my Clarke's Bitters

[ethanxxx]

Clarke's bottles, with dags of Dr Clarke himself (1862) and his first born son. In 1863 the prices were as follows. 50 cents for the Trial Bottle, 75 cents for one quart, $1.50 for 2 quarts and $2.50 for the World's Size, holding one gallon. That seems like a huge amount of money. I wonder if these bitters were reserved for the wealthy?

 

[buzzkutt033]

try again with a different photo..............

 

[ethanxxx]

Don't know why it's not working

 

[GuntherHess]

That seems like a huge amount of money

That's pretty typical pricing. Medicines back then were overly expensive and the drug companies made huge profits on people's suffering. (hmm have things changed any?)

 

[surfaceone]

Hello Ethan,

Welcome to these parts. Man, those two guys on the right are Whittle City! Great to have the daguerreotypes. Please do tell, how you came upon those. I really appreciate the photographic connection. Thanks for sharing these. Were there other sizes? Didn't Doc Clarke make some other tasty beverages?

You probably saw the enthusiastically described large-economy sized one that recently went off at Jeff and Holly's place.

 

[glass man]

LOVE THOSE BIG OLE CLARKS! THEY ALWAYS SEEM EXTREAMELY WHITTLED! THANKS FOR SHOWING!! JAMIE

 

[ethanxxx]

Comparison photo. Does anyone know , if dags reverse the image? Or was the image reversed for the bottle label itself?

 

[cyberdigger]

The image was carved/cast in reverse for printing..

 

[GuntherHess]

THere was sort of a "space race" for the biggest medicines around that time.
http://www.antiquemedicines.com/Masury/Masury.htm
THere were some quite enourmous bottles made. It doesnt seem like too many people took advantage of the super family economy size judging from how rare they are.

 

[JOETHECROW]

Digging one of those monstrosities whole would be quite a feat. By the way,...nice bottles and display eathanxxx, appreciate yoou posting them, I'd love to find one of those, or perhaps a Masury's in the wholesale club size...[]