It seems like few collectors are in the mood to post anything lately, but myself. Not sure why, maybe folks are "going underground" for some reason. I for one like to keep things fresh, and since I am certainly no scholar on the colorful history on most whiskey bottles, I can at least contribute by posting some colorful bottles! The recent "bargain" in the latest American Bottle Auctions with the sale of an undamaged "Two Name Bear" has me a bit puzzled. Perhaps the bottle lacked any degree of character, however there have been no examples sell in the last decade at auction without some "issue" or having been heavily cleaned. This top 25 fifth just never got a push or heavy competition in this case, and for a near mint specimen, it was a great buy in my humble opinion. Maybe someone who handled it could shed some light on the overall quality of that particular example. I know the strike was not super crisp, so perhaps that was the reason. My understanding is that there are about 14 examples in collections. Here is a strongly embossed "F & B" with a bear with clearly defined and perfectly combed hair. Ok...I will quit posting for awhile, and let someone else give it a shot.
