Bay Bottles

Germania Brewing Co., Philadelphia

The Germania Brewing Company was one of many interests of John F Betz who, according to an 1896 publication called “America’s Most Successful Men of Affairs,” was said to be the richest brewer in America at the time.

In Philadelphia, around the turn of the century he was serving as chairman and largest stockholder of John F. Betz & Son, a $2,000,000 brewery that manufactured over 300,000 barrels of beer a year. That said, it was his interest in another Philadelphia brewery, the Germania Brewery, that serves as the subject of this post.

The story begins, not with Betz, but with German born Phillip J. Lauber who, arrived in Philadelphia in 1849. A restauranteur, according to his April 10, 1887 “Philadelphia Times” obituary:

In 1852 he went to Fifth Street, above Chestnut, where he started a restaurant in a small way, and for twenty-five years his place continued to grow and got to be the most popular restaurant downtown.

Lauber’s Fifth Street restaurant was still listed in the Philadelphia directories as late as the mid-1880’s, and by 1876 he had also opened a restaurant on the grounds of Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exhibition. Quite substantial, it was listed and described in the Centennial’s “Official Catalog” under the heading “Special Buildings.”

In 1881 Lauder entered the brewing business when he established a brewery on Broad Street in Philadelphia. At around the time the brewery opened it was described like this in an April 29, 1881 story published in the “Philadelphia Inquirer.”

LAUBER’S LABOR

Completion of the Large Brewery for Producing Bohemian Beer

Mr. Phil. J. Lauber’s new brewery, on Broad Street above Columbia Avenue, is one of the most complete establishments of the kind in the country. Every portion of the structure, down to the minutest detail, has been arranged for the purpose of brewing what is known as Bohemian beer. It is very light in color, and produced exclusively from the finest imported Bohemian hops and from malt prepared on the premises by native Bohemians. The buildings are set back seventy feet from the street, and are of the old German style of architecture, the design of H. J. Schwarzmann, the well known architect…

A spacious two-story building, of seventy-five feet front on Broad Street, by forty feet deep, has been erected in front of the brewery, and will be fitted up by Mr. Lauber as a restaurant.

Right from the start the brewery, first listed in Philadelphia’s 1882 directory, was putting a financial burden on Lauber’s entire operation. Lauber himself explained some of the issues he was facing in this September 27, 1882 item published in the “Philadelphia North American” and reprinted in the “Harrisburg Telegraph.”

There were rumors current yesterday afternoon that Phillip J. Lauber, the pioneer manufacturer of Bohemian beer in this country, and proprietor of numerous restaurants in different sections of this city, has failed for an amount that was estimated all the way from $60,000 to $1,000,000. After considerable searching a representative of the “North American” found Mr. Lauder last evening, and from him received a statement of his affairs. “You know,” said Mr. Lauber, “that some time ago I began the construction of a brewery on North Broad Street for the manufacture of a perfectly pure beer, something that the masses could drink without fear of being poisoned. The plant of the brewery cost me far more than I anticipated; in fact when I had received the bills I found the amount I had expected to spend nearly doubled. Business this year has not been up to my expectations, and several notes which I had out, for comparatively small sums, however, went to protest yesterday… The trouble is but temporary, and I shall pay dollar for dollar. I may ask an extension, but that is all. No man will lose a cent that I owe him. The North Broad Street property is not by any means all that I own, and every note or other outstanding obligation will be met in full. The business at the different branches will continue as usual; and all I ask is time. My property is amply sufficient for all claims and everything will be settled in full.”

Despite Lauber’s optimism, the brewery ultimately failed, resulting in the failure of his restaurant business as well. The public auction of the brewery property was summarized in the September 24, 1884 edition of the Allentown (Pa) “Morning Call.”

The effects of Lauber’s Brewery, restaurant and garden, at Broad Street and Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia, were offered at public sale, but as the bidding did not exceed $96,500 the property was withdrawn. Several hundred barrels of beer were disposed of at prices ranging from eight cents to $1.50 per barrel. One lot of ten barrels was sacrificed at ten cents.

A year and a half later an item in the February 17,1886 edition of the “Philadelphia Inquirer” announced the brewery property had been acquired by Betz and a man named Emil Schoenberg.

The Lauber Brewery, Broad Street above Columbia Avenue has been purchased by John F. Betz & Son and Emil Schoenberg.

Less than four months later the June 1st edition of the “German & American Brewers Journal” announced that construction of a new brewery on the site was underway.

Messrs Betz & Schoenberg in Philadelphia began last month the erection of their new brewery. It will be on the site of the former Lauber Brewery on Broad Street, above Columbia Avenue. The buildings will cost $125,000. Otto C. Wolf is the architect.

Later that year the brewery business was incorporated under the Germania Brewing Company name, with the incorporation notice appearing in the December 9, 1886 edition of the “Harrisburg Daily Independent.”

At the start, Emil Schoenberg was named president with John F. Betz, treasurer of the newly formed corporation. Soon after management of the corporation would change when Schoenberg, accused of fleecing Betz and other businessmen out of large sums of money, fled Philadelphia and headed west. The back story was summarized years later in the September 23, 1890 edition of the “Philadelphia Times.” Written at the time of Schoenberg’s death the summary read in part:

Schoenberg’s real character was only partially known to those who had favored him with their confidence at the time when he decamped from the city for the far West…

Schoenberg made the acquaintance of John F. Betz and others soon after he came to the city in 1881. He so ingratiated himself into their confidences as to win both their esteem and friendship. He was supposed to be wealthy, for he spent money lavishly. By his captivating manner he soon became closely related in a business way with Mr. Betz.

In fact, he was looked on as the brewer’s right-hand man in acquiring possession of the property on North Broad Street on which the plant of the Germania Brewing Company was built. He was soon after made president of the company by becoming a holder of its stock in the amount of $125,000…

In the summer of 1887 the startling announcement was made that Schoenberg had absconded, leaving an indebtedness of $300,000. To balance this indebtedness the only assets that could be found were his handsome residence and $125,000 of Germania Brewing Company stock, a portion of which was collateral placed with Mr. Betz, who subsequently made a deed of trust for the benefit of his creditors. At the time Schoenberg was supposed to be worth at least half a million, and his sudden flight was the sensation of the day.

When the Germania Brewing Company was started Schoenberg took $125,000 worth of the stock, and borrowed money from several banks in this city, giving as security a variety of paper which was then thought to be perfectly good. It was afterwards charged that some of the signatures upon some of the paper were placed there by others than the rightly persons. Soon after Schoenberg left the city an investigation showed that other interested parties claimed that he had used their names without their consent.

After Schoenberg’s departure, an August 9, 1887 story in the “Philadelphia Inquirer” announced that Edwin F. Poulterer had been elected as the new president of the Germania Brewing Company.

Around the same time this was all unfolding, a June 10, 1887 “Philadelphia Times” story announced that construction of the brewery was nearing completion. The story suggests that not much, if any, of Lauber’s original brewery was retained.

Among the most prominent structures…is that of the Germania Brewing Company, Broad and Columbia Avenue now nearing completion. The main building is 70×150 and five stories high. The walls and ceilings are laid with glazed brick, interspersed with terra cotta and copper on the outside walls. Light and ventilation are secured by an immense dome of glass and copper. In front on Broad Street a handsome office is being arranged, and at Carlisle Street and Montgomery Avenue a large building, 34 x 146-1/2, five stories high, is about finished.. This will be used as a bottling house and stable. Roadhouse & Atkinson are the contractors

The “immense dome of glass and copper” referenced in the above story is clearly visible in this early 1900’s photograph of the brewery. The photo was included in a book featuring architect Otto C. Wolf’s work, compiled and arranged by G.M.S. Armstrong and found on the the National Brewing Museum’s website.

One week later a reception described in the June 19, 1887 edition of the “Philadelphia Times” suggests the brewery was close to opening.

VISITING A BREWERY

The Proprietors of the Germania Brewing Company Entertain Friends.

The Germania Brewing Company entertained a large number of friends at their elegant new brewery, Broad Street, near Columbia Avenue, yesterday afternoon. After an elaborate lunch about one hundred guests proceeded to investigate the establishment and learn how beer is made. Everything that science has invented has been utilized by the firm and money has been a secondary consideration in fitting out the establishment. All the details were shown, also the large copper vat capable of producing 325 barrels twice a day.

One of the most interesting features of the afternoon was the visit to the fermenting room where twenty large vats, holding 350 barrels each, were in a room twenty degrees below zero, the sudden transition from extreme heat to extreme cold being very enjoyable. After a thorough sampling of the products the guests were shown over the whole establishment, from the large and elegant theatre to the stable full of fine Norman horses.

Initially, the brewery produced two types of beer, a Munich (dark) and a Vienna (light) both of which began appearing in “Philadelphia Times” advertisements in August and September of 1887.

Around the same time another advertisement for their beers was published in the Official Program of the “Centennial Celebration of the Framing of the Constitution of the United States,” held in Philadelphia on September 15th through the 17th of 1887.

The ad included this sales pitch for their bottling department.

The Bottling Company at the brewery are making a specialty of serving the family trade with their export beer in corked bottles, which they guarantee to keep a year. The beer is absolutely free from any deleterious compounds; it has not been aged by artificial means, and is brewed from the very best malt and imported hops, thus enabling them to offer the public a pure, healthful and strengthening beverage for table use. A trial will convince you of its superiority.

By the early 1890’s, according to a story in the June 6, 1892 edition of the “Philadelphia Times,” the brewery was turning out “over 40,000 barrels a year, principally for bottling.”

The company continued to operate under the Germania Brewing Company’s corporate charter until 1893. At this point, with John F. Betz now serving as president, and his son, John F. Betz, Jr., serving as treasurer they requested the corporate charter be dissolved.

The story read:

A petition has been filed in Common Pleas Court by the Germania Brewing Company asking that the charter of the corporation be vacated and dissolved. The petition is signed by John F. Betz, the president, and attested by John F. Betz, Jr., the treasurer of the company, and sets out that at a meeting of the stockholders it was unanimously agreed that the company apply to the court for a decree of dissolution.

In conclusion it is stated that the court may make the decree without prejudice to any one, that notice of the petition has been duly advertised and that the company has paid all the taxes due by it to the city and Commonwealth….

The decree dissolving the charter was made later that month at which time the entire operation passed into the hands of John F. Betz who both owned and operated it for the next eight years. Then in 1901, while maintaining ownership of the brewery, Betz filed an application to transfer his operating license to the Henry Hess Brewing Company. The story appeared in the March 28, 1901 edition of the “Philadelphia Times.”

Brewer Betz Wants a Transfer

John F.Betz, doing business as the Germania Brewing Company, yesterday filed an application in the Quarter Sessions Court asking for a transfer of his license at No. 1716 North Broad Street to the Henry Hess Brewing Company, E.R. Watson, treasurer. Mr. Betz desires to retire from the business.

The Henry Hess Brewing Company had been organized a month earlier for the purpose of operating the brewery, its incorporation notice appearing in the February 7, 1901 edition of the “York (Pa) Daily.”

The official transfer of the business was reported in the April 20, 1901 edition of the “American Brewers Review.”

John F Betz’s ownership of the brewery continued until 1907 when, according to a December 14th story published in West Chester Pennsylvania’s “Daily Local News,” he gifted it to his grandson, John F. Betz, 3d.

CHRISTMAS PRESENT VALUED AT $300,000

John F. Betz Gives Germania Brewery to His Grandson, John F. Betz, 3d

Probably the top-record Christmas present in Philadelphia is that made yesterday by John F. Betz to his grandson, John F. Betz 3d, to whom he turned over a completely equipped brewery, valued at $300,000 or more. The gift is in the form of the Germania Brewery, the consideration of the transfer being “$1, and natural love and affection.” The beer making establishment is located on the west side of Broad Street, just south of the Grand Opera House, another property owned by John F. Betz… It is now occupied by the Henry Hess Brewing Company.

The Henry Hess Brewing Company continued to operate the brewery for the rest of the decade and was still listed at the brewery’s North Broad Street address in Philadelphia’s 1911 directory.

Around this time the Hess company apparently moved to 844 N. Orianna Street where it was listed in the 1912 directory. The following year, the Henry Hess Brewing Company was still listed on N. Orianna Street when they changed their name to the Premier Brewing Company. The name change is reflected in the 1913 Philadelphia directory.

On January 18, 1914, two years after the Hess Brewing Company left, it was announced that John F. Betz, 3d had sold the North Broad Street property closing out its 30 plus year history as a brewery. The announcement appeared in the January 18, 1914 edition of the “Philadelphia Inquirer.”

John F. Betz, 3d, has sold to Harry A. Mankin, representing G. Stevenson, the old Germania Brewery, at 1716-1720 North Broad Street, for $200,000, all of which is retained on a purchase money mortgage. The assessed valuation is $130,000. The site will be improved by the erection of a nine-story reinforced concrete apartment house with stores on the first floor. The new structure will cost $300,000. The plant occupies a lot with a frontage of 85 feet by 190 feet, the rear part of it continuing northward in a narrow strip that fronts on Montgomery Avenue.

The brewery was erected about thirty years ago by the late Phillip J. Lauber. Subsequently it was purchased by John F. Betz, who, a year prior to his death gave it as a Christmas present to his grandson John F. Betz, 3d. Later and until two two years ago the plant was occupied by the Henry Hess Brewing Company

The champagne style bottle I found, was blown in a mold with a tooled blob finish. Its embossing incudes the Germania Brewing Company name that was established in 1886 when the business incorporated. Although the corporation was dissolved in 1893, the brewery was still using the Germania Brewing Company name on their license as late as 1901 when it was transferred to the Hess Brewing Company. This likely dates the bottle sometime between 1887 when the brewery opened under that name and 1901.

O. K. Bottling Co., 528 W. 38th St., New York

The history associated with this bottle begins with an Irish immigrant named Francis (sometimes Frank) McDermott who, according to 1900 census records, arrived in the United States in 1868, at the age of 16. Sometime in the mid-1880’s he partnered with New York born William H. Callanan and they established a bottling business that operated under the registered trade name of the O.K. Bottling Company.

Located on Manhattan’s west side at 528 West 38th Street, most directory listings included the company’s line of business as “mineral waters.” That being said, a bottle pictured on http://historicbeerbottlesnyc.com that is embossed with the O.K. Bottling Company name and address along with the words “Weiss Beer,” confirms that the company bottled beer at some point as well.

According to Callanan’s April 29, 1912 affidavit in a court case, “Thomas Donohue v. William H. Callanan and Frank McDermott” the company began operation 27 years prior, in 1885. That being said, I can’t find it listed in the directories until 1887/1888 so its safe to say the business opened for business sometime between 1885 and 1887.

New York State’s Factory Inspection Report, dated January 27, 1896, indicated that in 1895 the company employed an-all male staff of 14, each working a 60 hour week. So, while not an overly large operation, it wasn’t all that small either.

In 1898, while continuing to serve as proprietors of the bottling business both McDermott and Callanan were involved in the incorporation of a second business, the McDermott Bunger Dairy Company of New York. The incorporation notice was published in the March 29, 1898 edition of the “New York Tribune.”

New York City’s 1901 Copartnership and Corporation Directory listed the dairy’s headquarters directly across the street from the bottling business at 527 West 38th Street and went on to name McDermott as president and Callanan as a director.

McDermott continued as both a proprietor of the bottling business and president of the dairy until 1912 when his partnership in the bottling business was dissolved. Callanan continued to serve as a director in the dairy so I suspect the dissolution of the partnership was amicable and had more to do with the needs of the dairy business than any disagreement between the two.

By this time, the 1914 New York State Factory Inspection Report indicated the bottling business had almost doubled in size, listing a total of 26 employees, 24 in the shop and two in the office.

It was around this time that the company made national headlines when a bomb exploded in the company office, killing a 20 year-old stenographer.

The caption below the photo reads:

Wreckage in office of the O.K. Bottling Company and shattered top of desk at which Miss Ida Anusewitz was sitting when she opened bomb.

According to a December 13, 1913 “Associated Press” account:

A young foreigner, swarthy and clean shaven, was sought today by detectives as the sender of the infernal machine which killed Ida Anusewitz yesterday as she opened it at her desk in the office of the O.K. Bottling Company.

From a patchwork of clues the police wove overnight a theory of motive for the crime. The slain girl they believe was not the victim for whom the bomb was intended; William H. Callanan, the proprietor was. Business rivalry, the police believe, prompted the attack.

Following still further this theory detectives believe the young man they seek acted as agent for someone else when he took the package containing the bomb to the office of an express company for delivery…

A year later, a December 10, 1914 “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” story stated that the explosion remained a mystery and as far as I can tell the crime was never solved.

Callanan was still serving as head of the O.K. Bottling Company when, according to an item found in the May, 1928 edition of the “American Perfumer & Essential Oil Review,” he passed away on May 9th of that year. Subsequently, it appears control of the business remained in the family with New York City’s 1933/1934 Directory naming his sons Lawrence and William H. Jr. as president and secretary/treasurer of the business respectively.

At some point in the late 1930’s the company moved to a new location at 520 West 44th Street where it was listed in the Manhattan Telephone Book during the early 1940’s. The move was likely required to facilitate construction of the Lincoln Tunnel ramp that now crosses below 38th Street in the vicinity of their former building’s footprint.

The O.K.Bottling Co. was no longer listed in the 1945 Manhattan Telephone Book, likely signaling the end of the business.

Seven years later another O.K. Bottling Company was incorporated in the State of New Jersey. The incorporation notice appeared in the May 27, 1952 edition of the “Trenton Times.”

Located on Barnt Avenue in Trenton, there’s no indication that it was in any way connected with the previous New York business.

The bottle I found is in pretty bad shape, missing both a part of its blob finish and its entire base, but it’s still undeniably a Hutchinson design. A complete version of the same bottle was pictured recently on e-bay.

On a final note: Over the years William H. Callanan’s name appears with several different spellings in census records, directory listings and newspaper stories. Other versions I’ve seen are Calanan and Callahan. For consistency’s sake I’ve chosen to use Callanan throughout this post.

Re Umberto (Olive Oil)

The subject bottle exactly matches the one pictured on this circa 1940 advertising card so it almost certainly contained Re Umberto Olive Oil.

The words Re Umberto are the Italian equivalent of King Umberto, a reference to King Umberto I, the second King of Italy, who reigned from 1878 until his assassination in 1900. Much of the brand’s advertising capitalized on this theme referring to Re Umberto as the “King of Olive Oil.”

Always ask for RE UMBERTO and just look for the king with the big mustache

Infinitesimally small lettering embossed on one face of the bottle states:

Imported and Packed By United Pure Food Co., N.Y., N.Y., U.S.A.

Established in 1911, the United Pure Food Company was the Registered Trade Name for a company called Strohmeyer and Arpe, an importer and wholesale grocer who also did business under the United Pure Food Company name from 1911 up through the late 1960’s.

Strohmeyer & Arpe, was established by a man named Frederick Gottfried Strohmeyer a good twenty years before the Re Umberto brand was born . According to Strohmeyer’s obituary in the February, 1931 edition of a publication called “Groceries:”

Mr. Strohmeyer was born in Bremen, Germany, and established himself in the wholesale grocery and specialty lines here in 1882. Mr. Arpe came to him as a partner sometime later.

The business, originally called F.G. Strohmeyer & Co., was first listed in New York City’s 1883/1884 directory as “merchants” with an address of 55 Pine Street. Herman Arpe, who according to 1900 census records arrived in the U.S. from Germany in 1883, was also listed in the same directory as a “merchant” at the 55 Pine Street address. So, while not a partner, it’s likely Arpe, if not an original employee of the firm was certainly close to being one. Five years later, in 1888, the New York City Copartnership and Corporation Directory officially named him as a principal of F.G. Strohmeyer & Co.

Located in Lower Manhattan for 90 years, early on the business changed locations quite frequently, listing addresses of 172 Front Street (circa 1885-1887); 122 Water Street (1887-1892); 120 Pearl/84 Water Streets (circa 1892-1894) and 33 Water Street (circa 1894-1901)

Around this time an advertisement found in the October 29, 1889 edition of the Springfield (Mass) “Daily Republican” referred to the business as:

Sole Importers of German Peat-Moss and Dealers in Honey, Maple Syrup and Wax of all kinds.

Several directory listings around that time suggest the company also dealt in “cork,” and by 1893 an August 16th classified ad found in New York’s “Evening World” indicated the company was dealing in smoked and preserved fish as well.

SALESMAN WANTED for New York City, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark and Paterson, acquainted with delicatessen, grocery, hotel and restaurant trade, well recommended and able to handle delivery wagon, to sell smoked and preserved salmon and other fish; also parties having an established route and own wagon; liberal inducements will be given. Apply in person between 4 and 6 P.M. every week day except Saturday, F.G. Strohmeyer & Co., 120 Pearl St.

Sometime in 1894 or 1895 the company officially changed its name to Strohmeyer and Arpe and in 1900 the business incorporated under that name. The incorporation notice published in the July 20th edition of the “New York Times” named Frederick Strohmeyer and Herman Arpe along with a man named Victor Porges as directors.

New York City’s 1901 Copartnership and Corporation Directory named Strohmeyer, President; Arpe, Treasurer and Porges, Secretary. The following year the company moved again, listing 64 Pearl Street as their address in the 1902 Copartnership and Corporation Directory.

It was later in the decade that Strohmeyer & Arpe added olive oil to their list of imported goods. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office website, in February 1908 the company registered the name Re Umberto as a trademark.

The above records indicate that the Re Umberto name was first used in December 1903. That being said, it doesn’t begin to appear in grocery store advertisements until several years later. One of the first I can find appeared in Elmira, New York’s “Star Gazette” on January 23, 1907.

Based on this it’s safe to say the Re Umberto brand got its start mid-decade, sometime between 1903 and 1907.

Initially advertised in 1/2 gallon and gallon cans, soon after it was also being offered in small glass bottles and fancy tins, as evidenced by this February 1, 1910 price list published in Washington D.C.’s “Evening Star.”

By 1909 the company was building a new ten-story building at 139-141 Franklin Street, a building they would occupy for the next 60 plus years. The building then under construction was described like this in a July 4, 1909 “New York Times” story.

Warehouse on Franklin Street

An interesting feature about the new ten-story offices and warehouse building which Maynicke & Franke are building for the Strohmeyer & Arpe Company in the heart of the wholesale grocery district, at 139 and 141 Franklin Street, is the fact that almost 400 piles of hollow steel filled with concrete have been used in the foundation of the building to prevent the frequent settling to which buildings in this neighborhood are subject. The tract between Duane and Watts Streets was formerly marshy meadow land, and though it was partially filled in with sand, builders digging twelve feet through the sand still reach the primal bog.

The new building is situated on a plot 50 by 100 feet, between West Broadway and Greenwich Street. Nearby are the Welsh, Lipton, Leggett, and other large wholesale grocery warehouses and offices. It is constructed of the heaviest material to fit the bulky storage uses to which it will be put. The Strohmeyer & Arpe Company will occupy the entire building. It is thought that the warehouse will be completed in four months

This rendering of the new building accompanied the “New York Times” story.

Less than two years later, in August 1911, Strohmeyer & Arpe established the United Pure Food Company as a subsidiary. It’s incorporation notice was referenced in the August 18, 1911 edition of Brooklyn’s “Daily Times”

United Pure Food Co of New York City , organized with the State Department with a capital of $500 to deal in foods, Liquors, etc.

Subsequently, both Strohmeyer and Arpe and the United Pure Food Co. were listed in New York City’s 1912 Copartnership & Corporation Directory, each with the same address of 139-141 Franklin Street and each with F.G. Strohmeyer named as president.

During this time the olive oil’s distribution was spreading across the country. As early as 1912 it was being advertised in far away places like Missoula, Montana where a July 14, 1912 grocery store ad pitched it as part of a “Nifty Salad” you might take on a fishing trip.

While most people were putting the olive oil on their salad, if I’m to believe the following story, some Tampa, Florida barbers were putting it on people’s hair. The story appeared as part of a department store advertisement found in the January 1, 1911 edition of the “Tampa Tribune.”

The latest scientific success

R. U. OLIVE OIL SHAMPOO

We were surprised ourselves to see this sign in some of the most prominent barbershops of a fashionable pleasure resort, says STROHMEYER & ARPE CO., makers. The barbers claim to have had an enormous success with the R. U. SHAMPOO, not only saving and strengthening the hair, keeping the scalp in perfectly healthy condition but they claim to even grow hair with the R.U. SHAMPOO although we will not guarantee that, but it shows that the RE UMBERTO OLIVE OIL can be sold to the best barber shops because of its purity.

RE UMBERTO OLIVE OIL is the best Virgin Pure Italian Olive Oil that the world produces.

We carry it in stock in both tin and glass.

Over the next 60 plus years Stohmeyer & Arpe along with its subsidiary, the United Pure Food Company, remained headquartered at 139-141 Franklin Street. All the while, their olive oil continued to appear in grocery story advertisements and the occasional corporate advertisement. One such corporate advertisement appeared in several 1952 editions of New Jersey’s “Trenton Times.”

During this time olive oil wasn’t the only product marketed under the Re Umberto brand as evidenced by a Walgreens advertisement in the March 13, 1957 edition of the “Yonkers (NY) Statesman” that included a pitch for Re Umberto Maraschino Cherries.

Another “Yonkers Statesman” ad, this one found in their July 19, 1951 edition, touted their Spanish olives suggesting they be served on what the ad called the “Smartest Idea of the Year,” a plastic olive tree.

In fact, according to Strohmeyer & Arpe’s various patent applications over the years the brand also encompassed onions, peppers, mushrooms, string beans, peas, artichokes, sardines and macaroni.

The company renewed the Re Umberto trademark for a third time on February, 18, 1968 however by then it appears changes were in the works. In the early 1970’s the company apparently moved out of their long time Franklin Street facilities, listing 260 West Broadway as their address for several years before ultimately moving to Milburn, New Jersey. At the same time, the United Pure Food Co. disappeared from the directories all together and newspaper advertisements referencing the Re Umberto brand were becoming few and far between. One of the last ones I can find appeared in the April 30, 1974 edition of the “Fresno (California) Bee.”

This all suggests the end of the brand came sometime in the mid-1970’s. Ultimately, the trademark expired on November 3, 1992 after it was not renewed.

Strohmeyer & Arpe, still in existence today, is now headquartered in New Jersey. According to their corporate profile found on bestfoodimporters.com:

Strohmeyer & Arpe, along with their sister firm C.M. Goettsche, is a leading importer of mountain wax and other natural waxes, as well as a supplier of Kings Pantry and private label canned fruits, vegetables and seafood to top food chains in America. With a history dating back to New York and now headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, the company’s mission is to provide high-quality products at competitive prices for customer profitability. With over a century of experience, Strohmeyer & Arpe is a trusted resource in the industry.

The bottle I found is machine made, 5-1/4 inches tall and contains a little less than 2 ounces. It’s packaged in the company’s familiar pyramid shape bottle and includes this phrase embossed in small letters on one face.

Imported and Packed By United Pure Food Co., N.Y., N.Y., U.S.A.

Recognizing the United Pure Food Company was established in 1911, the bottle was certainly manufactured no earlier than 1911. That said, another face of the bottle is embossed with the phrase “PEER-AMID BOTTLES.” According to the 1955 renewal of this trademark (I can’t find the original 1935 information) it was registered on August 6, 1935 (upper right-hand side).

While it’s possible the bottle type was in use prior to its trademark registration, I suspect that 1935 is much closer to the year the PEER-Amid bottle type was introduced.

The type apparently utilized prior to the PEER-AMID is exhibited on this bottle recently offered for sale on e-bay.

On a final note: The building built by Strohmeyer & Arpe at 139-141 Franklin Street that housed their operation for 60 plus years remains to this day. According to a July 23, 2025 article on the New York YIMBY web site, the building was recently acquired for a planned residential conversion.

A joint venture of Broad Street Development and TPG Angelo Gordon has acquired 139 Franklin Street, a ten-story commercial structure in Tribeca Manhattan, with the intention of converting it into a residential building. The 56,384 square foot structure is currently occupied by a 74-unit self-storage facility… the developers purchased the property for $43.5 million from the Sofia family, longtime operators in the self-storage market, in a deal arranged by JLL Capital Markets…

Here’s today’s view of the building courtesy of the YIMBY web site.

The building’s exterior hasn’t changed much from the 1909 rendering pictured in the “New York Times.” Sadly, the only thing missing is the flag pole.

ROSE – X (Roselux Chemical Co., Brooklyn N. Y.)

The brand name ROSE-X encompassed several laundry products manufactured in Brooklyn, New York by the Roselux Chemical Company and later the Rose-X Chemical Company from the mid-1930’s up through the mid-1970’s. Over that time ROSE-X newspaper advertisements were almost exclusively limited to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, so it appears their product distribution was centered around the New York metropolitan area.

The brand’s initial manufacturer, the Roselux Chemical Company, was established in 1933 with the company’s incorporation notice appearing in the October 21, 1933 edition of the “Brooklyn Times Union.”

Over the next quarter century the company made their home in the East New York section of Brooklyn, listing addresses in the Brooklyn telephone books of 1100 Rockaway Avenue (1934 to 1939); 522 Dumont Avenue (1939 – 1941) and 301 Belmont Avenue (1942 – 1960).

According to the “U S Patent Office Gazette” the company officially trademarked the term ROSE-X on May 3, 1938 but had been using the name as early as December 1, 1935.

They were certainly using the name in 1936 when their ROSE-X Bleach began to appear in newspaper advertisements run by local grocery stores. One of the first was a November 19th ad found in the Yonkers, New York “Herald Statesman” where “ROSE-X Bleach Water” was named in a “Yonkers Food Center” ad as one of what they referred to as their “All-Star Eleven.”

By 1943, grocery store ads were also including ammonia under the ROSE-X name and by 1947 a third product, liquid starch, had been added to the ROSE-X menu as well. Appearing introductory in nature, this early ROSE-X Liquid Starch advertisement appeared in the July 24, 1947 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle.”

Its wonderful this new ROSE-X Liquid Starch.

Before the decade’s end, this September 16, 1949 advertisement found in New York’s “Daily News” introduced a fourth ROSE-X product, “Crisp Plastic Starch” as “its newest sensation.”

In the 1950’s the menu of ROSE-X products continued to expand with the addition of ROSE-X Fluffy Rinse in the mid-1950’s and ROSE-X All Purpose Cleaner later in the decade. Both are included along with their bleach and ammonia in this December 15, 1960 advertisement found in Long Island’s “Newsday.”

By this time it appears that corporate changes were in the works. The first indication comes in 1960 when the name of the company was changed to the Rose-X Chemical Company. The change had certainly occurred by the fall of 1960 when the new name was referenced in this coupon found in the September 8th edition of the Yonkers “Herald Statesman.”

The Brooklyn telephone books listed the Rose-X Chemical Company at the former Roselux Chemical Company address of 301 Belmont Avenue until circa 1963 at which time their listed address changed to 585 Berriman Street, also located in East New York. A coupon for their “ROSE-X Fluffy Rinse, found in the April 28, 1965 edition of New York’s “Daily News” specifically referenced that address.

By then, according to a story in the December 22, 1966 edition of Passaic New Jersey’s “Herald News,” the company was a wholly owned subsidiary of the J. L. Prescott Company.

The Prescott company operated three wholly owned subsidiaries, Arrow Container Co. of Lincoln Park, a manufacturer of blow molded plastic bottles; Rose-X Chemical Co. of Brooklyn, and Bonnie Home Products of Great Neck, L.I.

The “Herald News” story went on to describe the Prescott company as:

…one of the largest independently owned manufacturers of laundry and household cleaning products in the East.

I suspect the name change and subsequent move to Berriman Street were both related to the Prescott acquisition but haven’t been able to confirm it, so that remains conjecture on my part.

Over the next several years, products marketed under the ROSE-X brand continued to appear sporadically in local grocery store advertisements. The last mention I can find appeared in the “Staten Island Advance,” when on January 24, 1973 you could pick up a one gallon jug of ROSE-X Bleach for 39 cents.

This all suggests an end date for the ROSE-X brand sometime in the mid-1970’s.

The bottle I found is machine made; contained one quart, and has the “ROSE-X name embossed on the shoulder.

The following two advertisements that both appeared in 1956 newspaper advertisements indicate that exact style bottle was used for both their bleach and liquid starch so it could have contained either.

When exactly the Roselux Chemical Company began using this style bottle is not clear. That being said, they had certainly adopted that style by 1948 as evidenced by its appearance in this September 16th advertisement found in New Rochelle, New York’s “Standard Star.”

Recognizing that by 1960, Rose-X Chemical’s parent company, the J. L. Prescott Company, also owned the Arrow Container Company, a manufacturer of plastic bottles, suggests that Rose-X likely converted to plastic around that time. This dates the subject bottle between 1948 (and possibly earlier) and 1960.

On a Final Note: The building that housed the business at 585 Berriman Street apparently remains to this day. According to street easy.com it’s a one-story commercial building built in 1960. That would make the ROSE-X Chemical Company one of its earliest, if not its first, occupant. Today the building is occupied by a company called “Universal Beverages.”

As far as I can tell, the buildings utilized by the business prior to 585 Berriman Street are all long gone.

A. G. Groblewski & Co., Plymouth, Pa., U.S.A.

Beginning in the early 1890’s Albert G. Groblewski was a retail druggist and patent medicine manufacturer headquartered in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Initially a one man operation, by 1930 his company, Albert G. Groblewski & Co., Inc., had grown to the point where it was manufacturing in excess of 60 different patent medicines under the Groblewski name. The company, always headquartered in Plymouth remained operational until the early 1970’s.

Their marquee product, Rattlesnake Liniment (later called simply Groblewski’s Liniment) was on the market for much, if not all of the company’s lifetime. This advertisement for his “Rattlesnake Brand Liniment” along with two others, “Linden Cough Balsam and “Bear Brand Salve,” appeared in the 1930 “North American Almanac.”

A Polish immigrant, Groblewski was born in April, 1862 (1900 census records) and arrived in the United Sates sometime in the 1870’s (1872 in 1900 census records and 1876 in 1910 census records). This photograph of Groblewski along with his wife Helena, circa 1915, was found in the June 6, 2004 edition of the Wilkes-Barre “Times Leader.”

Groblewski’s early history as a Pennsylvania druggist was summarized in his April 18, 1925 obituary, published in the Wilkes-Barre “Times Herald.”

…At the age of 16, he came to this country with his parents to Nanticoke, where the family resided for 10 years. His early education was received in Poland. After arriving in Nanticoke, Mr. Groblewski secured a position as a clerk in a drug store, conducted by the late Dr. Sutliff…

After serving ten years as a clerk in a drug store at Nanticoke and with his rapid advancement and knowledge he was made manager of a drug store at Glen Lyon, which position he held for three years. Gaining an increasing knowledge in the druggist-business, he sought to own a business of his own, and in 1890 he moved to Plymouth, where he purchased the drug business of Jonathan R. Davis, at 111 East Main Street. Two years later he started the manufacturing of drugs which proved a tremendous success.

Those early years in business were described like this in a feature on Groblewski published years later in the May 12, 1930 edition of the “Times Leader.”

At 111 East Main Street, Plymouth, in a small one room drug store and with an investment of but $500 Groblewski started this business… A yearly sale of products turned out for the most by his own hands was $150 in that early day when the now famous rattlesnake liniment was first presented to the business world.

It wasn’t until later in the decade that advertisements for Rattlesnake Liniment along with another patent medicine called Egiuterro began appearing in the local Pennsylvania newspapers. This early advertisement featuring both appeared in several August, 1898 editions of Wilkes-Barre’s “Sunday News Dealer.”

Also marketed under the Polish name “Zmijecznik ,” this advertisement for Groblewski’s liniment appeared in the June 7, 1900 edition of a Polish language newspaper in Chicago, Illinois called “Zgoda.

Courtesy of “Google Translate” the ad read:

The most effective and best remedy against Rheumatism, Backache, Neuralgia, Catarrh, Headache, Cold, Sore Throat & Cramps

So it’s safe to say around the turn of the century Groblewski was both operating a local retail drug store and manufacturing a line of patent medicines under his name. The drug store was apparently doing quite well as evidenced by this announcement published in the July 18, 1900 edition of the “Times Leader.”

Albert Groblewski has placed a handsome new soda fountain in his drug store.

That being said, it was as a patent medicine manufacturer that Groblewski would ultimately earn both his reputation and fortune and by 1903 that piece of the business had him expanding his 111 Main Street facilities. The announcement appeared in the March 12, 1903 edition of the “Times Leader.”

WILL ENLARGE HIS PLANT

Albert G. Groblewski the manufacturer of Egiuterro and Rattlesnake Liniment, owing to the increased demand for his goods, will shortly build an addition to his present place. Mr. Groblewski now ships 12,000 bottles every month to all parts of the United States, and is so rushed with orders that he cannot supply the demand.

Two years later, according to a December 9, 1905 “Times Leader” story, Groblewski’s manufacturing business continued to grow, both in size and geographical reach.

He manufactures 40 different articles guaranteed to reach the ailing spot and aid in a complete restoration to health and vigor. His offices and laboratories are extensive and well equipped with all the appliances that go to make chemistry a serviceable science… He has about twenty skilled persons employed in laboratory and manufactory and his shipments from Plymouth weekly are very large.

Mr. Groblewski has about 200 agents all over the United States and Canada selling his goods…

Of the 40 articles referenced in the above story, 19 were listed in this advertisement that appeared in the July 8, 1905 edition of the “Wilkes-Barre Times.”

The “Times Leader” story went on to say that by then Groblewski was making shipments overseas as well.

…his fame extends all over the United States and Canada, the British Isles, Germany, France and even to Brazil… He found some difficulty this week in making a large shipment to Brazil. None of the express companies would ship direct owing to lack of facilities in the American merchant marine. He was obliged to ship the goods to Germany and from there have the packages reshipped to Brazil.

All things considered, it comes as no surprise that later in the decade with 111 Main Street apparently maxed out, a March 22, 1907 “Times Leader” story announced that Groblewski was planning the construction of larger quarters.

MANUFACTURING DRUG PLANT

Albert G. Groblewski, the well known manufacturing druggist, will shortly begin the erection of a building wherein will be manufactured the half hundred different remedies which he has on the market. The building will be at the corner of Main and Elm Streets, the site now occupied by the Well Building, which he purchased some time ago for that purpose. The present building will be moved to the rear and the new one to take its place will be sufficiently large for the employment of a hundred or more hands. It will have all the conveniences known the trade, will be provided with all sanitary improvements, and when completed will be one of the most complete factory buildings in the country. Mr. Groblewski is one of the largest advertisers in the State and notices of his goods are displayed in newspapers published in the various languages.

A year later the company moved into their new facility at 241 East Main Street with the announcement appearing in the March 28, 1908 edition of the “Times Leader.”

This undated photo of their 241 East Main Street facilities appeared in the May 6, 1940 edition of the “Times Leader.”

The photograph certainly suggests that the store front accommodated his drug store while the manufacturing facilities and a printing operation occupied the remainder of the building. The recently added printing operation was described in a March 5, 1908 “Times Leader” story.

New Printing Establishment

Albert G. Groblewski the well known druggist and medicine manufacturer, will establish a printing office in his new building recently erected at the corner of Main and Elm Streets…

Mr, Groblewski has purchased the printing establishment of Alexandre Rynsza, of West Hazleton, and will have the type, presses, etc., removed there and placed in his new building. Some of the presses arrived here today. He intends to establish a general printing office and when all his machinery is placed in position for operation he will then be in a position to do all kinds of printing, both in the English and Polish languages.

He spends several thousand of dollars each year for the printing of advertising matters for the many remedies that he has on the market and which are shipped to all parts of the globe and he contends that it will mean a great saving to him by being able to do his own printing.

Mr. Rynsza, from whom he purchased the printing plant, will have charge of Mr. Groblewski’s printing establishment here and they expect to have it in operation in a few weeks.

Groblewski remained sole owner of the business until July 12, 1921 when according to a story in the May 13, 1930 edition of the “Times Leader:”

…the corporation of Albert G. Groblewski was formed with a fully paid in capital stock of $150,ooo to take over the entire operations of Albert G Groblewski, Sr., Albert G. Groblewski, Sr. becoming president of the new company and holding office until January 1, 1925, on which date he resigned due to ill health, being succeeded by his son, Bernard Groblewski…

Less than five months after his resignation Albert Groblewski, Sr. passed away on April 21, 1925

Shortly after taking over the business Bernard gave up the retail drug business completely. An item announcing the sale of their drug store fixtures found in the October 8, 1925 edition of the “N.A.R.D Journal” suggested the decision was driven by the need for more manufacturing space.

THIS IS A REAL BARGAIN – WE NEED THE ROOM NOT YOUR MONEY

This itemized list of annual sales found in a May 12, 1930 “Times Leader” story justified their need for additional manufacturing space.

The “Times Leader” story went on to say:

Adding to the above were 500,000 packages of 4 powders each and 60 other articles of importance all of which brought up the total sales during 1929 of Groblewski products to the amount of 854,658 separate ready-for-sale pieces…

…The retail value of the plant’s product today is conservatively placed at $200,000…. Of our annual business 7 percent or about $14,000 worth is done in the Wyoming Valley and 93 percent of our products are sold throughout the rest of the United States and other countries.

The May 12th “Times Leader” story went on to describe the distribution network that was needed to service Groblewski’s over 18,000 retailers, most of whom by 1930, as a result of tariffs, were located in the United States.

At present there are distributing depots for Groblewski & Co. products located at Philadelphia, Pa., Seattle, Wash., Baltimore, Md., New York City, Jersey City, N.J., Brooklyn, N.Y., Chester Pa., Newark, N.J., Passaic, N.J., Buffalo, N.Y., Camden N.J., Cleveland, Ohio, Utica, N.Y., Toledo, Ohio, Detroit Mich., Chicago, Ills., Toronto, Canada and Canton City, China. Besides being sold in these cities products are sold in practically every city and town in the industrial part of the United States. The firm has had inquiries, and receive inquiries very often, from many parts of the world, but due to existing high tariffs and also unfavorable trade regulations it is impossible to sell products in most Foreign countries.

Like many patent medicine manufacturers of the day Groblewski attributed much of his success to advertising, a subject he addressed as early as 1905 in the February 17th edition of the “Times Leader.”

Albert G. Groblewski the well known druggist and patent medicine manufacturer of Plymouth, whose advertisement will be found elsewhere in this paper and whose remedies are well known and highly esteemed all over the country, tells a LEADER representative that he pays between $5,000 and $6,000 for advertising and he expects to keep on increasing the amount year by year because he has learned from experience that advertising is the keystone of success and you cannot do business with profit today without advertising.

By 1930, according to the May 12th “Times Leader” story:

The products of Albert G. Groblewski & Co. Inc. are now advertised in street cars, buses, newspapers, magazines, by novelties, booklets, telephone directories, window displays, show cards, billboards, wall paintings, radio, etc. Albert Groblewski & Co., also advertised by an attractive float, in the Sesqui Centennial parade held July 4th, 1928.

This depiction of their float appeared in the “The Book of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Wyoming, July 1st-4th 1928.”

It’s hard to argue against the success of Groblewski’s advertising but you can certainly take issue with its content. As early as February 20, 1902, this advertisement in the “Times Leader” claimed:

… any person who uses my Egiuterro No. 1 WILL NOT and CANNOT be afflicted with SMALLPOX.

So, as time went on it’s no surprise that claims like this led to charges of misbranding by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In one instance this led to the seizure of a June 3, 1916 shipment that contained ten different Groblewski preparations. Specific to Egiuterro, the January 29, 1918 government report stated:

Analyses of samples of the articles by the Bureau of Chemistry of this Department showed the following results:

Egiuterro: The product consists essentially of aloes, magnesium sulfate, jalap, strychnine, alcohol, and water, flavored with methyl salicylate…

… It was alleged in substance in the laboratory that Egiuterro was misbranded for the reason that certain statements appearing on the label falsely and fraudulently represented it as a preventative for smallpox, and as a remedy for rheumatism, dyspepsia, all kinds of fevers, all stomach disorders, all sores, inflammations, swellings, coughs, headaches, for pimples, blotches, boils, and all kinds of skin eruptions which are due to the impure blood or disarranged condition of the liver and kidneys, when in truth and in fact, it was not. Misbranding of the article was alleged for the further reason that it contained alcohol, and the label on the bottle failed to bear a statement of the quantity or proportion of alcohol contained therein.

Other mis-branded preparations included in the siezure were: “Uicure” touted as a cure for rheumatism, pyemia, sciatica, gout, etc.; “Sweet Rest for Children” as a remedy for three-months colic, fretful, cross and nervous babies; “Beaver Drops Comp.” as a remedy for irregular menses, etc.; “Blood Kleen” as a treatment for syphilis, eczema, anemia, cancer and lockjaw; “Heart and Nerve Regulator” as a heart and nerve regulator, a perfect sedative for delirium tremens, St Vitus dance, sleeplessness and nervous headache; “Kidneyleine” as a remedy for Bright’s disease and dropsy; “Eye Powder” as a remedy for cataract and sore eyes; “Tanrue Herbs and Pills” as a remedy for suppressed, painful and irregular menses and “5 Herbs” as a remedy for epilepsy and “fits.”

Twenty-five years later the government was still taking issue with the advertisements for many of their preparations, including Egiuterro, as evidenced by this July 28, 1943 news item found in Hazlton, Pennsylvania’s “Standard-Speaker.”

The Federal Trade Commission has announced that Albert G. Groblewski & Company of Plymouth, has agreed to cease advertising a number of medical preparations unless revealing the possible ill effects which the commission claims would follow their unrestricted use.

The commission said the preparations are Groblewski’s Headache Powders, Groblewski’s Naval Jelly, Groblewski’s Jadol, Nervoteine, Groblewski’s Preparation C, Groblewski’s Powders for Round Worms, Oohotin, Groblewski’s Revila Powders and Egiuterro.

According to this March 21, 1967 item found in “The Scranton Tribune, the company was still addressing misbranding issues in the mid-1960’s.

Headache Powder Seizure Sought

The federal government took steps in Federal Court here Monday for seizure and condemnation of 571 cartons of “Groblewski’s Headache Powders” in possession of Albert G. Groblewski & Co., 241 E. Main St., Plymouth.

Asst. U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Hanlon, in a petition seeking seizure and condemnation of the drugs, stated the shipment was “adulterated and misbranded…”

In spite of their running issues with the government, Albert G. Groblewski & Co. remained in business until 1974 at which time a notice announcing the dissolution of the company appeared in the April 6th edition of the “Times Leader.”

A “Q & A” newspaper column entitled “The Hot Line” found in the “Greensboro (N.C.) Record” suggests that the company was manufacturing their Rattlesnake Brand Liniment up until the very end, or at least until the early 1970’s. On April 18, 1970 the following question appeared in the column.

Q. I need some snake oil, an old time remedy. Where can I get some? D.K.

The answer came six days later.

Tell D.K. he can still purchase the snake oil from manufacturers: Albert G. Groblewski Co., Plymouth, Pa. It comes by one-half box or six bottles. We bought some last time we were in Pennsylvania and its lasted a long time. And D.K. is right – it does the job.

The subject bottle was blown in a mold, contains two ounces and includes the name of “A. Groblewski & Co.” embossed on the face. An unscientific review of the Groblewski directory listings and advertisements suggests that they didn’t begin to use that name until after the business incorporated in 1921. If that’s the case then the bottle was almost certainly blown at around that time. Anything later and I’d expect a machine made bottle. In fact, by 1921 machine made bottles were quickly becoming the norm.

On a final note: As far as I can tell, the building constructed by Groblewski at 241 East Main Street in 1907/1908 remains to this day. Sadly, now housing several apartments it barely resembles the original version.

Barry’s Tricopherous For the Skin and Hair, New York

Barry’s Tricopherous was primarily billed as a hair care product that was popular both in the United States and abroad from the mid-nineteenth century up through the early twentieth century. Originally touted as a cure for baldness, by the late 1800’s its suggested uses had expanded to include skin disruptions as well.

An elegant dressing. Prevents baldness, grey hair, and dandruff. Makes the hair grow thick and soft. Cures disruptions of the skin. Heals eruptions and diseases of the skin. Heals cuts, burns, bruises and sprains…

Later, by the 1920’s its claims had been toned down quite a bit with one ad simply saying:

There is no more effective treatment for the scalp and hair than a few drops of Barry’s Tricopherous gently massaged into the scalp two or three times a week… You will feel the healthful effect of Tricopherous. It makes your scalp tingle with health!

A product labeled Barry’s Tricopherous is still made today by the firm of Lanman & Kemp-Barclay.

According to several stories making the rounds on the internet Barry’s Tricoperous was invented in 1801 by the father of a man named Alexander C. Barry. Later advertisements, published in the 1880’s actually state “Established in 1801.”

That being said, New York City directories and early newspaper items paint a different picture, suggesting the product got its start, not in 1801 but in the mid-1830’s, and not with the Barry’s but with a man named Vair Clirehugh.

In 1835/1836 Clirehugh, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, was first listed in the NYC directories at 158 1/2 (later 160) Fulton Street with the occupation “wig maker.” As early as October 27, 1835 this advertisement touting his business appeared in New York’s “Evening Post.”

The advertisement reads:

TO THE LADIES. – CLIREHUGH, Ladies Hair Dresser, from London, respectfully solicits the patronage of the ladies of New York.

The experience of 20 years, and the patronage of the Royal Family and principal Nobility of England, may have some influence in recommending him as an artist whose classic and scientific engagement of the hair will be esteemed by all who study the true graces of the person.

The intended winter fashions have arrived. The costume of the Courts of London and Paris are to be the prevailing mode; and those ladies who will honor his abilities with a trial may at all times depend on his personal attendance.

Ornamental Hair of every description.

158 Fulton street. one door from Broadway, north.

Three years later Clirehugh began advertising what he called “The Tricopherous or Medicated Compound” for the prevention of Badness and Grey Hair, with his earliest ads appearing in October, 1838 editions of New York’s “Daily Herald.”

Sounding introductory in nature the ad stated, in part:

It is the only effectual remedy ever discovered to prevent baldness and Grey hair – to restore the Hair where it has fallen off – and to eradicate Scruff and dandruff. Prepared by CLIREHIGH, Hair Cutter, 160 Fulton Street, New York.

Although in number and variety there may be no want of specifics for the preservation of the Human Hair, yet the article now presented to the public, though entirely new in its composition, has claims superior to anything of the kind ever offered for the same purpose, its production being the result of extensive medical research and experience.

The proprietor is favorably known in this city, and celebrated as a Hair Cutter and Wig Maker; and for some years prior to his arrival in this country, attended the Lectures of the most distinguished Physiologists in London and Edinburgh, for the purpose of attaining a correct knowledge of the Anatomy of the Skin, the Organization and Structure of the Human Hair, and to trace the causes which produce baldness and grey hair.

The opportunities afforded by his professional duties have assisted his studies, and he has become skilled in the various Diseases of the Skin, as connected with the growth of the hair; and after a series of experiments, this Compound has been produced, with a confidence that it will restore the hair wherever it has fallen out or got thin, as well as preserve it from ever changing color.

By the early 1840’s, advertisements for Clirehugh’s “Tricopherous or Medicated Compound” were appearing in U.S. newspapers up and down the east coast from Massachusetts to Washington D.C. This May 19, 1840 “Baltimore Sun” advertisement naming a wig maker named August Croyeau as his local Baltimore agent was typical.

Sometime, likely in 1841 , three years after Clirehugh began advertising Tricopherous, Alexander C. Barry apparently came on the scene working in Clirehugh’s salon on Fulton Street (he’s not listed in the NYC directories until 1842). At some point, there was some sort of disagreement and Barry was either fired or resigned depending on who you believe, after which Barry, now listed two blocks away at 160 Fulton Street, began selling Clirehugh’s Tricopherous at the discounted price of fifty cents a bottle. The drama that followed played out in the local newspapers beginning with this October 20, 1841 “New York Tribune” item run by Clirehugh.

DARING ATTEMPT AT IMPOSITION. – A person lately discharged from my employ has had the bare-faced audacity to possess himself of numerous show bills and fancy labels connected with the sale of my Tricopherous. He has likewise issued a handbill headed “Clirehugh’s Tricopherous,” into which he has had the impudence to copy verbatim the principal advertisements of my wrapper, and has put a label and printed “directions for use” on each bottle, similar in every respect to the original, and adds “that it is the same article which he manufactured while in my establishment.” The circumstance of such a gratuitous, unmitigated, and unlashing falsehood only requires to be denied by me, and the person making such assertion held up to public scorn.

I scarce deem it necessary to say that no one at any time, in or out of my employ was ever entrusted with the secret, and could not by any means arrive at it, and that none but myself and son ever knew any thing of its composition or manufacture. His attempt to impose a spurious imitation of the genuine Tricopherous, where he, in his ignorance and cupidity thinks the public will be entrapped to purchase because charged only 50 cents, will be duly appreciated.

The individual who could be guilty of such conduct will not hesitate as to any means he may adopt to deceive and impose on the public…

VAIR CLIREHUGH

Barry’s response appeared the next day in the October 21, 1841 edition of the “New York Tribune”

TO THE PUBLIC. – The despicable fellow who keeps the Hair Cutting Rooms at the corner of Fulton and Broadway, is openly, but fruitlessly endeavoring to lessen me in the estimation of the Public regarding the sale of “The Tricopherous” elicits this response. So far from being discharged from his employ, as he asserts, I beg to say, that I voluntarily resigned my situation, for the sole reason that he in his usual and degrading system of swindling refused to pay me my just demand, a fact which can be proved in the Third Ward Court. It is likewise false to assert that I did not manufacture the article called “The Tricopherous,” in his establishment; in proof of which I hereby offer the sum of $500 to any chemist in this or any other city, to analyze its ingredients and say that it is not the identical compound sold at the above place for One Dollar, that I sell at Fifty Cents. If this does not satisfy the Public, I will publish the constituent parts of the compound.

A. C. BARRY, 146 Broadway.

Making matters worse, by 1843 both were located on Broadway within two blocks of each other; Clirehugh at the corner of Fulton Street and Barry at the corner of Liberty Street. By then, each was advertising what was almost certainly the same exact product under their respective names, “Clirehugh’s Tricopherous” and ‘Barry’s Tricopherous,” while at the same time accusing the other’s as being an imitation. In a series of September 1843 “New York Tribune” items they went so far as to even accuse each other of copying the wording in their newspaper items.

In his September 1, 1843 item Clirehugh wrote in part:

…To assist the deception, C.’s advertisements have been copied verbatim – the fellow being to ignorant to write one…

And here’s Barry’s September 23, 1843 response, copied verbatim:

To assist the deception Barry’s advertisements have been copied verbatim, the fellow being to ignorant to write one.

The battle in the newspapers simmered down shortly afterward but the two remained competitors for the next decade and a half with each of them marketing what was almost certainly the same, or nearly the same product under their respective names.

During this time Clirehugh listed various addresses on lower Broadway, with the New York City directories associating him with various occupations that included “tricopherous”as well as “wig maker” and “perfumer.” An October 24, 1851 advertisement in the “Brooklyn Evening Star” that led with the following headline…

…went on to locate Clirehugh’s ‘principal depot” at 179 Broadway.

At the same time Barry, who had recently anointed himself with the title of “professor…”

…listed his business in the directories at 137-139 Broadway with occupations that included both “wig maker and “tricopherous.”

Clirehugh died suddenly on May 27, 1860. His obituary, published in the June 11, 1860 edition of Toronto’s “Globe and Mail,” told the story.

Our obituary of today contains the announcement of the death of Mr. Vair Clirehugh, a native of Edinburgh, and long a resident of New York, which melancholy event took place on board the steamship “Glasgow” on her voyage to New York. His death was wholly unexpected. He embarked on board the “Glasgow” in apparently robust health, with the view of returning to New York, after a lengthy visit to his native land with the view of spending the remainder of his days in the United States.

Clirehugh’s son who the New York City directories suggest joined him in business sometime in the 1840’s remained in the hairdressing business but apparently did not continue to manufacture or market Clirehugh’s Tricopherous, at least to any great extent. The last mention of Clirehugh’s Tricoperous that I can find was in the September 20, 1862 edition of a Norwich, Connecticut newspaper called “The Bulletin.” Ironically it appeared in an advertisement run by a local retailer that listed both Barry’s and Clirehugh’s Tricopherous under the single heading of “Hair Preparations.”.

Barry pressed on and sometime in the late 1850’s he moved his operation to 374 Pearl Street where it was first listed in New York City’s 1859 directory. Over the next ten years his operation continued to gain notoriety so much so that advertisements for Barry’s Tricopherous began appearing in such far away places as Australia. One such ad appeared in the August 13, 1862 edition of Austrailia’s “Newcastle Chronicle.”

In 1868, Barry also passed away unexpectedly when according to a story written years later in the September 8, 1912 edition of the “New York Times:”

…Barry fell down three flights of stairs in his residence, 471 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, and died of a fractured skull.

Subsequently, according to another story found in the November 17, 1907 edition of Buffalo, New York’s “Illustrated Times,”

Not long after her husband’s death Mrs. Barry sold the business for $10,000. to a nephew.

Not long after, Barry’s nephew, also named Alexander Barry, turned the rights to Barry’s Tricopherous over to a merchant and exporter named George C. Barclay. In a notice dated July 15, 1870 Barclay announced that he had acquired the rights to the generic name “Tricopherous,” having not only acquired the rights to “Barry’s Tricopherous,” but “Clirehugh’s Tricopherous” as well. The announcement appeared as a “Special Notice” in the July 27, 1870 edition of the “New York Daily Herald.” The notice read in part:

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DRUGGISTS AND dealers in proprietary articles. Office of Barry’s Tricopherous for the Hair, 374 Pearl Street, July 15, 1870.- The undersigned begs to notify the trade that he has, by purchase, become sole owner of the good will, trademarks and business of and in “Barry’s Tricopherous,” and of and in “Clirehugh’s Tricopherous;” and he thus becomes the sole possessor of the right to the word “Tricopherous,” and also of the names “Barry” and “Clirehugh” in connection with the word “Tricopherous”…

He then went on to sign the notice

GEORGE C. BARCLAY, Sole Proprietor of “Barry’s Tricopherous” and of “Clirehugh’s Tricopherous.”

The notice in full is shown below.

Initially it appears that the younger Barry and Barclay continued to work together at Barry’s Pearl Street depot where both were listed in early 1870’s editions of Goulding’s Business Directory. As early as 1871 they had even added a hair dye to their menu as evidenced by this July 30, 1871 advertisement that reads:

Barry’s Tricopherous

Does not color hair. It is the best of all dressings and preservers, but BARRY’S SAFE HAIR DYE is expressly for coloring any shade, from a light auburn brown to a beautiful black…

Court records, “Clara S. Barclay v. Reginald G. Barclay,” summarized in the 1915 edition of the “Trade Mark Reporter,” pick up the story from there.

A co-partnership known as Barclay & Co., was formed in 1873 between Alexander Barry and Thomas Barclay. George C. Barclay was not a member of the firm of Barclay & Co., but he controlled and owned the firm name, good will, and the various trade-marks used in the business, which the co-partnership used under a rental agreement with George C. Barclay.

Now located at 26 Liberty Street, the company continued to expand their product line under the “Barry” name, as evidenced by this September 6, 1873 advertisement for Barry’s Pearl Cream.

As early as 1877 they were also selling products under the name “Dr. Reuter” as well. This 1879 “Reuter’s Life Syrup” advertisement found in a Hartford, Wisconsin newspaper called the “Times Press,” also included a pitch for Barry’s Tricopherous

The partnership between Thomas Barclay and Barry was apparently time limited and “expired by its own limitation” on December 31, 1877. A notice to that effect appeared in the January 14, 1878 edition of the “New York Herald.”

Less than a month later, on January 18, 1878, a new partnership was formed. Also called Barclay & Co., a notice that appeared that day in the “New York Herald” named George Barclay’s sons, William O. and Reginald G., as principals with no mention of Barry.

Initially the business listed 7 Burling Slip as their address until the company moved to what would become their long-time headquarters on the corner of Pearl Street and Stone Street (44 Stone Street and 77 Pearl Street), a location acquired by George C, Barclay in March of 1881. The real estate transaction was documented in the March 25, 1881 edition of the “New York Times.”

Over the next 20 years Barclay & Co. remained on Stone & Pearl during which Barry continued to be associated with the firm for much of the time. After disappearing from the NYC directories for a while in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s, he was once again listed at the firm’s address in 1883, and by the late 1880’s the NYC Copartnership and Corporation directories were again naming him as a principal in the firm, but now under the name Alexander Barrie. According to a December 1, 1885 story in the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle:”

Changed His Name

Alexander Barry of Montague Street, yesterday obtained from City Judge Clement permission to change his name to Barrie, his family name from some years ago until his grandfather changed it. Mr Barrie is a member of the firm of Barclay & Co. New York Wholesale druggists.

New York City’s Copartnership and Corporation Directory dated March, 1888 reflected the name-change from Barry to Barrie.

The court records, “Clara S. Barclay v. Reginald G. Barclay,” went on to say that after George C. Barclay’s death in 1897, the business relationship between his sons and Barrie continued.

George C. Barclay died in November 1897, and bequeathed the aforesaid property to his two sons William O. Barclay and Reginald G. Barclay, in equal shares with certain monthly payments to his wife and daughter. On December 31, 1897 a partnership agreement was entered into between William O. Barclay, Reginald G. Barclay, and Alexander Barrie to carry on business under the firm name of Barclay & Co. On the same date an agreement was made by the executrices of the will of George C. Barclay with the said persons, as co-partners, whereby during the continuance of the co-partnership they were given the right to use the name of Barclay & Co. and the good will thereof, and various trademarks which at his death had been the property of George C. Barclay.

Four years later William O Barclay also passed away after which Barrie and Reginald G. Barclay continued as partners under yearly agreements.

According to court records “Clara S. Barclay v. Reginald G. Barclay,” by 1904 their product menu included a series of products using both the Barry and Reuter name.

This early U. S. advertisement for one such product, Reuter’s Soap, appeared in the December 16, 1905 edition of “Brooklyn Life” (later ads suggest it was being marketed overseas as early as 1880).

On December 31, 1912 Alexander Barrie announced that he was separating from the business. The notice appeared in the January 4, 1913 edition of the “New York Times.”

The younger Barry (now Barrie) passed away four years later, in January 1917.

Around the same time Barrie left the business it apparently moved to 26 Beaver Street and in April, 1913 Reginald Barclay incorporated the business in Delaware. An August 3, 1915 “New York Times” story filled in some details.

… Reginald C Barclay incorporated Barclay & Co. in Delaware in April 1913 with a capitalization of $3,000,000… During May, 1914, Barclay conveyed his rights in the old Barclay & Co. to the new Delaware corporation and later it was discovered that the new company owned all the assets and business of the old.

Six years later, in December, 1919, with Reginald G. Barclay now apparently out of the picture, a company called Reuter-Barry was incorporated, with the notice appearing in the December 21st edition of the “New York Times.”

Still located at Barclay & Company’s 26 Beaver Street address, this 1923 price list found in the “Druggist Circular” confirms that the company continued to market products under both the “Barry” name and “Reuter” name including “Barry’s Tricopherous.”

This Reuter-Barry advertisement found in the 1925 “North American Almanac,” touted both “Reuter’s Soap” and “Barry’s Tricopherous.”

Sometime in the early 1930’s it appears that Reuter-Barry merged with Lanman & Kemp of Florida Water fame forming Lanman & Kemp-Barclay. The first listing I can find for the company appeared in New York City’s 1933 directory.

Following the merger, it appears that Lanman & Kemp-Barclay primarily focused the marketing and sale of Barry’s Triccopherous on overseas markets. U. S. newspaper advertisements for Barry’s Tricopherous vanished by 1930 and by the mid to late 1940’s the product had all but vanished from newspaper advertised drug store price lists. That being said, as late as 1973 it was still being advertised in Austrailia, as evidenced by this ad that appeared that year in several editions of a Melbourne newspaper called “The Age.”

Today, Lanaman & Kemp Barclay is still in business and still producing a version of Barry’s Tricopherous.

The bottle I found was blown in a mold and closely matches the one pictured in this late 19th century advertisement.

Saratoga Dressing, Restorff & Bettmann, New York, U. S. A.

The partnership of Restorff and Bettmann was established by Theodore Restorff and William Bettmann both of whom, according to census records (1900), immigrated to the United States from Germany; Bettmann in 1865 and Restorff in 1870.

Prior to establishing Restorff & Bettmann, Theodore G. Restorff was listed in the 1873-1874 New York City Copartnership and Corporation Ditrectory, partnered with a shoemaker named Charles (Carl) Schneider under the firm name of Restorff & Schneider. That partnership was short-lived and by the Spring of 1874 Restorff had moved on, forming his partnership with William Bettmann.

At its start in 1874, the New York City based business was formally called Restorff, Bettmann & Co. however, it was more often simply referred to as Restorff & Bettmann in early newspaper stories and advertisements. This inconsistency was addressed in 1881 when the January 15th edition of a publication called “Bradsreets” announced that Restorff, Bettmann & Co. had been dissolved, with the firm continuing as Restorff & Bettmann. The business would operate under that name up through at the early 1930’s.

As early as 1875 the company was listed at 187 Wooster Street, before moving to Pine Street (usually listed as 70 or 70-1/2 Pine) in 1876. It was in March of that year that the company filed an application to trademark the phrase “Saratoga Dressing.” According to the March 21st edition of the “Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office,” the application was filed on March 11, 1876.

Their Saratoga Dressing would go on to be one of, if not the first, of many shoe and leather related products manufactured by the company over the next 50+ years. Produced in liquid form, the dressing was touted as specifically made “For LADIES and CHILDREN’S BOOTS and SHOES.”

An advertisement made to look like a news item presented their early sales pitch. It was published in the March 18, 1881 edition of Davenport, Iowa’s “Morning Democrat.”

The smearing of thick and vile smelling paste upon the shoe, and the vigorous rubbing of the polishing brush to produce lustre, were done away with as far as ladies’ and childrens’ foot wear are concerned when the wonderful “Saratoga Dressing” was produced in the shape of a liquid, ever ready for use, and requiring no physical exertion to impart a bright and highly polished lustre, which the shoe will retain longer than from any blacking ever invented… It has no smell, and unlike many others, it does not stain stockings or dress…

Another advertisement, this one found in the December 2, 1876 edition of the “Morning Democrat” announced that it revived and restored the shoe leather as well..

However daintily a lady may be dressed, an unfortunate crack, an abraded surface, a brown, scar-like patch upon her gaiters will disturb the serenity of her mind. All these ills, and many more, may be avoided by using Saratoga Dressing, which will make ladies’ and misses’ boots and shoes, which have become coarse, rough, brown or cracked, as splendid as ever, and thus prevent premature throwing away of articles with months of wear in them. The Saratoga Dressing will not rub off, will not soil the most delicate silk nor whitest napery, while it softens the leather, and renders it impervious to dew or damp. It should find a place in every household.

Business apparently grew quickly such that by 1878, this advertisement for New York City’s Ehric’s department store, published in the October 27th edition of the “Daily Herald,” announced that the store’s shoe department had 100 gross “Saratoga Dressing” in stock, for sale at 5 cents a bottle.

Not just available in New York City, as early as 1876 newspaper advertisements for Saratoga Dressing began appearing in the midwest, in places like Davenport, Iowa where this advertisement was found in the December 16, 1876 edition of the “Morning Democrat.”

The company’s Saratoga Dressing remained their marquee product until 1888 when they introduced a new product called Glycerole.

Described as an oil dressing, Resstorff & Bettmann’s own advertising, while not actually stating it, suggested that it was better than their Saratoga Dressing. Consider the wording in this July 18, 1888 advertisement found in Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s “Daily Chronicle.”

Ever since the now indispensable article of Shoe Dressing came into existence, it has been the source of constant trouble to parties using it, because it hardened and cracked the leather and to the dealer, because of the complaints of his customers. Conscientious Shoe Dealers have often dissuaded their patrons from using any Shoe Dressing whatever and advised the application of oil, as it is universally known that oil is the only preservative of leather, while other substances crack and destroy it.

It was claimed for most Dressings heretofore in use that they do not crack leather but it has never before been claimed that an Oil Dressing could be produced, the composition of which was said to be an impossibility. After years of patient work however, we have succeeded in solving the problem of producing an oil, which in addition to its softening and preserving qualities gives also an elegant lustre to leather goods.

Glycerole is a veritable oil and the only one in existence which answers the purpose of oiling, and at the same time dresses leather. It is perfect in its composition, does not rub off or soil dresses or skirts and imparts to worn goods a soft oily lustre which positively preserves the leather and protects it from water.

We do not pretend that a single application of Glycerole will improve a shoe already dried and hardened by numerous coats of common shoe dressing, but we do warrant that all shoes oiled and dressed only with Glycerole will be positively improved in wearing quality, as this oil by penetrating into the pores of the leather will make it more supple and add to its durability.

Restorff & Bettmann, Manufacturers, New York

Not surprisingly, it appears that Glycerole quickly went on to overtake Saratoga as their marquee product, a point made clear in this company snapshot found in the 1891 edition of a publication called the “History of Commerce of New York.” The entry also made it clear that by then the business had grown substantially.

RESTORFF & BETTMANN …Among the leading and prosperous business enterprises of the great down town trade district will be found that of Messrs. Restorff & Bettmann, commission merchants and manufacturers of Glycerole and Leather Dressings, Nos. 70 and 70-1/2 Pine Street… The premises, an entire building 20 x 100 feet in size, are systematic in arrangement and the general complete appointment includes all the modern business conveniences and facilities. The firm do a heavy commission business in both home and foreign produce; their immense general line reaching pretty much all over the world. In the manufacture of “Glycerole” and leather dressings the house has gained a wide celebrity, these famous articles having today a large sale and standard value upon all markets both at home and abroad…

In 1895 the company moved to 35 Bond Street, likely the result of a January fire that occurred in their Pine Street factory. The fire was described in the January 28, 1895 edition of the “Evening World.”

Fire broke out on the second floor at 70-1/2 Pine Street shortly before 11 o’clock this morning. The building, a four-story structure, is occupied by Restorff & Bettmann, manufacturers of shoe dressing.

The flames spread from floor to floor with great rapidity and a second alarm was turned in. Seven men working on the third floor had to hustle lively to get out of the building, and two girls, Lena Cohen, of 170 Henry Street, and Bridget Brennan, of 86 Furman Street, Brooklyn, on the second floor, had a narrow escape.

They were at work pasting labels on bottles when the fire broke out, and becoming panic stricken, crouched trembling at the table where they worked. Phillip Goldberg, of 84 Monroe Street, called to them to get out. When they did not stir, he grabbed each about the waist and forced them to the stairway. The flames were then bursting through the walls and in a moment more escape might have been cut off.

The origin of the fire is a mystery. No one knows exactly where it broke out or how it began. It is estimated that the building is damaged to the extent of $2,500, while the stock, valued at $5,000 is a total loss.

During the 1890’s the company’s advertising suggests that their product line continued to grow, with this January 6, 1897 advertisement in the “Boot and Shoe Recorder” listing several new products under the name “Vaserole.” Though still included, “Saratoga Dressing” was listed last and simply called:

The best 10 cent shoe polish that can be offered to the public.

By the early 1900’s, another “Boot and Shoe Recorder” advertisement, this one in their October 21, 1903 edition, makes it clear that their menu of products had expanded further.

Shortly after the above advertisement was published changes in management were in the works when Theodore Restorff passed away. According to the May 15, 1904 edition of “The Shoe Retailer and Boot and Shoes Weekly:”

FIRM NAME AND BUSINESS TO BE CONTINUED

The recent death of Mr. Theodore G. Restorff, a well-known man in the shoe and leather world and who was a member of the firm of Restoff & Bettmann, 35 and 37 Bond Street, New York City, manufacturers of blackings, dressing and other preparations for men’s, women’s and children’s shoes, has necessitated the dissolution of the former partnership, and it is announced that all right, title and interest in the business has been sold to William Bettmann, the surviving member of the firm, who will continue the business under the name of Restorff & Bettmann, as heretofore. Mr. Bettmann retains the same efficient force of employees and he will be assisted in the management of the business by his son, Jesse W. Bettmann.

A year later, the May 14, 1905 edition of the “New York Times” announced that the business had incorporated under the Restorff & Bettmann name, with Bettmann, his son, Jesse and Ludwig Engel all named as directors.

It appears that the Bettmann’s left the business shortly after it incorporated. As early as 1906, the New York City Copartnership and Corporation Directory listed the company address as 426 East 106th Street and named Ludwig Engel as president. There was no mention of Bettmann who by 1910 listed his occupation as “real estate” in census records.

The company continued to operate under Engel for two plus decades. Sometime around 1910 the company moved back to lower Manhattan where they initially listed their address as 135 Wooster Street before moving to 79 Mercer St in the early teens. At that point the company was still producing a large menu of items including “Glycerole,” as evidenced by this December, 1913 advertisement found in the “Druggist Circular.” Notably absent from the menu was any mention of “Saratoga Dressing.

Sometime in 1925 the company moved to Reade Street where it remained until sometime in the early 1930’s after which I lose track.

The subject bottle is 4-1/4 inches tall with a 1-1/2 inch square cross section. Blown in a mold it contains 3 ounces. It matches the style of bottle the company was using by the early 1880’s, as evidenced by this advertisement found in several July, 1881 editions of Lafayette, Indiana’s “Journal & Courier.”

A bottle recently pictured on e-bay that’s embossed with the original company name of Restorff, Bettmann & Co. exhibits a different style so its possible the company changed styles in 1881 after the formal company name-change to Restorff & Bettmann.

If that’s the case, then the subject bottle dates between 1881 and roughly 1910 when I’d expect a machine-made bottle.

Acqua Lina M’F’G’ Co., Brooklyn, New York. “Acqua Lina”

Aqua Lina was marketed as a cleanser, disinfectant, germicide and deodorant from the mid-1920’s up through the mid-1960’s. Typically sold in quart bottles, it was bottled in concentrated form and had to be mixed with water before use.

As far as I can tell, it was strictly a local product that was both manufactured and exclusively advertised in Brooklyn, New York over most of its 40-year history.

The originator and driving force behind Acqua Lina was Vincent Quartararo whose family arrived in the United States from Italy in 1898, when he was only a year old. By 1920, census records indicate Quartararo was living in Brooklyn where he listed his occupation as “chauffeur for a trucking company.”

Four years later, in 1924, Quartararo was listed in the Brooklyn telephone book at 33 Wallabout Market with the occupation “grocer.” This photo of Wallabout Market taken about the time Quartararo arrived appeared in the August 10, 1924 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle.”

It was shortly after establishing what was likely a wholesale grocery business that, according to an advertisement in the July 3, 1937 edition of a newspaper called the “Brooklyn Tablet,” Quartararo began marketing Acqua Lina.

That being said, it wasn’t until 1930 that a listing for the Acqua Lina Manufacturing Co. began appearing in the Brooklyn telephone book, and when it did appear its address was the same Wallabout Market address as the grocery business. This all suggests that in its early years the operation was quite small, manufacturing just enough of the cleanser to sell through the grocery business.

Things began to change in the fall of 1935 when Quartararo filed a trademark for Acqua Lina with New York’s Secretary of State. The announcement appeared in several October editions of both the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” and “Brooklyn Times Union.”

A little over a year later advertisements for Acqua Lina began appearing in the “Brooklyn Tablet.” The earliest one I can find appeared in their May 29, 1937 edition.

Around the same time, this advertisement disguised as a news story laid out the company’s sales pitch. It appeared in the July 3, 1937 edition of the “Brooklyn Tablet.”

“ACQUA LINA”

Man’s inventive genius, since the turn of the century, has helped greatly in relieving the dreary burden of wash day. To expedite and ease this work, there have been advances in hot water arrangements, washing machines and cleansing preparations. One of the most popular of the latter is Acqualina Washing Liquid, which has been marketed for the past ten years, with a steady increasing volume due to its efficient properties.

Acqualina can be used as a germicide, disinfectant, deodorant, cleanser and it has many other uses. Acqualina’s high quality and strong concentration makes its use very economical. The price of Acqualina is sold very reasonable and within the reach of all. It is sold only in handy quart bottles, each sealed with a special gold seal which must be broken before the bottle is opened, thereby protecting the purchaser against adulteration.

Mr. Vincent Quartararo, president of the Acqualina Manufacturing Co. of 33 Wallabout Market, has found over 1,000 uses for this fine washing liquid which does its work well, and in addition lessens the manual labor involved. The company is now serving many Catholic institutions, and has received good reports on its product from large users of this type as well as from private homes.

Acqualina Washing Liquid has many good properties as a disinfectant for personal use, as for cuts, scratches, burns and surface wounds and is excellent for baths and antiseptic douches.It is sold by leading grocers, and a call to EVergreen 8-6568 will bring the name of the nearest dealer.

Four years later, with Wallabout Market set to be razed and become part of an expanded Brooklyn Navy Yard, Quartararo bought a factory building in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene section. The transaction was announced in the May 4, 1941 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle.”

Factory Building Sold

Harry M. Lewis Co., Inc., in conjunction with John F. James & Sons, Inc., sold for estate of Thomas C. Craig to Vincent Quartararo, doing business as Acqua Lina Manufacturing Company, the two story brick mercantile structure on lot 49 x 80 feet at 368 – 370 Cumberland St., Fulton St. and Atlantic Ave. The purchaser is making extensive alterations to this building for his own occupancy.

Six weeks later, with the alterations suficiently completed, the June 14, 1941 edition of the “Brooklyn Tablet” announced that the company was moving in.

ACQUA LINA MFG. CO. IN NEW QUARTERS

The Acqua Lina Mfg. Co., formerly of 33-34 Wallabout Market, manufacturers of Acqua Lina Washing Liquid, have removed their plant to 368 -70 Cumberland St., Brooklyn.

The firm, 15 years ago, perfected a liquid which has more than 1,000 uses. It is an efficient cleansing agent, a potent germicide, a powerful disinfectant, and an effective deodorant. One drop of this fluid mixed with water forms a cleanser whose efficiency is unsurpassed…

Around this time references to Quartararo as a “grocer” disappear from the Brooklyn phone books so I suspect by then the business was entirely focused on the manufacture of “Acqua Lina.”

Quartararo passed away in December 1952 after which it appears that the family continued to run the business. In fact, as early as 1950, with Vincent unable to work, census records named his son Leonard as “plant manager.”

The company remained active throughout the 1950’s during which they made some changes to the product’s packaging. The first came in 1951 when they transitioned to a “no deposit” bottle, as evidenced by this advertisement that appeared in the April 5, 1951 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle.”

Later, according to this September 16, 1954 “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” advertisement, the company added half gallon and gallon sizes to go along with their traditional quart bottle.

In 1961, newspaper advertisements for “Acqua Lina Bleach” began appearing in grocery store price lists outside of Brooklyn, in near-by places like Staten Island and New Jersey and as far away as Buffalo, New York. Whether the name change and expanded distribution were the result of an ownership change is not clear but by the mid-1960’s all newspaper references to Acqua Lina vanish and the Acqua Lina Manufacturing Company was no longer listed in the Brooklyn telephone book.

The bottle I found is machine made and the company’s typical quart size. The company information is embossed on the base and the words “Acqua Lina” also appear on the shoulder.

I suspect it was manufactured sometime between 1930, when the company name began appearing in the phone book, and 1951 when they switched to a “no deposit” bottle, at which time I would expect to see those words embossed somewhere on the bottle.

The makers mark of an “F” inside a hexagon found on the base serves to further narrow down the range. According to http://glassbottlemarks.com the mark refers to The Fairmount Glass Company who, according to their trademark application, first used the mark on November 6, 1933 and used it up through the late 1960’s.

This puts the bottle’s manufacture sometime between 1933 and 1951.

A. Bauer’s Sons, Inc. (Mustard)

The bottle’s namesake, August Bauer, followed by several generations of his family, operated a Williamsburg, Brooklyn and later, Ridgewood, Queens food business that manufactured and bottled mustard, horseradish, relish, pickles and beets. In business for well over 100 years, their marquee product was called “Bauer’s Mustard.”

August Bauer (sometimes Baner) was born in Germany in 1853 and arrived in New York sometime in the mid-1880’s (1883 in the 1900 census or 1885 in the 1910 census). He initially settled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where as early as 1886/1887 he was listed in the Brooklyn directories with an address of 110 Hopkins Street and the occupation “horseradish. By 1889/1890 he had moved to 139 Meserole Street where, up through 1904, the directory’s listed his occupation as either “horseradish” or “pickles. At the same time, 1900 census records indicate that the same Meserole Street address also served as Bauer’s residence, suggesting it was a small, local business.

Sometime in the mid-1900’s the business moved to Ridgewood, Queens where, by 1909, it was listed in the Brooklyn/Queens telephone book at 1446 Metropolitan Avenue. Sometime in the mid-to-late 1920’s, renumbering of the Queens street system changed the address to 5338 Metropolitan Avenue.

Early on, August’s 19 year-old son had gotten involved in the business as well, listing his occupation as “delicatessen laborer” in 1900 census records, and “bottler pickle works” in 1910 records. At some point, another son, Rudolph, also joined the business and, by 1920, census records suggest the sons were running the business. This was certainly the case in 1927 when this advertisement found in the June 23rd edition of the “Brooklyn Times Union” listed the company name as A. Bauer’s Sons, Inc.

The above advertisement suggests that by then their mustard was the company’s most notable product and it became even more so when, in 1932, Bauer’s mustard won the grand prize at a Paris, France exposition. A story in the February 15, 1932 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Times” made the announcement.

WINS PARIS MEDAL

August Bauer’s Sons, Inc. Sweep Salon With Their Mustard

August Bauer’s Sons, Inc., of 5338 Metropolitan Ave., manufacturers of prepared mustard, horseradish and pickled condiments, have been awarded the grand prize medal and diploma for the quality and flavor of their mustard, which they entered in the International Commercial and Industrial Exposition, in Paris, Dec. 1931, at the Salon Du Progress.

August Bauer, now retired, started the business more than 30 years ago and only through quality, reputation and service has grown to its present size.

The concern, now called August Bauer’s Sons, Inc., has a very large trade in mustard and other products, particularly in the Metropolitan area.

The company soon followed up with a local advertisement that touted the mustard’s grand prize award.” It appeared in the February 25, 1932 edition of the “Brooklyn Daily Times.”

The Bauer’s didn’t advertise much in the local newspapers but they did continue to take advantage of their Paris success and over the next three months occasionally ran these advertisements in the Brooklyn newspapers.

In 1940, Rudolph and Fred continued to run the business, each listing their occupation as “manager wholesale foods” that year in census records. By then the census records suggest their sons, August’s grandsons, also named Rudolph and Fred, had joined the business as well, listing their occupations as “labeler” and “wholesale clerk,” respectively.

As far as I can tell, over the next 50+ years, the company remained active in Ridgewood with their mustard occasionally appearing in newspaper advertisements for grocery stores and delicatessens. As late as April 21, 1994, a Poughkeepsie, New York delicatessen called Metzger’s included a bratwurst club sandwich with Bauer’s mustard as part of their “Travelers Lunch Express.”

At the turn of the century, the company was still active, though just barely, and still located at 5338 Metropolitan Avenue, in Ridgewood. At the time, according to an April 20, 1999 story in “Newsday” it was run by a fifth generation family member, Bart Druery. According to “Newsday:”

After illness forced Druerey’s bachelor great-uncle, Fred Bauer, to retire from the business in 1989, Druery visited the factory for the first time in 15 years… A check of the books showed that Bauer’s was in Druery’s words, “an old popular name without a company behind it.” For several years, Fred Bauer and a single employee had made just enough mustard to pay the bills.

The factory showed its age in every corner, from the stamped-tin ceilings to the worn floors, from the rusting fire escape to the aged brick-patterned asbestos siding that covered its brick walls. The machinery was old to ancient.

But for Druery, it represented an opportunity to run his own business… Druery rebuilt most of the machines but didn’t tamper with the old Bauer family recipe. “The mustard I make is the same mustard they were making here in 1920,” he says. Almost all of the production is what the trade calls a Dusseldorf mustard – hot but full-flavored, with a balance of sweet and bitter and sour, heightened with a dash of horseradish….

The story went on to say:

Now, Druery says, the mainstay of the business is “gallon containers that end up in delis.”

Bauer’s small jars do appear on store shelves as far away as Alaska, though most of them are sold in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. King Kullen supermarkets carry it, so do some Karl Ehmer stores. In summer, demand in the Hamptons helps boost Bauer’s sales 20 percent…

Druery sells 10,000 to 15,000 cases a year, more than double what the company sold when he took over….The price is a killer, but its the quality of the mustard that’s keeping me in business.

As far as I can tell, at some point the manufacture of Brauer’s mustard was moved from Ridgewood to Long Island where Industrynet.com listed a company called A. Bauers Mustard, Inc. with an address of Brooklyn Rd., in Hempstead. As early as 2016, this November 20th story found in New York’s “Daily News” referred to the mustard as “Long Island-made A. Bauer’s mustard.”

Later Bauer’s mustard ads also exhibited the Hempstead location on the jar’s label.

How long the company remained in business is not clear but they’re certainly no longer in business today. A recent telephone call to the Bauer company’s phone number found on Industrynet.com responded with a taped message that said “they had no mustard in stock and no plans for making any.”

The bottle I found is machine made with a finish designed to accommodate a screw top. It’s 2-1/2 inches square and 6-inches tall. The embossed style of the company name closely resembles the style found in many of their 1932 newspaper advertisements, not to mention their recent label.

According to the February 25, 1932 advertisement pictured earlier in this post, the company was manufacturing mustard, horse radish, pickled beets, sweet relish and sweet pickles at the time.

This April/May 1932 advertisement pictured the company’s mustard packaged in a round barrel shaped jar.

So, this leaves relish, horseradish and pickles as options.

According to “StreetEasy.com,” the building that housed the business for over 100 years at 5338 Metropolitan Avenue was built in 1901. It apparently remains to this day and currently houses a tattoo parlor. Here’s today’s version courtesy of “Google Maps.”

Melchers Distilleries Limited

Melchers Distilleries Limited, along with its predecessor, The Melchers Gin and Spirits Distillery Company, operated a distillery just north of Montreal, in Berthierville, Quebec, Canada, from 1898 to 1977.

The business grew out of a relationship between a Dutch distiller named Theodore Melchers and a Canadian businessman and later politician named Joseph Marcelin Wilson. According to Theodore Melchers’ obituary, found in the January 9, 1922 edition of the “Montreal Star,” in the late 1800’s he was the senior partner of the firm of J. J. Melchers of Schiedham, Holland. Gin distillers and exporters, the firm was founded by his grandfather in the early 1800’s.

In the meantime, as early as 1889, J. M. Wilson was partnered with B. J. Boivin in the Montreal based wholesale grocery business of Boivin, Wilson & Co.

In 1898 Wilson, Boivin and Melchers got together and established the Canadian business of the “Melchers’ Gin and Spirits Distilling Company Limited.” Wilson, Boivin, and Theodore’s son Jean (also called J. J.) were named as “First or Provincial Directors” in the company’s August 6, 1898 incorporation notice.

The incorporation notice went on to describe the company’s objectives.

(a.) To carry on business as distillers, malters, etc., in and to extend the same to any and all of the provinces of the Dominion of Canada, the manufacturing, distilling, rectifying, aging, buying, selling and dealing in all kinds of spiritous and alcoholic liquors, and malting; (b.) So far as necessary for the purpose of carrying on to advantage and without waste the business described in clause (a.), to carry on the business of stock raisers and cattle feeders, the operations of the company to be carried on at Berthier, in the province of Quebec, and elsewhere throughout the Dominion of Canada.

The company immediately went about establishing their Berthierville distillery with much of the distilling equipment being brought over from Holland, and within a year the distillery was up and running under the Melchers name, as evidenced by this February 21, 1899 “Montreal Star” item advertising “A COMPRESSED YEAST” to local bakers.

This early 20th Century depiction of the distillery appeared in an October 13, 1911 advertisement published in Toronto’s “Globe and Mail.”

According to Theodore Melchers’ obituary, his son Jean would go on to serve as the distillery’s managing director for over 20 years.

In the Spring of 1900, the first shipment of Melchers Canadian made gin called “Red Cross” hit the market. Flavored with juniper berries it was sometimes referred to as a “Holland” or “Geneva” gin. The “roll-out” was described in the June 18, 1901 edition of the “Montreal Star.”

Another Big Shipment of Melchers Canadian Geneva

On June 10th last, the Melchers Gin Distillery, of Berthierville, has once more supplied the liquor trade with several thousand cases and hundreds of casks of the now celebrated “Red Cross” Canadian Geneva.

The first shipment that was made last April was met with unprecedented enthusiasm by the trade. In fact, the wholesale dealer did not even have time to warehouse the Gin as it was all sold in advance to retailers who had great trouble to find enough “Red Cross” Geneva to supply the always increasing demand for that superior liquor.

Now, the same rush, the same boom, was repeated with last week’s shipment and it seems as it will keep up until the Berthierville’s Distillery’s capacity has been increased, which of course, must be done in the near future…

That summer advertisements specifically touting the company’s “Red Cross” Geneva began appearing in Canadian newspapers. One of the earliest appeared in the July 17, 1901 edition of the “Montreal Gazette.” The advertisement clearly identifies Boivin Wilson & Co. as their distributing agent.

The following year another series of newspaper advertisements featured their Berthierville Distillery, an image that soon began appearing on their label.

The hype described in the June 18, 1901 “Montreal Star” item certainly had a lot of truth to it as evidenced by the fact that in 1903 the company increased its capital ten fold, from $100,000 to $1,000,000. The announcement appeared in the July 25th edition of Toronto’s “Globe and Mail.”

Over the next ten years, the name “Red Cross” became intimately associated with their gin due in no small part to the $500,000 the company invested in promoting and maintaining the brand. In spite of that fact, in November, 1914 the company announced it was changing the gin’s name to “Gold Cross.”

The reasoning behind the change was directly related to the humanitarian role of the “Red Cross Society” during World War I. A November 2, 1914 announcement in the “St. John Standard” spelled it out like this:

The ambulance systems of the world met at Geneva, in Switzerland, in 1864 – exactly 50 years ago – and adopted a flag with a Red Cross on a White Ground as the neutral flag of all nations, a protection to the sick and wounded from harm and a protection also to all persons engaged in the work of caring for those sufferers.

In this present European conflict it has gained greater importance than ever since men knew war. It has become so important that we are compelled to realize that only nations themselves should be allowed to use the RED CROSS emblem.

At the insistence of the Imperial and Canadian Governments, who like all other nations, have concluded to keep the name “RED CROSS” for national use, we have decided to relinquish “RED CROSS” as the name of our GIN.

We feel, in giving up the name “RED CROSS” to the use of the British Government, and to all humanity, that we are only following a patriotic course. The great and noble work of the Red Cross Society shall not suffer if we can help it.

True to their word, January advertisements began using the “GOLD CROSS” name as evidenced by this January 26, 1915 “Toronto Star” advertisement.

It was around this time that, according to a story in the December 17, 1928 edition of the “Montreal Star,” ownership of the business began transitioning to the Fleischmann Company; a transition that would be complete by 1920.

About 1913 The Fleischmann Co., following certain agreements with reference to the production of yeast, purchased an interest in Melchers Distillery Ltd. and in 1920 they acquired Senator Wilson’s interest and assumed control…

Between 1920 and 1928, the Melchers Gin & Spirits Distillery Company operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fleischmann Company, with the Berthierville distillery facilitating Fleischmann’s Canadian production of yeast. At the same time the distillery also continued to produce their “Gold Cross” gin, as evidenced by this 1926 newspaper advertisement that was published in both English and French speaking newspapers.

In 1928, the Fleischmann Company decided to focus entirely on yeast production in Canada and consequently sold their Canadian liquor business to a newly formed corporation called Melchers Distilleries Limited. The Fleischmann Company’s entry in the 1929 “Moody’s Manual of Investments” provided some details.

Site has been acquired at La Salle (near Montreal), Quebec, on which a modern yeast plant will be constructed in 1929. With the sale of Melchers Distillery Co., Ltd. stock in Dec., 1928 to Melchers Distilleries, Ltd. (effective as of Oct. 31, 1928), Fleischmann Co. (Ohio) ceased to carry on any business in gin and spirits in the Dominion of Canada, which business was formerly handled by this subsidiary. However, contract was entered into with the Melchers Distilleries Ltd. under which they will continue to manufacture yeast at the Berthierville plant, until completion of yeast plant for that purpose.

The newly incorporated Melchers Distilleries Ltd. was also listed that year in “Moody’s.”

MELCHERS DISTILLERIES, LTD.: Incorporated in Dec. 10, 1928, under the laws of the Province of Quebec to acquire the plants and properties (except certain machinery now used in the manufacture of molasses yeast) the stocks of matured and maturing spirits, good will and trademarks of the Melchers Distillery Co., Ltd., at Berthierville, Que.

The listing went on to describe the Berthierville facilities at the time..

The properties acquired comprise 82 acres of land at Berthierville, Que., and facilities for water shipments via the St. Lawrence River. The distilling plant has a production capacity of approximately 2,000,ooo gallons per annum…

The president of the new company was a long-time employee named Joseph Victor Marchand.

According to a December 17, 1928 story found in the “Montreal Star:”

Victor Marchand, M.L.A., president of the new company, has been associated with the Melchers organization since its inception, first as an accountant and later as secretary and general manager.

The story went on to say that as the 1920’s were coming to an end the company’s product line was expanding beyond just “Gold Cross” gin.

… The company has shown a steady expansion since its foundation, and, in addition to its Holland gin which has been by way of becoming the national drink of the French-Canadian people, has recently been producing also American Rye and Bourbon and industrial and grain alcohols. Mr. Marchand expects to commence in the near future the distilling of Dry and Old Tom gins, etc. At the present time the company its the only manufacturer in Canada of Holland Gin.

One of the first in Melchers expanded menu was called “London Club” dry gin whose appearance on the market was announced in a July 26, 1929 item published in Toronto’s “National Post.”

Melchers new London Club dry gin will be placed on the market within a few days. This is the latest product of Melchers Distilleries which was publicly financed in December of last year. This new product has been developed over the past few months and will be ready for market this week.

This advertisement for the newly minted brand appeared a month later in the August 22, 1929 edition of the “Montreal Star.”

By 1930, advertisements for an American rye called “Old Keg”also began appearing in the Canadian newspapers.

This in no way implies that their “Gold Cross” gin was in any way forgotten, as evidenced by this Christmas advertisement published in the “Montreal Star” on December 13, 1933.

As late as 1941, “Gold Cross” remained prominent in Melchers Distilleries’ advertisements with this December 29th “Montreal Star” ad touting it along with their “London Club” gin and another Melchers product, “Three Castles” whisky.

The following year World War II changed things when on November 1, 1942 the entire alcohol production of distilleries in Canada was diverted to war purposes. At that time the Berthierville plant engaged in a large war contract for the manufacture of commercial alcohol. The company was still engaged in that effort in 1945 when they ran this advertisement in the January 25th edition of the “Montreal Star.”

It reads:

Tonight, brave men still face death…on the battlefield.

It is unlikely that we in Canada will be called upon to match their sacrifice…but the least we can do is to continue, in every way possible, to keep the supplies and equipment rolling out. We, Melchers Distilleries Limited, manufacture a precious war material of a thousand uses…war alcohol. It is a vital ingredient of the explosives used in the grenades, shells, bombs, depth charges and mines that are thundering and battering the enemy to destruction…an important substance in de-icing fluid for our planes, in medicines for our sick and wounded, in war paints and lacquers, and in many other applications, some of which are still on the secret list.

It is needed in great quantities…and until victory is won, our plant and facilities will remain at the disposal of the Dominion Government in the manufacture of alcohol for war!

After the war Melchers began producing their “Gold Cross” gin again, as evidenced by this October, 1951 advertisement that appeared in several editions of the “Montreal Gazette.”

At the same time they were also advertising a wide array of other brands some of which were pre-war holdovers while others had been recently introduced. A little of both appear in this March 22, 1951 “Vancouver Sun” advertisement.

As far as I can tell, over the next two decades the company did quite well, issuing stock dividends in most years before peaking in late 1969. That year, according to Toronto’s “Globe and Mail:”

Melchers Distilleries Ltd. of Montreal had record sales of $9,351,500, excluding excise and sales taxes, in the 12 months to August 31. A year earlier sales totaled $6,138,900. Profit increased to $643,644, or 43 cents a share from $514,738 or 38 cents a share in 1968.

The story went on to say:

An additional $6-million investment in the company’s plant at Berthierville, Que., increased its distilling capacity by 90 percent to 7,500,000 gallons annually. Work is advanced on a new automatic filling operation capable of handling increased output at the Berthierville plant.

Around the same time, according to an April 29, 1970 “Globe and Mail” story:

Melchers merged with Manitoba Distillery Ltd. in an agreement ratified on Jan. 17, 1969, and the $2.5-million Manitoba Distillery plant, 25 miles north of Brandon, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Melchers. The expansion program estimated at $1.5-million included a bottling section, warehouse and offices.

It was these investments, coupled with changing market conditions, that contributed to a subsequent downturn in the company’s profitability. According to a story in Saskatchewan’s “Leader Post:”

…Melcher’s financial problems originated in the early 1970’s. Depending on liquor market forecasts which never materialized, the Montreal-based firm invested heavily to expand its Berthierville, Que. plant and purchased a distillery, near Minnedosa… It also put between five million and six million gallons of spirits into storage for aging.

Particularly harmful to Melchers was a shrinking and depressed market for Canadian whisky in the United States, which absorbs about 75 percent of Canada’s hard liquor production.

The Manitoba plant was ultimately shut down in late 1973 and three years later, the March 19, 1976 edition of the “Globe and Mail” reported that the company lost $2.8-million in their most recent fiscal year, the third consecutive year the company had reported a loss.

A year later, the March 14, 1977 edition of the “Toronto Star” announced that the company had filed for bankruptcy after a potential sale of the Manitoba plant fell through..

Melchers Distilleries Ltd., a 79 year-old Quebec firm that produces Ron Cabana rum and other brands of liquor, is bankrupt following the collapse of a deal to sell its Manitoba plant for $2.5 million.

Trading of Melchers’ common shares on the Toronto and Montreal exchanges has been halted since last Wednesday night, when the stock closed at $2.66, down from a peak of almost $30 in 1970…

Melchers has about 160 employees, 122 of whom work at the main distillery at Berthierville, Que. The company’s other plant, at Minedosa, Man., has been closed since the end of 1973 and was to have been sold to a group of Manitoba businessman in a deal announced in January.

Melchers disclosed early this month that the sale had fallen through. It said today it had been “negotiating a financial restructuring of the company” when it found it couldn’t pay its bills.

Later that year, the December 15, 1977 edition of the “Montreal Star” announced that a consortium called Melcan Distilleries Ltd. had been formed to acquire the Melchers company assets.

Melcan Distilleries Ltd., a company owned by five distilling companies has succeeded in acquiring the assets of bankrupt Melchers Distilleries…

Melcan was set up specifically to buy the assets of Melchers. Its shareholders are Calvert of Canada, Corby Distillers, John de Kuyper and Son and Meagher’s Distilleries, which own the voting shares. In addition, non-voting shares are owned by the American Distilling Company, of New York…

Melcan will hire most of the workers and executives formerly employed by Melchers and will sell the Melchers line of products, including gins, whiskies, imported wines and spirits…

Seven years later, on December 1, 1984, the “Montreal Gazette” announced that Seagram & Sons, who had apparently bought into the consortium at a later date, was acquiring Melcan Distilleries Ltd.

Seagram & Sons announced Friday that it has reached a “tentative agreement” to buy all the shares of Melcan that it doesn’t already own from its partners in a seven-year-old consortium…

The companies purchased Melchers Distilleries Ltd. out of bankruptcy and renamed it Melcan. Now they seem to have decided that it is too clumsy for a consortium of competitors to continue operating Melcan, said Harold Wolkin, an analyst with Nesbit Thomson Bongard Inc.

Seagrams immediately announced they were closing the Berthierville plant and less than a year later, a November 25, 1985 story in the “Montreal Gazette” made it clear that the plant that had continuously operated as a distillery for 8o+ years had become a pile of rubble.

The brick smokestack will topple soon and the cream-colored portico now welcomes you to the rubble of Melchers Distilleries Inc.

Five months after Berthierville’s main industry closed its doors, throwing 98 people out of work, a bulldozer has smashed down the walls of the century-old factory. Stills and motors are strewn about. A 30-man demolition crew has begun sorting copper, steel and aluminum for resale to scrap dealers…

Robert Lafleur and his crew moved in two weeks ago and began tearing down the main distillery. Most of the work will be completed by mid-December but Lafleur said the ground won’t be cleared and the wreckage removed until May.

Lafleur’s job also includes liquidating most of Melcher’s machinery and office equipment.

Seagram’s kept its bottling machines and scores of barrels used to hold the distilled liquor. But Lafleur is placing ads in newspapers from Ottawa to New York advertising old stills and grain processors

One of Lafleur’s advertisements can be found in the November 9, 1985 edition of the “Montreal Gazette.”

The subject bottle is a 16-ounce, machine-made, slightly curved flask with “Melchers Distilleries Limited” embossed on one side. Recognizing that “Melchers Distilleries Limited” was incorporated in December, 1928, it certainly dates no earlier than that.

The bottle generally exhibits a rough finish with the unembossed side exhibiting a rectangular area that’s smoothed out to accommodate a paper label.

The bottle matches exactly the “Old Keg” whisky flask pictured in this August 25, 1930 advertisement found in the “Montreal Star,” sans the label and “handy two-ounce “NIP-CUP” that are both long gone.

The bottle does NOT exhibit the embossed phase

Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle

required on all liquor bottles sold in the U. S.between 1935 and 1964. This suggests it likely found its way to the Long Island bays during the latter stages of National Prohibition.