Wonser’s Indian Root Bitters bottle could top $8K
Sarsparilla, whiskey, and bitters will be top of mind Oct. 13-22 as bidders look to post the winning bids during American Bottle Auctions’ Oct. sale.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A fine selection of rare and vintage bottles from across the United States is coming to auction. The offerings include including Western and Eastern sodas, bitters, inkwells, and whiskeys. The bottles are part of an internet and catalog auction coming to market through American Bottle Auctions.
Online bidding opens Oct. 13 and the sale ends Oct. 22.
Western Soda and Bitters Bottles Headlining Sale
“This auction will feature the largest and finest selection of Western sodas we’ve ever offered, with
many rare one-of-a-kinds,” said Jeff Wichmann, owner of American Bottle Auctions.
Also featured will be a broad selection of Eastern sodas and rare bitters bottles. A large inkwell collection is also among the headliners. The Wynkoop Sarsaparilla bottle in the sale isn’t particularly rare (it’s one of about 20 in existence). However, it’s a highly desired medicine and sarsaparilla category bottle. Its early production, dating to the 1850s, is a contributing factor. That combined with a beautiful blue color and crudity add to its appeal. Making it one of the most popular bottles for collectors in that category. This example carries a presale estimate of $5,000 to $10,000.
'Fiery' Aqua Color May Be the Deciding Factor
A Wonser’s Indian Root Bitters bottle, the aqua variety — the earliest made of this type and somewhat rare — will also cross the auction block. The fiery blue aqua color and good crudity add to the rarity of this bottle, which comes into the auction with an estimate of $8,000 to $15,000.
Another featured lot is an R&H Columbia soda bottle made between 1852 and 1856, for the Gold Rush town of Columbia, California. The example in this sale is one of only a half-dozen currently in existence. It carries an estimate of $7,000 to $15,000.
Additional lots expected to prompt bidding battles...
• National Bitters bottle in the shape of an ear of corn, dating to the 1870s, with an estimate of $7,000 to $10,000.
— Jessie Moore whiskey flask may see between $5,000 and $10,000.
• An 1860 Alex Von Humbolt’s Stomach Bitters bottle carrying an estimate of $5,000 to $10,000.
— Brown’s Indian Queen figural bottle may sell for $5,000 to $10,000.
Bidder registration is open now and the sale has a 15 percent buyer’s fee.
For more details, visit www.americanbottle.com, call 800-806-7722, or email info@americanbottle.com.
