Cabin bitters

[Skycollect]

Hello,

What would be considered harder to find (just in straight Amber)

Holtzermans cabin (older version) or Kelly's?

Just curious

 

[CreekWalker]

From just a quick glance at at Polak's guide and past auctions, the Holtzermans is more scarce than Kellys, and up to $800 more. This is the latest Kellys that sold.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Amber-Glass-Kellys-Old-Log-Cabin-Bitters-Bottle-Patented-1863-embossed-/291555078376?hash=item43e20970e8:g:5HEAAOSwgQ9V55Wm

 

[botlguy]

Definitely the HOLTZERMAN is tougher. I owned 3 KELLY'S over the years, never an older version HOLTZERMAN'S.

 

[andy volkerts]

For sure the Holtzerman's two roof cabin bitters is the rarer bottle, I paid 2100 for my mint one about 5 years ago, but I have seen some kelley's go for over 3 grand, for some reason they seem to be more popular. MY Holtzermans is quite crude and I love its look and you really cant beat the two roof look.....Andy

 

[botlguy]

I think color / shade variation has an influence on the KELLY'S whereas the HOLTZERMAN'S are all pretty much the same color /shade, if memory serves me.

 

[nhpharm]

Dug a broken Kelly's log cabin bitters in a trash pit here in Texas last week. Talk about a heartbreaker! Never dug a piece of a 2-roof Holtzerman's.

 

[Bass Assassin]

Which was the original cabin bitter's? Anyone know offhand?

 

[andy volkerts]

I think color / shade variation has an influence on the KELLY'S whereas the HOLTZERMAN'S are all pretty much the same color /shade, if memory serves me.

Pretty much on the correct, I think my Holtzermans went so high is it is a pretty light amber for the species. and I would guess that St Drakes would be one of the earliest brand of cabins, but I am sure someone will chime in here with an answer.....Andy

 

[botlguy]

I believe the so called cabin shape came into use all about the same time, early to mid 1860s. There are none I know about that are pontiled, even improved / iron pontil. There are a few that look similar to the DRAKE'S that I believe are earlier than the DRAKE'S but because of DRAKE'S popularity they may be knock offs. The 2 roof design is from the same general era. If one looks through Ring - Ham Bitters book they will discover cabin shapes they never knew existed. As a BITTERS specialist for years I continually discover ones I didn't know about. Jim

 

[Skycollect]

Thank you (all) for the good information!