Well, it would've been too cool if this one had survived its dip in the wet privy pool ! Yesterday was the first time I'd ever turned pieces of this extremely rare glob-top fifth. At first I wasn't even sure which fifth it was, then my partner pointed out the diamonds on the sides, and that put us on the right track of diamonds...... to jewels. Only got about 2/3's of it, but that was enough to get the blood pumping, as it came out soon and up high in the hole. Of course there's always some kind of a "hook" to get you to dig a nasty or difficult hole, but it's usually not of such a high caliber as a John S. Bowman Jewel Old Bourbon Sole Agents S.F.
The bottom layer was '70's, but no bourbons were to be found from that era.... not even pcs. The guy was strictly a wino and an ale drinker in the '70's. The Jewel may have been a gift from someone to celebrate a birth or something in 1886, as this bottle was made only in that year. Surely if he was a real bourbon drinker, a few Cutters or Moore's would've been part of the mix !
The base has a dimple in the center of an 8-pointed ray or star. These appear to be "western blown", as the glass became very sparkley after scrubbing the mud off, and the star is similar to those found on earlier Western unembossed fifths. My count is seven intact examples of the Jewel Old Bourbon. There is also a very similar amber pint coffin flask, but for some reason is embossed "Old Jewel Bourbon" instead of "Jewel Old Bourbon". This brand has a really crazy distribution pattern (basically no pattern at all ! ), as whole examples of the flask and fifth have turned-up mostly on singular occasions all from different towns throughout Ca, Nv, and
Az. I'm not aware of any being found in different holes in the same town.
Az. I'm not aware of any being found in different holes in the same town.
Another entertaining story -- thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to hear any story about a rare Western Whiskey being unearthed, even if it's not entirely whole. Who knows, maybe it will turn out intact in your next dig?!?!
It sure seems like digging has its drought periods of close calls, empty duds, and ABD's...then all-of-a-sudden...a stacked pit can emerge out of the blue with two, three, four or maybe even a bakers dozen of real memorable ones!
Keep on throwin the dirt!
Close call once again, seems like you're in the right district ! What colors are these known in ?
ReplyDeleteYes, I try to dig only in bourbony districts !
ReplyDeleteI believe I have seen all 7 examples in person. I used to own 2 of those examples. From what I recall, they are all a light orange-amber, except for maybe 2 being dark amber. Jewel fifths seem to run along the same color lines as the Bear Grass.
AP
Looks like you've been "whaling", AP. Those soaker holes are a PITA, but you definitely are on the right track. You better machine gun that district, "Jewely" pits don't happen in most areas.
ReplyDeleteDug one a few years ago with just the neck broken on it was the only embossed whisky in the hole there were about 10 unembosed gins in the hole with a few unembosed beers
ReplyDeleteOldCutters,
ReplyDeleteYou're right, they are a pita and a back-breaker, but you know how it goes,,,, you gotta diggem when you have the permish 'green light' !!
Desertskys,
That's interesting. There was a gin in this hole also !
AP
AP, I saw a "burnout in a town near you a couple of days ago. Did you "nail" that one, yet? Looks to be on the way to repair with new rafter framing.
ReplyDeleteYep, I know the people that are rebuiling it. double ABD'd all the way... now !!
ReplyDeleteGood on 'ya, AP. I know that it's a bit off my normal "creep", but wanderlust does hit once in a while. There was something familiar about your last digs, hence my post. it has been a while, but I have "whaled" in that district on a number of occasions.
ReplyDelete