Fresh out of the Ground

 Here is a fresh find still acclimating to a warm home and ready for a bit of muriatic. Amazing how these bourbons traveled around the west only to be dug up in a shallow pit somewhere. I always like to think about their journey, and finally being discarded without so much as a scratch. I hope everyone is digging up the "good stuff" this Fall.

 Merry Christmas!

A Horse, A Jockey, A Castle, and the Big Antlers....

I'm bringing some of my best fifths to the table this year: a Gold Dust, Jockey Club, J. Moore, and an Old Castle.  I won't be there on Friday with my dad and brother, but will join in on the fun on Saturday. Travel safe and I look forward to seeing you all at the show! P.S. This is for no other reason than a plug and I am not ashamed enough to not post it ;)

P.M.S.S.

 Wow, what a name! Pacific Mail and Steam Ship Co. It would be hard to find another brand which embodies the Old West more than the P.M.S.S. whiskey. Being an A.P. Hotaling bottle does not hurt either!

 It seems like the "German" red whittled western whiskey's have decreased a bit in popularity the past few years. I believe that the theory that several of the late 1880s and early 1890s whiskey bottles were likely not blown in the West has caused some collectors to back away from them. This is disappointing, as these whittled, red gems are for the most part all rare to extremely rare. For overall beauty, they are hard to match, and even an 1889+ blown bottle is now 124 years old. The bottles like the N.Ahrens, P.M.S.S., Wm. Cline, Hilbert Bros.Commin's,Spears and Chevalier Whiskey Merchant's are as pretty today as they were before the "German Connection" was discovered. I personally love the earlier glass as well, but these red whittled beauties are important pieces of western history. They look gorgeous mixed in with the greens, olives, and yellows which are so desirable in western whiskey bottles. I believe there are about 15 of the P.M.S.S. fifths in collections which would qualify them as rare. DM

Cutter "Mid-Crown"

I thought I would share a few photos of an E.Martin Cutter "Mid-Crown". I know these are not super tough to get, and I have handled many over the years. This example, however takes overall quality, and crudity to a high level. As some of you may know, I have really focused on the "slippery slope" of western bitters, and this has required me to gradually liquidate my whiskey collection to provide the necessary funding to build a quality bitters collection. Of the finest examples of which I moved along, many of which were unbelievably crude and whittled, this lowly Cutter ranks up there with the best of them. Super whittled inside and out, a huge top, and light golden yellow color...slag in the glass, strong embossing and beautiful condition, have made this one a "keeper" for me. I have owned them in green, multi-color shades of amber, bright lemon yellow, and this example outshines them all. I know there are some amazing examples out there, so let's see them! The Mid-Crown would be a good candidate for a display in Reno, or other western show due to the many colors they are found. DM

Western Fifth's on ebay

Here's a beautiful Cutter Bird being offered on ebay by Leisalu

 

 

And a killer Pepper Distillery fifth from diggin8s

I sure was getting tired of looking at last month's Oregon weather forecast
Fantastic pictures!!!

J.F. Cutter on ebay

Here's an "interesting" item for sale on ebay. A turning purple quart size whiskey shaped bottle with several scratches, a scuff or two and a perfect paper label.
Take a look at this beauty:   http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-ANTIQUE-WESTERN-J-F-CUTTER-WHISKEY-BOTTLE-SANCHEZ-BROS-HORNITOS-CALIFORNIA-/150907827270?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2322ceb446 and you be the judge.

Howdy....The Downieville Bottle Group welcomes you to its annual Show and Sale

 

Step Right Up……to the 2012 Downieville Antique Bottles & Collectibles Show and Sale!

A bottle collector’s paradise!  Coming to Downieville on Saturday, September 8 is the annual antique bottles and collectibles show at the Downieville School Gym!  Early Lookers are welcome at 8:00am-10:00am for a $10 fee donation.  The show is free to the public from 10am-3pm. 

This show has gained much popularity over the years as one of the west coast’s favorite shows!  Known for its small town hospitality and friendliness, the Downieville Antique Bottle Show has attracted buyers and sellers from Utah, Texas, Oregon, Nevada and Washington states.  Many desirable bottles have changed hands at the Downieville Show and lots of great treasures have gone home to happy buyers.  

In addition to antique bottles, shoppers will find a great selection of trade cards, advertising tins and signs, ephemera, and so much more.  There is something for almost every kind of collector!  And don’t forget to buy your raffle ticket for some great prizes! 

This year’s show will feature displays of “The Silver Seventies”.  Bottles and related items from the 1870’s; whiskies, sodas, medicines and drug stores will be on display.  This was an important time in history, resulting in the discovery of silver as prospectors rushed to the Nevada area, scrambling to stake their claims.

Downieville is located on historic Highway 49 in the northern gold country.  If it’s your first time attending the Downieville Show, expect to slow down and step back into time in this quaint little gold rush community.  You can park and walk to the bottle show, museums, shops, restaurants, saloon and wine bar.  For dealer or show information, please call Rick & Cherry Simi (530) 289-3659 or email: ricksimi@att.net.  We hope to see you here in Downieville!