Ginger ale ID

[bottlecrazy]

Hi everyone. It’s been a while, and I’m not really sure why. Anyway - found this at an antique store for a not bad price. Condition is pristine. Anyone know anything about it? P. Fitzsimon, 293 Front Street New York.

 

[Ginger Ale collector]

Hello bottlecrazy, Ginger Ale Collector here, otherwise known as Ken. You have found what I think is a quite rare ginger ale bottle! While I haven't gone and searched the business records for 1885 in New York, I can add a twist to the Fitzsimons story. First, in all of my years collecting ginger ales I have never heard of, or seen your bottle. However, I have an identical bottle with two exceptions: 1) Mine is "J." Fitzsimons, not "P.", and 2) Mine does not have the 1885 date.

Now, to add more to the story, I have a "ginger ale" shape bottle (see clip from North American Sodas & Beers site) that is embossed J. Fitzsimons 51 Willet St New York. (The bottle is buried in a box somewhere in the garage, so no pic of that one.)

Your specific bottle is not listed on North American Sodas & Beers (nor are either of my Fitzsimons', only because I haven't got around to sending the information to the website owner, my friend Tod von Mechow). However, completely different shaped P. Fitzsimons' bottles are listed:

1) At 302 Front Street 1876
http://www.sodasandbeers.com/SABShowBottle.aspx?Bottle=58624AB&Firm_Number=58624
and
2) At 293 Front Street 1880
http://www.sodasandbeers.com/SABShowBottle.aspx?Bottle=58624AA&Firm_Number=58624

So, were P and J Fitzsimons related? More research needed by someone who wants to dig through 19th century NY business directories and obituaries. Thanks for posting.

Ken

PS: I would not let "P." go for less than $50.

 

[bottlecrazy]

Hey Ken. I was hoping someone with your expertise would come along, but was beginning to despair! Thanks for the great info. Yes, our 8-sided Fitzsimons bottles are identical except for the 1885 and the P. instead of the J. I'm glad to hear mine might be uncommon, if not rare - or even better, unique!

By curiosity, were you at the 1994 Baltimore bottle show? I sold a ginger ale there to a collector for a song that I dug back in the '70s with my dad and have kind of regretted ever since. Feel free to PM me about that and/or working something out with this bottle.

Andy

 

[Ginger Ale collector]

Hi Andy- I probably was at the 1994 Balto show. I set up there as a dealer for over 25 years starting in 1989. Will send PM to see if I have such a bottle!

Ken