Defined as a construction of shelves and
counter space behind a
bar, used for storing bottles, glasses,
etc.
Sounds reasonable. And so the bottles stored there
would logically be called back bars.
They're out there, and although not common, can be
found these days with a little patience and a computer keyboard. God help you
though, if you type Back Bar into ebay's search engine. (848 offerings just in collectibles
and 100 in antiques). You'll see everything from the actual wooden back bars,
to neon signs. And a little of everything in between...
But by clicking on Back bar / collectibles /
bottles, the wheat separates from the chaff, and you actually see some stuff
that we bottle collectors could get interested in. And of course, the comedic
attempts by many of these hucksters trying to convince us that their offering
is one of a kind, or something it's not, is always a source of cheap
entertainment~
Back bars can also be broken down into generic or
advertising. Advertisement back bars often contained both the name of the
product, and the name of the wholesaler. Enameled western back bars in this
category can be bank breakers! And let's not forget the king of the back bars; the
LUG's (label under glass). This category take the phrase "mortgaging the
house" to new heights.
We normally encounter the generic back bars in the form of clear cylinders
with the words "Whiskey", "Gin", "Port", "Rum"
or "Scotch" "etched" (actually cut into the glass with a
copper wheel). Often fancy floral borders surround the words. These are the
most common, and occasionally we'll see a matching pair or set of three
offered.
Occasionally we'll see multi-colored enamel on a bottle, in addition to just the white. A step up for sure.
I'd hazard to say that we see 100 in clear - white enameled back
bars to each one in amber. White enamel on an amber cylinder really
"pops", and they are, in my opinion, show stoppers! They too, are
occasionally seen in matching sets of two or three.
Once in a while, something gets tossed your way that gives even a seasoned collector like myself reason to sit up and take notice. Recently, a close friend had the opportunity to see and photograph a collection that literally took my breath away. Yep, white enamel on amber. But not just two or three, we are talking a complete set of eleven that once graced the back bar of a western saloon!
The white enamel boldly announces the presence of the obligatory "Gin",
"Port", "Brandy", and "Rum", plus "Sherry", "Fernet",
"Angelica", "Creme de Menthe", "Maraschino", "Anisette"
and "Grappa". What makes this group especially exceptional, besides
the combination of white enamel on amber and condition, is the presence of products
that we never see or even hear about in the 21st century.
What an amazing group!
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