"Need Some Diggers Inspiration"?

I have dug 31 holes since January 1st. At an average of 6 feet each, that is a total of 186 feet! That does not count the many yards of material moved at a large 1860s-1870s dump a few months ago. This time of year, I start to get a tad burnt out, and I tend to projects around the house that I have been putting off all Winter. After all those holes, there have been some nice bottles, and other items, but nothing "heavy" this year. I figure there is about 6 weeks left before the ground starts to get rock hard in my stomping grounds. I dig all over the West, and when I get the "call", I am on the road chasing that next early bottle for the shelf!

There are a few permissions that need to be dug, and hopefully I can dig a dozen more pits in the next few weeks. One must just keep at it, and never give up.

Here are two of my favorite flasks. They were both dug by tenacious (and fortunate) diggers. I wonder if they knew that the next hole would produce these beauties? This is what keeps me going...knocking on that door, getting rejected or not, moving wood piles, or junk cars, breaking concrete, and breathing Honta Virus laden dust...all for the chance of seeing something like this just laying there...wow, there is nothing like it!

773 Market St. S.F.

For those of you who follow the tool top site; you'll recall that we were lamenting the loss of access to Sanborn Fire Ins. maps. Thanks to a little reader participation and a couple of emails, we've regained very limited access to a few maps. Nothing like what we had, but S.F. ca. 1900 is better than nothing. That being said; in reference to ME's request for help regarding his token, please note the following;

This is what the block looked like  around the time of the Great Earthquake and Fire of April 18, 1906. Although refered to as the Call building (because his newspaper was headquartered within), the "skyscraper" was  formally named the Claus Spreckles Building.

The following Sanborn maps shows the relationship of the "token business" to the surrounding occupancies.

Last, but not least, is a view of the block shortly after 2PM on April 18th,1906. One resident named Charles Kendrick stated "…walking up Market Street. The sight I looked upon was appalling! Everywhere my eyes could reach were collapsed buildings, and the whole street was piled high with fallen bricks and masonry. And the South of Market area was ablaze on a wide front. …I saw little of the living — a soldier on horseback and two or three men scurrying in and out of still-standing buildings. But I saw more of the dead — half a dozen or more men who had been killed, evidently by collapsing walls, lying where they had been struck; and as there was no one to remove the bodies, they were undoubtedly cremated in the advancing flames."  No more billiards, at least for a while~

San Francisco Token Dug. Any info?

Here is a larger 1 1/2" diameter coin I recently dug. It is basically trashed condition wise, but the closer I looked at it, the more interesting it became. I cannot find any information on this club, but perhaps someone in whiskeyland could? The front is embossed "Ben G. Winter" (cougar head or bear?) San Francisco, Cal." Reverse ; "Metropole Club Rooms 773 Market St. adjoining Billiard Parlor" Most tokens I see have a monetary value of some kind embossed, but this does not. Any information that could be provided would be appreciated. The condition has something to be desired, and most of you may have chucked it, but it is cool to me.

Thanks! M.E.

Da' Judge returns

Why change a good thing? Here's a couple of photos of a rare box; same "old judge" but with a different sponsor; S.B. Rothenburg & Co.; ca. 1899 - 1915.

Looks like the Judge went on a little diet though. Maybe a New Years resolution to ring in the 20th century.

Thanks Gary, for sharing your new treasure!

Some Fun Memories in Picture....

Since the Summer is almost here, I figured I'd try and recapture just a few things that remind me of the past year.

Just for Fun....

Part of the current Cutter core:

Here's to the Glob Top!

Gents,

I've been too busy lately to blog, talk, and dig much....But I knew in advance, that working on my MBA would slow down the quest of finding great old whiskies in my free time. In any event, the few digs I have been on lately have produced nothing more than poop-seeds in the bottom layer, literally!?!? I'm going to try and get out digging this weekend.....And I'm already looking forward to two upcoming shows (San Diego and Reno) where some good whiskies tend to make an appearance. In the meanwhile, here's an inspirational photo for our blog:



Any guesses what embossed fifth this is? I know they have been found from SoCal all the way up into WA, not for sure about NV, but would certainly guess they've shown up there too! Not the rarest of old bourbons, but it ain't as common as a Cutter....if you're even luckier, you may one day dig it's rarer, little brother!