J. Moore- Early and Late

It is amazing how some brands were popular and distributed for decades. Here is an early J. Moore Chielovich, and the latest glob top Jesse Moore in a red coloration. There have been several posts in the past which outline the history of Elias Chielovich, and how he got "the boot" while apparently doing a good job...

These two examples are heavily whittled, and while manufactured 20 years apart, show the time span of the glob top whiskeys many of us covet. One represents the "early" period of glob tops, and the other, the "late" timeframe. There are alot of Jesse's in between them, like the often seen Jesse Moore Hunt fifth, both air vented and non vented, and of course the flask. The fifth continued almost to machine made days, so in various forms, and distributors, this brand sure had a long run!

RENO 911 / 2010

I have to say this years Reno show was one of the best shows for us in recent years for buying, selling and overall a great time. Special thanks to the Reno Bottle Club for another outstanding show Nevada style. Special thanks to Marty Hall and all who participated in the "Great Star Shield Show Down" for 2010.

Although I'm a sucker for Western glass the display of early miners apparel dug from the ground was not only interesting but quite a site to see. American Bottle Auctions table was so crowded with buyers scooping up killer deals I couldn't get near it. Then their were the folks selling their collection which they started in the late 50s. Couldn't believe I Ianded in the right place at the right time as they brought out their bottles. Friday night it was off to a super buffet with friends for dinner, drinks and lots of good conversation. Saturday we packed up and headed for the hills in Downieville for a visit and got to see a very nice Catawba Wine Bitters recently dug by our friend "Mr. Lucky", great bottle. Then a trip down the hill to see Hoss at the Ponderosa and what's likely Yuba Counties largest home grown vegatable garden. The North Yuba River and mountains are spectacular, we can't wait for this years show which is one of our favorites & best in the West.

Group theme displays are a great way for collectors to display their bottles and a real treat for all to see. It would be fun to do another group theme display next year. Anyone have any ideas?????

WALKER BROS.

I have done a post on 3 different Salt Lake City dealers that sold the "good stuff"... embossed early whiskey bottles!                                                                                                                                                      

Cunnington & Co.   - first agents in Utah Territory for J.H. Cutter Old Bourbon (Hotaling).   They sold out to the Walker Bros. in August of 1872.                                                                                                     

Nelson & Edward Boukofsky -  agents in Utah for Miller's Extra and J.F. Cutter Extra Old Bourbon           (Martin).   They were also agents for S.H.M.  and  McKennas.                                                                  

A.M. Smith -  can't forget that rascal!   Embossed a pint flask sometime around 1874/75.                         

                         

The fourth dealers,  and most famous were the brothers.    Walker Brothers were agents for Hotaling's J.H. Cutter,  also agents for Jesse Moore.   Their claim to fame in the whiskey world is having their name on an embossed bottle..  blown in San Francisco no less!

I've been working on the post for the Bros.    Will try to get it online in the next few days.

Wm. H. Keith Apothecaries

Here is one that surprised me when it was placed on a table at the Reno show. I have two sizes of the round "citrate" type of bottle from Wm. Keith, and I have seen two sizes of aqua oval medicines in this form. I have never seen an example in this pink coloration before. I have not heard of another one, but they apparently do come in a greyish clear with a slight pink tone. This example is 7 1/2" tall with a flared/ rolled over top, and hinge mould base. I would date it to the 1860s. The color is very pretty and it is very crudely made. Are there any other Wm. H. Keith variants? I have an open pontiled Brown's Jamaica Ginger in this color, and it was dug that way. I need to study the use of manganese to see if it was used as a de colorizer in the 1850s, and 60s. It seems odd they would be sun colored, and the odd pink hue suggests this is the natural color, and not exposed to the sun. Any other feedback? I am confident that it has not been "nuked".

S.F. Bulb Bottle

Dug a lot of these across from the old Police Station in Downtown Dago years ago. Couldn't figure out what they were? Jon L. and I used to throw them at our Friend Wayne while we were digging, Look Out Grenade, Yep, great Sport. I got this one in a collection I bought a while ago and forgot all about it. They come in 2 sizes that I have seen. This is the smaller size, it has a lead foil around the neck and says GOLD MEDAL, DUBLIN - GENI (all you can read) then has a bunch of Cities listed including SAN FRANCISCO. I think this was a wine. Different anyways. Dr.Barnes / Rick

Star in Shield "Shoot out" Reno

I just returned from the Reno show, and was blown away by the beautiful display of Cutter "Star in Shield" whiskeys. Collectors from all over the West brought examples of this ever popular fifth to display in a non- competitive event which showcased the beautiful Western glass for all to see.

Special thanks go out to Lou Lambert, and Marty Hall for their organization, and execution of this memorable event. The colors and overall quality of the specimens displayed was awesome! Greens, yellows, olive, and every shade in between. Simply spectacular! Hopefully a comprehensive report is forthcoming, along with photos.

I was to provide two of my examples for this display, and as I rolled into Reno, it became apparent that my examples were safe and sound...at home! This old brain must be getting slower, as I completely forgot to bring them. Here are a couple of shots of the earliest version, and the "latest" X based variant. They would have held their own in the display case at Reno, but there were some GREEN specimens (at least 5) that just glowed. Thanks to everyone who actually brought their Cutters to the show...I will remember this event!

J. F. CUTTER DISPLAY

Bring your cameras and send me some photos to post.  

The green-est,  the crudest,  the biggest top...   what other catagories?

Reno 2006 Displays

Does anyone else have higher quality pictures of the great Reno displays from 2006?

These pics don't do justice, but show a glimpse of some of the great bottles on display:

Here's a few that I recently came across in my old computer files:

IDIOTS PLAYGROUND

Since this blog started it has brought forth a ton of great information and pictures from some worthy contributors. Not only that but it has also brought collectors together to a place where they can all share their hobby, it's been a real benefit to the hobby for the most part.

However many of us find it unfortunate that there are unappreciative wannabe idiots who continue to use this blog as a playground to make stupid immature or degrading comments due to their own inadequacies. Boner man, those who slam others, the ones who hind behind "anonymous" and the jealous ones who think they know where all good stuff comes from need to get a life. Do these guys ever post any of their digs or have anything constructive to share, nope because their to busy with their jealous stupid comments.

There are others that have constructive things to add here but will no longer post due to all the negative idiotic behavior. I work hard at it and like sharing the excitement of my finds with appreciative fellow collectors on this blog but that's all going to end if the bs continues.
http://www.oldwestbottles.com/

Catawba Wine Bitters

Here's a few pictures of an early square that came out of a gold rush era trash pit here in town this morning. Five or six blacks, a half dozen wines and a broken large size black Hostetter's along with about 20 broken shot glasses were the only other things in the pit.


I would call it darn lucky that this dark forest green iron pontiled Catawba was intact. It has some small scratches and a minor lip chip but somehow survived being thrown in a hole full of broken and whole saloon bottles.



Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

rs

INTERESTING BILLHEAD

Reading some of my old letterhead/billhead paper items, I ran across this interesting item.

BAER BROS. WHOLESALE & RETAIL DRUGGIST/UNDER SOUTHERN HOTEL/BAKERSFIELD,CAL. This letterhead states that they are manufacturer and proprietor of KURTZ FRECKLE SALVE/IT CURES CLOUDY COMPLEXIONS! They wrote that they were enclosing a check in the amount of $80.10 due for BBL (barrel) of Whiskey. So, they purchased a barrel of whiskey from Rosenwald & Kahn in Plymouth? Wow, maybe when you applied your Kurtz Freckle Salve for your zits, you were getting a good dose of KELLOGGS NELSON COUNTY WHISKEY!

United We Stand- T-99

One of my favorite Oregon bottles is T-99. While a "slug plate" (actually a private mold in a square design), this one has alot going for it. Most slug plate whiskeys are pretty sparse in the embossing department, and the liquor merchants must have been charged by the letter. Usually you will find a name, maybe an adress, and that's about it. This bottle was one where Charles Kohn wanted to really get his money's worth, there is a ton of embossing contained in the little square. You have a great patriotic name, the all important word "whisky" (no "e")...the city, the word "agents" (no "sole")...and the wavy "Northwest Coast". You really could not ask for more as far as info on any whiskey bottle.

A fairly rare bottle, but not as rare as the latest Thomas book indicates. I believe there are about a dozen of these in collections. They run in a basic amber in most, but occasionally they can be found in a light yellow amber, or chocolate. I believe these are undervalued in the current "crazy" bottle market, and represent the great history of the West.