The firm of Evans and O’Brien, founded in the summer of 1868, produced the only early Stockton whiskey that is known. This bottle is found in shades of amber, also in green, has an applied top and is a “sixth” size. It is believed that this bottle is the first to be embossed with a dealers name, street address and city on the face of the bottle. This “full face” embossing was, during the 1870 – 1880 period, a common practice among western whiskey merchants and a highly desirable feature for today’s western whiskey collectors. Four whole examples of this bottle have been recovered from the Stockton area, one example was discovered in Newberg and another was recovered from the Crescent Mills area. At the present time there are believed to be six whole undamaged examples and several damaged examples. 
Take a look at the ad to the right for Evans & O'Brien. They are located at 200 Hunter Street and have on hand Miller's #1 Bourbon and Cutter's.
They also have all kinds of case goods for the saloon trade at San Francisco prices and - here's the topper - all in their original packages. Kinda' makes you wonder what was sitting around in Evans & O'Brien's warehouse.
And if your a bitters kind of guy check out:
I know of one example with checks in the neck that was dug in San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteAndrew -
ReplyDeleteThat's good information. One of the reasons I posted this was to get a better idea of how many examples are out there. My information is old & probably out of date. Thanks for the info.
g.o.
Many years ago I dug a loaded eight foot deep 60s-70s outhouse directly behind 222 Main St. in Stockton. The hole was so trashed that most everything was broken with few survivors. In the mix were three amber Evans & O'Brien bottles. These early Western 6ths were made around the same time as the horizontal Wormser flask, 68-69. Annealing was a problem with San Francisco glass house bottles during this period. Often when seen both the Evans & Wormser will have this issue. The Evans & O'Brien bottles come in varying degrees of crudity with colors ranging from dark chocolate amber to pure grass green.
ReplyDeleteGP.... Just for clarification, those Evans were broken too, right? Unless it was a repeat performance, I think I was party to that hole and it had a broken Duster in it too. The only viable survivors were small things like an NE Ultra Plus ink and a rect. X Bazin lid.
ReplyDeleteAP
G.O
ReplyDeleteHere's the update you were lookin for. As of today, my verified count stands at 11 (7 mint or near and 4 with flashes). The S.F. example Andrew mentioned is one of the 4 flashy examples. There is also another greenish example that was found w/ the neck off, that I dont know if it has been repaired and put into circulation or not. Have to ask Marty on that one....
AP
AP.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on the Evans & O'Brien population. It sure is one early and rare bottle.
g.o.
I have the green one that was dug at the Droege Mine near Crescent Mills. I got it from Thomas in the mid 70's and at the same time was able to get his beloved OPS. I have some history on Colonel Evans that I will find and post this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAP: Yes indeed you were at that party. If I remember right it was the house directly behind 222 Main. 3 Evans, 1 Gold Dust(John), 2 Star Shields and a Shoulder Crown Cutter all busted.
ReplyDeleteColonel George Evans
ReplyDeleteBecoming Secretary of the Senate in 1856, again County Clerk of Tuolumne in the following year, and, at the expiration of his term, Minute Clerk of the State Senate, Under Sheriff of Tuolumne during the administration of Dan. Patterson, the proper performance of these duties filled up the years until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he became Major of the Second California Cavalry, and achieved a war record whose main points are as follows: Mustered in at Camp Alert, San Francisco; then proceeding to Wilmington, he established Drumm Barracks; removed to Camp Latham, near Los Angeles; the next Spring proceeded to Owen’s River with a detach¬ment; fought the Indians successfully; established Camp Independence; July 4, 1863, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel; went to Visalia to put down Southern sympathizers, leaving Captain T. H. Goodman, now an officer of the Central Pacific Railway, in charge of Camp Independence. The subsequent months were spent in maintaining order in the difficult Department of Southern California, and after a time Lieutenant-Colonel Evans removed to Salt Lake, when, in consequence of the suspected treason of Colonel Simms, the former assumed command, being promoted to the Colonelcy of the Regiment and Brevet Brigadier-General. His acts during these years belong to the history of the military affairs of the nation, and it is sufficient to say here that the duties that devolved upon him were performed in the most efficient and praiseworthy manner, reflecting credit alike upon the General and the Government in whose service he was.
G.O. I forgot to mention that the example you pictured in your post, used to be in my collection. I purchased it shortly after it was dug in Stockton. I sold it about 10 yrs ago to a famous S.Rosa collector when I dug my own green one !
ReplyDeleteAP
AP,
ReplyDeleteExcellant!