When I feel motivated enough, I will
make the short trek over to Putnam, CT. Home to three bustling
antique shops, they can be hit or miss when it comes to bottles.
After striking out in the first two shops (not a good start!), I
decided to hit the junk shop as well. While I noticed a few new
bottles, nothing really stuck out. I then focused on what appeared
to be a Hood's Sarsaparilla high up on a shelf. I could tell the
embossing was different. When I got it down I could barely believe
what I was reading! It was embossed Vital Tonic a Life Preserver
Whitney Medicine Co. Providence, RI.
Unlisted RI patent medicines are incredibly rare, and this one was
simply outstanding. The awesome name, super cool shape, and nifty
slogan on the back made it a real winner. I quickly negotiated a
price and never stopped smiling the entire drive home.
One of my favorite little antique shops
is located pretty much in the Middle of Nowhere, RI, but there is
always something good to be found there. My latest visit greeted me
with three large boxes of dust-covered bottles pulled from someone's
basement. I assembled a pile and drove home quite satisfied. Among
the lot was a Barbour's Westerly, RI medicine bottle.
Measuring 3-3/4", it was an unlisted size.
Yes, I'm a little behind, so I am just
now covering the Little Rhody Bottle Show in January! I was a little
apprehensive with the new location (and slightly bothered that it was
now a good half hour into Massachusetts), but it was a good show!
One of my best buys was a small A.L. Barbour & Co. Druggists
Westerly, RI. This was a rare
early and unlisted version of the poplar Barbours bottles.
Another exciting find was an O.
Vadeboncoeur Social St. Woonsocket, RI
crown top. The two known examples has slug plates on the shoulder,
but this one had a normal slugplate front and center! While badly
damaged, it was still a welcome addition.
I was able to build my Potter
collection during the January club meeting by adding a Wm. R.
Potter Broad St. Opp. Fenner Providence, RI. While very similar
to a listed example, the listed one is also embossed Est. 1875.
