Here are a couple of Choice Old Cabinet Ky. Bourbon(t-31) fifths from my collection. We haven't done a post on the Cabinet bottles so I thought I would put the trademark information out here for you to read.
There is a fairly extensive write up on the history of the Crane, Hastings & Co. in WHISKEY BOTTLES OF THE OLD WEST - John Thomas. You should try to get a copy of that book if you are serious about glob fifths and flasks.
Rather than copying that information verbatim, let's just say the Crane, Hastings Co. had it's beginnings in San Francisco as early as the early 1860's. Byron G. Crane and Everett Hastings moved from being silent partners in the original firm, to headliners, sometime in 1874. Their partnership continued through the mid 1880's. (Note the Calif. Trademark date of March, 1885)
Their "Claim of Trademark" states that Crane, Hastings & Co. has been using their particular trademark for "twelve years".
If that statement is accurate, that would mean a start date of 1873 for the Choice Old Cabinet trade mark. Embossed bottles as early as 1873? I would highly doubt that, but I would venture a guess that the embossed bottles began sometime in the late 1870's, and continued through early to mid 1880's.
These fifths are found with both glob tops and tool tops. The tools are usually very strongly embossed, made more noticeable because the globs are often somewhat weakly embossed. If you are looking to add a glob Choice Old Cabinet to your collection try to find one with strong embossing and character.
Not a particularly rare fifth, seems like American Bottle Auctions has had one in each of their past 3 or 4 auctions, but a popular fifth with collectors. These bottles are often found in lighter shades of amber, and sometimes have quite a large applied top.
Most all of these Cabinets have been found in Western Nevada, California, Oregon, and quite a few in Washington. A better than average, yellowish amber one sold on ebay several weeks ago. I believe was dug in Washington.
