Dug several unusual "Firsts" in 1880-toc privy

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Took advantage of unusually warmer weather and opened up a privy in my own neighborhood I probed back in December. Turned out to be pretty decent for the first hole of the year. House was built in 1882 and didn't expect anything real old, so I was surprised by some of the older things that came out of it. They were all non-bottle artifacts and all pretty cool, in my opinion. Here are 3 pics to start of the hole at the start of day 3, and scattered bottles from the 3rd and last day of digging.

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Here are some pics of the better finds from day 1, 2, and 3.....day one best find was the nyuck nyuck bottle, the soda syphon like the 3 stooges used to spray each other with. Never dug one before. Has etched CCB Co. and am still researching it to see if it's a local one. Found several best bottles day 2, the deep amethyst barber? bottle and some nice 16 oz. local pharmacy bottles. Makes up for a ton of slicks we all just LOVE to find....NOT! Day 3 the little Munyon's Germacide Solution popped up with some color. Very nice. Also the amber and green flower enameled atomizers were an unexpected find.

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Also a pic of the last day's finds at the bottom from 10 foot deep. The crock was flawless and the pictures were a shock. Found the larger picture on day 2, and appear civil war period by the clothing. Pic 2 is the entire horde and #3 is the pretty Munyon's.

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Next 3 pics of what I believe to be a barber bottle as I found several more generic hair tonic bottles in the hole. This one has a refired pontil, ground throat for a fancy stopper and a nice floral enameling along with some gold detailing in perfect condition.

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Next are pics of one of two bottles I believe were perfume atomizers. At first I thought they were busted on the necks as they were crooked and sheared looking, but after a closer look they are clearly ground down and also ground on the inside. This amber one is also in crackle glass, a first for me. Both have nice enameled flowers. No pontils on either but both came from the lower or 1880's layer near the bottom.

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Pics of the second atomizer.....

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

There were other nice bottles I didn't have, a Primley's Speedy Cure For Coughs & Colds, several Ross's Belfast round bottom sodas and a "The Hero" fruit jar from Cunningham & Ihmsen, sadly with a 3" crack. Strangely enough there were a number of dishes and cups unbroken along with some vases and a very unusual pottery jar that is one of my favorites from the pit. It has a greenish glaze and originally the lid was found first. Looking every bit like a fruit jar lid, I tried to clean it up, with little success. The very top seemed glassy while the rest seemed like very rusted zinc, but not. It was odd enough to put in the pile for later. Good thing, as it was actually much later after digging the jar and cleaning everything up inside the house before I made the connection and tried the fit. It is a perfect and obvious (after the fact) match! Made of clay and glazed only on the top to match the jar! If anyone recognizes the maker it would be great. There are no discernable markings on the base or anywhere else that I have found.

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Along with the plate ware were some nice trinket bowls and this pretty bud vase, missing a hard to see leaf. (guess it would be hard to see if missing!) Also this trinket tray came out on day 2 and the lid on day 3!

 

[cannibalfromhannibal]

Next is a pic of a porcelain statue of a young boy fishing, minus his head. Has a fishy in one hand and a bamboo looking pole in the other with a huge fish hook on his shirt. A perfect find for the home of Huck Fin! Also found in rough shape this copper powder flask with a fancy design, missing the top cap.

 

[Robby Raccoon]

The pictures intrigue me the most.