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Duffys Malt Whisky
Bottle Circa: pre 1900
Origin: Rochester, New York.
Manufactured: 1868 - 1926
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Duffys Malt Whisky has a interesting history, it was created by one Walter B Duffy in 1868. By invoking malt in its name (malt was considered healthful at the time) Duffy could market his whiskey as a medicine, thereby evading liquor taxes, and still sell booze to those of the temperance movement. Outlandish marketing ie; “in old age, in illness, in all cases of weakened vitality, nothing is so quick and permanently beneficial as…” led to ever increasing scrutiny. This culminated in a 1907 Food and Drug Administration inquiry. At which the presiding official stated “Duffy’s Malt Whiskey is one of the most gigantic frauds of the age and in flagrant violation of the law”.
South Carolina Dispensary JO JO Monogram and Broken Palm
Palm Bottle Circa: 1893-1900
Flask Bottle Circa: 1900-1907
Origin: South Carolina
Manufactured: 1893- 1907
The SC Dispensary System was instituted by Governor Ben Tillman, at the behest of the temperance movement. This allowed the state to exert monopolistic control of liquor production and sales. All independent saloons and liquor stores were shuttered, under this system alcohol was bought wholesale and married into state sanctioned bottles, whiskey was whiskey no brands to chose from. Though run for a short time, the dispensary system had an outsized effect on liquor laws in South Carolina.
Side note: the Palm emblem was only used from 1893 to 1900 as the temperance movement did not like how closely it resembled the state flag.
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Mrs. Winslows Soothing Syrup
Bottle Circa: 1880-1900
Origins: New York, New York
Manufactured: 1845 -1930s
Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup came on to the market in 1845 and was produced by Jeremiah Curtis and Benjamin A Perkins for teething and colic babies. The medicine claimed to “give rest to mothers and relief and health to infants” unfortunately, given its two primary ingredients were morphine and alcohol its overuse could result in coma and death. Cited in The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, it was denounced by the American Medical Association in 1911 but continued to be sold until 1930.
Recommendations on dose: Children under one month 6 -10 drops, three months old 1 half teaspoon and six months and up one teaspoon. This was up to 4 times a day for general fussiness.
Those doses were to be given every 2 hours if the child was suffering from dysentery until symptoms visibly improve.
H. Michelsen Florida Water
Bottle Circa: 1890-1900
Origin: St. Thomas, West Indies.
Manufactured: Dates Unknown
Historically the name Florida Water was a term for a perfumed mixture of essential oils and alcohol and was used as a cologne. Information on this specific company has been difficult to ascertain.
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Stoddarts Peerless Liquid
Bottle Circa: 1870’s
Origin: Buffalo, New York
Manufactured: 1875 - 1880
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Stoddarts Peerless Liquid began with the purchase of the secret formula for Champlin’s Liquid Pearl in 1875 by Thomas Stoddart. A face make-up made from Bismuth Oxychloride (used in cosmetics since the Egyptians), Precipitated chalk, Glycerin, Water, Color and Perfume. Incidentally when looking up Bismuth Oxychloride I found a GHS hazard statement attributing it to skin and eye irritation.
Astyptodyne
Bottle Circa: 1910
Origin: Wilmington, North Carolina.
Manufactured: 1906 - present
Astyptodyne is a salve that was discovered by accident at a turpentine plant in 1906. Apparently there was a steam pipe that burst severely burning some workers, in their haste to flee the building one of injured men fell in to a vat of pine tar. That man healed quicker and more completely than the other fellows.
Also it’s still produced today! (www.astyptodynefirstaid.com)
Recommended uses: everyday cure for; aches, pains, cuts, scrapes, rashes and a host of other ailments.
Rumford Chemical Works
Bottle Circa: 1850’s
Origin: East Providence, RI.
Manufactured: 1854 - Unknown
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Rumford Chemical Works, was founded by professor Eben Norton Horsford of Harvard. With over 30 patents to his name including the formulation of modern baking powder, his company produced a variety of chemicals beginning in 1854. One popular product, which this bottle originally contained, was Horsford’s Acid Phosphate. This concoction was mixed with a glass of cold water and sugar resulting in a lemon-lime tonic that was “…delicious and refreshing drink”, taken “for mental and physical exhaustion, dyspepsia…”
Dr. Kings New Life Pills
Bottle Circa: 1880’s
Origin: Chicago, IL
Manufactured: 1880 - 1910
Dr. King New Life Pills claimed to “Never fail to effect a cure, even when Physicians and all other known remedies have failed.”. Incidentally when I found the original bottle the pills were still contained there in.
Recommended uses: to cure disordered liver, constipation, malaria, sick or nervous headache, loss of appetite, dizziness, jaundice, fever and flatulency.
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Dr. HF Perry Dead Shot Vermifuge
Bottle Circa: 1850’s
Origin: New York, New York
Manufactured: 1840 - ?
Dr. H.F. Perry Dead Shot Vermifuge (human dewormer) claimed to be “…capable, from the promptitude of its action, of clearing the system in a few hours of every worm.” Based on the numerous examples of this bottle I’ve found, the product must have achieved its desired effect.
Caw's Ink New York Ink
Bottle Circa: 1880’s- 1890’s
Origin: New York, New York
Manufactured: 1886 - 1920
Caw’s ink started in 1886 with the acquisition and renaming of what was Foundation Ink Company, who’s best selling product so happened to be a “crow colored ink”, the inspiration for the new name.
Presidents, Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland both used and endorsed the Caws Brand.
Davis Vegetable Pain Killer
Bottle Circa: 1850’s
Origin: Providence, RI.
Manufactured: 1840 - 1940
Davis Vegetable Pain Killer was created in 1840 and is believed to be the first nationally advertised remedy for pain. Creator Perry Davis trademarked the term “Pain Killer” in 1845, vegetable, refers to it being an opium derivative. Mark Twain said “Those who could run away did, those who could not drenched themselves in cholera preventatives and my mother chose Perry Davis’ Pain Killer for me.”
In production for over 100 years, it is said to have been given to both soldiers and horses during The Civil War.
Atwood's Jaundice Bitters
Bottle Circa 1850’s-1880’s
Origin: Georgetown Massachusetts
Manufactured: 1840’s-1940’s
This bottle would have been produced by Manhattan Medicine Company.
Moses Atwood sold his Jaundice Bitters company in pieces and parts, by 1855 he had sold all interest to numerous people. This is a brief run down; Carter & Dodge which was purchased by the Manhattan Medicine Company, Lewis H Bateman, L.F Atwood whom also sold to Manhattan Medicine Company, Nathen Wood later Nathen Wood and Son, Charles H. Atwood whom sold to Alvah Littlefield & Company which then sold off to Gilman Brothers. Its of no surprise that this resulted in many disputes around name usage and formulation, which resulted in trademark trials as well as advertisement that warned you to only buy “genuine Atwood’s Bitters”
Recommended for: jaundice, headache, dyspepsia, worms, dizziness, los of appetite, darting pains, colds and fevers. For cleansing the blood of humors and moistening the skin. Also for liver complaints, strangury, dropsy, croup and phthisis.
Bull Dog Gin
Bottle Circa: 1900- 1930
Origin: Unknown
Manufactured: Unknown
Our research has shed little light on this bottle. We believe it to have been produced in the U.K.
While glassblowing in the states had become a machine trade by the early 1900’s, the guilds of Britain protected many craftsmen from mechanization until the second world war.
The presence of hand or machine tooling being an accepted means of end dating glass bottles, country of origin must be taken into account.
Ie: a bottle made in 1900 in America could look the same as a U.K. bottle produced in 1930
This is considered a "Maverick" bottle because it does not indicate where it is from.
Philips Milk of Magnesium
Bottle Circa: 1918 - 1923
Origin: Stamford, Connecticut
Manufactured: 1873 - Present
Invented by an English Pharmacist named Charles Henry Phillips, and patented in 1873 under the name Hydrate of Magnesia. Charles died suddenly from apoplexy in 1888 and his four sons acquired and ran the corporation until 1923 when it was bought by Sterling Drug.
The cobalt blue glass wasn’t used until 1918 and after 1923 “Phillips” was removed from the embossing. This bottle would have been manufactured by a machine.
Recommended for: Relief from a sour stomach, neutralize gastric acidity, correcting general hyper acidity, biliousness, and indigestion. Also marketed to treat hangovers, wrinkles, gluttony, middle age and “smoker’s fag”
Mexican Mustang Liniment
Bottle Circa: 1850s
Origin: St. Louis, Missouri
Manufactured: 1825 - 1906
Produced by Dr. A.G. Bragg, later by Lyon Manufacturing Company
An
All-Healing medicine
“For Man and Beast”
Recommend for: rheumatic pains, sprains, strains, burns, bites, scalds, colds, sore throats and lameness.
“Mexican Mustang Liniment ingredients - petroleum, olive oil and carbonate of ammonia, each in equal parts: mix.” Page 24 from The Artisans’ Guide and Everybody’s Assistant By Richard Moore 1873
Bromoseltzer
Bottle Circa: 1888
Origin: Baltimore MD
Manufactured: 1888 - 2008
Bromoseltzer was a powder that was to be mixed with water before ingestion. It claimed to fight a headache in three ways; containing acetanilide to ease the pain, bicarbonate to relieve excess stomach acidity and sodium bromide to calm jumpy nerves.
Sodium bromide was removed from the formulation in the 1970’s when it was classified as a tranquilizer, acetanilide was withdrawn from the pharmaceutical market in 1983 due to “unacceptable levels of interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation) and rise of tumorigenicity (carcinogenic)”. It is also of note that high levels of exposure to acetanilide could cause methemoglobinemia, a condition in which hemoglobin loses the ability to bind oxygen, sufferers thereof could develop a blue tint.
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H.P. Sauce
Bottle Circa: 1900’s
Origin: United Kingdom.
Manufactured: 1895 - Present
This is an early HP Sauce sample bottle, named in honor of London’s Houses of Parliament, and would have contained a familiar brown tomato based sauce. This same sauce can still be purchased today.
Hoyt's German Cologne
Bottle Circa: 1870-1890
Origin: Lowell Massachusetts
Manufactured:1860’s- 1951
Company named after its founder, Eli Waite Hoyt, according to his biographical sketch:
“at the age of fourteen years he became a clerk in the drug -store of E.A. Staniels…. at length was received as a partner in the business. Upon the death of MR. Staniels, in 1861, Mr. Hoyt, then twenty-three years of age, became sole proprietor.”
Other than in name, the cologne has no connection with Germany whatsoever.
In light of the high cost of producing sample bottles, the company would soak its trade cards in the perfume before delivering them to retail agents. They also mailed soaked trade cards to customers if they sent in a 2 cent stamp.
Chero- Cola
Bottle Circa: 1910 - 1924
Origin: Columbus, Georgia
Manufactured: 1910 - 1924
Created by Claud A. Hatcher in 1910, the drink became so popular that by 1912 Coca-Cola claimed and eventually won a trademark infringement case, forcing Chero-Cola to drop “Cola” by the early 1920’s.
First the company was known as Union Bottle Works (1905) and produced Royal Crown ginger ale and Royal Crown Strawberry, in 1910 the company name was changed to Chero-Cola Co. In 1924 the name was changed again to Nehi Corporation. It is said that: over hearing a worker referring to tall bottles as “knee -high” Claud found his new company name.
During WWI, with the food administration’s limitations on sugar usage, Chero-Cola Co established and operated its own sugar refinery, purchasing raw sugar from Cuba. Hedging on the high prices the company bought sugar and began filling every available warehouse in Columbus. After the armistice sugar prices dropped to 8 cents a pound, forcing the company to the verge of bankruptcy, it wasn’t until 1926 that all the incurred sugar debts were paid off.
Davis OK Baking Powder
Bottle Circa: 1900-1910
Origin: Hoboken, NJ
Manufactured: ?- Present
Originally produced by R.B. Davis Co, and currently owned and manufactured by Clabber Girl, the yellow and red label have been the same for over a century.
Clorox
Bottle Circa: 1933 -1936
Origins: Oakland, Califorina
Manufactured: 1913 - Present
First produced under the Electro-Alkaline Company for commercial use only, it wasn’t until 1916 when a less concentrated version was made and marketed for home use. To boost household sales, Annie Murray, wife of founder William Murray, gave away 15 ounce sale bottles outside of their family Grocery Store. In 1917 it was introduced at the California State Fair and by the 1920’s was such a popular product the company changed its name to Clorox, a combination of its two primary ingredients.
“Clorox Bleaches, Deodorizes, Disinfects, Removes Numerous Stains … even scorch, mildew”
“The Modern Way to lighten housework”
“When its Clorox-Clean its Disinfected”
Chesebrough MFG CO Vaseline
Bottle Circa: 1880s- 1890’s
Origin: Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Manufactured: 1860 - Present
Patented in 1872 by Robert Augustus Chesebrough, under Chesebrough Manufacturing Company (an oil company), in Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Story goes that in 1859 after hearing of a oil discovery in Titusville, Pennsylvania Robert Chesebrough went to see the prospects. It was there he encountered ‘rod wax’ a byproduct material that built up on the tubing and rods of plumping wells. It is from this material that Chesebrough was able to extract what became known as Vaseline.
The original extraction process involved vacuum distillation and repeatedly filtering through ‘bone black’ (charcoal made from bones)
The name Vaseline is derived from the German word for water (Wasser) and the Greek word for Oil (elaion)
From the manufacturer
“Promises to be of considerable value in the arts, and to enter into very general use for medicinal, pharmaceutical and toilet purposes.”
John Ryan
Bottle Circa: 1852- 1866
Origins: Savannah, Georgia
Manufactured: 1852 - 1880’s
This bottle was produced by the Excelsior Bottle Works, first soda bottler in Georgia. A historical marker noting the founder John Ryan can be found at the corner of Bay and Montgomery, Savannah, Georgia.
Though bottling was done in Savannah Georgia, most of their bottles were manufactured by Union Glass Works in Philadelphia. During the Civil War Excelsior Bottle Works struggled to stay open, as one would expect, bottle shipments were disrupted.
Manufactured: soda water, foreign mineral waters, porter, ale, cider, cordials, lager beer, syrups, bitters, essences, etc.
The original contents on this particular bottle would have been beer.
Muskegon Brewing Company
Bottle Circa: 1890-1900
Origin: Muskegon, Michigan
Manufactured: 1876 - 1919
Founded 11 years after the civil war, by three German immigrants; Gottlieb Ninneman, and brothers Otto and Gustav Meeske.
What started out as a small Brewery producing around 8,000 barrels a year, had reached production of 60,000 by the 1890’s.
Bottle made by William Franzen and Sons in Milwaukee they were in business from 1877 -1919.
This mark was used between 1896-1900
Brewed until the dark days of Prohibition.
Wormwood Cordial
Bottle Circa: 1852-1871
Origin:Boston
Manufactured: 1852-1871
From period Boston Business Directories one finds that Dunbar and Company operated from 1852 - 1871
They were importers of wines, liquors, Ale and Porter.
There are a number of variations on the company name T.J. and P Dunbar and John Muzzy, Dunbar T.J. and Co, Thomas J. And Co, T.J. Dunbar and Co.
Wormwood is a woody shrub with a bitter aromatic taste, used as and ingredient of vermouth , absinthe and medicine.
Wormwood was used for a variety of digestive problems, upset stomach, intestinal spasms, loss of appetite, and gall bladder issues. It is also used to treat fever, liver disease, depression, muscle pain, memory loss and worm infections.
Cordial is another word for liqueur, a strong, sweet alcoholic liquor, usually drunk after a meal.
L Roses & Co.
Bottle Circa: 1880-1900
Origins: West Indies
Manufactured: 1865 - present
Lauchlan Rose founded L. Rose & co in 1865 very early on Rose developed a process to prevent fermentation in preserved fruit juice that did not use alcohol, it was standard practice to add 15% rum to staunch fermentation.
The bottle design of embossed lime leaves and fruit was a signature to the packaging dating back to 1880 and used as trademark.
Solomons & Co Druggist
Bottle Circa: 1890's
Origins: Savannah, Georgia
Manufactured:1865- 1981
Abraham a Solomons first opened an apothecary shop in Savannah in 1845 with his brothers Joseph M and Moses J.
This pharmacy ran for three generations.
Eugene J. Jacobs Pharmacist
Bottle Circa: 1890's - 1900's
Origins: Atlanta, GA
Jacobs Pharmacy is best known for being the first location that Coca-Cola was sold (may 8, 1886). Funnily thought the soda fountain was owned and operated separately by a Willis E Venable whom should Jacobs his shares in coca-cola as payment on a loan. There was a clause in the stocks where Pemberton (inventor of coca-cola) received a 5 cent royalty per gallon. Jacobs was displeased by this and recalled coca-colas inventor “seems to be pressed for money pretty much all the time and was having money advanced constantly based on potential royalty.” Having only sold 25 gallons in its first year Jacobs was pleased to sell his stocks to fellow pharmacist Asa Griggs Candler whom made coca-cola what we know today.
Benbow’s
Dog Mixture
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Bottle Circa: 1880-1900
Origin: United Kingdom
Manufactured : 1830 - 1900
“Sure Remedy for /a reliable tonic and original medicine for Distemper, Jaundice worms and ailments common in dog breeds.”
Established in 1835 in the United Kingdom.
E.P. Ricker and Co
Liquor Dealers
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Bottle Circa: 1880’s
Origin: Sumter South Carolina
Manufactured : 1880-1890
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Pre- Dispensary System Merchant Flask
During the 1880’s all alcohol dealers had to have authorized bottles with their name on them as a way to regulate alcohol distribution. This system ran up until 1890’s when the state tightened its grip on the liquor monopoly with the institution of the South Carolina Dispensary System.
Little information can be found about this exact example.
There is a know Bar License for EP Ricker for the year 1893. However there is little doubt that this establishment existed before and after that date.
Bottle Circa: 1880’s
Origin: Charleston South Carolina
Manufactured : 1880 - 1890
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Pre- Dispensary System Merchant Bottle
During the 1880’s all alcohol dealers had to have authorized bottles with their name on them as a way to regulate alcohol distribution. This system ran up until 1890's when the state tightened its grip on the liquor monopoly with the institution of the South Carolina Dispensary System.
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Fredrick William Jessen Born in Germany 1852 Died in Charleston SC 1923
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Champagne Beer Shaped Bottle.
F.W. Jessen
Charleston S.C.
Dr. Pepper
Bottle Circa: 1942
Origin: Lauren’s Glass Works
Manufactured : 1885 - Present
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The nations oldest sodas still in production. Founded in Waco Texas in 1885.
Dr Peppers first slogan “Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2, and 4!”
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Bottle Circa: 1930’s
Origin: Kingsport TN
Manufactured : 1924 - 1930's
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Chero-cola’s first name change after loosing name suit to coco-cola in 1923. They would maintain the new Chero-A Perfect Cola for around 10 years before changing to the final name of Nehi.
Chero
A Perfect Cola
Royal Remedy & Extract Company
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Bottle Circa: 1890’s
Origin: Daton Ohio
Manufactured: Late 1890’s 1910’s
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Founded in 1876 by Mt Irvin C Souders incorporated in 1888.
Filled with Souder Flavoring extracts and Perfumes as well as special remedies.
Sued for mislabeling of weight by the FDA in April of 1913, plead guilty and fined $25, $16.85 of which was court fees.
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Bottle Circa: 1840’s - 1860’s
Origin: Unknown
Manufactured : 1840-1860's
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Open Pontil
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Fragrance or Extract and would have been considered medicinal.
Genuine
Essence
Groves Tasteless
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Bottle Circa: 1890’s 1910’s
Origin: Tennessee
Manufactured :
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Edwin Wiley Grove born in Tennessee in the 1850’s and had chronic hiccups. His wife and child died of malaria which was the inspiration for Groves Tasteless. It was a “tasteless” treatment that contained quinine which is bitter but not in the case of the Groves medicine. It sold better than coke-cola in the 1890’s with their “ Makes Children and Adults as Fat as Pigs.” Moto.
This Section Under Construction.
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Pabst Brewing
Poison
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Not To Be Taken
Dr. J Hostetter's Stomach Bitters
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Origin: Streator, IL
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Maschroft & Son
Streator Bottling Works
J.A. Krusling & Husemann
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