THIS WEEKEND !

San Luis Obisbo Bottle Society's 43rd Annual Show & Sale
FRIDAY AFTERNOON 3PM to 7PM
SATURDAY 9 AM to 3 PM
VETERANS HALL
209 SURF STREET MORRO BAY CA.
Support your local show!

Chico Eye Candy

Saturday afternoon a few collectors got together at the closing of the Chico Show to admire a beautiful gathering of Western Squares.

Rosenbaum's, Cundurango's and Renz's. The who's who of Western Squares!

I also heard today that a couple of the sellers at the Chico show hit a heartbreaking shallow trash pit in the foothils after the show.

Broken Wistar's Clubhouse, broken W.S.C. Clubhouse and the final insult... a broken Jockey Clubhouse Gin in a wild off color.

Chico Show Report 2011

One of the best aspects of the Chico, Ca. show is the Spring type feeling in the air. Usually this show produces a multitude of freshly dug items, however this year was particularly sparse in the "fresh dug" department. There were some nice bottles this year, and while most of the higher end quality Western bitters were in locked briefcases, and not for sale, they made for some great eye candy.

There were two amber Wonser's Indian Root Bitters being showed around, one of which was very whittled and crude. The other amber example was also very nice. There was a pretty and whittled Chalmer's Catawba Wine Bitters which made a brief appearance and promptly put back in it's case.

It appeared as though most tables had been sold, and there was quite a selection of nice bottles including a pretty green Catawba Bitters with an iron pontil, a pretty red whittled Lash's, a red whittled peruvian, two IXL's, and some rare square Dr. Mott's Wild Cherry Tonics, in both the A.H. Powers, and Spruance Stanley versions. There were some nice western distributed squares including a pontiled Charles' London Cordial Gin, and a gorgeous and mint olive green Jockey Clubhouse Gin which had been dug in Sacramento. There were also some nice Hostetters available. Once again, an early S.F. beer showed up and was immediately snapped up! This Postel was undamaged, and sold for a record price for this bottle.

There were some nice whiskeys available from the usual collectors/dealers, and a mint Pride of Kentucky glob top, changed hands, as well as a very strongly embossed and crude "One Name bear" in a reddish amber. I saw a few Nabobs, Livingston's Blackberry, and Cutters on tables, and I do not know if they found new homes. There was also a beautiful "Open Embossed" Portland, Hotaling glob...

The early Western sodas continue to be "hot" right now, and a few were available. There were only a few early Western medicines which seems to be the case at most shows. Not sure why, but mose collectors are holding on to their better meds.

Thanks to Randy Taylor who provided a great Italian feast for dealers, and a killer breakfast on Saturday morning! This show continues to be one where almost anything can happen, and I look forward to next year!

Coming This Weekend!

MARCH 11th & 12th CHICO CALIFORNIA U.S.A
THE 45th ANNUAL BOTTLE SHOW and SALE
FRIDAY SHOW OPENS TO DEALERS / EARLY LOOKERS at 10am Admission $5.00
SATURDAY SHOW and SALE 9am to 4pm FREE ADMISSION
SILVER DOLLAR FAIRGROUNDS CHICO
Contact Randy Taylor 530 518-7369
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOTTLE SHOW
Some of the smallest shows contain the biggest surprises!
Hope to see everyone there
rs

Charles' London Cordial Gin

I have really been impressed with the beautiful 1850s and 60s squares which have been posted on this site as of late. It appears that there is a renewed interest in these bottles, and they sure do provide alot of color and crudity along with great history of the old west.

After the recent posting describing the various ingredients contained in these various types of "beverages", I thought I could add some additional detail for at least one early square.

The advertising for Charles' London Cordial Gin stated it was "A most pleasant Stimulant, Unequaled and Agreeable Beverage Made from the Juniper Berry" Dr. Valentine Recommends it as well as many other Physicians" Sounds pretty tasty to me!

Here is an early example with a sand chip pontil, which looks like an open pontil. This example is 9 5/8" tall and loaded with frothy champagne bubbles. This mold looks like the Catawba Wine Bitters mold to me, but i know many of you know much more than I when it comes to these beautiful squares.

BOLEY & AVALINE

Lafayatte and Addison Boley are believed to have established the first soda water factory in Sacramento in late 1849 or early 1850. The first mention of Boley and Company, in my research, is in the Sacramento Daily Union’s edition of August 1, 1852 and the firm is mentioned as Boley & Avaline.
The first advertisement for Boley & Avaline , in the August 11, 1852 Sacramento Daily Union, informs the public that Boley & Avaline have placed large sign cards in establishments that sell their soda water product and the bottoms of their bottles are painted with Venetian red paint.
March of 1853 saw Boley & Avaline on the delinquent tax list and by November of that year the firm of Boley & Co. are selling all of their soda water machinery.