Small Rosenbaum's Bitters

Here is a recent acquisition. It is the "small" version of the Rosenbaum's Bitters. You just gotta love these early squares! This particular example was dug below "C" St. in Virginia City, Nevada. Comstock bottles have an extremely strong appeal to me, and others. The historic aspect of this important town, is represented in the early glass containers found there over the years. Just holding a bottle like this to me is a connection to this history, and you get that feeling in your tummy that cannot be accurately described to a non collector. This is an 1860s artifact from one of the most significant mining districts in U.S. history. It was brought by wagon or mule from San Francisco where is was blown, and subsequently filled, over the Sierra Nevada, over rocky roads, and trails.There was no railroad to V.C. at that time. Can you just imagine if this bottle could tell you where it has been, or who consumed it's contents?

To me, that is what collecting Western glass is all about. When that feeling goes away, I am done...for the past 36 years it has only gotten stronger though.

By the way, the current count on small Rosenbaums, broken down by color and condition would be appreciated. This example is mint as a dug bottle can be. Not even a scratch, and in a rich amber. When was the last one unearthed? I have not heard of an intact small Rosie being dug in years. It's about time..