Here is an example of the Dr. Wonser's U.S.A. Indian Root Bitters in aqua. I have always wondered why this bottle exists...is it indeed the first version of this bitters? I have compared the embossing to the "later" amber version and they are identical in every way. The base on the aqua specimens is also identical with the exception of the more pronounced dome or kick up which does not occur on the amber version.
Was the aqua earlier, and why such a short run? Why the switch to the amber version using the same mold, yet changing the color, base and top style? It has been theorized that aqua glass showed the unsightly contents, yet literally hundreds of bitters brands came in aqua bottles. There is even another mold which I believe is later still , as it has a "whiskey" type stepped base. These are extremely rare. I have not compared the embossing on this type.
I believe there are about 20 examples of the aqua Wonser's known both in collections, and likely in Government warehouses...it is interesting that a cache found in the 1990s doubled the number of known specimens. Similar to the Wormser Bros. barrels where a group of the bottles were found in one location. Also, for some reason, the examples located in Nevada over the years seem to be a deeper blue aqua and are more rich in color than the examples dug elsewhere.
The Wonser's Bitters continue to rise in popularity with collectors every year. it is not hard to see why...they are truly beautiful and have a great name, as well as the early age and variety of colors that appeal to Western as well as Eastern collectors of bitters bottles.
Is it my aging eyes, or is the "S" in USA reworked on the aqua examples? I also don't believe that the aquas are older than the ambers. Sorry, but no personal evidence can refute others conjectures, which is what they are. How was it determined that the aqua Wonser's are the first variant?
ReplyDeleteAwesome Bottle, I have always liked the Aqua shades on this bottle, the Lacours and the Peruvians, I don't know why, but I likes em. DBarnes
ReplyDeleteNot sure about your eyes Mike, but the "S" in U.S.A. is very pronounced on all Wonser's that I have handled. Even examples with super strong embossing have this more strongly embossed "S". This seems to apply to all versions...aqua and amber. Dale
ReplyDeleteIt would be my opinion that aqua came first. The base of the mold was re-worked on some of the amber versions looking more like a late 70s whiskey cylinder, this is not seen on the aquas.
ReplyDeleteSine the later square variant Wonsers are also aqua, would it not make sense that the aqua cylinder is the last one ??
ReplyDeleteI do not think so Andrew. The characteristics of the tops are key to me. The bulbous, and crude double collar, and the deeply domed base seem to be more consistent to an earlier bottle. Obviously this is pure conjecture, but the "whiskey" base amber is definitely later in my view, and more closely resembles the more common amber version. The square does not even have "Indian Root" embossed, and is typically plain, and a washed out aqua. I believe it is later than any of the cylinder versions. Again, just my opinion. Dale
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bottles! One-one mentioned lip finish. I find it odd that only the aqua has the double-collar lip...anyone ever seen an aqua example with the whiskey-style tapered collar?
ReplyDeleteBoth the USA and the square come in blue aqua and green aqua
ReplyDeleteHow about tracking down the Nevada diggers to see what whiskies or varaints of whiskies have been dug next to each Wonsers variant ? Didn't the hole with the green Wonsers a few years ago produce two fat boy JFs ? Also, the bottles in the photo of the aqua Wonsers appear to be post 1875, right ??
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