Avatar origins

[sandchip]

Well, since you asked, lol, here's where my avatar came from, the flap of an old envelope. From what I can find, the stamp was introduced in 1851 and used until 1869. Wish it had the year on the postmark, but I'm leaning toward around 1855. Addressed to "W.E. Smith, Atty. at Law, Albany, Geo." and returned to sender. Also, pictured is a page from the 1869 Macon City Directory, the ad of Henry N. Ells who took over his father's business. He later drowned in the Ogmulgee River while duck hunting.



Here's the bottle, of course. I can't help but wonder if there are embossed examples of his wines and brandies out there. Always dreaming...

 

[slugplate]

The bottle is amazing! An iron pontil, cobalt, embossed squat... I have no more words to do it justice.

 

[sandchip]

Thanks, brother. It was found under a house in Troy, Alabama back in the early 70s. I chased it from the time I first saw it as a teenager when I didn't have two nickles, for about 25 years until I finally got a hold of it.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

Glorious pair.