corners, Light-to-medium citron green, applied sloping collar, possibly Adams & Co. or Agnew & Co, Pittsburgh, Dense tobacco amber, square with beveled corners, applied sloping collar – American Glass Gallery | Auction#22

Gallery | Hostetter Labels

Four different Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters labels, ever so ‘slightly’ different.

Gallery | Booklets & Almanacs

Cover |Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, 1856 brochure advertising Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters with customer and doctor reviews. – Duke University Libraries

Inside page | Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, 1856 brochure advertising Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters with customer and doctor reviews. – Duke University Libraries

Inside Page | Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, 1856 brochure advertising Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters with customer and doctor reviews. – Duke University Libraries

InsidePage | Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, 1856 brochure advertising Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters with customer and doctor reviews. – Duke University Libraries

Hostetter’s Illustrated United States Almanac, 1896, The Hostetter Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Gallery | Advertising Trade Cards

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters “The Panama Canal” post card compliments of The Hostetter Company – Meyer Collection

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters “Taft or Bryan?” trade card, The Hostetter Company – Gourd Collection

Gallery| Framed Advertising

Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters (paint on glass) large advertising pieces – Meyer Collection

Gallery | Shipping Crate

1 Doz. Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, Pittsburgh, Pa. shipping crate – Meyer Collection

Postal

Hostetter & Smith Advertising Cover – Ben Swanson collection

Hostetter & Smith, Proprietors Hostetter’s Celebrsted Stomach Bitters, Pittsburgh, PA. – Ben Swanson Collection

Redington, Hostetter & Co., Wholesale Druggists, San Francisco – Ben Swanson Collection

Gallery | Advertising Blotters

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters blotter – Joe Gourd Collection

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters blotter – Joe Gourd Collection

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters blotter – Joe Gourd Collection

Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters blotter – Joe Gourd Collection

Hostetter’s Bitters Display

Hostetter’s Display at the FOHBC 2016 Sacramento National – Richard & Beverley Siri

Select Listings:

1785: Jacob Hostetter born 13 Oct 1785, York County, Pennsylvania

1819: David Hostetter (son of Jacob Hostetter) born 23 January 1819, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Father Jacob Hostetter, Mother Mary Landis, Wife: Rosetta Cobb Rickey, Children: Harry Hutchinson Hostetter, Amy Susette Hostetter, David Herbert Hostetter, Wilfred Parker Hostetter, Theodore Rickey Hostetter

1850: David Hostetter, Age: 28, Merchant, Birth Year: abt 1822, Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Home in 1850: Lancaster South East Ward, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Household Members: David Hostetter 28, Benjamin Smith 19, William McLenegan 15, William S E Barron 23, George Weidler 19, John Grosh 16, John Montgomery 12, Joseph Frey 26, Jacob Hostetter 56, Mary Fritsch 39, Anna Fritsch 13, Mary Fritsch 11 – 1850 United States Federal Census

1853: Newspaper advertisement (below): Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, Hostetter, Smith & Co., 276 Penn Street, Pittsburgh

1854: Jacob Hostetter first marriage Rosetta Rickey: 13 July 1854, Cincinnati, Ohio

1855: Newspaper posting (below) for counterfeit Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters. The Hostetter’s Bitters Case

1860: David Hostetter, Age: 41, Druggist, Birth Year: abt 1819, Birth Place: Pennsylvania, Home in 1860: Allegheny Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Post Office: Allegheny City, Dwelling Number: 358, Family Number: 396, Personal Estate Value: 10,000, Household Members: David Hostetter 41, Rosetta Hostetter 30, Harry Hostetter 5, Annie Hostetter 2, Herbert Hostetter 1, Anna Thomas 13 – 1860 United States Federal Census

1863: David Hostetter Draft Registration, May & June 1863, Age 44, Druggist, Pennsylvania – U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

1863: Jacob Hostetter death, 2 Oct 1863 (aged 77), Milltown, Crawford County, Indiana, Burial, Valley Street Cemetery, Carroll County, Ohio, Plot: top of hill next to wife down from Pennock tomb. – U.S. Find A Grave

1870: David Hostetter, Age in 1870: 51, Manufacturer of Bitters, Birth Year: abt 1819, Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Dwelling Number: 209, Home in 1870: Allegheny Ward 5, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Personal Estate Value: 100,000, Real Estate Value: 200,000, Inferred Spouse: Rosetta Hostetter, Inferred Children: Harry Hostetter, Amy Hostetter, Herbert Hostetter, Fred Hostetter, Theodore Hostetter, Household Members: David Hostetter 51, Rosetta Hostetter 38, Harry Hostetter 15, Amy Hostetter 12, Herbert Hostetter 11, Fred Hostetter 4, Theodore Hostetter 1 – 1870 United States Federal Census

1880: David Hostetter, Age: 62, Bitters Manufacturer, Birth Date: Abt 1818, Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Home in 1880: Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Street: Western Avenue, House Number: 178, Dwelling Number: 215, Married Rosetta Hostetter, Father’s Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Mother’s Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Household Members: David Hostetter 62, Rosetta Hostetter 50, D. Herbet Hostetter 21, Wilford P. Hostetter 14, Theodore R. Hostetter 11, Herbert Dupuy 24, Amy S. Dupuy 23 – 1880 United States Federal Census

1888: David Hostetter death 6 Nov 1888 (aged 69) Pennsylvania, Burial, Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania – U.S. Find A Grave

1914: Later advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters, 79 cents bottle – The Pittsburgh Press, Tuesday, September 15, 1914

1916: Later advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters – St Louis Post Dispatch, Sunday, September 17, 1916

1937: Very late advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters “Regain Energy After the Flu” – The Perry County Times, Thursday, February 25, 1937

1950: Very late advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters – The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), Monday, January 30, 1950

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Civil War, Collectors & Collections, Ephemera, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged almanac, bitters, Celebrated, Civil War, Compound, D. Herbert Hostetter, David Hostetter, Dr. Jacob Hostetter, Dragon, ephemera, famous, Frederick G. Hostetter, George W. Smith, Gold Rush, grocer, Hostetter & Smith, Hostetter and Company, Joe Gourd, Jr., lancaster, manufacture, Mary Landis, Medicine, Pennsylvania, Pittsburg, Pittsburgh, Railroad, Redington, Richard T. Siri, Rosetta Cobb Rickey, San Francisco, St. George, Stomach, successful, The Hostetter Company, Theodore R. Hostetter, Tonic, Water Street, york | Leave a comment

Gentry, Slote & Co., New York

Posted on 23 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Gentry, Slote & Co., New York

23 October 2018

Dean Ferguson sent the three pictures below of a “Good Samaritan Brandy”, “Gentry, Slote & Co., New York” flattened globular form bottle that he secured at a barn find from the Darlington farm in Darling, Pennsylvania which is west of Philadelphia. He said the house was very early. The bottle has an applied mouth with a cork and a super iron pontil. Dean asked if I had any information on the bottle.

I was unfamiliar with the bottle but the Gentry name sure caught my attention.

Good Samaritan Brandy (front), Gentry, Slote & Co., New York – Dean Ferguson

Good Samaritan Brandy (reverse), Gentry, Slote & Co., New York – Dean Ferguson

Good Samaritan Brandy (iron pontil), Gentry, Slote & Co., New York – Dean Ferguson

A quick search online confirmed that Norman C. Heckler Auctions had auctioned off a similar example of a “Full Figure Of Horse”, “Gentry, Slote & Co., New York” pictorial flask (GXIII-25) a few years back. Looks to be the same exact bottle form. The example was ex Paul Richards collection and ex Timothy and Christine Hill collection.

Full Figure Of Horse – “Gentry, Slote & Co / New York” Pictorial Flask, America, 1845-1860. Flattened globular form, dark yellow olive, applied mouth with ring – iron pontil mark, pint; (light exterior high point wear). GXIII-25 Early and interesting. Rare. Fine condition. Ex Paul Richards collection, ex Timothy and Christine Hill collection. – Heckler Auctions

Colonel Abram Morrice Gentry, son of Joseph and Mary (Van Meter) Gentry, was born in Brookville, Indiana in May 1821 and headed to Houston at a young age in 1838. He married Mary Frances Rather in Houston on October 29, 1844 and set up A.M. Gentry & Company offering package express for Houston, Galveston, the United States and abroad via stagecoach lines and steamers.

Gentry then established A.M. Gentry & Co., Wholesale Grocers on Congress Street in downtown Houston in 1855 or so. That is a few blocks from where I sit right now. They were also importers of Wines, Liquors, Cigars, Hardware, Crockery and many other useful items of the time period. He took on partners in New York and Boston and ran similar operations in those cities. First in New York we see Lowery, Gentry, Slote Co., Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants located at 121 Front Street in 1856. By 1857, Lowery is gone and the firm is Gentry, Slote & Company. By 1858, it is Gentry, Otis & Co. at the same address up until 1860 or so. In Boston in 1860, it was Gentry, Stiles & Co. Gentry and Otis or any other Gentry listing does not show up in NYC directories after that date.

This pretty much means the Good Samaritan Brandy and the figural Horse bottle were made around 1857.

Oh, and the reason Gentry caught my attention when I first saw a picture of the Gentry, Stote Co., Good Samaritan Brandy bottle? Gentry & Otis were the same grocers that put out St. Nicholas Stomach Bitters (pictured above). If you read the linked article and look at the second 1858 newspaper advertisement, you will see that A.M. Gentry, on Congress Street in Houston, had just received a tremendous shipment of liquor and tobacco from his New York concern. Included were 450 cases of Good Samaritan Brandy and 290 cases of Extra Old Pony Brandy. Wow, I need to stop digging online and dig along the Buffalo Bayou downtown!

Select Listings:

1856: Lowrey (John), Gentry & Slote, Grocers, 121 Front Street – Trow’s New York City Directory

1857: Gentry, Slote & Co., (late Lowery, Gentry & Slote) Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants, No. 121 Front Street, New York (Abram M. Gentry, Texas, Alonzo Slote, Texas, George K. Otis, New York) – New York City Directory

1857: Cravens & Gooch, Palestine, Texas, Attorneys, refer to Gentry, Slote & Co., New York – The Texas Almanac, Richardson & Company

1857: Gentry, Slote & Co., Grocers, New York – New York City Directory

1857: Abram M Gentry, Grocer, 121 Front, New York City, New York – New York, City Directory, 1857

1857: Alonzo Slote, Grocer, 121 Front, New York City, New York – New York, City Directory, 1857

1858: Newspaper advertisement (above): A.M. Gentry, Wholesale Grocer, Congress Street, Houston, Texas, Connected with the New York firm of Gentry & Otis, 200 cases of St. Nicholas Stomach Bitters – Southern Democrat (Waco, Texas), Vol. 1, No. 39, Ed. 1, Thursday, November 18, 1858.

Posted in Blown Glass, Digging and Finding, Early American Glass, Flasks, Historical Flasks, History, liquor, Liquor Merchant, Questions, Spirits | Tagged Abram Morrice Gentry, auction, barn, Brandy, Darling, Dean Ferguson, farm, find, Gentry, glob, Good Samaritan, grocer, GXIII-25, Heckler, horse, Houston, Lowery, New York, Otis, Pennsylvania, Slote | Leave a comment

Dr. Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters – Lebanon, New Hampshire

Posted on 22 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters – Lebanon, New Hampshire

22 October 2018

I found a tall advertisement (below) for Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters and was able to match it up with an example that John Pastor sold in his American Glass Gallery | Auction #11. A tough aqua bottle find.

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

P.58 Dr Perley’s Leptandrin Bitters

DR PERLEY’S / LEPTANDRIN BITTERS // c //
9 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 2 (8)
Oval, Aqua, DC, Rare

Dr. Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters, I.N. Perley, M.D., Lebanon, New Hampshire – Argus and Patriot (Montpelier, Vermont), Thursday, February 27, 1873

“Dr Perley’s / Leptandrin Bitters”, America, ~~1885 – 1895~~. Aquamarine, oval, tooled round double collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 9 5/8″, mint. R/H #P58. List as “Rare” in the Ring/Ham book, this is another bitters that is very difficult to acquire. – American Glass Gallery | Auction #11

Isaac Newton Perley

Isaac N. Perley was born on 17 January 1839 in Enfield, New Hampshire, son of father Uri Perley (Enfield, NH) and mother Fanny Sawyer (Saulsbury, NH). He had to be pretty smart with a name like Isaac Newton right? After graduating from Canaan Union Academy in 1855 he went on to Dartmouth College and then graduated from Harvard Medical School in Boston in 1865. He next set up a medical practice and by 1870 was listed as a druggist in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

This bird’s-eye view print of Lebanon, New Hampshire was drawn and published by George E. Norris, Beck & Pauli Lith. in 1884. I.N. Perley, Druggist & Fancy Goods is one of the listings.

Lebanon was incorporated in 1761 and is a city in Grafton County, New Hampshire located in western New Hampshire, south of Hanover, near the Connecticut River. The areas Mascoma River provided power to the many mills and manufactories that were established along it in the 1800s. There was a large furniture manufactory, flannel mills, a watch-key manufactory, scythe works, a manufactory producing scythe-snaths and sleds, machine shops, two shops manufacturing overalls, among others. Lebanon’s population in 1880 was 3,364.

Post card showing Whipple Block, Lebanon, New Hampshire

Dr. Perley’s office was later located on Whipple Block. Built in 1882 in the Queen Anne style, the Whipple Block was designed by I. F. Davis and built by Muchmore and Whipple. It originally contained the Masonic Temple and a Public Hall on the top floor known as the Whipple Hall. It had stores on the ground floor and offices on the second floor. It was twice gutted by fire in 1894 and again in 1930.

Dr. Perley put out his Leptandrin Tonic Bitters in 1870 and would sell it for 75 cents a bottle. He said it would cure Liver Complaint, Jaundice, Dyspepsia, Dizziness, Piles, Loss of Appetite, Skin Eruptions, Costiveness, Indigestion, Kidney Diseases, Heartburn, Asthma, Salt Rheum., Catarrh, Scrofula, General Debility and it would Purify the Blood. Not bad for six bits. The brand only lasted until 1873, so the embossed aqua bottles are pretty rare. Dr. Perley would run his drug store up until at least 1910. His embossed druggist bottles exist.

Lebanon, New Hampshire drug store bottles, one of the bottles is a Dr. Perley’s. – AntiqueBottles.net

Dr. I. N. Perley, Druggist, Whipple Block, Lebanon, N.H. bottle

Dr. Perley would die on 7 January 1924 at age of 84 of Nephritus with Arterior Sclerosis complications. He is burried in Glenwood Cemetery in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Leptandrin

Leptandrin is a bitter glucoside, crystallizing in needles, obtained from Veronica (Leptandra) Virginica, and probably constituting the active principle of the drug leptandra.

Leptandra is one of the very old Eclectic drugs. Like most medicinal plants it is known by several popular names, as Black root, Culver’s root, Culver’s physic, Bowman root, Tall speedwell, Veronica, Tall veronica, Physic root, and Whorlywort. Its name Veronica is probably derived from St. Veronica. Black root is found more or less plentifully throughout the United States, from Vermont to Wisconsin, and southward, growing in wet, or moist, rich ground near streams, in woods, thickets, glades, and open plains. It is particularly plentiful in limestone districts. It is a perennial herb, growing from 1 to 5 feet high, with an upright stalk, having whorls of leaves, and surmounted by spikes of crowded white flowers. It blooms in July and August. The rhizome is perennial, and should be gathered in the fall of its second year. When fresh, it has a faint, almond-like odor, and a bitter, nauseous taste, which is somewhat lessened by drying, and yields its properties to water at 100° C. (212° F.), or still better to alcohol. Age does not impair its virtues.

This drug was well-known to the Indian Herb Doctor Peter Smith, and to Dr. Hough. To the former it was known as Culver’s, or Brinton’s root, and he states that his father “used to cure the pleurisy with amazing speed” with it. Hough said of it that it was “a most mild and efficacious purge in fevers, in disorders of the stomach, or the bowels, to destroy vicious humors in the blood, to remove costiveness, or to cool fevers.” The Wyandots were acquainted with its virtues, and regarded it as “a very good healing purge.” The early Eclectic physicians considered it one of their most valuable therapeutic agents.

Specific Leptandra, the most extensively used preparation, has a dark-brown color, the peculiar, and markedly so, odor of the drug, and a bitter taste that is accompanied by the aroma of the root from which it is prepared. When dropped into water it produces a turbidity or milkiness. If specific leptandra be allowed to evaporate by rubbing a few drops in the palm of the hand the skin is impregnated with the strong odor of leptandra in an intensified degree.

Select Listings:

1839: Isaac N. Perley, Birth, 17 January 1839, Enfield, New Hampshire, Father Uri Perley (Enfield,NH), Mother Fanny Sawyer (Saulsbury, NH)

1850: Newton Perley, Age: 11, Birth Year: abt 1839, Birthplace: New Hampshire, Home in 1850: Enfield, Grafton, New Hampshire, Household Members:, Uri Perley 46, Fanny Perley 46, John Perley 18, Rebecca Perley 14, Newton Perley 11, Moses Perley 8 – 1850 United States Federal Census

1855: Isaac N Perley, 1855, New Hampshire, Canaan Union Academy, Residence: Enfield – Catalogue of the officers, teachers and students of Canaan Union Academy, Canaan, N.H., for the academic year 1855

1860: Isaac N Perley, 21, Birth Year: abt 1839, Birth Place: New Hampshire, Home in 1860: Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Post Office: Hillsborough Bridge – 1860 United States Federal Census

1863: Isaac N Perley, Birth Year: abt 1839, Place of Birth: New Hampshire, Age on 1 July 1863: 24, Race: White, Marital Status: Unmarried (Single), Residence: Enfield, New Hampshire, Congressional District: 3rd, Class: 1 – U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

1864: Isaac Newton Perley, 1864, Enfield, New Hampshire, Dartmouth College

1865: Isaac Newton Perley graduate Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1865 – Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929

1867: Isaac N Perley, Marriage Date: 1 Oct 1867, Clerk’s Location: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Birth Date: abt 1839, Birth Place: Enfield, Grafton, New Hampshire, Age: 28, Father’s name: Cedric C, Mother’s name: Fanny S, Spouse Name: Kate L Sturtevant, Spouse Birth Place: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Spouse Age: 21, Spouse Father’s Name: Jh C, Spouse Mother’s Name: Caroline C – New Hampshire, Marriage Records Index, 1637-1947

1870: Isaac N Perley, 31, Druggist, Birth Year: abt 1839, New Hampshire, Dwelling Number: 133, Home in 1870: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Personal Estate Value: $2,000, Inferred Spouse: Kate E. Perley, Household Members: Isaac N. Perley 31, Kate E Perley 24 – 1870 United States Federal Census

1870: Newspaper advertisement(below): Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters, Price 75 cts. – The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Friday, May, 6, 1870

1872: Newspaper advertisement (top of post) for Perley’s Leptandrin Bitters, Put up by I.N. Perley, M.D., Lebanon, New Hampshire – Argus and Patriot, Thursday, April 25, 1872

1873: I N Perley, Residence Year: 1873, Residence Place: Lebanon, New Hampshire, Occupation: Druggist And Apothecary, West Side – Directory of Lebanon, N H, 1873

1874: Isaac N Perley, Physician, Lebanon, New Hampshire – New Hampshire Business Directory, 1874

1873:Newspaper advertisement (above)) for Dr. Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters, I.N. Perley, M.D., Lebanon, New Hampshire – Argus and Patriot (Montpelier, Vermont), Thursday, February 27, 1873

1880: Isaac N, Perley, 41, Apothecary, Birth: Abt 1839, Birthplace: New Hampshire, Home in 1880: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Dwelling Number: 198, Marital Status: Married, Kate E Perley, Father’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Mother’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Household Members: Isaac N Perley 41, Kate E Perley 34, Carrie C Perley 9 – 1880 United States Federal Census

1900: Isaac N Perley, 61, Druggist, Birth Date: Jan 1839, Birthplace: N H, Home in 1900: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Street: Green, House Number: 15, Sheet Number: 18, Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 341, Family Number: 435, Relation to Head of House: Head, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Kate E Perley, Marriage Year: 1867, Father’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Mother’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Household Members: Isaac N Perley 61, Kate E Perley 54, Hattie A Pringle 26 – 1900 United States Federal Census

1910: Isaac N Perley, 71, Druggist, Drug Store, Birth Year: abt 1839, Birthplace: New Hampshire, Home in 1910: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Street: Bank Street, House Number: 96, Married, Kate E Perley, Father’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Mother’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Employer, Home Owned or Rented: Own, Home Free or Mortgaged: Free, Farm or House: House, Years Married: 41, Household Members: Isaac N Perley 71, Kate E Perley 64 – 1910 United States Federal Census

1916: Isaac N. Perley & Katherine S, 8 Bank, Hanover, New Hampshire – Hanover, New Hampshire, City Directory, 1916

1920: Isaac Perley, Age: 80, Birth Year: abt 1840, Birthplace: New Hampshire, Home in 1920: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Street: Bank Street, House Number: 98, Residence Date: 1920, Relation to Head of House: Head, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Kate Evelyn Perley, Father’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Mother’s Birthplace: New Hampshire, Household Members: Isaac Perley 80, Kate Evelyn Perley 73, Sarah Walker 60 – 1920 United States Federal Census

1924: Dr. Isaac N. Perley, Death: 7 January 1924 (aged 84), Nephritus, Arterior Sclerosis, Burial, Glenwood Cemetery, Lebanon, Grafton County, New Hampshire – Find A Grave

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, History, Medicines & Cures, Tonics | Tagged bitters, Doctor, Druggist & Drugstore, Harvard, Isaac Newton Perley, Lebanon, Leptandrin, New Hampshire, Tonic | Leave a comment

Dr. Zadoc and Madame Zadoc Porter – New York

Posted on 18 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Dr. Zadoc and Madame Zadoc Porter – New York

Dr. Zadoc Porter’s Medicated Stomach Bitters

17 October 2018

In separate bitters folders I had clippings for Porter’s Bitters and another file for Zadoc’s Bitters. I thought I would wait for a rainy day (it has rained on and off for days here now) to do a little research on both.

I have now combined the files into one file named “Dr. Zadoc Porter’s Medicated Stomach Bitters.” Zadoc Porter operated out of New York City and also sold Dr. Porter’s Sugar Pills and called himself “Mr Porter, The Great Benefactor.” His sugar-coated pills sold for 6 cents a box and were far easier to swallow than the crude and often horrid-tasting concoctions prepared by physicians. These pills were given their large-scale introduction into American dosage by patent medicine men such as Zadoc Porter. Likewise, his Medicated Bitters sold for 6 cents a bottle and 12 cents for a dozen.

Dr. Zodac Porter was a quack physician who pictured himself and his wife in distinguished Quacker garb on their advertising. I also added material for his wife who was Madame Zadoc Porter. Her specialty was “Madame Zadoc Porter’s Great Cough Remedy” and “Madame Zadoc Porter’s Balsam.” This all came together visually and was inspired from the fine advertising print from the Library of Congress at the top of this post.

Dr. Zadoc Porter started his medicine business in New York City in 1838 or so. By 1841, Madame Zadoc was pitching her medicines. In many cases they both were using the same advertising to hawk their products. They were addressed at Morse Street, No. 1 Chatham Square (pictured below).

This chaotic street 1853–55 Daguerreotype scene shows Chatham Street, now Park Row, from below its intersection with Pearl Street, northeast to Chatham Square – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 1856, Hall & Ruckel were the proprietors. They were located at 218 Greenwich, in New York City. By 1891, Ruckel & Hendel, located at 58 Barclay Street in New York were selling the Porter brand. In 1919, Hall & Ruckel was located at 215 Washington Street in New York. Advertising stated that they were the proprietors of and sole agents for medicinal preparations, toilet articles, etc.; specialties: “Sozodont,” “Sozodont Tooth Powder,” “Sozodont Tooth Paste,” “Spalding’s Glue,” “Madam Porter’s Cough Balsam,” “Dr. Zadoc Porter’s Bitters,” “Olive Tar,” “Mitchell’s Eye Salve,” “Sargent’s Sozoderma Soap,” “X. Bazin’s Shaving Cream,” and other X. Bazin’s toilet preparations. They had foreign agents Fassett & Johnson, in London, England; Lyman’s, Ltd., Montreal, Canada; Daube & Co., Valparaiso, Chile; A. J. Colven, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Porter products were sold as late as 1823.

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

P 126 Zadoc Porter’s Medicated Stomach Bitters

L… The Zodac (sic) Porter Medicated Stomach Bitters
DR PORTER / NEW YORK // sp // // f // sp //
Hall & Rucker, London, New York, Paris
7 5/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 (5 1/4) 1/4
Rectangular, Aqua , NSC, Tooled Lip, 3 sp
“Zadoc” spelling correction in BBS2 required

Embossed aqua 6 5/8″ DR PORTER’S// NEW YORK bottle – Vermont Medicines

Labeled The Zadoc Porter Medicated Bitters bottle, Hull & Ruckel, New York – American Bottle Auctions

Select Listings:

1845: Madame Zadoc Porter’s Great Cough Remedy and Balsam created.

1845: Below: Mr. Zadoc Porter, great great grand uncle of Dr. Porter, 1845, Part of wood engraved advertisement. Porter was a patent medicine man of the 1840s. – Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

1854: Newspaper advertisement (below) for Dr. Zadoc Porter’s Bitters – Hartford Courant, Friday, June 16, 1854

1863: Newspaper advertisement (below) for Madame Zadoc Porter’s Great Cough Remedy and Balsam. Only 13 Cents per Bottle. In use for over Eighteen Years, Hall & Ruckel, N.Y. Proprietors – The Berkshire County Eagle, Thursday, May 21, 1863

1865: Large advertisement (top of post) for Dr. Porter’s Medicated Bitters, Prepared by Dr. Porter, New York – Library of Congress

1891: Large advertisement (above) for both Madam Zadoc Porter’s Curative Cough Balsam, Fifty Years in Use and Dr. Porter’s Medicated Stomach Bitters, Ruckel & Hendel, 58 Barclay St., New York – Judge’s Annual, Issues 2-6, 1891

1898: Zodac (sic) Porter’s Bitters Formula (below) – Practical Druggist and Pharmaceutical Review of Reviews, Volumes 1-4_1898

1919: Hall & Ruckel, 215 Washington street, New York. Proprietors of and sole agents for medicinal preparations, toilet articles, etc.; specialties: “Sozodont,” “Sozodont Tooth Powder,” “Sozodont Tooth Paste,” “Spalding’s Glue,” “Madam Porter’s Cough Balsam,” “Dr. Zadoc Porter’s Bitters,” “Olive Tar,” “Mitchell’s Eye Salve,” “Sargent’s Sozoderma Soap,” “X. Bazin’s Shaving Cream,” and other X. Bazin’s toilet preparations. Foreign agents: Fassett & Johnson, London, England; Lyman’s, Ltd., Montreal, Canada; Daube & Co., Valparaiso, Chile; A. J. Colven, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cable address, “Sozodont,” New York. Codes, ABC, Lieber’s and Western Union. – American Trade Index, 1919

1923: Newspaper advertisement (below) for Madame Zodac (sic) Porter Cough Balsam. Hall & Ruckel, N.Y. Manufacturers – West Schuylkill Herald, Friday, November 16, 1923

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Remedy | Tagged Balsam, Benefactor, bitters, Cough, Hall & Ruckel, Madame Zadoc, medicated, Medicine, New York, pills, Quaker, Remedy, Ruckel & Hendel, Stomach, sugar, Zadoc Porter | Leave a comment

A. Lambert Bitters – Philadelphia

Posted on 14 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A. Lambert Bitters – Philadelphia

14 October 2018 (R•110318)

Nick Downs posted some great pictures of an “A. Lambert’s Bitters Philada” cylinder from Philadelphia over on the Antique Bitters Bottles Facebook page. His pictures are below. I cropped away the background on the two hand-held pictures. The bottle image on the top is from a past Norman C. Hecker Auction, I believe. Nick wrote the following with the pictures;

Here is an exceptional example of this exceedingly rare colored pontiled bitters bottle from Philadelphia. It is boldly and crisply embossed “A. LAMBERT’S BITTERS PHILADa” and comes in a beautiful shade of yellowish olive green. It is absolutely loaded with bubbles and sports a large full iron pontil mark on it’s base. The applied top is slightly off center and large for the size of the neck adding great eye appeal. And to make this bottle even better it is a attic example and was never buried or cleaned. It does have a thin coating of dried contents which I’m sure could be washed out. Also dry remnants of cork on the inside of the lip. It is virtually mint with a tiny rough tooling mark on the bottom portion of the applied collar (done during the tooling of the collar and very tiny mentioned for accuracy). There are also several very small onion skin open bubbles on the surface. No chips, cracks, or potstones. After doing much research and speaking with other collectors I believe there are only 2 or 3 of these iron pontiled variants known with one being sold in 1995 then again in 2010. The smooth based variant is also extremely rare. $5,950 includes shipping and insurance along with satisfaction guarantee. PM for questions.

I now see the bottle is listed on Ebay.

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

L5.5 Lambert’s Bitters

A. LAMBERT’S ( au ) / BITTERS / PHILADa
11 x 2 3/4 (6)
Round, Olive amber, LTCR, Applied mouth, With and without Metallic pontil mark
Extremely rare

Augustus Lambert

Augustus Lambert was born in Germany in either 1826 or 1827. It looks like he came to America alone as I can find no other family members. He could have been located in Baltimore in the 1850s.

Philadelphia, circa 1860n – Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

There is no definitive proof that Augustus Lambert is the “A. Lambert” embossed on the bottle though he is the only “A” listing in the 1860-1865 time period in Philadelphia. It has to be him as he started out in the hotel and restaurant business around 1860 while importing liquor and wines at 422 Race Street (see map below). In 1863, his restaurant was called the Steam Oyster Saloon. We last see him at SW 4th & Library, in Philadelphia, selling liquor in 1864. He drops off the radar after that.

Area within red square is 422 Race Street. Race Street is a major east-west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Arch Street. It was one of William Penn’s original gridded streets from the 1680s though named Sassafras Street. – 1860 Mitchell’s Street Map of Philadelphia

As an aside, there are listings for an Ann Lambert selling liquors on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia around 1872. Had it been Ann representing the “A” on the bottle, we may have had our earliest female-owned bitters.

This extremely rare bottle would have been blown at the Dyottville Glassworks in Philadelphia. It would have been loaded with alcohol and probably had little or no medicinal attributes. There are only a few examples known, they are olive amber, have applied mouths and can be found with and without a metallic pontil mark.

Example from Norman C. Heckler Auction #170 | 04 November 2018

Lot: 64 “A. Lambert’s / Bitters / Philada” Bottle, probably Dyottville Glass Works, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1845-1860. Cylindrical, olive green, applied sloping collared mouth with ring – iron pontil mark, ht. 10 3/4 inches. R/H #L-5.5 An extremely rare bottle with bold embossing. Fine condition. Estimate: $3,000 – $6,000 Minimum bid: $1,500

Select Listings:

1826: Augustus Lambert, Birth Year: abt 1826.

1860: Augustus Lambert, Hotel, Age: 33, Birth Year: abt 1827, Birth Place: Germany, Home in 1860: Philadelphia Ward 6 Division 2, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Post Office: Philadelphia, Dwelling Number: 523, Personal Estate Value: 1000 – 1860 United States Federal Census

1861: Augustus Lambert, Hotel & Importer of Wines, 422 Race – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Directory, 1861

1862: Augustus Lambert, Restaurant, 422 Race – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Directory, 1862

1863: August Lambert, Steam Oyster Saloon, SW 4th & Library, h 130 Congress – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Directory, 1863

1863: August Lambert, Birth Year: abt 1826, Age: 37, Residence Year: 1863, Residence Place: Philadelphia Ward 4, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863

1864: August Lambert, Liquors, SW 4th & Library, h 130 Congress – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Directory, 1864

1872: Ann Lambert, Liquors, Lancaster Avenue n N 44 h (husband Charles) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania City Directory, 1872

Posted in Bitters, Facebook, History, Liquor Merchant | Tagged Ann, Augustus, cylinder, Dyottville, eBay, Hotel, importer, Lambert, liquor, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, pontil, Race Street, restaurant, Saloon | Leave a comment

Harry Johnson’s 1882 Bartender’s Manual

Posted on 13 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Harry Johnson’s 1882 Bartender’s Manual

13 October 2018

It was interesting to come across and read online the New and Improved Illustrated Bartender’s Manual or How to Mix Drinks of the Present Style. It was published in New York City in 1882 by Harry Johnson who was a professional bartender. The manual was printed in English and German by Samisch & Goldmann and sold for 50 cents. I pulled out a few illustrations here though you can read cover-to-cover here. READ

[Wikipedia] Harry Johnson was an American bartender who owned and operated saloons across the United States in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. He is best known for the New and Improved Bartenders’ Manual, an influential book that contained many original cocktail recipes, as well as the first written recipes of such cocktails as the marguerite and a version of the martini. Perhaps even more importantly, it was the first book to offer bar management instructions. Johnson opened the first ever consulting agency for bar management. Imbibe magazine has called him one of the most influential cocktail personalities of the last 100 years, and he has been called “the father of professional bartending”.

Johnson was born in Prussia. A sailor, he was left by his ship in San Francisco in 1861 to recover from a broken arm and hip. Starting as a kitchen-boy in the Union Hotel, he worked his way up to bartender and then manager. It was in San Francisco that he first met Jerry Thomas, his rival, whose work he would continue.

After eight years, Johnson moved to Chicago and opened a bar of his own, which became very successful. Now a celebrity, Johnson gave lectures and wrote articles and recipes for local newspapers. In 1869, he claimed that he had challenged the five best American bartenders in New Orleans and won, becoming “the champion of the United States.” No other source confirms this, though.

When his bar burned in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, Johnson went to New York City. In 1877, he bought Little Jumbo, a bar where Thomas used to work. Upon hearing that, the Professor publicly renounced any association with the bar. Their rivalry peaked in 1880, when Thomas threw a bowl of Tom and Jerry on the floor of Johnson’s bar, calling him an amateur because that drink should only be served when the temperature drops below zero.

In 1890, Johnson decided to retire from bartending and opened a bar management consulting agency, thereby becoming the first bar consultant in history.

His New and Improved Bartender’s Manual, or How to Mix Drinks in the Present Style was published in 1882. The manual provided hundreds of cocktail recipes. However, what made it seminal were its detailed instructions on how to become a proper bartender, such as: “The opening of a new place”, “How ale and porter should be drawn”, “Hints about training a boy to the business”, “Handing bar-spoons to customers”, “To keep ants and other insects out of mixing bottles” etc.

The book contained the first written recipes of such cocktails as the bijou (invented by Johnson), the marguerite (in the 1900 edition), and a version of the martini (in the 1888 edition). The invention of the martini was sometimes wrongly attributed to him – or to Thomas.

Johnson claimed to have written and published an earlier edition, in 1860. If true, it would be the first cocktail guide ever published, pre-dating Thomas’s The Bartender’s Guide by two years. However, no copies of the book have been found.

Posted in Advice, Bartending, History, liquor, Publications, Spirits | Tagged bar, bartender, chicago, cocktail, drinks, guide, Harry Johnson, management, manual, mix, mixing, New York City, Recipe, Saloon, San Francisco, Union Hotel | Leave a comment

Red Cross Bitters

Posted on 13 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Red Cross Bitters

13 October 2018

Here is a really cool, circa 1870, patent medicine label (below) that the Library of Congress is holding for William B. Dorman’s Original Red Cross Bitters. Pictured is a crusader in armor with a red cross on the shield. The New England Lithography Company in Boston printed the piece.

In heraldry, Saint George’s Cross, also called the Cross of Saint George, is a red cross, usually on a white background, which from the Late Middle Ages became associated with Saint George, the military saint, often depicted as a crusader.

William Barnes Doorman was born on 20 April 1835 in Boxford, Massachusetts. His father was William H. Dorman and his mother was Sarah Barnes. They were married on 19 April 1832 and lived in Boxford, which was a small town north of Boston.

We first see records of William B. Dorman, noting his occupation as a painter, when he enlisted, at age 28, on 01 December 1863, for the Civil War. He was noted as a Private in Company C, Massachusetts 59th Infantry Regiment on 14 January 1864 and mustered out on 13 January 1865. During this time he was promoted to Full Hospital Steward. This must have been his introduction to medicine.

Next we find an agreement of a bill of sale from Benjamin. S. Dodge to William B. Dorman, dated 04 September1867 where Dodge assigns and conveys to Dorman the right to manufacture and sell the famous Atwood Bitters medicines for the term of five years. A nice lead-in to Dorman’s own bitters.

In 1870, we see the patent medicine label for his Red Cross Bitters. He is listed in U.S. census records that year as a retail druggist located on Main Street in Georgetown, Massachusetts which is due north of Boxford and Boston.

By 1880, we see the addition of perfumer and chemist to his druggist occupation and he was operating out of Boston. He would continue with his retail trade up until 1895 or so. Dorman would die on 13 April 1913 in Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

This bitters appears to be unlisted. I am not aware of any examples.

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

Label
R 17.5 Original Red Cross Bitters, Will. B. Dorman
Crusader in armor with a red cross on the shield.
The New England Lithography Company in Boston.
William Barnes Dorman was listed in U.S. census records in 1870 as a retail druggist located on Main Street in Georgetown, Massachusetts which is due north of Boxford and Boston. In 1870, we see the patent medicine label for his Red Cross Bitters. In the 1880 census, he is adds perfumer and chemist to his druggist business. He would continue with his retail trade up until 1895 or so.

Select Listings:

1835: William Barnes Dorman, Birth, 23 April 1835, Boxford, Massachusetts, Fathers Name: William H Dorman, Mothers Name: Sarah Dorman – Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988

1863: William B Dorman, Occupation: Painter, Age at Enlistment: 28, Enlistment Date: 1 Dec 1863, Rank at enlistment: Private, State Served: Massachusetts, Survived the War: Yes, Service Record: Enlisted in Company C, Massachusetts 59th Infantry Regiment on 14 Jan 1864. Mustered out on 13 June 1865. Promoted to Full Hospital Steward. Birth Date: abt 1835, Sources: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War Dept of Massachusetts 1866-1947 (Sargent)

1867: Agreement of bill of sale from Benj. 8. Dodge to W’m. B. Dorman, dated Sept. 4, 1867. Memorandum of an agreement made this fourth day of September, A. D. 1867, between Benjamin S. Dodge, of Rowley, in the county of Essex and commonwealth of Massachusetts, and William B. Dorman, of Georgetown, in said county. [Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court, Volume 108, 1879]

First. The said Dodge hereby assigns and conveys to said Dorman the right to manufacture and sell Atwood’s [Bitters] Medicines, so called, for the term of five years from the date aforesaid, and to use the trade-marks he has heretofore used in the sale of said [bitters] medicines.

Second. The said Dorman agrees to give and deliver to said Dodge one-twelfth of all the Atwood’s [Bitters] Medicines he shall manufacture during said term, or pay said Dodge the value of one-twelfth in money.

Third. It is agreed that said Dodge may at any time become jointly interested with said Dorman in the manufacture and sale of said [bitters] medicines, by furnishing one-half of the capital; and in such a case each shall have an equal share of the profits and bear an equal part of the losses.

Fourth. If the said Dorman before the expiration of said term shall wish to cease to manufacture and sell said [bitters] medicines, he shall have that privilege on giving said Dodge notice of the same, and then all rights hereby conveyed shall revert to said Dodge.

Fifth. During the continuance of said term said Dodge shall have no right to manufacture said [bitters] medicines, unless a notice from said Dorman that he has ceased to manufacture them be received by said Dodge.

B. S. DODGE. Agent. W. B. DORMAN.

Executed and delivered in the presence of Caroline L. Dodge.

1870: Patent medicine label for William B. Dorman’s Original Red Cross Bitters – Library of Congress

1870: William B. Dorman, Retail Druggist, Age in 1870: 35, Birth Year: abt 1835, Birthplace: Massachusetts, Dwelling Number: 226, Home in 1870: Georgetown, Essex, Massachusetts, Inferred Spouse: Mary H Dorman, Household Members: William B Dorman 35, Mary H Dorman 19, Charles H Dorman 2, William E Dorman 1, Sarah B Dorman 59 – 1870 United States Federal Census

1870: William B Dorman, Druggist, Main Street, Essex, Massachusetts – Essex, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1870

1880: William B. Dorman, Druggist Perfume, Age: 45, Birth Date: Abt 1835, Birthplace: Massachusetts, Home in 1880: Georgetown, Essex, Massachusetts, Dwelling Number: 359, Spouse’s Name: Mary H. Dorman, Father’s Birthplace: Massachusetts, Mother’s name: Sarah B. Dorman, Mother’s Birthplace: Massachusetts, Household Members: William B. Dorman 45, Mary H. Dorman 29, Charles C. Dorman 12, William E. Dorman 10 – 1880 United States Federal Census

1890: William B. Dorman, Manager, 204 Federal, Residence: at Malden, Boston, Massachusetts – Boston, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1890

1895: William B Dorman, Perfumer, 206 Federal, Boston, Massachusetts – Boston, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1895

1900: William B Dorman, Chemist, Age: 65, Birth Date: Apr 1835, Birthplace: Massachusetts, Home in 1900: Malden Ward 5, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Ward of City: 5 Precinct 2, Street: Hyde, House Number: 5, Sheet Number: 15, Marital Status: Married, Spouse’s Name: Mary H Dorman, Marriage Year: 1866, Father’s Birthplace: Massachusetts, Mother’s Birthplace: Massachusetts, Household Members: Chas Dorman 32, Ella M Dorman 30, William B Dorman 65, Mary H Dorman 49, Florence M Dorman 16, Edward S Dorman 13 – 19o0 United States Federal Census

1910: William B Dorman, Age in 1910: 75, Birth Year: abt 1835, Birthplace: Massachusetts, Home in 1910: Everett Ward 6, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Street: Linden Street, Father’s Birthplace: Massachusetts, Mother’s Birthplace: Massachusetts, Native Tongue: English, Household Members: Ira F Martin 49, Gertrude Martin 31, Florence Martin 7, William B Dorman 75 – 1910 United States Federal Census

1913: Pvt William Barnes Dorman, Birth Date: 20 Apr 1835, Birth Place: Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, Death Date, 13 Apr 1913, Death Place: Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Cemetery: Harmony Cemetery, Burial or Cremation Place: Georgetown, Essex County, Massachusetts, United States of America – U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

Posted in Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History | Tagged atwoods, bitters, Boxford, chemist, crusader, Druggist & Drugstore, essex, Georgetown, label, Massachusetts, military, perfumer, Private, Red Cross, Saint George, shield, William B. Dorman | Leave a comment

Looking at Spanish Bitters

Posted on 12 October 2018 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Looking at Spanish Bitters

12 October 2018 R•041219)

The Library of Congress holds this great advertising patent proof lithograph label for Gainer’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters (above) being transported by a passenger train, steamboat and horses and wagon emblazoned with the product name. A product sign is even on the river railing. I started searching for information online and found a few other Spanish Bitters. Let’s take a quick look at them starting off with the Gainers. They are all extremely rare, some unlisted.

Gainer’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters

Close inspection of the advertising proof (top) for Gainer’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters reveals hand writing on the right side of the print. The copy reads, “No. 179, Filed March 4, 1868 by J.W. Gainer, Prop(rietor). You can see his initials in the decorative frame corners. The super fine print beneath the red horizontal base line reads something like, “at Congress in the Year 1868 by J.W. Gainer in the Clerks Office of the District Court at the Eastern District of Pa.” With this information, I can find a listing for James W. Gainer, Bitters located at 806 N. 19th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a 1868 Philadelphia, City Directory. That is about it. No bottles or any other direct support material. Just a blip, albeit big one, on the bitters radar.

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

G 3 GAINER’S CELEBRATED SPANISH BITTERS
J.W. Gainer, Proprietor, Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
Patent No. 179, dated March 4, 1868

Select Notes:

1866: J.W.Gainer, Gold Watch, 806 N 19th, Pennsylvania – U.S. IRS Tax Assessment

1871: John W. Gainer, Liquors, 806 N 19th, Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1867

1868: James W. Gainer, Bitters, 806 N 19th, Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1868

1868: J W Gainer, 806 N 19th, Pennsylvania – Reilly´s Pennsylvania State Business Directory, 1868-69

1871: John W. Gainer, Liquors, 806 N 19th, Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1871

Garlichs’ Spanish Bitters

I found the newspaper advertisement below for Garlichs’ Spanish Bitters in the Albany Ledger on September 22, 1870. The bitters was manufactured by H.M. Garlichs in St. Joseph, Missouri and could be used for Costiveness, Fever and Ague, Dyspepsia, Intermittents, Female Diseases etc.

Herman Maximillian Garlichs was a well-known druggist in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1860 until his death in 1898. He was born on 09 October 1839 in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri and his parents were from Bavaria. He followed his father A.H. Garlichs, also a physician, in the drug business. They also both engaged in the foundry business, the firm being known as Monroe Iron Works. Garlichs was also a delegate to the St. Louis convention of the National Retail Druggists’ Association and was well known in St. Joseph as a financier and a figure in Democratic state politics.

In appearance, Garlichs was tall and spare, and his rather sharp features were accentuated by bis closely-cropped red beard and shaven upper lip. In 1870, he was advertising Garlichs Spanish Bitters. Why he chose this name, I have no clue. Maybe it was his red beard. I can find no bottles or any other direct support material.

Mr. Garlichs was found dead in his drug store on Seventh and Felix streets in St. Joseph from a hemorrhage of the lungs, shortly after 12 o’clock, noon on Christmas day in 1898, and died before a physician could reach his side. His son, Fred A.H. Garlichs would continue the drug store business and was also president of the St. Joseph Drug Co. in 1900.

This bitters appears to be unlisted.

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

Newspaper Advertisement
G 4.7 GARLICH’S SPANISH BITTERS, Manufactured by Herman Maximillian Garlichs in St. Joseph, Missouri
Albany Ledger, September 22, 1870

Newspaper advertisement: Garlichs’ Spanish Bitters – Albany Ledger, Thursday, September 22, 1870

Herman Garlichs House, Femme Osage, St. Charles County, Missouri – Library of Congress

Death Notice for Herman M. Garlichs – St. Joseph Herald, Tuesday, December 27, 1898

Select Listings:

1839: Herman M. Garlichs birth, 9 October 1839. Liberty, Clay County, Missouri – Find a Grave

1850: Herman Garlichs [Herman Maximillian Garlichs] Age: 10 Birth Year: abt 1840 [9 Oct 1839] Birthplace: Missouri, Home in 1850: Platte, Clay, Missouri, Household Members: F A H Garlichs 37 Physician, Matildah Garlichs 19, Herman Garlichs 10, Oscar Garlichs 8, Clara Garlichs 6, Frederick Garlichs 4, Edwin Garlichs 2 – 1850 United States Federal Census

1863-65: Herman M. Garlichs, Druggist, – U.S. Civil War Draft Registration Records, Seventh Congressional District of the State of Missouri

1870: Herman Garlich, Drug Merchant, Age 30, Birth Year: abt 1840, Birthplace: Missouri, Dwelling Number: 312, Home in 1870: St Joesph Ward 3, Buchanan, Missouri, Inferred Spouse: Emma Garlich, Inferred Children: Fredrick Garlich, Household Members: Herman Garlich 30, Emma Garlich 25, Fredrick Garlich 4 – 1870 United States Federal Census

1878: Garlichs, Herman M., druggist, 3d, sw. cor. Felix, r. Felix, se. cor. 17th – Ballenger & Hoye’s Annual City Directory of the Inhabitants, Manufacturing Establishments, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of St. Joseph, Volume 3

1880: H. M. Garlichs, Druggist, Age: 40, Birth: Abt 1840, Birthplace: Missouri, Home in 1880: Saint Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri, 105 Seventeenth Street, Spouse’s: Minturn Garlichs, Father’s Birthplace: Bavaria, Mother’s Birthplace: Bavaria, Household Members: H. M. Garlichs 40, Minturn Garlichs 34, Fred Garlichs 13, Alice Garlichs 8 – 1880 United States Federal Census

1898: Herman M. Garlichs death, 25 Dec 1898 (aged 59), Mount Mora Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri – Find a Grave

1900: H M Garlichs Drug Store, Fred A.H. Garlichs Pres, (also Pres St. Joseph Drug Co.) James Norris Sec and Mgr, 701 Felix – St. Joseph, Missouri City Directory, 1900

Celebrated Spanish Bitters of Dr. Zavia

Here is another blip on the bitters radar for the Celebrated Spanish Bitters of Dr. Zavia which was advertised in the Carolinas for southern soldiers of the great Civil War. The Tomato or Tomatto is referenced so there is our connection to Spanish Bitters I suppose. Maybe the name Dr. Zavia too. I can find no information on him or any other material on the bitters. This bitters appears to be unlisted.

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

Newspaper Advertisements
C 100.4 CELEBRATED SPANISH BITTERS of DR ZAVIA
Advertised in the south for southern soldiers of the Civil War.
The Evening Bulletin (Charlotte, North. Carolina), April 26, 1862 and Washington Telegraph May 21, 1862

Newspaper advertisement: Celebrated Spanish Bitters of Dr. Zavia – The Evening Bulletin (Charlotte, North. Carolina), Saturday, April 26, 1862

Newspaper advertisement: Celebrated Spanish Bitters of Dr. Zavia – Washington Telegraph, Wednesday, May 21, 1862

Dr. P.C. Armstrong’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters

Here is another Celebrated Spanish Bitters put out by P.C. Armstrong and S.C. McClain located at No. 38, corner of Fourth and Bridge Avenue in Camden, New Jersey. Very little information on the bitters and P.C. Armstrong other than the two ads below from 1866 and 1867 and an 1866 Tax Assessment noting that Armstrong was a physician. This bitters appears to be unlisted.

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

Newspaper Advertisements
A 84.3 DR. P. C. ARMSTRONG’S CELEBRATED SPANISH BITTERS
P. C. Armstrong (Physician) and S. C. McClain located at No. 38, corner of Fourth and Bridge Avenue in Camden, New Jersey
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 8, 1866, U.S. IRS Tax Assessment, 1866

Newspaper advertisement: Dr. P.C. Armstrong’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters – The Philadelphia Inquirer, Thursday, March 8, 1866

Newspaper advertisement: Dr. P.C. Armstrong’s Celebrated Spanish Bitters – The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tuesday, October 8, 1867

Select Listings:

1866: P.C. Armstrong, Physician, 4th & Bridge Avenue, Camden, New Jersey – U.S. IRS Tax Assessment

Celebrated Spanish Bitters represented by Max Lichtenthal

Hard to tell by looking at the advertisement below what Spanish Bitters we are talking about, just that Max Lichtenthal was representing and possibly importing Celebrated Spanish Bitters in 1874 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Looks like he migrated west starting in New York and ending in San Francisco with stops in Santa Fe and Colorado. The name makes more sense here. Lichtenthal’s Spanish Bitters appears to be unlisted. We will hold off giving it an R&H number until more information is obtained.

Newspaper advertisement: Celebrated Spanish Bitters represented by Max Lichtenthal – The Santa Fe, New Mexican, Thursday, December 31 1874

Select Listings:

1877: Max Lichtenthal, Liquors, Colorado – Colorado State Business Directory, 1877

1878: Max Lichtenthal, Wholesale Liquors, Liquor Agent, 409 Battery, San Francisco, California – San Francisco Directory, 1878

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Questions | Tagged advertising, bitters, Camden, Celebrated, Dr. Zavia, Druggist & Drugstore, Gainer, Gainer's, Garlichs, Herman, label, Max Lichtenthal, Maximillian, Medicine, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, newspapers, P.C. Armstrong, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Santa Fe, Spanish, St. Joseph | Leave a comment

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Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial

05 November 2018

W 163.5 Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial

DR. WRIGHT’S TONIC BITTERS // AND // INVIGORATING // CORDIAL // f // 10 5/16 x 2 7/8 Square, Amber, Yellow with olive tone (add), LTC, Metallic pontil mark, Extremely rare

Homer Wright

History of Pittsburgh and Environs, Volume 1, American Historical Society, 1922 – Pennsylvania

Select Listings:

1833: Homer Wright was born in Wellsville, Ohio, April 8, 1833. Homer Wright was a son of Dr. Hugh Wright, an eminent physician, and Ann (Laughlin) Wright. – History of Pittsburgh and Environs, Volume 1, American Historical Society, 1922 – Pennsylvania

1855: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Dr. Wright’s Tonic Bitters and Invigorating Cordial – The Tennessean, Wednesday, December 19, 1855

1863: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Collins & Wright, Britannia and Brass works, No. 139 Second Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pittsburgh Gazette, Saturday, October 10, 1863

1864: Newspaper advertisement (see below): Collins & Wright, Britannia and Brass works, No. 139 Second Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pittsburgh Gazette, Monday, June 6, 1864

1867: Newspaper patents notice (see below): Patent for an Improved Jug Top, Homer Wright, Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, Saturday, October 12, 1867

1868: Homer Wright married, Jan. 2, 1868, Sarah Livingston Gray, who died March 11, 1894, daughter of James H. and Julia (Livingston) Gray.

1869: Newspaper patent notice (see below): Patent 3637 dated October 27, 1868 for a Fruit Jar, Henry H. Collins, B.F. Collins and Homer Wright, Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Daily Commercial, Thursday, September 16, 1869

1869: James Homer Wright (pictured below) was born on April 8, 1869, in Pittsburgh, the oldest of five children of Homer Wright and Sara L. Gray. Dr. Wright’s father had a business that made decorative glass tableware. – James Homer Wright (1869–1928) – by Robert H. Young and Robert E. Lee

1870: Homer Wright (Collins & Wright), Brittania Manufacturers, 139 Second Avenue, res. 8 Grant, Hugh Wright, physician, 8 Grant – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1870

1919: Homer Wright died in Pittsburgh on June 3, 1919.

Life Everlasting Bitters – Atlanta, Georgia

01 November 2018

L 91 Life Everlasting Bitters

LIFE EVERLASTING / BITTERS / ATLANTA, GA. // f // f // f // 9 5/8 x 2 1/2 (7) 3/8 Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled lip and Applied mouth, 1 sp. Extremely rare

Edward H. Heinitsh

Jacob & David Hostetter

Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters

30 October 2018 (R•033119) (R•130919)

Dr. Jacob Hostetter and David Hostetter

Hostetter & Smith

A Growing Business

Marketing

Other Ventures

Hostetter & Company

The Hostetter Company

Gallery | Bottle Examples

Gallery | Hostetter Labels

Gallery | Booklets & Almanacs

Gallery | Advertising Trade Cards

Gallery| Framed Advertising

Gallery | Shipping Crate

Postal

Gallery | Advertising Blotters

Hostetter’s Bitters Display

Select Listings:

1785: Jacob Hostetter born 13 Oct 1785, York County, Pennsylvania

1853: Newspaper advertisement (below): Dr. J. Hostetter’s Celebrated Stomach Bitters, Hostetter, Smith & Co., 276 Penn Street, Pittsburgh

1854: Jacob Hostetter first marriage Rosetta Rickey: 13 July 1854, Cincinnati, Ohio

1855: Newspaper posting (below) for counterfeit Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters. The Hostetter’s Bitters Case

1863: David Hostetter Draft Registration, May & June 1863, Age 44, Druggist, Pennsylvania – U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

1863: Jacob Hostetter death, 2 Oct 1863 (aged 77), Milltown, Crawford County, Indiana, Burial, Valley Street Cemetery, Carroll County, Ohio, Plot: top of hill next to wife down from Pennock tomb. – U.S. Find A Grave

1888: David Hostetter death 6 Nov 1888 (aged 69) Pennsylvania, Burial, Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania – U.S. Find A Grave

1914: Later advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters, 79 cents bottle – The Pittsburgh Press, Tuesday, September 15, 1914

1916: Later advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters – St Louis Post Dispatch, Sunday, September 17, 1916

1937: Very late advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters “Regain Energy After the Flu” – The Perry County Times, Thursday, February 25, 1937

1950: Very late advertisement (see below) for Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters – The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), Monday, January 30, 1950

Gentry, Slote & Co., New York

23 October 2018

Select Listings:

1856: Lowrey (John), Gentry & Slote, Grocers, 121 Front Street – Trow’s New York City Directory

1857: Gentry, Slote & Co., (late Lowery, Gentry & Slote) Wholesale Grocers and Commission Merchants, No. 121 Front Street, New York (Abram M. Gentry, Texas, Alonzo Slote, Texas, George K. Otis, New York) – New York City Directory

1857: Cravens & Gooch, Palestine, Texas, Attorneys, refer to Gentry, Slote & Co., New York – The Texas Almanac, Richardson & Company

1857: Gentry, Slote & Co., Grocers, New York – New York City Directory

1857: Abram M Gentry, Grocer, 121 Front, New York City, New York – New York, City Directory, 1857

1857: Alonzo Slote, Grocer, 121 Front, New York City, New York – New York, City Directory, 1857

1858: Newspaper advertisement (above): A.M. Gentry, Wholesale Grocer, Congress Street, Houston, Texas, Connected with the New York firm of Gentry & Otis, 200 cases of St. Nicholas Stomach Bitters – Southern Democrat (Waco, Texas), Vol. 1, No. 39, Ed. 1, Thursday, November 18, 1858.

Dr. Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters – Lebanon, New Hampshire

22 October 2018

P.58 Dr Perley’s Leptandrin Bitters

DR PERLEY’S / LEPTANDRIN BITTERS // c // 9 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 2 (8) Oval, Aqua, DC, Rare

Isaac Newton Perley

Leptandrin

Select Listings:

1839: Isaac N. Perley, Birth, 17 January 1839, Enfield, New Hampshire, Father Uri Perley (Enfield,NH), Mother Fanny Sawyer (Saulsbury, NH)

1850: Newton Perley, Age: 11, Birth Year: abt 1839, Birthplace: New Hampshire, Home in 1850: Enfield, Grafton, New Hampshire, Household Members:, Uri Perley 46, Fanny Perley 46, John Perley 18, Rebecca Perley 14, Newton Perley 11, Moses Perley 8 – 1850 United States Federal Census

1855: Isaac N Perley, 1855, New Hampshire, Canaan Union Academy, Residence: Enfield – Catalogue of the officers, teachers and students of Canaan Union Academy, Canaan, N.H., for the academic year 1855

1860: Isaac N Perley, 21, Birth Year: abt 1839, Birth Place: New Hampshire, Home in 1860: Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Post Office: Hillsborough Bridge – 1860 United States Federal Census

1863: Isaac N Perley, Birth Year: abt 1839, Place of Birth: New Hampshire, Age on 1 July 1863: 24, Race: White, Marital Status: Unmarried (Single), Residence: Enfield, New Hampshire, Congressional District: 3rd, Class: 1 – U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865

1864: Isaac Newton Perley, 1864, Enfield, New Hampshire, Dartmouth College

1865: Isaac Newton Perley graduate Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1865 – Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929

1870: Isaac N Perley, 31, Druggist, Birth Year: abt 1839, New Hampshire, Dwelling Number: 133, Home in 1870: Lebanon, Grafton, New Hampshire, Personal Estate Value: $2,000, Inferred Spouse: Kate E. Perley, Household Members: Isaac N. Perley 31, Kate E Perley 24 – 1870 United States Federal Census

1870: Newspaper advertisement(below): Perley’s Leptandrin Tonic Bitters, Price 75 cts. – The Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, Friday, May, 6, 1870

1872: Newspaper advertisement (top of post) for Perley’s Leptandrin Bitters, Put up by I.N. Perley, M.D., Lebanon, New Hampshire – Argus and Patriot, Thursday, April 25, 1872

DR. WRIGHT’S TONIC BITTERS // AND // INVIGORATING // CORDIAL // f //
10 5/16 x 2 7/8
Square, Amber, Yellow with olive tone (add), LTC, Metallic pontil mark, Extremely rare

LIFE EVERLASTING / BITTERS / ATLANTA, GA. // f // f // f //
9 5/8 x 2 1/2 (7) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled lip and Applied mouth, 1 sp. Extremely rare

DR PERLEY’S / LEPTANDRIN BITTERS // c //
9 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 2 (8)
Oval, Aqua, DC, Rare

L… The Zodac (sic) Porter Medicated Stomach Bitters
DR PORTER / NEW YORK // sp // // f // sp //
Hall & Rucker, London, New York, Paris
7 5/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 (5 1/4) 1/4
Rectangular, Aqua , NSC, Tooled Lip, 3 sp
“Zadoc” spelling correction in BBS2 required

A. LAMBERT’S ( au ) / BITTERS / PHILADa
11 x 2 3/4 (6)
Round, Olive amber, LTCR, Applied mouth, With and without Metallic pontil mark
Extremely rare