So I was checking online for more additions to my Clarke's Bitters collection, and I came across an ad for a labeled Clarke's bottle in Manchester, NH. I wasn't getting too excited though, because I didn't think it would be in my price range (the last one of these sold for over $600, if I'm not mistaken- can anyone look up past auctions?) and also, the ad was almost a month old! So I called to inquire about it, and if it was still available.. after about a minute, the woman at the consignment shop came back on the line and said, yes, it's still here. I said.. ok.. what are they asking for it.. she says they want $78, but if you pay cash, it would be only $70. I said, can you please hold it for me? I'll pick it up in an hour. Of course I didn't even ask about condition - I was too excited to get up there fast! So, wasn't I suprised that not only was it in amazing condition (no chips or scratches), but it was also pontiled! And, it was the earliest version of the bottle with the embossed 25cents. I asked if the woman had any other bottles for sale, and she said they had already sold 3 other pontiled bottles and one was with a label. She didn't know what kind of bottles they were though, but they weren't Clarke's. The consigner selling them was cleaning out her grandmothers estate. She also said the other bottles were sold in a lot for $50! I wish I had seen that ad sooner! Oh well.. I'm glad no one knew what they were missing by passing up this Clarke's! The funny thing is, I probably would have shelled out $300 for this one. Here is the bottle, and a pic of it's new home in my Clarke collection.
]
