Monday, May 28, 2012

R.T. Carroll

Here is my favorite example of any western "slug plate" whiskey. According to Thomas, John Carroll started his wholesale liquor endeavor in 1859 at No. 50 First Street in San Francisco. In 1860 he brought his son Richard T. into the business as his bookkeeper and in 1869 Richard was a full partner in the company. In 1870 Richard Carroll formed a partnership with Richard Brainerd & Co. and in 1874 Richard bought Brainerd's interest in the company, and the firm became R.T. Carroll & Co.
 The R.T. Carrol fifth is one of the earliest "slug plate" style whiskeys, if not the earliest. As to it's scarcity, it is one of the most difficult to obtain, and one of the few with that sacred embossing "sole agents". The 2002 Thomas book indicated there were 2 examples known to collectors, however I believe there are seven specimens known today. I believe it dates to the mid to later 1870s.
 This particular example is untypically crude for a slug plate with heavy whittle effect, swirls , and shades from yellow, to a deep golden amber. I have handled three R.T.Carroll fifths to date, and one was quite plain, and I have heard of at least one other example ( ex-Eastley, Terry, now Kille) which is also crude. I would be interested to know where the known examples were found, and I believe this one was dug in Hollister, Ca. several years ago.

5 comments:

  1. Several years ago in the 70s two of these were found inside the wall of a house in Mendocino. There was also a Kane O’ Leary and three wines found standing straight up on a sill plate. When found they were dirty and washed by the carpenter whom found them. They were said to of all had labels but were washed off. One was in the Angelo collection the other remained on the Coast for a while. Both were medium amber, crude and whittled with real nice tops. I dug a couple of privies for the house, one had a Pepper Distilled the older pit had almost 100 blacks and about 50 clay beers.

    I also purchased one that was found under a board sidewalk in Eureka by a construction worker in the 70s, it latter went to Freddie. That one was yellow, whittled and had a very nice top with an unusual square mouth opening. I know of maybe two others, the population is likely less than six, a great bottle.....

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  2. I can account for 7 of the Carrolls. As for places where the whole examples were found, my surveys came up with in addition to the Eureka example G.P. mention: San Luis Obispo, Mendocino, Hollister, and Milpitas.
    Pcs have been found in Gold Hill, Santa Rosa, and S.F South of Market.

    AP

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  3. didn't Ken 'Saladbar' locate an example in Frisco ?

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  4. I'm not aware of Ken digging one and can say that I haven't seen so much as a piece around this area.

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  5. I owned the example in the photo for most of the 1980's. It was dug in Hollister in the 1970's. I bought it for $600. from a local collector who had purchased it from the digger.
    AP

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