Tak ----- Al ------ Ong

 Tak ----- Al ------ Ong ----- Whiskey

 

Here's a San Francisco flask with a fun play on words.

It's a label only tooled top flask. It measures 6 1/16" tall, has a tooled long tapered collar over single ring cork closure, and is a "half pint".

Sold by A. A. Bulotti who was located at the corner of 6th Ave. and California St. (in the northwest part of SF). Attached is a photo of the building today. It's a tasteful Victorian now housing a liquor store (how fortuitous...). 

Only problem is... the SF City directories never listed an A. A. Bulotti as being in either the wholesale or retail liquor business. What they do show is an A. A. Bulotti as being a grocer around the TOC, located at the address on the label.

Odds are, he bottled substandard whiskey from hogsheads, that he bought on the cheap from one of the big dogs, and bottled it in the back room.

I can see it now; Bulotti is offering a free flask of it (on the QT) to any husband who persuaded the Misses to shop at his store.

 

 West Coast Show Schedule

As per the FOHBC website; here's the upcoming shows for the next few months. We strongly suggest that you check in with the show chairs listed, prior to making the trip, to make sure the info is correct!

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08 & 09 November 2024 (Friday & Saturday) Auburn, California – ’49er Historical Bottle Association Best in the West Antique Bottle & Collectibles Shown 2024, Gold Country Fairgrounds & Event Center, 1273 High Street, Auburn, California 95603, Friday Early Admission Noon to 5:00 pm – $15, Public Saturday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Set-up Friday Noon to 5:00 pm. For show info contact: Dan Bell, 530.8794 or Max Bell 530.368.9495, FOHBC Member Club

 

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21 & 22 February 2025 (Friday & Saturday) Phoenix, Arizona – The Phoenix Antiques, Bottles and Collectibles Club 42nd Annual Show and Sale held at the North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012. Friday 2:00 to 6:00 pm ($10 admission) and Saturday and 8:30 am to 3:30 pm ($3 admission). For more information contact Betty Hartnett, Show Chair, 602.317.4438, bettchem@cox.net. Visit the club website at phoenixantiquesclub.org, FOHBC Member Club

 

 

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22 February 2025 (Saturday) Kent, Washington – Washington Bottle & Collectors Association Annual Show and Sale, Kent Commons Community Center, 525 Fourth Avenue N., Kent, Washington 98032. General Public Admission is Free, Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Early Admission is $10, 8:00 am to to 10:00 am. Washington Bottle & Collectors Association (WBCA), Website: wabottleclub.org, Contact: Lisa Conners, lisa.g.conners@gmail.com, FOHBC Member Club

 

 

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11 & 12 April 2025 (Friday & Saturday) Antioch, California – The Golden Gate Historical Bottle Society’s 57th Annual Bottles, Antiques & Collectibles Show & Sale, Early Buyers: Friday 12 pm to 5 pm, $10 Admission; General Admission: Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Free. Contra Costa Event Park (Fairgrounds), Sunset Hall, 1201 West 10th Street, Antioch, California 94509. Info: Gary and Darla Antone, 925.373.6758, packrat49er@netscape.net, FOHBC Member Club

 

 

 

PIPIFAX

 PIPIFAX

 

Not a whiskey, but marketed in the end by a well known Western Whiskey distributor. And in all probability, concocted using sub-standard whiskey deemed unsuitable for bottling as bourbon. 

 

The brand was first trade marked on Nov. 15, 1870 by Max Walter. The label pictures the devil, a jester or a muse holding bottles of the elixir. The bottles he is holding appear to be black glass labeled slicks.

 

Later, on September 9, 1873, J. M. Goewey trade marked it once again. The label is substantially different and much more "floral", depicting a cherub hovering above a flower arrangement. It is now referred to as a "MAGIC Bitters".

 

According to Wilson, John Sroufe (of Slaters Bourbon fame), bought out Goewey in 1876, and commissioned a mold for a square bottle. They controlled the brand until dropping it in the mid 1880's.

 

The bottles are somewhat hard to acquire and most have a weak strike due to mold "burn out". This example is one of the better ones that I've seen over the years and has a decent strike and some crudity in the applied top.

 

 

Consign

 Consign

"deliver (something) to a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold"

 

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I've been an avid collector, researcher, writer and dealer in western whiskies since the mid 1960's.

We've recently been approached by a number of non-collectors who have ended up with, through one situation or another, Western Whiskies. The initial conversation is always something on the order of; "I've got these old bottles, don't know anything about them, but was wondering if you could help me sell them". 

My response is always the same; let's take a look at them and see what I can do for you. Most of these initial contacts are via email. Just as well, as emailed photos help set the stage for the owners consigning the bottles to me.

 

Our services are priced reasonably; 10% of the final selling price of the item. That's it; Plain and Simple. We recently placed an amber picture cylinder for a client; it sold less than a week after receiving it. The consignor was sent certified funds for the proceeds once the sale was funded and was more than pleased with the entire process. They did ask, "why only 10% sellers fee and no buyers premium when compared to the big auction houses"?

The answer was simple; this is a labor of love, not a profit motivated business. I am well connected and have several avenues with which to merchandise western whiskies.

 

 If you, a relative, or even just an acquaintance of yours is interested in consigning to me, please don't hesitate to touch base. My email address is JSGLASS@Q.COM. Single items or large collections both receive the same attention to detail.

Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to explore consigning or an outright sale for cash.

Many thanks in advance, Bruce Silva

Western Whiskey Gazette

 

 

 

 

 

Castle!

Just when you think you've seen it all!

We had another consignment arrive yesterday. This time, a picture cylinder, the likes of which I've never handled.

It is 11" tall, and 3 3/8" across the base (diameter). It has the Riley IT closure with the scarce Chevalier castle picture ebonite stopper. 

 

Rather than the standard fifth it appears to be a quart in capacity.

The closest that I can identify in WWB 4th edition is the #142. However placed side by side with the standard fifth, the difference is immediately obvious. See photo.

It is issue free, has a number of bubbles of various sizes, and the neck leans ever so slightly to the left, when viewed head on. And then there's the strike; strong, detailed, and crisp. The color is the icing on the cake; a striking light amber. 

As mentioned, it is a consignment. Feel free to touch base with me if you are interested in making an offer. 

SOLD!