Three extraordinary things: Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters, Downieville & Coco

Posted on 14 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The extraordinary Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters – Downieville Bottle Show – 2011

Three extraordinary things:

Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters, Downieville & Coco

14 August 2013

At the 2011 Downieville Antique Bottle Show I had the fortune to see, handle and photograph one of the most extraordinary bitters squares I have ever seen, that being Roger Terry’s Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters in a killer amber coloration (see picture above). By the way, the extraordinary Downieville Bottle Show is next month, so don’t miss it. I have rented a house on the river for a week to chill out, hit the show, see my western bottle friends and run through the mountain trails with my baby and extraordinary Weimeraner, Coco. Now I just need to figure out how to get there?

Read: Bottle Still Life Shots from our Porch in Downieville

Read: Downieville Show People

Read: Some More Purdy Glass Pics from Downieville Displays

The extraordinary and historic Downieville, California: location of the 2013 Downieville Antique Bottle Show

14 September 2013 (Saturday) Downieville, California – Downieville Antique Bottles & Collectibles Show and Sale, Early Lookers: 8:00 am – 10:00 am, Admission: $10, Free Raffle Ticket included! Open 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Free General Admission. Located in the Downieville School Gym on Hwy. 49 in the Historic Gold Rush Country, Featuring Bottles, Insulators, Gold Rush Items, Advertising, Saloon, Mining, Western Related Artifacts and Go Withs. For Show Information: Rick & Cherry Simi, 530.289.3659 email:ricksimi@att.net Online: www.oldwestbottles.com/downieville_show.php, Display Info: Warren Friedrich 530.265.5204 FOHBC Member Club

My extraordinary Weimaraner, Coco

Anyway, where was I here? Oh, how am I going to get to Downieville with Coco and some bottles? Hmm…that is the question. Certainly do not have time to drive 2033.1 miles and take off a day and a half. Guess we will fly. Do I buy her a seat or do I fly in a dog crate with her?

What prompted this post, like many of my posts, are a series of random thoughts, images and tasks that orbit in my mind. Eventually they start sticking together and forming into a post. With this, it was western bitters collector extraordinaire, Dale Mlasko (Oregon) finally landing the subject amber Von Humboldts and adding it to his collection. He also has the green example that once resided on my shelves for some time. Boy I miss that one. Anyway, Dale has both of these great bottles and sent some pictures recently which I have posted below along with some shots of the olive green example that I took.

So there you have it. The Von Humboldts reminds me of history and Downieville which reminds me of Coco. You see? Pretty simple.

The amber and yellow olive Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters – Mlasko Collection (photo by Dale Mlasko)

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

V 31 ALEX VON HUMBOLDTS STOMACH BITTERS

ALEX VON HUMBOLDTS // f // STOMACH BITTERS // f //
Hazlett & Miller, agents for the United States
9 1/2 x 2 5/8 (7) 7/16
Square, LTC, Amber, Yellow, Green, and Yellow olive, Applied mouth, Very rare
A Western Brand.

Label: Von Humboldt’s Celebrated German Bitters will cure liver complaint, jaundice, dyspepsia, debility, chronic diarrhoea, weakness of the nerves, and all diseases arising from a disordered liver or stomach, such as acidity of the stomach, biliousness, constipation, colic, determination of the blood to the head, eructations of wind, fullness and oppression to the stomach, fluttering at the heat, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, lowness of spirits, nausea, pain in the side and shoulder, piles, unpleasant dreams, yellowness of the skin and eyes etc.

The yellow olive Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters (ex: Grapentine, Ex: Meyer) – Mlasko Collection (photo by Ferdinand Meyer V)

The yellow olive Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters (ex: Grapentine, Ex: Meyer) – Mlasko Collection (photo by Ferdinand Meyer V)

The amber and yellow olive Alex Von Humboldts Stomach Bitters – Mlasko Collection (photo by Dale Mlasko)

So who is Alex Von Humboldt?

A portrait of Humboldt by Friedrich Georg Weitsch, 1806

Well I think many of you might be aware of Alexander Von Humboldt from History class but I thought Roger Terry summed it up rather nicely over at Western Bitters News:

“Alexander von Humboldt was the reigning scientific mind of the early nineteenth century, a unique combination of naturalist and adventurer. With his companion, Aime Bonpland, Humboldt cut a six thousand mile swath across the New World, through what is now Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, and Cuba. Risking his life in treacherous terrain, he conducted the first extensive scientific explorations of the Andes and the Amazon, literally redrawing the map of the Americas and dramatically expanding our knowledge of the natural world. He brought back to Europe more than 60,000 plant specimens and a multitude of exotic New World animals, set an altitude record while climbing the volcano Chimborazo, made revolutionary discoveries regarding volcanoes and the Earth’s magnetic field, and introduced millions of Americans and Europeans to the astonishing cultures of the Aztecs and the Incas.

At the completion of his epic journey, Humboldt became one of the most celebrated men in the world, feted by Thomas Jefferson in Washington and invited to Napoleon’s coronation in Paris. His ideas revolutionized scientific research, laid the ground work for entire new fields of study, such as climatology, oceanography, and several branch’s of geography. His adventures profoundly influenced followers and students such as Charles Darwin. Today, more places and geographical features are named after Humboldt than any other historical figure, and scientists continue to build on the foundations he established.” – Gerard Helferich

Alex von Humboldt, incredible traveler, author, and father figure of science, was perhaps the most admired man of the 19th century. Fourteen towns in the United States and one in Canada are named for him. Mountains in Antarctica, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand. An ocean current off of Peru, the largest glacier in Greenland. A bay, a county, a university, a redwood forest in California. Streams, parks, city streets, even a “sea” on the moon carry his name.

The map of Northern Nevada is covered with Humboldts name; the county, a town, a canyon, a mountain range, a huge national forest. Most of the California and Nevada naming was due to the little “Pathfinder”. John C. Fremont. Fremont was an ardent Humboldt admirer, naming the river that marked the westward expansion and later the gold rush trail.

Fremont’s diary – Nov. 8th, 1845. “Crane’s Branch led into a larger stream that was one of the two forks forming a river to which I gave the name of Humboldt. I am given by Himself the honor of being the first to place his great name on the map of the continent. Both the river and mountain to which I gave his name are conspicuous; the river stretching across the Basin to the foot of the Sierra Nevada.”

Posted in Bitters, Bottle Shows, Collectors & Collections, History | Tagged Alex Von Humboldts, Alexander von Humboldt, bitters, Coco, Dale Mlasko, Downieville, extraordinary, Ferdinand Meyer V, Hazlett & Miller, Roger Terry, Weimeraner | Leave a comment

The Folksy, Girl on a Bicycle Historical Flask

Posted on 13 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

The Folksy Girl on a Bicycle Historical Flask

[Updated 14 August 2013]

I am very fond of Folk art and especially enjoy seeing art and illustrations on antique bottles like the Travellers Bitters and Pikes Peak Flasks. Yesterday, I was really intrigued by the “girl on a bicycle” strap-sided historical flask image that Cody Zelany included as one of his pictures of recent finds. Cody commented:

Lastly, I have to credit this one to my dad. While in Pennsylvania, we stopped at an old church converted to an antique shop. As I walked in, I knew in my heart that there was probably nothing to be found, as it was mostly crafts and things that don’t interest us. As I walked ahead my dad asked to see something in a case, and I figured it was most likely a piece of advertising or maybe a fruit jar of some sorts. As I turned around in his hands was a flask. As he handed it over to me I was instantly interested. Turns out it was a GXIII-3 Woman on Bicycle / Eagle. To me this is what the hobby is about, great glass and great memories”.

Read: Patience Paying Off – Three Amazing Finds

Girl on a Bicycle – Eagle historical flask previously sold by Heckler. Ex: Judge E. S. MacKenzie

I wanted to see if any other examples were nested online and found a wonderful example previously sold by Jeff and Holly Noordsy and an example sold by Norman C. Heckler (above). The Noordsy description of the flask including front and back pictures are represented below.

GIRL ON BICYCLE – EAGLE / “A & DHC,” (McK# GXIII-3), brilliant aquamarine, smooth base, pint, applied mouth with ring, mint. Blown at the A & DH Chambers Glass House, Pittsburgh, PA, C. 1870, scarce.

This folky flask was produced shortly after the Civil War and it’s as fine an example as we’ve had the pleasure of offering. Obviously inspired by the advent of bicycling as a “sport” the piece offers the finest possible mold detailing and pleasing overall glass crudity.

Jeff and Holly Noordsy

When I posted Cody’s pictures yesterday, I wondered about the bicycle meaning and posted the question on PRG Facebook. Dana Charlton-Zarro responded with the following:

The Girl on the Bike flask is a varient of the “Not for Joe” flask, named for a song from England. BTW, it is a strap-sided flask. This is the story of the Not for Joe Flask. Read: Arthur Lloyd’s song ‘Not For Joseph’

Images from The High Wheeler Bicycle as Used on Bottles by J. Carl Sturm

American Bottles and Flasks and Their Ancestry by Helen McKearin and Kenneth Wilson lists three flasks which use the high-wheeler bicycle as part of their embossed decoration. They are listed as numbers GXIII-1, 2, and 3. All three are pint flasks. GXIII-1 has a small picture of a girl riding a high-wheeler. Above her head is a banner which says, “NOT FOR JOE.” The reverse of this flask is blank. I believe there is an amber variant and at least two in pale green with all others being aqua in the GXIII-1 flask.

J. Carl Sturm

I was also able to find a wonderful article by past FOHBC Board Member, J. Carl Sturm called The High Wheeler Bicycle as Used on Bottles. This really was fascinating to read and helped answer many of my questions. Next I was led to a neat book called Glasshouses and Glass Manufacturers of the Pittsburgh Region: 1795 – 1910 by Jay Hawkins. There was a reference to the GXIII-3 flask and the A. D. & H. C. embossing (see b/w images above).

UPDATE: 13 August, 4:00 pm CST

Hi Ferd,

Enjoyed your article on The Not for Joe flask. In reading the article, I noticed that amber and several light green examples are the only colors known. Just want to bring to your reader’s attention that there is also a sapphire blue one (GXIII-2). Keep up the good work!

Mark Vuono

UPDATE: 14 August 2013, 9:15 am

Good Morning Ferdinand,

Yesterday while on Peachridge Glass, we saw your article about The Folksy, Girl on a Bicycle Historical Flask. You referenced the article The High Wheeler Bicycle as Used on Bottles by J. Carl Sturm in which he mentions: “The amber flask pictured [Figure 7] is a half-pint, the only specimen known in this size. It turned up about three years ago and is in the collection of the author”. We are happy to share that we will be offering this flask in our Premier Auction 106 which opens on November 4th. I’ve attached a photograph (see above), and the description is below.

20. “Not For Joe” And Girl On A Bicycle Pictorial Flask, America, 1860-1870. Amber, applied square collared mouth – smooth base, half pint; (some interior residue).
Unlisted but similar to GXIII-2 Currently the only known example. Fine condition. Carl Sturm collection. $3,000-6,000

Thanks for the informative (and entertaining) background information about these flasks. Kind Regards,

Nicole (Puhlick) – Norman C. Heckler & Company

Notation for A. & D. H. Chambers marking on the GXIII-3 girl riding a bicycle/eagle in Glasshouses and Glass Manufacturers of the Pittsburgh Region: 1795 – 1910 by Jay Hawkins

UPDATE: 13 August, 4:10 pm CST

Hello Ferdinand!

Thanks for posting the article about the “Girl riding bike” flasks. There is no way to absolutely prove this, but I think the chances are high that at least one (or possibly both) of the flasks without the A & D HC marking, are products of the old Louisville Glass Works, probably sometime in the late 1860s or the 1870s.

Reason: (I will copy and paste an edited portion of the text from my article about Louisville Glass Works from the Bottles and Extras, 2005): According to an article published in the COMMONER & GLASSWORKER issue of May 30, 1903 (discovered by Hemingray Glass Company researcher Bob Stahr, who kindly copied it for me), the Louisville Glass Works produced a wide variety of popular flasks and other bottles of the period during which it was in business. Information for the article seems to rely on testimony supplied by an elderly glassblower once employed at the Louisville Glass Works (although the exact period of time being referred to is not stated). Items reportedly produced include versions of the Pike’s Peak flasks, the Clasped Hands/Shield flasks, the “Not for Joe” flasks with the picture of a girl on a bicycle in amber glass, “log cabin bitters bottles” with “1862” blown in the glass” (presumably St. Drakes Bitters bottles), and several others. Since some of these flasks (especially the Pike’s Peaks) are found in dozens of mold variants, it would be difficult or impossible to know at this late date which exact molds were used at Louisville. An exception may be the “Not for Joe” flasks. There are only three known variants, and one is marked with “A.& D.H.C.,” a Pittsburgh glasshouse. The other two are unidentified and are certainly likely to be products of the Louisville Glass Works.

David Whitten

Anyway, a cool embossing and bottle, and the story behind it.

Cody’s Flask

Posted in Flasks, Folk Art, Historical Flasks, History, Questions | Tagged A. D. & H. C., Bicycle, Carl Sturm, Chambers, Dana Charlton-Zarro, David Whitten, folk art, girl, GXIII-3, Jay Hawkins, Mark Vuono, Nicole Puhlick, Pittsburgh | Leave a comment

Patience Paying Off – Three Amazing Finds

Posted on 12 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

This is my first bitters find and I don’t think I could be any happier…

Patience Paying Off – Three Amazing Finds

Hi Ferdinand!

Cody Zeleny here, Just thought I would share some more recent finds that I am really excited about

During my travels while not in college, the best thing for me is going to a great shop, antique show or flea market and coming home with some great glass. Well, patience paid off and I’m excited to send these to share!

Firstly, there’s this beautiful piece from today! It’s a John Moffat Phoenix Bitters in a great lighter, see through olive, green shade. I’m still stunned I stumbled upon this piece, and as soon as I saw it my heart began to race as fast as It could. Looking at and handling this great piece of glass is incredible. This is my first bitters find and I don’t think I could be any happier, its a really great early piece of glass and im proud to add it to my shelves. Dare I say that Bitters are growing on me more than flasks? Somedays I wonder!

Next was a surprise as well. Its a great GV-4 railroad flask in an almost matching shade of olive as the bitters! Since I didn’t have a Success to the Railroad flask yet I was really happy this turned up in a little antique shop I frequently go to.

Hope all is well! Take care!

Cody

Pretty amazing Cody. Great examples. Please get me a few more pictures of the GXIII-3 Woman on Bicycle / Eagle. I’m not familiar with the flask. I love the embossing.

Posted in Bitters, Collectors & Collections, Digging and Finding, Flasks, Historical Flasks | Tagged Bicycle, bitters, Cody Zeleny, Flask, GV-4, GXIII-3, Historical, John Moffat, Phoenix, Railroad | 1 Comment

Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters

Posted on 11 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

S 174 – Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters in a golden amber – Meyer Collection

Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters

11 August 2013 (R•111215)

Currently on ebay there is a nice example of a Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters (see listing below). Yet another Indian name for a bitters product. The color of the ebay example reminded me of my example which is pictured below. There are actually two molds for the name.

Lykons, Pa. Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters Great Rare Color Clean

Up for auction: Lykons, Pa. Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters Great Rare Color Clean Bitters is free of chips cracks or dinks. Has small lip nip from pulling cork, mentioned for accuracy and does not distract from display. Ask questions…..bid with confidence No reserve….goodluck – privvydigger (100% positive) See Listing

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

S 174 DR. STANLEY’S / SOUTH AMERICAN / INDIAN BITTERS // f // f // f // // b / 400
L … A. G. S. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters, Prepared only by Dr. A. G. Stanley, Pharmaceutical Chemist, 280 Main Street, Lykens, Pennsylvania, USA
9 x 2 5/8 (6 3/8) 3/8
Square, Amber and Aqua, LTC, Tooled lip, Scarce
There are also amber examples with no base embossing.
Dr. Alfred Stanley was born in Salisbury, England in 1845. He learned the drug business working at several firms in London. In 1869, Dr. Stanley emigrated to the United States, landing in New York and then moving on to Philadelphia where he worked for Ellis & Co. In 1871 he moved to Lykens, Pennsylvania establishing a drug business on West Main Street.

Dr. Stanley put out a number of medicinal products from his drugstore including the South American Indian Bitters. He continued in business until 1904 when he sold his business to Dr. W. H. Uhler. Dr. Stanley died in 1917. Uhler continued producing the bitters until at least 1906 because they are labeled examples with the wording Guaranteed by A. G. Stanley under The Pure Food and Drug Act of June 30, 1906.

Two examples S 174.5 – DR. STANLEY’S SOUTH AMERICAN INDIAN BITTERS. American, 1880-1890. Height 8 ¾ in. Color amber. Square. RH #S 174.5 – BottlePickers.com

S 174.5 DR. STANLEY’S / SOUTH AMERICAN / INDIAN BITTERS // f // f // f // // b / W.T. CO. C U.S.A.
8 3/4 x 2 5/8 (6 3/8) 3/8
Square, Amber, LTC, Tooled lip, Scarce
This bottle varies from S 174 in that it is more square shouldered, slightly shorter, and there are slight variations in the embossing pattern.

DR STANLEY’S SOUTH AMERICAN INDIAN BITTERS. S-174 Applied top. According to Ring, Dr. Alfred Stanley made this bitters from 1878-1913. His drugstore sold it in a five county area of Pennsylvania. What most interesting is how a guy named Stanley made a South American Indian Bitters in a rural area of Pennsylvania. Dr. Livingston, I presume, talked him into it. At any rate, it’s an exotic sounding bitters, which was probably just a similar alcohol concoction to the multitudes of other competitors. These also come in aqua. This example is a deep amber with some light overall character. Grades a 9.5. – American Bottle Auctions | Auction #62

“DR. STANLEY’S / SOUTH AMERICAN / INDIAN BITTERS”, (S-174), Pennsylvania, ca. 1880 – 1890, medium amber, 8 3/4”h, “W.T. & CO. / U.S.A.” on smooth base, tooled lip. Pristine perfect condition, one of the nicer ones. – Glass Works Auctions

DR. STANLEY’S / SOUTH AMERICAN / INDIAN BITTERS, 9″h. aqua and amber, smooth base, square – WeLoveOldBottles.com

Two examples – DR. STANLEY’S SOUTH AMERICAN INDIAN BITTERS. American, 1880-1890. Height 8 ¾ in. Color amber. Square. RH #S 174.5 – BottlePickers.com

Select Timeline

1845: Alfred G. Stanley was born on January 24, 1845 in Salisbury, England.

Stanley attended the College of Salisbury. He would learn the drug business with Roberts & Son, who he spent four and one half years with. Then he went to London and worked for the well known firm Peter Boully, retail druggists of London.

1869: Dr. Stanley moved to America in 1869 and for a short time he lived in New York. He would move to Philadelphia were he would work for Ellis Sons & Co.

1871: In 1871 Dr. Stanley relocated to the corner of Main St. and Market St. in Lykens, Pennsylvania. Here he would open up his own drug business and general supply of all kinds of drugs. He acquired a reputation of being one of the most reliable druggist in the county along with the surrounding counties.

1872: Dr. A. G. Stanley, listed as a Warden, Christ Church, Lykens, 1872

1873: In 1873, Stanley was listed as one of the original Directors of the Gratz Driving Park and Horticultural Society. He was also the president of this long lived organization that is now known as the Gratz Fair Association. Dr. Stanley was President of Lykens Agricultural Society for three years. Stanley was a collector of rare stuffed birds from various parts of the world, which he had in his possession.

1873: Dr. Stanley was married in 1873 to Mary Spoeri in Lyken’s. They would have six children (Frederick A. Stanley, Chas J. Stanley, Wellington S. Stanley, Kate M. Stanley, Ray S. Stanley, Mabel B. Stanley. His son Frederick would became a druggist and work with him.

1878: Dr. Stanley put out a number of medicinal products from his drugstore including the South American Indian Bitters, which was produced from 1878 to 1906.

Advertisement: “Itch, Prairie Mange, and Scratches of every kind cured in 30 minutes by Woolford’s Sanitary Lotion. Use no other. This never fails. Sold by A. G. STANLEY, Druggist, Lykens.

Dose Glass: Compliments / of / Dr. A. G.Stanley / Druggist / Lykens, PA

1880: The American Journal of Pharmacy listed Dr. Stanley in the graduating class of 1880 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.

1887: Posing on Lykens Resevoir in 1887 (see below). Dr. Stanley is sitting on the far right.

Posing on Lykens Resevoir in 1887. Dr. Stanley is sitting on the far right. From Lykens-Williams Valley history – directory and pictorial review. Embracing the entire Lykens and Williams Valley, in the effort to preserve the past and perpetuate the present. (1922) – Barrett, J. Allen

1902: Two Listings for A. G. Stanley, druggist and manufacturer of Stanley’s Celebrated Indian Bitters (advertisement below) – 1902 Greater Harrisburg Area Polk Directory

Listing for A. G. Stanley (advertisement below) – 1902 Greater Harrisburg Area Polk Directory

Dr. Stanley’s South American Indian Bitters advertisement – 1902 Greater Harrisburg Area Polk Directory – BottlePickers.com

1904: On May 25, 1904, Mr. Swab married Kate A. M. Stanley, daughter of Dr. A. G. Stanley, of Lykens, Pa., and they had one daughter, Arlene May.

1904: Dr. Stanley continued in business until 1904 when he sold his business to Dr. W. H. Uhler. Uhler continued producing the bitters until at least 1906 because they are labeled examples with the wording Guaranteed by A. G. Stanley under The Pure Food and Drug Act of June 30, 1906.

1917: Dr. Alfred Stanley died in 1917.

*Select references by Frank Wicker at BottlePickers.com

Posted in Bitters, Druggist & Drugstore, eBay, History, Medicines & Cures | Tagged Alfred G. Stanley, bitters, Dr. A. G. Stanley, Dr. Stanley, Dr. W. H. Uhler, eBay, England, Frederick A. Stanley, Gratz Driving Park and Horticultural Society, Gratz Fair Association, Indian, London, Lykens Agricultural Society, Lykons, Mary Spoeri, Pennsylvania, Peter Boully, Roberts & Son, Salisbury, South American | Leave a comment

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part VI

Posted on 10 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

Confederate soldier poses with a liquor bottle (Hostetters?) and glass. Note Richmond Depot issue Army shoes. Probably a novelty photo. From the Estate of Capt. Plunkett, Army of North Virginia.

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part VI

PART VI of a Series

10 August 2013

Presenting the Sixth Gallery of vintage pictures of “People Drinking” This is a continuation of:

Photographs of People Drinking – Part I

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part II

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part III

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part IV (Brewing)

Photographs and Images of People Drinking – Part V

Possibly the Earliest Photograph of People Drinking Beer – Part VII

It’s time again to post some pictures that have piled up in my digital drinking file. I like studying these pictures. If you have any candidates for inclusion in future galleries, please forward. Thanks.

People | Drinking Gallery VI

Two society girls working it after church I guess

A nice glass of milk being served to these miners. I wonder what they are thinking?

Photo postcard of men smoking and drinking around the picnic table at mom’s house?

Two men smoking long china pipes and drinking beer. Dog looks pretty content too.

Photograph of young men with bottles drinking

Original cabinet photo showing a handsome young wine or beer merchant with bottles of wine or beer. There are two different types of bottles sitting on the table.

Three gentleman, a fiddle and a Drake’s Plantation Bitters

ca. 1860-90, [tintype portrait of of either a young photographer, pharmacist, or chemist with a scale, various bottles and chemicals. Another person in the foreground is turned away from the camera, admiring photos displayed in the case]

Actress Maureen O’Sullivan drinking milk on a movie set

Drinking from the Fountain of Youth portrait photograph

Whiskey, beer, wine, cigars…bliss. Notice the jug in the odd position.

Welcoming in the day

Like Father – Like Son

Three gentlemen drinking beer. I wonder what brand? Hard to tell.

Drinking chimpanzee (or early man) talking a milk break

Happy Hour special drinks have been around for some time.

Edwardian people taking tea in the open

c1905 photo an oasis in the Badlands. Oglala man (Red Hawk) on horse drinking.

“Fertility” Henry and Nicolas Etiévant Evreinov (France), 1929.

Posted in History, Photography | Tagged Drinking | Leave a comment

Cataloging of Bitters Bottles – Bill Ham

Posted on 9 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

A smiling Bill Ham at the recent FOHBC 2013 National Antique Bottle Show in Manchester, New Hampshire

Cataloging of Bitters Bottles – Bill Ham

09 August 2013 (R•040519)

Cataloging of bitters by the various authors has been an ongoing and evolving process. Each new publication has added and increased the information. The additional information in each publication has provided new and additional information. Each new publication is also somewhat reflective of the changes in collector interest, and the interests of the author.

FOR BITTERS ONLY – Carlyn Ring – 1980 – Dedicated to Clifton Blake (Meyer Library)

When Carlyn Ring updated the material and published FOR BITTERS ONLY, in 1980, on page 9, she described the colors of bitters as:

amber,

green,

aqua,

clear,

milk glass,

amethyst,

or cobalt.

She further stated:

1. “amber was used to describe brown colors of: citron, citron brown, yellow amber, green amber, yellow green amber, olive amber, red amber, puce, light amber, dark amber, root beer, and claret’, and,

2. green includes apple green, blue green Lockport green, yellow green, clear green, pale green, dark olive green, deep blue green, kelly, light green, olive amber, olive yellow, smokey green, vivid green and yellow olive”.

When I updated the cataloging and published BITTERS BOTTLES, in 1998, on page 18, the color description was changed to: “Bitters are available in many colors, hues, and tones. For the purposes of this book, colors familiar to contemporary major bottle houses and collectors have been used”, and a list of colors are listed, with additional information. For example,”the first name of a color of multiple word description is presented in initial cap, others are in lower case: Yellow olive, Milk glass.”

Bitters Bottles – Carlyn Ring – W. C. Ham – 1998 (Meyer Library)

In the 1998 publishing of BITTERS BOTTLES the listing were also expanded to include “tooled lip” or “applied mouth” top finishing of the bottles.

Additional information was included where available to indicate where a bitters was from, and in cases of some of the more rare brands where examples were found.

The information that was available at the time was used. Since that time, more vast amounts of information has become available including through the contemporary research techniques, the Internet, and auction price guide summaries.

When publishing the BITTERS BOTTLES SUPPLEMENT in 2004, many previously unlisted bottles were added, as well as correcting data and adding additional information on previously recorded brands.

Bitters Bottles Supplement – Carlyn Ring – W. C. Ham – 2002 – Dedication to Carlyn Ring (Meyer Library)

The cataloging of bitters bottles, and brands and collecting information on bitters has continued since the 2004 publication. There are still examples of known brands and uncataloged brands out there which are unknown to collectors.

Bitters Bottles Supplement 2 – Carlyn Ring – Bill Ham – Planned 2019

More: Carlyn Ring – An Interview with Martha Stewart

Bill continues the very tedious and exacting process of recording all new information on bitters bottles and brands in anticipation of another Bitters Bottle Supplement in coming years. I actually have a digital draft here on my laptop. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Bill who has been instrumental in my path and passion to collect bitters bottles and the stories behind them.

HISTORICAL BITTERS BOOKS

BITTERS BOTTLES – J.H. Thompson – 1947 – Dedicated To All Collectors of Old Bottles, Who by Their Aid and Encouragement Have Made This Otherwise Laborious Task a Pleasant Thing to Do (Meyer Library)

BITTERS BOTTLES by Richard Watson – 1965 – Dedicated to Charles B. Gardner (Meyer Library)

IT’S A BITTERS! by Art and Jewel Umberger – 1967 – Dedicated to Dr. Burton Spiller (Meyer Library)

Supplement to BITTERS BOTTLES by Richard Watson – 1968 – Dedicated to Elma (Watson) (Meyer Library)

IT’S A BITTERS – VOL. II – Art and Jewel Umberger – 1969 – Dedicated to Charles B. Gardner (Meyer Library)

WESTERN BITTERS by Bill & Betty Wilson – 1969 Dedicated to Cynthia Jane who helped (Meyer Library)

Antique Western Bitters Bottles – Jeff Wichmann – 1999 – (Meyer Library)

Posted in Advice, Bitters, Color, History, Price Guides, Publications | Tagged Art Umberger, Betty Wilson, Bill Ham, Bill Wilson, bitters, Carlyn Ring, J. H. Thompson, Jeff Wichmann, Jewel Umberger, Richard Watson, Western | Leave a comment

Florida Water – Murray & Lanman – New York

Posted on 9 August 2013 by Ferdinand Meyer V

F L O R I D A W A T E R

M U R R A Y & L A N M A N

N E W Y O R K

09 August 2013

One of my earliest bottle purchases occurred with Pacific Glass Auctions (now American Bottle Auctions) back in November 2002 for an unmarked, 9″ tall, blue bottle (left below) that I just liked. The teal green bottle (on right) followed shortly thereafter on ebay. These bottles stand together on some corner shelf watching my Bitters bottles.

Of course I am talking about Florida Water perfume or cologne bottles (center below). No you don’t drink it, but I suppose you could since the labels say 75% alcohol. Wow.

Last night I came across a spectacular trade card with a parrot, flowers and a fountain surrounding a Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water bottle (see below). This got me thinking about my lonesome bottles and the story behind them. I was particularly interested in the art used on the labels and advertising which is the secondary focus of this post. When looking at the art, look at the common ‘Fountain’ in each piece usually surrounded by flowers, a maiden or female and the product.

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Advertising Trade Card (front) – Dave’s Great Cards

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Advertising Trade Card (back) – Dave’s Great Cards

According to Wikipedia, Florida Water is an American version of Eau de Cologne, or Cologne Water. It has the same citrus basis as Cologne Water, but shifts the emphasis to sweet orange (rather than the lemon and neroli of the original Cologne Water), and adds spicy notes including lavender and clove. The name “Florida Water” refers to the fabled Fountain of Youth, which was said to be located in Florida, as well as the “flowery” nature of the scent.

The Lanman & Kemp firm began in the 1830’s and flourished for the rest of the century. They were wholesale druggists, and manufactured some toiletries as well. During the Civil War tax period their private die stamps were used on perfumes and the like. The one-cent stamp was issued from March of 1864 until June 5, 1883. 1,732,040 were printed on silk paper and another 2,813,190 on pink and watermarked papers. This one was printed on silk paper. – rdhinstl.com

According to the current trademark holders, Lanman & Kemp Barclay & company, Florida Water was introduced by the New York City perfumer (and founder of the original company) Robert I. Murray, in 1808. In 1835 Murray was joined by David Trumbull Lanman and the firm became Murray & Lanman, then David T. Lanman and Co., and in 1861 became Lanman & Kemp.

The company states that their product, now sold under the Murray & Lanman brand, still uses the original 1808 formula, and that the current label is also a slightly modified version of the 1808 original.

Florida Water was regarded a unisex cologne, suitable for men and women alike. Victorian etiquette manuals warned young ladies against the “offensive” impression made by a strong perfume, but Florida Water and Eau de Cologne were recommended as appropriate for all, along with sachets for scenting the linen and fresh flowers in the corsage. Large quantities were also used by barbershops as cologne and aftershave. In the 1880s and 1890s Murray & Lanman Florida Water was advertised as “The Richest of all Perfumes” and “The most Popular Perfume in the World”.

Like other colognes of the era, Florida Water was valued for its refreshing and tonic nature as well as its scent, and could be used as a skin toner or as what we would now call a “body splash”. It was also used as a toilet water (eau de toilette), by adding it to the bath or wash-water.

Many baseball teams (particularly it seems in the South) use Florida Water as a refresher during the hot summer baseball months by filling a small lunch sized ice chest with water and ice and a few caps of Florida Water. They then soak rags in the tonic and wipe their pulse points and necks with the soaked rags, providing a very cooling effect to the skin and body.

Read: Murray and Lanman Florida Water

Read: Rose Water – Lime Juice – Olive Oil whats-it-hold bottles!

G A L LE R Y

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Advertising Trade Card (front) – Dave’s Great Cards

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Advertising Trade Card (front) – Etsy

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Advertising Trade Card

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Advertising Trade Card

1900 Advertisement for Florida Water by Murray & Lanman

Murray & Lanman’s Florida Water Label