Base of E. Wideman & J. Chappaz

Per Andrew's request, here is the base of the puce E. Wideman & J. Chappaz. It looks like a multi-leg starfish...I would be curious to know how many different "stars" are embossed on the bases of western blown bottles. Also, are there any theories as to what they represent ie: brand, style, contents, glassblower, glass house, time period, etc.?

The Colors of the Season

Here a couple of red and green "ornaments"...

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and a Happy 2012!

Dale Mlasko

Star Remedies Co.

For the 30 years that I have collected western medicines, there have been a few mysterious brands which seem to have little or no advertising or evidence to really pin down details of these amazing pieces of glass. The brand names alone are enough to stir interest to collectors, and the rare Trout Oil Liniment with it's embossed carp-like trout is one that has captured my attention. It is one of the very few embossed early western medicines with a picture.

The theories abound on this bottle, and after a lot of searching, there are more pieces added to the puzzle. I found an ad in the Virginia Evening Chronicle dated from August 8th, 13th, and 16th. 1877 which not only identifies the Trout Oil Liniment as being made from Lake Tahoe trout, but also sheds some light on it's cousin..."Remedy #1". The Trout Oil is embossed "Remedy #2", and I always wondered what "Remedy #1" would have been. According to the ad, the "Dr. Van Dyke's Antibilious Cure" is also from the same company, and it so happens to have "Remedy #1" embossed on the front panel. At long last these two bottles can not only be confirmed as 100% western, but that they are connected in a series makes me wonder if there is a "Remedy #3"!

Both of these medicines are extremely rare with about 6-8 Trout Oil Liniment examples known, and one or two Dr. VanDyke's Antibilious Cure's in collections that I know of.It is still unknown as to whether these are a Nevada brand, or California...the ONLY ads I have ever found have been in Virginia City. Nevada papers. I think western medicines are very under-valued at this time, and for pure history, they are tough to beat! If anyone else has information on the "Star Remedies Co.", please share it.

Barry & Patten

After some intensive research, I was able to compile the below evidence may clarify some of the assumed history of Barry & Patten. Below is an ad that ran in the Daily Alta from July 16, 1858 through November 8th, 1858 in which a 'half bottle' is promoted.  I can't help but want to believe this is the legendary face embossed Barry and Patten cylinder.  Based on the below information, the 116 & 118 address was only used from 1855 through most of 1858.  Around early September of 1858 they moved to the south East corner of Montgomery and Sacramento (the 400 block) and then on September 23rd changed their Daily Alta ad to reflect the new address.  Barry & Patten moved once again in the spring of 1864 to their third and final location of 413 Montgomery. July 20th 1878 was the end of the fabled Barry & Patten partnership as evidenced by the below sheriff's auction of their property.

What is the general consensus on the age of the shoulder embossed versus the face embossed bottles ? These advertisements and city directory listings suggest that the face embossed variant is the newest variant.  What throws me off is the fact that there are supposedly smooth base shoulder embossed variants, but how can that be possible if the shoulder embossed 114 & 116 Montgomery variant has to be in the 1853-1855 range ?

Did the mold maker make a mistake and hammer out 114 & 116 instead of 116 & 118 ? Ideas anyone ? It is possible that the glasshouse kept using the shoulder embossed mold well after Barry & Patten moved from 114 & 116, but why would such a successful establishment go cheap and not decide to change the mold on their bottle ? Maybe some diggers can recall specific bottles that were dug next to broken or whole Barry & Patten bottles ? Regardless, the Barry & Patten bottles are incredibly significant and represent two of San Francisco's truest pioneers. Who knows, maybe a face embossed Bank Exchange cylinder will surface one day.........

1852: Barry & Patten, saloon and billiards, 116 Montgomery
1852: Carothers, (McNulty, C. &Co.,) bankers, 118 Montgomery
1852: McCright, atty at law, 118 Montgomery
1852: Wells, Fargo & Co., bankers, express and forwarding, 114 Montgomery

1854: Barry & Patten, saloon, 116 Montgomery
1854: Carothers, Anderson & Go. bankers, 118 Montgomery
1854: Higgins Wm. L. notary public, 118 Montg'ry

1855: Barry & Patten, saloon, 116 and 118 Montgomery (from Daily Alta, no available 1855 directory).

1856: BARRY & PATTEN, wholesale and retail dealers in wines and liquors, 116 and 118 Mont'y
1856: STALLMAM & CO. mcht tailors. 114 Mont'y

1857: Barry & Patten, saloon, 116 and 118 Montgomery (from Daily Alta, no available 1857 directory).

1858: BARRY (Theodore A.) & PATTEN (Benjamin A.) wholesale and retail wines and liquors,
116 and 118 Montgomery

1858: CALIFORNIA METALLURGICAL WORKS.— 114 Montgomery.
1858: Mayer Charles, meltor, at 114 Montgomery
1858: Ringel C. at Kellogg & Humbert's, 114 Mont'y
1858: Ruhling Edward, assayer, at 114 Montgomery, dwl Pine bet Dupont and Kearny

1859: BARRY (Theo.A.) & PATTEN (Benj. A.) wines and liquors, SE cor Sac and Mont and 127 Sac

1856 City Directory

July 16th, 1858

September 19th, 1858

September 23, 1858

April 5th, 1864

June 14th, 1878