Rare Bitters dug" Labor Day"

[Ye Olde Prospector]

My digging buddy Paul dug this one Monday here in Maine. He asked me to post a picture and see what I could find out about it. It is 9 !/2 in tall,smooth base. I would call it emerald green. It has 12 indented panels and is embossed DR. BIRMINGHAM'S/ANTIBILLIOUS/BLOOD PURIFYING/BITTERS on the front one back panel embossed THIS BOTTLE NOT SOLD. Anyone have any info?value on this one. I think it is a rare one but is a great find in any case. Love the color. No cracks,chips or damage and the stopper is still inside. Paul will be at the Lowell bottle show.

Cliff

 

[Ye Olde Prospector]

Here's the picture,for some reason it didn't load the first time.

 

[Ye Olde Prospector]

One more try.

 

[Jim]

Thanks for sharing, Cliff. That is one sweet bitters! Not listed in any of the books that I have, I would say that it almost has to be rare. And, not to mention, absolutely beautiful! My congratulations go out to Paul. That is one that he will remember for sure! ~Jim

 

[capsoda]

Hey Cliff, Thats a great bitters. Don't have it listed in any of my referances either. Tell Paul I said he had a great find there.[]

 

[cowseatmaize]

Wow, you got an excetional in ring. B101. Says "one dug in Massachusetts" A different lip.

I guess a few have shown up since then. Here's 2 but no realized prices.

http://www.hecklerauction.com/Auction79/olcatalog/db_paging.asp?page=8&order=
#87
http://www.bottleauction.com/auction_end_oct04.pdf#search=%22BIRMINGHAM'S%20BITTERS%20%22
Lot 58

 

[earlyglass]

Cliff,

I just heard about this bottle yesterday. It is a very nice find, as these are a pretty rare bitters. The color looks good in the pictures, and the color intensity can make a big difference in the price. These typically have a square collared top, but this one has a single sloping collared top. This top is unusual, but not unique... I have seen a few of them. From what I have gathered, this is a smooth base version, not pontiled? Assuming that the bottle is smooth base, and retains a little ground wear from excavation, I would estimate $1250-1500 range. As you may know, a nice one (sloping collar as well) recently sold in Heckler's last sale. It had a very small base flake, but otherwise a beauty, and it brought $1500. Well, good luck with it, and maybe we'll see it at Lowell.

Mike

 

[Ye Olde Prospector]

Hi Mike and all,

Thanks very much for the info. Paul (bottles141) hasn't been able to post on this site for a while. Thinks the problem is with his computer/password. He has been able to post on the bottledigging site though. I wasn't with Paul when he found this one but it is a great bottle still. Would clean up to mint condition easily. Heavy glass and embossing.He read the posts on here this mornig before he left for work and thanks all for the info. A well deserved find for him, glad he finally got a good one. Thanks ALL.

Cliff

 

[towhead]

Incredible! You are sooo lucky! []