Probably most of you know that my main collecting interest lies in the containers that the A.P. Hotaling Co of San Francisco, California, used to bottle their various liquors. These three fifths represent to bottles that were used in Hotaling's Portland, Oregon, Agency. His Portland Agency was opened in 1873 and shortly after that he had the first bottle blown to represent his operations in the area. The is the bottle on the left, commonly known as the "Open Face" Portland fifth. Next is the "Heavy Rick Rack", as it is referred to by Western collectors. The design of the bottle, with a large heavily embossed crown complete with crossed sabers, is surrounded by a saw tooth pattern, hence the name. It also is the only Western fifth to have the narrow, almost pinched looking, applied top. On the far right sits the last bottle in the series. It is called the "Light Rick Rack", due to the lightly embossed crown and slightly different saw tooth pattern around the embossing. All three bottles are embossed "The A.P. Hotaling Cos" on the rear shoulder, indicating Hotaling's presence in more than one location.
It is believed by many, including myself, that the two bottles to the left were primarily distributed in the Western Oregon area. The "Open Face" was the first bottle used to contain Hotaling's whiskey, followed a few years later by the "Heavy Rick rack". One author has stated that the third bottle was used at a slightly later date, probably the years 1884-1890. However, I do not believe that to be the case and here's the reason why. By the mid 1870s Hotaling had expanded to Seattle and Spokane Falls(Spokane today), Washington Territory. Examples of the "Light Rick Rack" fifth have been dug in eastern Washington, with one having been found in building that was being demolished in western Idaho. The label on that bottle was for APH Old Bourbon, a whiskey that was heavily promoted in the area of the Pacific North West by Hotaling. The label also was printed with "The A.P. Hotaling Co, Spokane Falls". It is my contention that this bottle was contemporary with the other "Rick Rack" and was a signature bottle for the easterly agency of the Hotaling Cos. Until this is proven beyond a doubt, if indeed it ever is, the mystery of when and where these bottles were used will remain and the published dates accepted by the collectors who pursue them.
All three of these bottles are quite rare, with only a handful known to exist.
It is believed by many, including myself, that the two bottles to the left were primarily distributed in the Western Oregon area. The "Open Face" was the first bottle used to contain Hotaling's whiskey, followed a few years later by the "Heavy Rick rack". One author has stated that the third bottle was used at a slightly later date, probably the years 1884-1890. However, I do not believe that to be the case and here's the reason why. By the mid 1870s Hotaling had expanded to Seattle and Spokane Falls(Spokane today), Washington Territory. Examples of the "Light Rick Rack" fifth have been dug in eastern Washington, with one having been found in building that was being demolished in western Idaho. The label on that bottle was for APH Old Bourbon, a whiskey that was heavily promoted in the area of the Pacific North West by Hotaling. The label also was printed with "The A.P. Hotaling Co, Spokane Falls". It is my contention that this bottle was contemporary with the other "Rick Rack" and was a signature bottle for the easterly agency of the Hotaling Cos. Until this is proven beyond a doubt, if indeed it ever is, the mystery of when and where these bottles were used will remain and the published dates accepted by the collectors who pursue them.
All three of these bottles are quite rare, with only a handful known to exist.
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