Caspar Landis' trade mark

Not much to it, but this is Landis' filing for Circassion Tonic.

Just Back From Anderson

Arrived home last night from the Anderson show after a weekend of selling and buying.
I sold several low end bottles and bought a couple of common western medicines.

I was impressed by the amount of collectors/dealers that were buying bottles and collectible items for resale.
What surprised me was the absence of a lot of the mainstay dealers and collectors at the show.
Although a lot of the regular dealers didn't make Anderson I did recognize dealers from southern California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. All in all the building was full with all tables sold and the action was brisk on both Friday and Saturday.
The late Saturday afternoon Ted Siri "circle sale" had buyers scrambling to buy groups of bottles and collectibles at reduced prices. By the time the excitement has subsided Ted sold everything on his table!
The one major purchase I did see was a Dr Wonser's Square that went to a Nevada city bitters collector.

For a lot of the attendees the highlight of the weekend was the annual open house at the Schwartz home. Ken & Teenie are gracious hosts and their collection extends way beyond just bottles.


The Anderson crew did  a great job of organizing the show, the displays were very regional and well done and dinner was fantastic featuring BBQ tri tip, chili and homemade desserts.

Some of Ken's whiskies

Thanks to the Anderson Club for another enjoyable weekend

Some Day.....

At first I thought we had a broken Wonsers, then about ten minutes later I pulled out part of the embossing was was in shock.  Needless to say, the rest of the privy was dug with an immense adreneline rush. Can it get any more rare than this?  As far as I know there is one damaged example known, and two seperate reports of broken ones dug, one in Southern California, and one in the Valley.  Does anyone know what colors the other pieces were ?

Oregon & Washington Jamaica Gingers

Anybody know if there is any known Jamaica Ginger bottles out of Washington State or Oregon? I know there is some from Wyoming and Utah, Idaho maybe? Dr. Barnes

FOHBC RENO EXPO 2012

OK...spoke to Richard Siri and everything is progressing with the FOHBC RENO EXPO on 27 - 29 July 2012. Great bottles, dealers, friends, displays, seminars, banquet, events etc. THIS IS THE BIG ONE. Visit the FOHBC web site for table contracts, passes, banquet info, hotel info etc.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW and help Richard and Marty Hall out. Don't wait until the last minute. Let's make this the best National ever.

FOHBC Web Site: www.FOHBC.org

Show Information (Dealer contracts, hotel reservations, banquet reservations, seminars etc)

Western Bottle Show Circuit Heating Up

Here's a list of upcoming Western Bottle Shows -
Support your local show!
28 January 2012 (Sunday) Anderson, California Superior California Antique Bottle Club’s 36th Annual Show and Sale. (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) at the Shasta County Fair grounds, Anderson County. Info: Mel Hammer 530.241.4878 or Phil McDonald 530.243.6903

17 & 18 February 2012 (Friday & Saturday) Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas Antique Bottles & Collectibles Club 47th Annual Show and Sale at the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel, 2101 Texas Star Lane, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89032, Friday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Early buyers $15.00 for both days 7:00 am on Saturday for Early buyers. General Admission $5.00. Info: Mark O’Dell, M1t2odell@aol.com (Show Chairman), Tele: 702.395.7110 (home), 702.339.0392 (cell). Supported by Las Vegas Bottle Club, FOHBC Club

18 February 2012 (Saturday) Aurora, Oregon The Oregon Bottle Collectors Association 2012 Winter Antique Bottle & Collectible Show & Sale will be held at the American Legion Hall in Aurora, Oregon. Set-up & Early Birds begin Friday, February 17th. Dealer drop-off is at 12 noon. Set-up & Early Birds 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Dealer Set-up 8:00 am – 9:00 am on Saturday, February 18th. Regular public admission is 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Saturday February 18th. For more info and/or table reservations contact: Jim or Julie Dennis (541) 467-2760 or e-mail: jmdennis@hotmail.com

24 & 25 February 2012 (Friday & Saturday) Phoenix, Arizona The Phoenix Antiques Bottles & Collectibles Club, Joined by the AZ Antiques & Collectibles Club Antique Show, Friday 24 February 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Early Bird at 2:00 pm., Saturday, 25 February 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Info: bettchem@cox.net, phoenixantiquesclub.org

09 & 10 March 2012 (Friday & Saturday) Chico, California 46th Annual Antique Bottle, Jar, Insulator & Collectibles Show and Sale, Friday and Saturday, Silver Dollar Fairgrounds – Chico, Friday 10:00 am -7:00 pm ($5.00 admission), Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (free admission) Contact: Randy Taylor, PO Box 1065, Chico, California 95927, tele: 530.518.7369, email: rtjarguy@aol.com

23 & 24 March 2012 (Friday & Saturday) Morro Bay, California The San Luis Obispo Bottle Society’s 44th Annual Show and Sale Friday 1:00 pm to 6: 00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Morro Bay Veterans Hall, 209 Surf Street, Morro Bay, California. Free admission and no charge to early birds. Info: Richard Tartaglia 805.543.7484.

20 & 21 April 2012 (Friday & Saturday) Antioch, California 46th Annual Golden Gate Historical Bottle Society’s Antique, Bottle and Collectible Show, Contra Costa County Fairgrounds (Sunset Hall) in Antioch, California, 1201 West 10th Street, Antioch, California 94509, Friday, 20 April, Noon to 6:00 pm, Saturday, 21 April, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Early admission: Friday: Noon to 6:00 pm, Set up Friday – Noon to 6:00 pm, Cost of admission for show & early admission: $10.00 Friday – Free on Saturday, Golden Gate Historical Bottle Society (GGHBS), Contact: Gary or Darla Antone, President, and Show Chairperson, 752 Murdell Lane, Livermore, California 94550, Tele: 925.373.6758, E-mail:packrat49er@netscape.net, Club Name: Golden Gate Historical Bottle Society (GGHBS)

02 June 2012 (Saturday) San Diego, California San Diego 2012 Antique Bottle & Collectibles Show and Sale at the Al Bahr Shrine Temple, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, California 92111, Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Early admission, 8:00 am, Set up 7:30 am. Early Bird Admission: $10.00, General Admission: $2.00, San Diego Antique Bottle and Collectibles Club, www.sdbottleclub.org, Contact: Jim Walker, Tele: 858.490.9019, E-mail: jfw@internetter.com

In Search Of...........

Evening Amigo's, I am looking for these Western California Drug Store Bottles in as Big of Sizes I can get. I have Trading Stock and or $$$$$ (Drachma's) Help the Olde Mole out.
1. Walter R. Hall, Colusa
2. C.L. Hall, Los Angeles
3. E.H. Hall, Los Angeles
4. Hall Drug Store, Los Angeles
5. Lincoln Hall, Los Angeles
6. G.P. Hall, Los Angeles
7. B.F. Hall, Modesto
8. John T. Hall, Oakland
9. J.T. Hall & Co., Oakland
10. B.F. Hall, Pala Alto
11. A.P. Hall, Placerville
12. Walter R. Hall, San Francisco
13. J.G. Hall, San Leandro
14. B.F. Hall, San Mateo
Check Your Boxes Please and Thanks Dr. Barnes ( Rick )

M. Keller Label

Here is what remains of a California Wine Bitters label. This broken wine type bottle was dug a few years ago, and provides some insight on this great bitters. It is apparent that Keller bottled the California Wine Bitters in plain bottles either prior to, or subsequent to the embossed version.

Notice how the embossed bottle mirrors the label almost exactly...the "chevron" insignia is also depicted in the same place on the label as on the embossed bottle.

This is a "chicken or the egg" question as to which came first. Any thoughts?

Plan on attending the Anderson show..... Something good is always turning up at Anderson!

Early Day Sacramento Druggists

The 1850s were a booming decade in Sacramento City. The young town was exploding in population and the Sierra mines were going great guns. Health issues were also a big problem, with illness caused by tainted drinking water rampant. The lack of hygiene also contributed to the situation and the need for drugs to combat illnesses was high. Fortunately this was also a time when several druggists and apothecaries came to the city. Many were somewhat of short duration, but others stayed for many decades. Names we as collectors are familiar with include Boyce, Doherty, Gates, Gogings, Klink, McDonald, Spieker, and others whose embossed bottles are found throughout the region.

Some of the druggists did not fill their prescriptions in embossed bottles, instead relying on more generic forms of glass, metal and paper containers. These lesser known, but every bit as important to those in need of their services, purveyors of medicinal goods were prolific advertisers, with their names in bold type face on every corner. Competition must have been high at the time, and stores were located on both sides of J and K Sts for 3 blocks. Here are a few the druggists who did not use embossed bottles at the time. Both Dunbar & Co and John P. Sharkey arrived in Sacramento in 1853, but the firm Of Dunbar and Co lasted only a year, Sharkey managed to hang on for 6 years. Klink and Martfeld didn't appear until 1860, but C.F. Klink & Co remained a Sacramento apothecary for 25 years. Dr. Martfeld, Klink's partner was a licensed physician who wrote and signed the prescriptions that were dispensed from their company.

Another Sacramento Medicine



J.J. Spieker Druggist N.W. cor. 6th & K STS. Sacramento

 Here's a scarce Sacramento druggist bottle.
J.J. Spieker in a light lime green with an applied top. Sitting next to it is a Kelly's Rheumatic Syrup in a western aqua color.
(I believe the Kelly's is also a Sacramento bottle?) - rs

More Bowman

Henry Bowman first appeared in Sacramento in 1852 and by the following year was established as Bowman and Burgess, at two locations, Nos 68 and 264 J Street. The next year Burgess was gone and Bowman compounded drugs at 105 J Street. Bowman moved to 73 J Street in 1855, and then again to 3rd and J in 1858. In 1862 he moved his drug store to 262 J Street, where he worked for the next 10 years.

Adjacent are two receipts of prescriptions from consecutive days filled and signed by Alex B. Nixon, a physician employed by Bowman. Also an ad for some of Bowman's products, including his Liniment, one of the products that his embossed bottles held.

Let's Not Forget BOWMAN!

H. Bowman Druggist 262 J Street Sacramento

A Few More Gates

Justin Gates - Oil of Gladness

Large & small OIL OF GLADNESS

Here's one of my favotite Justin Gate's bottles, the OIL OF GLADNESS. The Oil of Gladness is one of just a handful of western medicines that is embossed on all four panels. The front panel is embossed Oil Of Gladness with Justin Gates, Sacramento and Dr. Lepper's embossed on the other three.

This bottle comes in two sizes the common (sort of) five inch tall variant and the extremely rare five and one half inch tall bottle. Both varaiants have the applied top and come in shades of "western" aqua.

I am lucky enough to have both variants of the Dr. Lepper's Oil of Gladness from Sacramento's JUSTIN GATES
Happy New Year to all of our bottle collecting community - rs

Justin Gates

SACRAMENTO

Early Sacramento Druggists

Sacramento's first newspaper, the Placer Times, was published weekly from 28 April 1849 until 13 April 1850, and then tri weekly until 7 June 1850 when it ceased publication. Several early day "Drs" and "Druggists" placed ads offering their goods and services in that paper. The following are excerpts from various editions of the Placer Times.

We are gratified to announce that Drs. L.P. and S.S.Crane, formerly of New York, have established themselves in this city. They are gentlemen well skilled in the healing art, and have a choice assortment of medicines
We commend them from personal experience, having been cured of "diabolic diarrhea" in a few hours through their agency. (July 20, 1949)

DRUGS AND MEDICINES...DRS. L.P.and S.S. Crane are now opening their general assortment of Drugs, Medicines and Chemicals at their store, next door of this office, which they intend offering to the public cheaper than they can be purchased elsewhere in California. They are constantly receiving supplies per shipment from New York, so that they will be able to supply all demands.
All Medicines warranted pure and genuine.
Medicines for the mines carefully packaged--drugs and medicines taken on commissions.
The Drs. Crane will attend to any professional calls they may be favored with. Charges in all cases reasonable. (July 20, 1949)

DR CARPENTER, Sacramento City, corner of 2nd & K Streets, will be pleased to attend to all professional calls. A good stock of Medicine will be kept constantly on hand. (June 30, 1849)

NEW GOODS... The subscriber are now receiving and offering for sale upon the most reasonable terms on board this bark Whiton, and at their store, corner 3rd & J, the entire cargo of the Schooner Angelina.......Sickel's Bitters, Swaines Panacea, Bailey's Tonic Mixture for fever and ague.
R. GELSTON AND CO. (July 20, 1849)

TO DRUGGISTS AND OTHERS...The subscribers have just received on board Bark Whiton and at their store, corner 3rd & J Streets, a fresh importation of Drugs and Medicines, together with scales and weights, making a complete assortment for a Drug Store, which they will sell by the entire lot at a great bargain.
R. GELSTON AND CO. (August 11, 1849)

DRUGS AND MEDICINES...DRS L.P. & S.S. CRANE have constantly on hand at their store, next door to this printing office, a choice assortment of Drugs, Medicines and Chemicals, which they offer for sale at reasonable prices.
Professional calls promptly and faithfully attended to. (August 11, 1849)

JONES, PRETTYMAN, BARROL & CO (Dr W.G. Deal), commission, real estate and drugs.
(October 26, 1849)

DR. W.G DEAL...Office at D.W. Jones drug Store. K Street between 2nd and 3rd, nearly opposite the American Hotel. (December 29, 1849)

DR. MORRILL'S DRUG STORE, between 2nd & 3rd. (December 29, 1849)

It is likely safe to assume that these "Drs." and "Druggists" were of doubtful origin, and whose businesses were often very short lived. A small remuneration to the publisher of the Placer Times would ensure that their names were well represented in that earliest of printed media.

J. Gates cards and receipts

Here are few Justin Gates items from the 1850s and 60s. I even threw a Boyce one in for good measure. We all know J.R. Boyce for his embossed med, the Rowler's Rheumatism Medicine.

Justin Gates Ad-1855

This ad appeared in the 1855 Sacramento City Directory. Justin Gates, along with brothers D.V and James, was the proprietor of the Miner's Drug Store at 72 K and 218 J Sts in Sacramento. Justin remained in Sacramento and eventually changed the name of his drug store to "The Golden Mortar". In 1861 James went to San Francisco and clerked for Richard Hall of Hall and Langley. By 1866 James was in partnership with Hart Shepardson doing business as Shepardson and Gates at the corner of Sansome and Commercial. In 1869 he again went to work with his brother, Justin, at a branch store at 219 Montgomery St. Justin remained in Sacramento, commuting to SF when necessary, but left that office to James alone by 1874. Back in the Capital Justin operated his Golden Mortar at the corner of 6th and J Sts until 1879. By 1880 his business was sold to Charles Bell and Fred Kolliker and he left Sacramento for good, returning to SF where he opened another wholesale and retail drug store and Russian and Turkish Baths at 722 Montgomery St. He ran this business until his death in 1888. For a few years after the address of 722 Montgomery was listed as the Estate of Justin Gates.