Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Just when you think you've seen it all!



A couple of years ago a glop top Pioneer bear surfaced that took most by surprise. The mold variant was listed by Thomas as  #5A, and is commonly referred to as the "German Bear". John went on to say that they are red-amber in color, have an applied top and are heavily whittled.


Based on research, we now know that these were blown in Gerresheimer Germany by  Gerresheimer Glasshuttenwerk, and imported to the US by Abramson Heunisch of San Francisco. Gerresheimer Glasshuttenwerk also produced a number of other notable bottles such as the hammer whittled applied top San Francisco beers, Warners Safe Cures, Gilka's and other equally crude bottles noted for their intense red coloration and extreme crudity.



Imagine our surprise though, when  a Fenkahausen Pioneer Bear surfaced in straw yellow; identical in color to the pint and half pint Warners Safe Cure from London. A first!




















Speaking of firsts, got an email from a fellow collector down in Northern Cal. this AM. Get a load of this; a hammer whittled Boulevard Bourbon in  red amber with an applied top! Up 'till now, there wasn't even a hint of a rumor that this bottle existed. Not surprising though, since there is a German, clear glop Boulevard.


Not sure if this is of German descent, since he's still working on photographing it, but nothing surprises me any more.


Just the same; another first!

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Photos as promised~

(not the best pics., but they get the message across) It's the one in the center; red amber, applied top with drip, and definitely a different mold than any I've seen - I've got four toolies here to compare it to...

The jury is still out whether German or not. Will know more when I get a chance to see it up close and personal.





6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Still trying to get better photos just cant seem to capture the whittle color and top Iwill keep trying B.C.

Anonymous said...

I have my doubts like the so called applied top Phoenix flask that was supposed to exist.

Anonymous said...

It is not air vented just cant seem to capture the whittle and it has a lot hey Mr. anonymous my name is Bill Curtiss whats yours

Rick Simi said...

Sure appears to be a glop top to me. Thanks for the pictures and the info on this new variant
rs

ravolkerts said...

Looks gloppy to me also, but I don't understand having trouble picturing it, pretty pronounced drip going there, side seams should go under glop top, try with different lighting positioning should show up better than shown here, but still seeable.......Andy

Andy said...

Interresting read

 
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