Western Bitters recently Dug

Here are two more photos of some nice Western bitters fresh from the ground. It just makes one want to get out there and dig a few! The Wonser's is mint, and so is the IXL.I do have a lot more photos posted on oregontrail antique bottles.com So feel free to check them out. When I receive digging photos, or "fresh dug" photos, I will post them there, and a few here. Let's see some more dig photos!

American Bottle Auction # 51

American Bottle Auction #51 is slated to start on Thursday November 4th and end on Sunday November 14th. Auction 51 has 12 examples of bitters that should be of interest to the western collector.

Two Dr. Henley's Wild Grape Root IXL Bitters and a Henley's California IXL are being offered along with three examples of the sample size Lash's Bitters. If you are looking for a western square this November's auction has a milk glass German Balsam Bitters, a three line Turner's and a large size Rosenbaum's Bitters.

A damaged Stockton Port Wine Bitters, Dr. Wonser's USA Indian Root Bitters in dark amber and the big dog in auction 51, a beautiful pastel green M. Keller California Wine Bitters, round out the western bitters offered in this auction.

You can view the entire American Bottle Auction # 51 online at americanbottle.com starting on November 2nd.

Good luck bidding!

rs

Before, and After

Here is a photo of a nice grouping of medicines recently dug in a Western state. I really like the context of bottles still in the layer, or freshly dug next to the hole. Here are the exact specimens washed up and looking pretty.

Louis Lacour

Great comparison with the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon. Almost a scary resemblance.

Another equally scary resemblance is with Louis Lacquor's childhood residence and the glass vessel that we cherish.

Take a peek at the turrets.

Hmm.

Coincidence?

Lacour's & The Lighthouse

Some say the Lacour's Bitters was fashioned to resemble a lighthouse....However, most bitters scholars maintain that all lighthouses are dedicated to L. Lacour and his prestigious bitters! Either way you look at it, it makes for a beautiful story, right? Here is a picture of a Var. 3 Lacour's I picked up at the Canyonville Show two weeks ago. I thought it would make for a picturesque setting if I held up a Lacour's next to the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, OR (built in 1896).

Another Canyonville Show Acquisition

Here is the highlight of my Canyonville show finds...a gorgeous variant #1 Lacour's. It will join the line up of Lacour's shown in the "Pacific Coast Jewels" post. This run of Lacour's includes all variants of this beautiful bitters. There really are some significant differences in the three versions, and when placed together, these differences are very obvious. Now I just need the elusive aqua color! I do not believe there are more than two or three of them in collections, so maybe I will get lucky and dig one! I dug the bottom half of a deep aqua example in 1995 in Nevada...

PACIFIC COAST JEWELS

This year’s Canyonville bottle show featured some great displays for the attendees of the show. As varied and interesting as the displays were, one sure caught my eye.

The display PACIFIC COAST JEWELS was indeed a display of jewels. There were no less than 6 Lacour’s Bitters in various colors and several other rare western bitters. I finally laid my eyes on the olive colored Dr. Wonser’s that was recovered from the Comstock area last year and what a magnificent bottle it is. Lacour's, Wonser's, Chalmers - WOW!

I managed to remember to bring my camera to this year’s show ………….
Enjoy the pictures
rs

Welcome Back Y'all