Lot
Number | Description | Final Bid |
|---|
| | | BENNETT’S WILD CHERRY STOMACH BITTERS with CHENERY, SOUTHER & CO SOLE AGENTS SAN FRANCISCO CAL. B 73 Applied top. There are two variants of this scarce bitters, this example with the straight embossing is considered not as rare as the other variant. But then it all depends on who you ask. This has a chip off the lip, possibly from an icepick. It’s not horrible but could certainly bother some collectors. Otherwise, this is a bright yellowish amber with loads of embossing and of course the curved “R.” Without the chip, would grade a 9. | |
| $ 240 |
| | | BENNETT’S WILD CHERRY STOMACH BITTERS with CHENERY, SOUTHER & CO SOLE AGENTS SAN FRANCISCO CAL. B 74 Applied top. There are two variants of this scarce bitters, this example with the curved embossing is considered rarer than the other variant but we don’t see many of each. Unfortunately, this one is badly damaged, and isn’t that the way? We’ve never seen a Bennett’s this whittled and crude before and it’s badly cracked. No grade but still pretty to look at. | |
| $ 1,100 |
| | | JEWEL BITTERS with JOHN BOWMAN & CO. Applied top J 35. Dug in Weston, WA. Weston is a ghost town in Washington and this bottle was found there in 1980. There are two variants of this bottle, the other having the A. Fortlouis, name embossed. They were specifically distributed in Seattle and Washington. According to Ring/Ham there was a saloon located in the state that sold the bitters in the early 90’s, owned by Fortlouis. Almost perfect, this one grades a 9. | |
| $ 550 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS Applied top. P 66. No monogram on reverse. Don was an avid collector of some particular western bitters and the Peruvian is a perfect bottle to find numerous variants. We have here just half of examples from his collection. This one is a chocolate amber with an applied top. Not a color we see often in the Peruvians. The absences of a monogram on the reverse is very rare. We don't remember seeing an example without some monogram. Condition is about perfect with a nice drippy top. An easy 9+. | |
| $ 2,600 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS in medium amber, 1871-91. Tooled top P 66. This example has the rarely seen “PBC” monogram on reverse. It’s believed that it simply stands for “Peruvian Bitters Company.” These are a pretty rare variant to this about perfect bottle. Grades a 9 | |
| $ 60 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS medium amber,1871-91. And yet another Peruvian, this is the variant with the Wilmerding monogram on reverse. With a very drippy top, we believe this to be an earlier variant. Listed as 69 in Wilson. A nice-looking light amber that will go good with other Peruvians or just solo on your shelf. | |
| $ 60 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS Tooled top in medium amber with unusual M& Co.monogram on reverse. 1871-91. P 66. It’s interesting that Don went after different colors, but in addition he seems to have all the monogram variants. A note on this bottle says that we sold this bottle earlier from the D.E. Seppala Collection. Apparently, the unusual monogram stands for “Mac & Company.” They were a well-known wholesaler in San Francisco. Bottle is overall about perfect and would grade a 9+. | |
| $ 130 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS yellow amber,1871-91, P 69 with applied top. Here is another Peruvian Bitters, this is the early variant listed as 69 in Wilson. Nice drippy top in a bright yellow amber. Here is a fine example that is about mint. Grades a 9.5. | |
| $ 230 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS medium amber, 1871-91. P 69A Applied top. Here is a great condition example in the standard medium amber. A fine condition example and if you’re just looking for a Peruvian to remind you of your trip to Peru, this one will do. Grades a 9+ | |
| $ 50 |
| | | PERUVIAN BITTERS clear glass 1871-91. P 66. Here is the rare clear version that we don’t see very often, and it’s considered rare. The glass will not turn purple and is possibly lead glass. That’s an expensive bottle for being just a Peruvian. The top appears to be an early tooled type. Frankly, it’s hard to tell. Some decent crudity and grades an 8.5. | |
| $ 160 |
| | | ALEX VON HUMBOLDT’S STOMACH BITTERS. Applied top. 1868-72. Here’s an early example of the bitters that began being blown in San Francisco in the early part of the western bitter’s movement. The name of the bitters was based on a famous botanist named Buenman Von Humboldt. We see these in varying shades of amber and are often crude as this one is. This one is a medium amber with loads of overall whittle and crudity. It has the applied tapered top and condition is overall very nice with the exception of a flake off the left back top and an in-making flash about 3/4" long on the right side panel. Otherwise, a fine-looking bottle that is considered rare, especially when they look like this. Take away the two minor flaws and you have an easy 9 grade. We were reluctant to mention the annealing flash but it's definitely a part of the bottle. | |
| $ 850 |
| | | GRAND PRIZE BITTERS. Applied top. 1880-84. Here is one that the successful Louis Taussig Co. put out as their entry into the bitters market. With the label reading Cooper’s Grand Prize Bitters, it won first place at the 1876 Centennial in Celebration in Philadelphia. Looking like a Peruvian Bitters, these bottles are very rare and one we don’t see often. There are some well-placed bubbles in the shoulders and although it’s not a super crude example, none of the ones we’ve seen are. It’s an example of the production of bitters in San Francisco during the 1880’s. Unlike the Peruvian’s, notice all four panels are inset. Grades a 9. | |
| $ 425 |
| | | DR. RENZ’S HERB BITTERS with applied top in pastel green. 1868-81. Don had a definite love affair with western squares, which became very apparent when we saw the number of Renz & Rosesnbaum bottles. Here is the large-lettered variant in a bright pastel green. This one is unfortunate, as it has a large crack running through it. There is also a chip off the mouth. We can say that it still looks good on your shelf and it’s certainly gonna save you a lot of money. It’s amazing that Renz’s are seen in green as often as they are. No grade. | |
| $ 350 |
| | | DR. RENZ’S HERB BITTERS with applied top in green with some amber. 1868-81. Here is another example with the large lettering, this time with the curved R’s. Condition appears about perfect, as we see virtually no flaws to speak of. If you’re looking for a Renz on the green side, this one might be the one. Grades a 9.5. | |
| $ 1,100 |
| | | ROSENBAUM’S BITTERS SAN FRANCISCO N.B. JACOBS & CO. Applied top in a light bright teal color. 1860-69. This is the larger of the Rosenbaum bitters, as they also come in a smaller size as seen in the next lots. The range of colors these bottles come in is truly amazing and this one is a great example of that. A pastel bluish-green that frankly we don’t remember seeing before. We have looked this bottle over ten times and on the last try we found an area 1/4" in diameter which is a resin repair on the lip. For pure interest the bottle is crudely made with even some stringy glass stuck to the neck. A very nice example of what a rare colored old bottle is supposed to look like. We will safely call this a 9 not considering the repaired lip. | |
| $ 2,000 |
