Looking at Gardiner’s Rheumatic and Neuralgic Compound

Posted on 14 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A business directory of the subscribers to the new map of Maine

Looking at Gardiner’s Rheumatic and Neuralgic Compound

14 November 2013 (R•111513)

Apple-Touch-IconAI am always on the lookout for well designed advertising promoting a product in the time period of my bottles. As a designer, I especially like the illustrations, lithography and typography. This advertisement below from an 1861 Maine directory for Gardiner’s Rheumatic and Neuralgic Compound fascinated me with the product name, testimonials and general layout. Look at that super illustration of an angel helping an ailing women with the product bottle proudly displayed. The cherub is offering the medicine in a dose glass. I suppose those are zombies in the background.

So delighted was the Old Sea Dog, that he purchased the receipt from the MEXICO-SPANIARD for which he paid One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.

A special thanks to Marianne Dow for providing valuable support information for this post.

A business directory of the subscribers to the new map of Maine

Gardiner’s Rheumatic & & Neuralgic Compound advertisement – Maine Business Directory 1861

I can not find out much about Charles F. Gardiner as he just appears from about 1859 1856 – 1862 1873 but there is quite a bit of information on a Dr. Silvester Gardiner. If I could only link the two. So far no luck. *Updated timeline*

1708 – 1786: Dr. Silvester Gardiner (June 29, 1708 – August 8, 1786) *Read below

1808: Charles Frederick Gardiner, was born Oct. 11, 1808, and married Emeline Clay. – The Gardiners of Narragansett: being a genealogy of the descendants of George Gardiner, the colonist, 1638

1833: Charles F. Gardiner, Ensign, Sept. 21, 1833; Captain, Aug. 22, 1835

1861: Gardiner C. F. proprietor rheumatic compound, 87 Kilby, house 70 Webster, E.B. – City of Boston Directory listing.

1661: Gardiner’s Rheumatic & Neuralgic Compound advertisement – “None genuine unless signed by Charles F. Gardiner“. “All orders to addressed to Henry R. Gardiner“. Principal Depot 1 Salem cor. Hanover St., Boston, Mass.

1861: Charles F. Gardiner revoked the power of attorney given to McLellan, and executed another power of attorney, authorising his brother Henry D. Gardiner to … – The Law Times Reports: Containing All the Cases Argued and Determined in the House of Lords, etc. – 1866

1867: Law reports, digests, etc. The facts were as follows: Charles Frederick Gardiner and Henry Dearborn Gardiner, were ship-builders at Boston, and were in the habit, in the course of their trade, of sending ships built by them to England and other countries for sale. – English Reports Annotated

1873: Charles Frederick Gardiner, son of John and Phebe Gardiner, removed to Cambridge, Mass., and died June 10, 1873. – The Gardiners of Narragansett: being a genealogy of the descendants of George Gardiner, the colonist, 1638

CAPTAIN GARDINER who then sailed a merchant-ship to London, took the article with him and sold it for a Guinea a Bottle.

The ‘Story’ (so they say) as it was told in this 1866 advertisement below:

FIFTEEN years ago, Capt. L. P. Copeland was commander of a Boston brig, owned by the late Robert G. Shaw. Capt. Copeland, at that time, made a voyage to Vera Cruz, and while there, near the guns of the Castle of San Juan de Ulua, was attacked with his old complaint RHEUMATISM.

While suffering severely on board his vessel, he was visited by a MEXICAN-SPANIARD who said he could relieve him of his disease. The visitor returned with his medicine and proved his words. In a few days Captain Copeland began to improve under his treatment, and was soon completely cured. So delighted was the Old Sea Dog, that he purchased the receipt from the MEXICO-SPANIARD for which he paid One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.

After Capt. Copeland returned to Boston, Capt. Gardiner bought a number of bottles of this article then manufactured it in a small way by Capt. Copeland, in this city. CAPTAIN GARDINER who then sailed a merchant-ship to London, took the article with him and sold it for a Guinea a Bottle.

It attracted attention in London, and Capt. Gardiner immediately wrote to his brother, Charles F. Gardiner, Esq., to purchase of Captain Copeland the right to make and sell the article in England, the West India Islands and Australia.

That was in 1856. Capt. H. D. Gardiner, on receipt of the notice of the purchase from Capt. Copeland, immediately formed a co-partnership with Mr. WATSON, a wealthy dealer in London, who now under the firm of GARDINER, WATSON & CO., No. 67 Mark Lane, London, are introducing the COMPOUND.

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Captain Copeland & Captain Gardiner story – Halifax Morning Sun, March 12, 1866

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Silvester Gardiner, c. 1772, by John Singleton Copley

Dr. Silvester Gardiner

Dr. Silvester Gardiner (June 29, 1708 – August 8, 1786) was a physician, pharmaceutical merchant and visionary land developer of Maine.

He was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, the son of William Gardiner and Abigail Remington. After studying medicine in New York, London and Paris, Dr. Gardiner opened a practice in Boston, where he became a lecturer on anatomy. He actively promoted inoculation for small pox, for which he proposed and established a hospital in 1761. But he made his fortune importing drugs for distribution and sale. He contributed generously to the construction of Boston’s King’s Chapel, where he was a warden, and also to the compilation and publication of a prayer book. But he is most remembered for his purchase and development of over 100,000 acres of wilderness on the Kennebec River in Maine, where he founded what is today the city of Gardiner.

A proprietor of the old Plymouth Patent, his efforts to settle the territory were unceasing between 1753 and the American Revolution. He selected the location of Gardinerstown Plantation, established in 1754 at the head of navigation on the Kennebec River, at its confluence with the Cobbosseecontee Stream, which had falls to provide water power for industry. A millwright, carpenter and other workmen were induced to settle and build his town. He promoted immigration and land cultivation. He contributed a valuable library, and built the first Episcopal church in Pittston, from which Gardinerstown would be set off in 1760.

But in 1774, Dr. Gardiner added his name to a letter addressed to Massachusetts Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson, affirming his allegiance to the Loyalist cause. When the British army evacuated Boston in 1776, Dr. Gardiner fled to Halifax, Nova Scotia. With few of his possessions, he then lived in Peel, England throughout the Revolutionary War.

In 1778, his name appeared on the proscription and banishment act, and his vast landholdings were confiscated. Even his personal collection of rare books were sold at auction. Because of an error in the confiscation of the Maine property, however, his heirs would be able to secure its return.

In 1783, Dr. Gardiner spent time in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and in 1784 wrote a report enumerating its resources, advocating 11 reasons for settlement. In 1785, he returned to Newport, Rhode Island, where he died the following year and was interred under Trinity Church. The Christ Episcopal Church, built in 1820 beside the Gardiner common, bears his cenotaph. [Wikipedia]

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Gardiner’s Rheumatic & Neuralgia Compound advertisement – 1861

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Gardiner’s Rheumatic & Neuralgic Compound advertisement – Infantry Tactics, and Bayonet Exercise by Patten George Washington – 1861

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Gardiner’s Rheumatic & Neuralgic Compound advertisement – Plattsburg Republican (NY), 1859

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

Could this be the same Dr. M. Perl from New Orleans?

Posted on 12 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

TexasHygenicInstitute1873

Could this be the same Dr. M. Perl from New Orleans?

12 November 2013 (R•111413) (R•011417) 

Apple-Touch-IconATo this bitters collector, the name Dr. M. Perl from New Orleans is rather familiar as I possess three outstanding squares with his name embossed prominently. This includes the Peruvian Bark Bitters (P 70 and P 70.5) and the Stonewall Jackson Bitters (all pictured below).

P70_PeruvianBark_FM5You can imagine my surprise when I came across the above, full page, Dr. M. Perl, Texas Hygienic Institute advertisement placed within the front and back covers of an 1873 Houston City Directory. Huh, what is he doing in Houston? Is this the same Dr. M. Perl from New Orleans? If so, how was he in two places at once; making bitters in New Orleans and offering Turkish Baths, Russian Vapor and Medicated and Electric Baths in Houston? Yipes, Electrics Baths, that sounds scary!

M_PerlNOLA

Dr. M. Perl were only issued from May 1, 1867 until September 23 of that year. 15,750 were printed, all on old paper. – rdhinstl.com See more information below

According to biographical information on Texas physicians in the McGovern Research Center in Houston, Dr. Michael Perl was born on September 1, 1835 in Vienna, Austria. He attended the Royal Hungarian Medical School, Pesth in Hungary, graduating in 1862. Dr. M. Perl next shows up very briefly operating a drug store and chemical laboratory in New Orleans in 1867-8. This is when he put out his bitters products. His business seems to have disappeared after that and he shows up next in Houston, that is, if this is the same Dr. M. Perl. One report has him coming to Houston from Mexico in 1866 which does not make sense.

Dr. M. Perl was a very successful businessman in Houston who advertised heavily during the last twenty years of the 19th century for his healthful baths. He also had a patent for an Insect Destroyer (see below). He died on January 2, 1895.

So, is this the same Dr. Perl? I would say with an 80% degree a certainty, that is is. The spelling of the name ‘Perl’, the timeline (see below) and the proximity of Houston to New Orleans leads me to believe this. This does raise more questions like how could he just ‘appear’ and put out these bitters for a year or two in New Orleans, disappear, and show up in Houston doing something related but with no ‘bitters’ products? The monogram ‘S.A.M’ on the revenue stamp is also puzzling.

New Information from Eric McGuire:

Those are some nice bottles that Perl produced while he was in New Orleans. I was not familiar with Perl until I read your post. It got my curiosity up and I checked him out online. As you note, he was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1835, and came to America, arriving in New York in 1864. I am not sure where he was during the next few year but he did end up in New Orleans by 1866. Perl was a really prolific medicine manufacturer their until he left for Houston about 1869.

I suspect the reason he left New Orleans was because of his wife, Mary J. Allen, who had deep roots in Houston, where her parents lived. In fact, her grandparents, Rowland and Sarah Chapman Allen died there in 1843 and 1841, respectively. Findagrave.com documents a number of the Allen family as well as the Perls, in adjacent family plots at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

PerlDatabaseProducts

M. Perl and M. Perl & Co. products – Eric McGuire

Michael Perl’s medicine production in New Orleans is fairly well documented. Attached is a screen shot of one of my data bases showing some of this activity. He produced no less than eight medical products in two years and registered copyrights for them. He also patented a medicine there which was actually the formula for his Peruvian Bark Bitters.

P70_PeruvianBark_FM5

P 70 – Peruvian Bark Bitters, Dr. M. Perl & Co. – Meyer Collection

Peruvian Bark_P70.5

P 70.5 – Extremely rare, Peruvian Bark Bitters, Dr M. Perl & Co. – Meyer Collection

Extremely rare P 70.2 example which will be newly listed in the upcoming Bitters Bottles Supplement 2. Extremely rare. N is PERUVIAN is backwards. – Steve Hickman Collection

StonewallBittersGW_8

J 7 – Stonewall Jackson Stomach Bitters, Dr. M. Perl & Co. – Meyer Collection

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Episcopal church and Dr. Perl’s office. Verso side of black and white postcard shows a tree, church with spire and buildings. The words Episcopal church and Dr Perl’s Office, Houston, Texas are printed under the picture. On the recto side are the printed words Private Mailing Card Authorized by Act of Congress, May 19, 1898. this side is exclusively for the address. There is no message, address or stamp. – Rice University Digital Archive

Dr. M. Perl Timeline (select listings)

1835 – Michael Perl was born September 1, 1835 in Vienna, Austria.

1862 – Michael Perl attended the Royal Hungarian Medical School, Pesth in Hungary, graduating in 1862.

1864 – Michael Perl, age 27, Merchant, arrives New York City. 26 January 1864 from Hamburg, Germany on Harmonia.

1866 – Dr. Perl moved to Houston, Texas from Mexico in 1866. *** This does not make sense ***

1867 and 1868 – Perl, Dr. M. & Co., Drug Store and Laboratory, 124 Chartes, New Orleans. – New Orleans City Directory (New Orleans)

1867 – Revenue Stamp: 6 cent black. Dr. M. Perl & Co., Manufacturers and Proprietors, New Orleans, Louisiana. (New Orleans)

1869 – Patent 91,365 for Dr. M. Perl Insect Destroyer, Houston, Texas (see below) (Houston)

1873 – Dr. M. Perl, Texas Hygienic Institute advertisement (see above), Houston City Directory (Houston)

1880 – Dr. M. Perl listed as Physician, Houston, Texas, United States Federal Census (Houston)

1882 – Michael Perl, Physician and Surgeon, Office 94 Texas ave cor Rusk. Houston City Directory

1884 – Michael Perl, Physician and Surgeon, Office 102 Travis nw corner Texas ave, bds Capitol Hotel. Houston City Directory

1894 – Dr. M. Perl contemplates erecting a handsome business structure on the old Allen homestead in Houston (Houston)

1895 – Dr. Michael Perl died in Houston on January 2, 1895. (Houston)

US91365.pdf

Illustration for M. Perl Insect Destroyer, Patent June 15, 1869

US91365.pdf

Illustration for M. Perl Insect Destroyer, Patent June 15, 1869

Perl6centBlackInfo

An Historical Reference List of the Revenue Stamps of the United Stamps: Including the Private Die Proprietary Stamps – Boston Philatelic Society – 1899

Match and medicine stamps, like all of the revenue issues since 1861, were called into existence to help reduce the national debt incurred by the civil war, but an odd fact, worthy of note as illustrative of the downfall of governments, may be learned from the federal match and medicine stamps used by firms in States which but a short time previously were in open rebellion as members of the Confederate States of America. Such stamps show an interesting instance of where the former Southern antagonists of the United States government were in turn contributing their share towards reducing the gigantic deficit they had themselves previously forced upon the United States.

The stamps coming under this category are those under this category are those of the match manufacturing firms of L. Frank, of New Orleans, La., A. Goldback & Co., of Richmond, Va., and of the medicine manufacturing firms of the Barham Cure Co., of Durham, N.C., Lippman & Co., (Lippman’s Great German Bitters) of Savannah, Ga., S. Mansfield & Co., and Mansfield & Higgins (Highland Bitters and Scotch Tonic), of Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. M. Perl & Co. of New Orleans, La., and Dr. M. A. Simmons, of Luka, Miss.

Out of this list of Southern U.S. revenue stamps but two are really scarce – the Savannah and New Orleans medicine stamps.

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Civil War, Collectors & Collections, Druggist & Drugstore, History, Medicines & Cures, Questions, Tax Stamps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Houston Ice and Brewing Co. – Magnolia Brewery

Posted on 10 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SouSel1

Houston Ice and Brewing Co. Magnolia Brewery

10 November 2013

houstoniceLogo Apple-Touch-IconAThe first time I can find Hugh Hamilton and the roots of the Houston Ice and Brewing Company is an 1887-88 listing within the Houston City Directory. He is located at the corner of Washington and 4th Streets and is the Proprietor and vice-president of Crystal Ice Factory. With a factory and beer vaults, he is also a dealer in hard and soft coal, he manufactures “Hamilton’s Celebrated Ice Machines” and he is representing the great Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. in Cincinatti, Ohio. He also lived at this location. This guy had beer on his mind. The advertisement below pretty much sums it up.

HamiltonCrysytalIceAd_89

Hugh Hamilton, proprietor Crystal Ice Factory. Notice he is also an agent for Christian Moerlein in Cincinnati, Ohio – Morrison & Fourmy Houston City Directory 1889-90

One year later in 1890, Hugh Hamilton is President of the Houston Ice Company, Bertrand Adoue, is vice-president and Hyman Prince is secretary and treasurer.

HoustonIceCo90

Hugh Hamilton, President of the Houston, Ice Company – Morrison & Fourmy Houston City Directory 1890-91

In 1892, the Houston Ice and Brewing Company was formed with the same principals. Hugh Hamilton hired architect Eugene Heiner, an important Houston architect in the late nineteenth century to design and build a four-story main building for the brewery at the original site. In the spring of 1893, the new building was completed. By 1915, the company had expanded to more than ten buildings joined together physically and stylistically. The brewery had now become one of Houston’s largest companies and encompassed more than 20 acres north and south of Buffalo Bayou.

HoustonIce&BrewingFirst

The first directory listing for the Houston Ice and Brewing Co. – Morrison & Fourmy Houston City Directory 1892-93

The Houston Ice & Brewing Company, also called the Magnolia Brewery, was well known for its beers which were sold at five-cents a bottle. After a somewhat sudden reorganization and name change in 1915 to the Houston Ice & Brewing Association, the company brewed beer until operations shut down for Texas Prohibition in 1918.

MagnoliaButter1920

Although the firm sold most of its beer in generic bottles with paper labels, it sold “splits” in embossed bottles from ca. 1910 to ca. 1918. In 1920 they were selling Magnolia Brand Butter (see above) and brewing a nonintoxicating cereal beverage called Bone-dry (see further below)in an attempt to survive Prohibition. After Prohibition, the firm reopened in 1934.

HouIce&BrewAd1915

Houston Ice & Brewing Co. advertisement. Inside back cover 1915 Houston City Directory

Read: Hugh Hamilton and the Magnolia Brewery by Louis F. Aulbach and Linda Gorski

See: Houston Ice and Brewing Co. Beer Bottles

Visit: Magnolia Ballroom

HoustonIceBottleMelinda

Houston Ice and Brewing Co. bottle – Keeney’s Antique and Old Bottles

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Illustration of the Houston Ice and Brewing Co. buildings on Washington Avenue, in 1894

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Try Hiawatha The Beer For Strength – Magnolia Brewing Co. – Magnolia Ballroom

MagnoliaKaiser

The Kaiser’s Endorsement print for Magnolia Brewery. Hung in the saloon part of Fritz Roensch store in Bellville, Texas. Schauerhammer and Roensch was a saloon, ice house, grocery store, furniture, and dry goods; what was then considered a General Store. It was rather large for such a small town. – Magnolia Ballroom

Magnolia_framedlarge

Magnolia Brewery “Houston Ice and Brewing Co.” framed picture. The picture shows a fancy dressed family picnicking by the water enjoying beer that “None Better Can Be Brewed”. The Brands are Hiawatha (that did not last very long), Southern Select (that was the most popular and was brewed until prohibition), Genuine Bohemian (of witch nothing is known), and Houston Ice and Brewing Co. (the original produced brew in early glass bottles). – Magnolia Ballroom

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Houston Ice and Brewing Co. sign, ca 1910. – Heritage Auctions

MagnoliaBreweryProduction

This is the Magnolia Brewery in production. Magnolia Beer was produced as well as Richlieu Beer and the most popular Southern Select.

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Illustration of the recently enlarged Houston Ice and Brewing Co. buildings on Washington Avenue, about 1907

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Houston Ice and Brewing Co. Magnolia Brewery Plate

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Houston Ice and Brewing Company’s Magnolia Brewery and (on right) its executive offices (now the Magnolia Ballroom) – magnoliaballroom.com

bonedry1918

The Houston Ice & Brewing Association, the company brewed beer until operations shut down for Texas Prohibition in 1918. The company brewed a nonintoxicating cereal beverage called Bone Dry in an attempt to survive Prohibition. After Prohibition, the firm reopened in 1934.

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Houston Ice and Brewing Assn. Bone-dry advertising tray

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Houston Ice and Brewing Association canceled checks

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Magnolia Pale Ale label – Magnolia Ballroom

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Southern Select label – Magnolia Ballroom

Posted in Advertising, Ales & Ciders, Art & Architecture, Bottling Works, Breweriana, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Looking at The Christian Moerlein Brewing Company Graphics

Posted on 9 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

MoerleinsStorefront

Looking at The Christian Moerlein Brewing Company Graphics

CINCINNATI, OHIO

ChristianMoerleinLogo

9 November 2013

Apple-Touch-IconAI am always on the lookout for well designed graphics, advertising and signage related to historical bottles and brands that we collect. This morning I came across this retail storefront entry (top) of some grand saloon with some spectacular signs, graphics and storefront appeal. The slick, rain covered sidewalk enhances the mood. I assume this is Cincinatti as the great Christian Moerlein Brewing Company started here. They are still around today in a regenerated way. Let’s look at some really cool graphics that I have pulled from various sources. The advertising and graphics really enhance the dark presence of these early behemoth industrial breweries.

MoerleinBrewingIllus

Illustration of the vast Christian Moerlein Brewing Company in Cincinnati, Ohio

ChristianMoerleinChristian Moerlein was a Bavarian immigrant born in Truppach, Bavaria in 1818. He traveled to America in 1841 after becoming an apprentice brewer and blacksmith. He settled in the neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio known as Over-the-Rhine. Over-the-Rhine was a heavily populated neighborhood of mostly Germans and German-Americans. In 1853, Christian Moerlein opened the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company.

In its first year of production, the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company produced one thousand barrels of beer. In just over a decade, twenty-six thousand barrels were being produced and Christian Moerlein fast became the most prominent brewer in the city of Cincinnati.

MoerleinBrewingLater

When production reached its peak, Christian Moerlein beer was being shipped to places as far as Europe and South America, and was the only Cincinnati beer exported internationally. Moerlein died in 1897, but the company continued until Prohibition began. The company never recovered from Prohibition, and sat idle until the brand was reintroduced in 1981 by the Hudepohl Brewing Company.

MoerleinBockLogo

The new Christian Moerlein Brewing Company was part of the craft beer movement. The Christian Moerlein Select Lager became the first American beer to certifiably pass the strict Reinheitsgebot, or Bavarian Purity Law of 1516. [Wikipedia]

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Christian Moerlein Brewing Company advertises its prize-winning beers in the local German press, 1882

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Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. advertisement noting all of the awards the brand has received. circa 1900

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Pictured are historic Christian Moerlein plates, labels and bottles at the new Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati.

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Moerlein’s Old Jug Lager Beer bottle

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The Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. advertising tray – Cowan’s Auctions

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Advertisement for Moerlein’s Sulpho – Saline Water Springs Bath House

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Christian Moerlein Brewing Company full page advertisement – 1885 Cincinnati Directory

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Three copies of R171 50 cent documentary on document fragment with
Christian Moeriein Brewing Company cancel – 1898 Revenues

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Artwork used for the Morlein Emancipator

Posted in Advertising, Art & Architecture, Bottling Works, Breweriana, History, Tax Stamps | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Bitters Pill Box

Posted on 8 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

NewtonsJaundiceBittersPak

Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Bitters Pill Box

08 November 2013 (R•110913)

Nathan Crary founded the industry that turned Knox, New York into the “Pillbox Capital of the World”

Apple-Touch-IconAI have written about Dr. Israel Newton before (Read: Dr. I. Newton’s Anti-Bilious Bitters – Norwich, Vermont) but elected to created this new post rather than add supplemental information to the existing piece. New material that needs to stand alone.

“Are good in all Bilious Affectations, Jaundice, Dyspepsia, Fever & Ague, Hypochondria, Hysterics, Flatulence, Costitiveness, Diarrhea, Indigestion, Asthma, Worms, Catarrh, Sick Headache, and the Liver Complaint. Price 25 Cents, Norwich, Vermont”

At first I was a bit perplexed with this image above held by the Smithsonian Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center (not on current display) for a Newton’s Jaundice Bitters package until I realized it was circular and most likely a pill box wrapper. Beneath you can see two more pictures of different sides of the wrapper including an image of an affixed U.S. Revenue Tax stamp. Pretty cool.

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Newton’s Jaundice Bitters wrapper – Smithsonian Museum of American History – 1880

Knox, New York – Pill Box Capital

Nathan Crary

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Artistic rendition of Nathan Crary (Courtesy of Knox Historical Society)

In 1806, Nathan Crary founded the industry that turned Knox, New York into the “Pillbox Capital of the World”. According to the 1860 U.S. Census, Nathan was born about 1783 in New York. His children were John G., Mary, Evelyn, Julie, Henry, Mary, Nancy and Edith. His wife was named Hannah.

TownKnoxSign

Knox is a small town in the northwest part of Albany County, New York that had a population of 2,692 at the 2010 census. Knox itself is west of Albany, the state capital. The town of Knox was established in 1822 from part of the town of Berne. During the American Revolution, loyalties of the inhabitants was split, but the issue was resolved when Tories moved away.

KnoxBox

Typical basswood pillbox – (Courtesy of Knox Historical Society)

Nathan Crary found himself with a fortuitous combination of abundance of raw material, eager labor supply, and a ready market to produce pillboxes. The pillboxes he made were small, two-piece construction and were used for products like Sherman’s Cathartic Lozenges, Dr. Newton’s Jaundice Bitters and Latcher’s Anti-Dyspeptic Blood and Liver Pills.

KnoxConstruction

Workers shaved thin strips of basswood which were bent overlapped, and glued around oval or round forms –  (Courtesy Knox Historical Society)

In 1830, Crary and his brother Edward registered a patent for manufacturing basswood pillboxes. Workers produced these by the thousands in their homes or in small factories. The round oval boxes were made of very thin strips of wood. Workers shaved thin strips of basswood, earning $1.50 for 48,000 shavings in a typical day. The strips were bent, overlapped, and glued around oval or round forms. A man could earn $1 a day stamping out 24,000 tops and bottoms.

KnoxWorkers

The Quay’s, shown here at a family rennin in 1914, were prominent in the pillbox industry (Courtesy of the Jeffrey Quay family)

Skilled women and children working at home, could turn out 1,600 pillboxes a day, earning approximately 12 cents per 400. The pillboxes, which sold by the millions, were then packed in “tierces” of 10,000 and then carted over the escarpment to the Hudson River for shipment to patent medicine companies in New York City. This business drove this local industry for nearly a century. In spite of the millions of boxes manufactured, because of their fragile structure and disposable nature, very few remain today. [reference Helderberg Hilltowns by John K. Elberfeld & Jane B. McLean)

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Notice from Calvin P. Newton to Country Merchants and Druggists – New York Spectator – 1834

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

Looking at the Heckler Auction 106 Colognes

Posted on 7 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

HecklerCologneGroup#106

Looking at the Heckler Auction 106 Colognes

7 November 2013

Apple-Touch-IconANorman Heckler has a wonderful assortment of gorgeous colognes in their current Premier Absentee Auction 106. The colognes are figural monuments, paneled and fancy examples from the Ralph Finch Collection. Most are thought to be from the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works in Sandwich, Massachusetts. The forms and colors are stunning! Visit Auction.

FIGURAL MONUMENT COLOGNES

MonumentCol16

Lot: 16 Figural Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Square monument form, brilliant medium grass green, tooled flared mouth with matching stopper – smooth base, ht. with stopper 14 1/2 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #3 Fantastic light color. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

MonColBlue036

Lot: 36 Figural Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Square monument form, deep cobalt blue, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 8 1/8 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #3 Fine condition. Great color. Ralph Finch collection.

MonColLab110

Lot: 110 Figural Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Square monument form, deep amethyst, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 6 1/2 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #3 Retains beautiful original label which reads, “Cologne Water / By D. Mitchell, New York”. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

MonColPurp138

Lot: 138 Figural Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Square monument form, brilliant deep amethyst, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 11 7/8 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #3 Stunning color. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

PANELED COLOGNES

PaneledColYellow1

Lot: 1 Paneled Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Tall tapered twelve sided form, bright canary yellow, outward rolled mouth – smooth base, ht. 7 1/2 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #5 Retains original colorful label which reads, “Cologne / Water / For The / Toilet”. Spectacular color. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

PanColPurLab29

Lot: 29 Paneled Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Tall tapered twelve sided form, deep amethyst, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 10 7/8 inches; (shallow 1/8 inch by 3/8 inch flake from under flared mouth). Similar in form to MW plate 114, #5 Retains original label which reads, “Eau De Cologne / Superieure”. Beautiful rich color. Ralph Finch collection.

LabColPuce122

Lot: 122 Paneled Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Obelisk form with vertical ribs on three panels, medium pink puce, applied double collared mouth – smooth base, ht. 12 1/8 inches; (light content haze). Similar in form to MW plate 112, #12 Rare mouth application. Beautiful color. Ex Stuart Elman collection, Ralph Finch collection.

PanColGreenLab148

Lot: 148 Paneled Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Tall tapered twelve sided form, medium teal green, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 10 7/8 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #5 Retains graphic original label which reads, “Eau De Cologne / Triple Superieure”. Beautiful color. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

FANCY COLOGNES

FancyColPurp17

Lot: 17 Fancy Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Octagonal paneled hourglass form, medium amethyst, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 5 3/4 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #7 Beautiful form. Lovely color. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

FancyColCath84

Lot: 84 Fancy Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Square with fancy corners, medium translucent powder blue, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 7 3/8 inches; (shallow 1/16 inch flake off side of mouth). Similar in form to MW plate 112, #13 Spectacular color. Rare form. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

FancyColAmyLab120

Lot: 120 Figural Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Tapered square form with herringbone corners and thumbprint panels, medium plum amethyst, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 5 3/4 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 112, #13 Retains original label which reads, “Eau De Cologne”. Wonderful form. Eggshell thin glass. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

FancyColGr135

Lot: 135 Fancy Cologne Bottle, probably Boston and Sandwich Glass Works, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 1860-1888. Octagonal paneled hourglass form, brilliant medium teal green, tooled flared mouth – smooth base, ht. 4 1/2 inches. Similar in form to MW plate 114, #7 Beautiful color. Fine condition. Ralph Finch collection.

Posted in Auction News, Collectors & Collections, Cologne, Figural Bottles, Glass Companies & Works, Perfume | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters – 1848

Posted on 6 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

AsteroidBittersART

Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters – 1848

06 November 2013 (R•111513) (R•051915) (R•031319)

Apple-Touch-IconAJim Hagenbuch over at Glass Works Auctions had this extraordinary, Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters that I just missed getting in their last auction. Fortunately my bottle friend Jeff Burkhardt (Cedarburg, Wisconsin) was able to add it to his collection. We both admired this bottle when we participated in the great John Feldmann sale and opted to wait until the bottle came up for auction. The Glass Works lot write-up:

539. “DR. C.V. SCHMIDTS / ASTEROID / TONIC BITTERS / 1848”, (S-54.5), American, ca. 1860 – 1870, greenish aqua, 7-sided, 9”h, smooth base, applied mouth. A 1 1/2” long crack is on a medial rib. Crude highly whittled glass, unusual and attractive form. This is the same bottle that was auctioned in 1990. It was unique than and remains unique now! An impressive looking bitters bottle and the damage is on a side panel.

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

S 54.5  DR. SCHMIDT’S ASTEROID BITTERS
DR. C.V. SCHMIDTS // ASTEROID // TONIC BITTERS // 1848 // f // f // f //
8 3/4 x 4 (2 1/2)
Seven sided (four 1 1/4 inch panels on front and three 1 1/2 inch panels on reverse), Aqua, LTC, Applied mouth, Extremely rare

Acid rain from the heat shock of a large comet or asteroid’s impact with Earth is believed by some to fit the Biblical description of the bitterness produced by the Wormwood Star upon a third of the Earth’s potable water.

This brand is a real tough one as I tried looking up information before. No success. What I do know is that we are talking about a Dr. Charles V. Schmidt located at the corner of 7th and Main in some city in United States. He first concocted his bitters in 1848. When you Google Asteroid Bitters you pull up “Wormwood – Star” on Wikipedia which is interesting. We know that Wormwood is a name used for a number of bitters products. (Read: What are all these Wormwood Bitters?). One of the definitions:

Wormwood

In Greek, is a star, or angel, that appears in the Biblical New Testament Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse.

AsteroidBittersImpact

Futurist interpretations

Various scientific scenarios have been theorized on the effects of an asteroid or comet’s collision with Earth. An applicable scenario theorizes a chemical change in the atmosphere due to “heat shock” during entry and/or impact of a large asteroid or comet, reacting oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere to produce nitric-acid rain. Acid rain from the heat shock of a large comet or asteroid’s impact with Earth is believed by some to fit the Biblical description of the bitterness produced by the Wormwood Star upon a third of the Earth’s potable water.

Gerardus D. Bouw, Ph. D. in his white paper “Wormwood” theorizes that since the term wormwood refers to a bitter or poisonous plant, specifically “apsinthos, that is, absinthe wormwood” in Revelations 8:11 and that a star falling would likely be an asteroid or comet … the most reasonable scenario being a comet, since they could have a chemical makeup that would make the waters bitter and poisonous and would have to break up by some means, “in order to fall on deep sources of water and rivers, the object cannot be in one piece when it arrives in the atmosphere.”

Did Dr. Schmidt contemplate the Apocalypse when naming his bitters, who knows?

Dr. C. V. Schmidt’s Asteroid Tonic Bitters – 1848

Jeff Burkhardt sent in these gorgeous pictures of his new bottle. Congratulations Jeff.

AsteroidBitters1 AsteroidBitters2 AsteroidBitters3

Here is a stoneware jug with stenciled graphics reading, “Chas Schmidt Asteroid Tonic Bitters, For 7th & Main” courtesy Glen Poch.

Posted in Auction News, Bitters, Stoneware, Tonics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dissecting a Turner Brothers Advertisement

Posted on 4 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

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Dissecting a Turner Brothers Advertisement

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04 November 2013

TurnerBrothers

Apple-Touch-IconAIt is interesting to see liquor merchants pushing their products for medicinal purposes including wines such as Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters. Sharing  page space within the Daily Sacramento Union on 29 December 1871, with an equally tall Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon Bitters advertisinent, was this outstanding Turner Brothers advertisement (see below). I just love the Turners brand and have written about them before:

Barrel Series – Turner Brothers New York & San Francisco

A ‘short’ Turner Brothers New York figural barrel

Nice Turner Brothers Tintype

T 067 Turners_X

I thought it would be fun to dissect and isolate the various claims and information.

TurnersAdx

Turner Brothers advertisement – Sacramento Daily Union, 29 December 1871

T 070.5 (Turner Brothers)

TurnerBrothers

Read: Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps – Udolpho Wolfe

TurnerBrothers

TurnerBrothers

TurnerBrothers

Shrub: In terms of mixed drinks, shrub is the name of two different, but related, acidulated beverages. One type of shrub is a fruit liqueur that was popular in 17th and 18th century England, typically made with rum or brandy mixed with sugar and the juice or rinds of citrus fruit. A second type of shrub is a cocktail or soft drink that was popular during America’s colonial era, made by mixing drinking vinegar syrup with spirits, water, or carbonated water. The name also is applied to the sweetened vinegar-based syrup, also known as drinking vinegar, from which the latter drink is made. Drinking vinegar is infused with fruit juice (and at times herbs and spices) for use in mixed drinks. [Wikipedia]

TurnerBrothers

Read: What are all these Wormwood Bitters?

TurnerBrothers

TurnerBrothers

TurnerAsyBldg

R. Turner & Bros (S.F.) would have been across the street from the San Francisco Catholic Orphan Asylum [center], 1856. San Francisco Public Library Historic Photo collection Title St. Patrick Orphan Asylum on Market St. Notes On front: “St. Patrick Orphan Asylum on Market St. 1856 on present site Palace Hotel. Built 1852 (Aug. 18)”.

The Making of Market Street

In the early sixties the only improvements on the street were east of Kearny street. To the west an effort was being made to get rid of the sand incubus with the aid of the so-called “paddies,” which were first operating under the direction of S. D. Gilmore, and later by David Hewes, who was christened “Paddy.” A channel was cleared through the sand and steam dummy and a few rattle-trap cars that seemed ready to fall apart at the least provocation as they jolted over the loosely laid rails, ran to Hayes Valley and the Mission. On the fringe of Happy Valley, where the Palace stands, were the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, the Sacred Heart School and some other scattered buildings. From Second street down to the water’s edge, which then was at about Steuart street, were a lot of lumber yards and mills and factories representing a variety of local industries, and numerous ramshackle structures labeled “Mechanics’ Exchanges,” where the toilers of the vicinity exchanged lucre for liquor. At the foot of Market street a clumsy ferry-boat owned by a man named Charles Minturn made periodical trips to the Oakland shore. It was half a dollar a trip. It wasn’t much of a prospect, was it? [San Francisco History – The Making of Market Street]

Posted in Advertising, Bitters, Cordial, Currency, Figural Bottles, Gin, History, Liquor Merchant, Medicines & Cures, Rum, Schnapps, Syrup, Wine & Champagne | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters

Posted on 3 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

BiningerWalkingMan

Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters

03 November 2013

AM_BiningerSignature

I just love the old files that are being held by the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division in Washington, D.C. I just wish they would make more color files available. In this case we are looking at a body label and neck label for Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters. Listed in Bitters Bottles by Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham as:

B 97  Neck Label … BININGER’S KNICKERBOCKER WINE BITTERS
A. M. Bininger & Co., Sole Proprietors, 338 Broadway, New York

B 98  Body Label … BININGER’S KNICKERBOCKER WINE BITTERS
A. M. Bininger & Co., Sole Proprietors, 338 Broadway, New York
Made to fit a Bininger bottle 11 1/2 x 3
Round, Green, ARM

I wonder if there are any surviving bottles with the labels intact? I doubt it.

BiningerWineBittersLabel

Print on orange paper. Body label for Bininger’s Wine Bitters – c1859, Copyright by R. Wattles & Jas. W. Freeland of A. M. Bininger & Co. – Library of Congress

BiningerKnickerbockerSignature

Bininger’s Knickerbocker Wine Bitters neck label – c1859, Copyright by R. Wattles & Jas. W. Freeland of A. M. Bininger & Co. – Library of Congress

BiningerWinesForSale1853

Bininger Wines advertisement – Daily Alta (San Francisco) California, 14 November 1853

Read More Bininger on PRG:

Bininger Gallery

Bininger Advertising Art & Labels

Barrel Series – Bininger Old Kentucky Bourbon

A. M. Bininger & Co. Figural Cannon

Bininger’s Night Cap Flask

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

Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon Bitters

Posted on 3 November 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

SternesCelebratedBourbonBitters_ART

Sterne’s Celebrated

Congress Bourbon Bitters

3 November 2013 (R•101818)

Apple-Touch-IconAWhile looking at Bourbon Cordial advertising last night, I came across this wonderful lithograph of an early agriculture and hunting scene held by the the Library of Congress. The date is 1863. The image is black & white (see below). I can only imagine how beautiful the color version is. Spotted on the illustration was were four products, Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon, Congress Bourbon Punch, Congress Bourbon Cordial and Congress Bourbon Bitters.

The mysterious “O.B.A. 5623” is also prominently displayed.

SternesCelebratedBourbonBitters_LOC

Black & white representation of color primitive agriculture and hunting scene lithograph for Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon, Congress Bourbon Punch, Congress Bourbon Cordial and Congress Bourbon Bitters, 1863. – Library of Congress

[Update: The Library of Congress has now displayed a color example of slightly different art. See below)

Print shows two partially clad men at center, one, on the left, carrying two spears and with two dogs on a leash, a horn hangs by his side and a cherub sits on his left shoulder; the other man, on the right, carries a sheaf of wheat over his shoulder and has a sickle tucked into his belt, from which also hangs a large bunch of grapes; two goats cavort on the lower right and two women prance behind them, one carrying a sickle; in the background, African slaves harvest wheat with cherubs hovering above the wheat field. The scene is framed with entwined vines covered with foliage and fruit, and sheaves of wheat at bottom center. J. Mayer & Co. Lith. 97 State St., Boston, [1864]

There is a listing in the Carlyn Ring and W.C. Ham Bitters Bottles for a Congress Bourbon Bitters (C 219) from the Providence Journal, January 1, 1864. Why providence? I also found an advertisement within the Sacramento Daily Union in 1871 for S. T. Suit’s Congress Bourbon (see further below).

Pre-Pro.com lists a Sterne Bros. who may have been a distributor for Maryland Pride, a Record & Goldsboro brand. The company used the brand names: “Maryland Pride”, and “Sterne’s Extra.” Address: 171 Summer, Boston, Massachusetts. I suspect this may be the brand listed in Ring & Ham leaving the Sterne’s brand as possibly an unlisted bitters from Kentucky. There is scarce information available.

I wonder if a bottle was found, it might look like a Swain’s Bourbon Bitters?

SternSignature

Signature detail on lithograph above. “S” (or L) Sterne’s Son – Proprietors, 31 Dec. 1863, Vol 38. P.81″

Contemporary newspaper article noting Sterne’s Celebrated Congress Bitters – St. Louis Post Dispatch, Sunday, October 27, 1963

Sternes_RunningJoke

The Social History of Bourbon mentions Stern’s Celebrated Congress Bourbon as one of the earliest brands – Gerald Carson (University Press)

A

I wish this advertisement said Sterne somewhere but it doesn’t. It does say Celebrated Congress Bourbon from Kentucky though. Maybe J.T. Suit bought out Sterne? – Sacramento Daily Union, 29 December 1871

Evan Williams rolled the first bourbon barrel out of his Louisville distillery in 1783, thereby assuring himself a place in history as Kentucky’s first commercial distiller. Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that is a distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky (which, in turn, got its name from the French House of Bourbon royal family). It has been produced since the 18th century. While it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with Kentucky.

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a “distinctive product of the United States.” The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5.22) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:

• Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn (maize).

• Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).

• Neither coloring nor flavoring may be added.

• Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels

• Bourbon must be entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).

• Bourbon, like other whiskeys, must be bottled at not less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume.)

• A Bourbon that meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.

• Straight Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.

• If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.

Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon.

Select Listings:

1863: Sterne’s Congress Bourbon Bitters. Lithograph of an early agriculture and hunting scene. The image is black & white (see above). – Library of Congress
1863: Signature detail on lithograph (above). “S” (or L) Sterne’s Son – Proprietors, 31 Dec. 1863, Vol 38. P.81″
1864: Sterne’s Congress Bourbon Bitters. Lithograph of an early agriculture and hunting scene. The image is color (see above). – Library of Congress
1864: Sterne’s Congress Bourbon Bitters noted in newspaper advertising (see below). – The New York Times, Tuesday, April 19, 1864

Posted in Bitters, Bourbon, Cordial, History, Liquor Merchant, Questions, Spirits | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment