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Exceedingly Rare Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters Bottle Soars

to $155,000 at American Bottle Auctions

SACRAMENTO, CA – A 150-year-old blue Cassin’s Grape graded 9.5 out of 10 for condition, climbed to $21,000. The
Brandy Bitters bottle so rare that for years many doubted its size of the lettering on the bottle was quite unusual, although
very existence has sold for a staggering $155,000 at the Part it fit very well. The curved “R” was the most pronounced of
1 sale of the Ken Fee collection of mostly Western bitters any Mr. Wichmann has ever seen. He added, “With the
bottles, held November 29th by American Bottle Auctions overall whittle and blue aqua, it will make for quite a bottle
(americanbottle.com). Part 2 will go online February 14th on one’s shelf.”
and end February 23rd. An exceptional Wonser’s USA Indian Root Bitters bottle
The Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters was the undisputed in a bright aqua color, probably blown between 1871 and
headliner in American Bottle Auctions’ Auction #67, Part 1, 1873, changed hands for $25,300. “Only a dozen or so aqua
an online-only affair with phone and absentee bids also examples are known, so they don’t come up often, and this
accepted. Part 2 will be the same. What made the Cassin’s so one was in mint condition,” Mr. Wichmann said. “When it
desirable to bidders was its bluish-teal color, which many comes to strike, color, condition and rarity, it’s hard to top
bottle collectors, even seasoned pros, had never seen and were this iconic bottle.”
skeptical one even existed. An N. B. Jacobs Rosenbaum Bitters bottle—an early San
“No one had seen Ken Fee’s collection of over 300 bottles Francisco bitters blown circa 1864-1868—finished at $904.
in four decades,” said Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle “It would have fetched far more, had it not been for a ¾ inch
Auctions. “It only came to light following his death in hairline crack in the side panel,” Mr. Wichmann observed.
November of 2018. I’ve been working with the family ever The old amber bottle, variant 2, was the smaller size with the
since.” Many of the bottles are outstanding examples that Rosenbaum name embossed on it. It had an unusual top, as
brought a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. Part 2 these bottles usually had a tapered top with a ring type collar.
contains many desirable rarities, too. This example had no taper and, in fact, no ring.
The Cassin’s Bitters is arguably one of the greatest A Lacour’s Bitters Sarsapariphere bottle, a beautiful green
Western bitters blown. Made in San Francisco in 1867 and 1868, its shape with some nice overall crudity, topped out at $14,690. “Louis Lacour and
was meant to resemble a cello. The first variant of the bottle had thin corners his fascination with the lighthouse is evident in this early San Francisco
and because of the fragility of the bottle only a few mint examples remain bitters bottle in mint condition,” Mr. Wichmann said, adding, “Lacours
intact today. The second variant eliminated the fragile lines of the bottle and have become highly sought after in recent years. Prices have escalated in
some still survive today, although there are still believed to be only a half- proportion to desirability.”
dozen or so in undamaged condition. A Henley’s Wild Grape Root IXL Bitters bottle, an early colored
This example, though, was a marvel, regardless of age or history, and the example circa 1868-1893, went for $3,842. “Henley and his partners had
only example known in this unique blue color. In addition, the bottle was great success selling the oddly named IXL bitters product in quart bottles,”
in mint condition with no discernable flaws, a rarity for any bottle this old Mr. Wichmann said. “That’s a long time, but many of those were later
but especially important for the only blue Cassin’s known to date. It was variants. Most were aqua but this one was an unusual green with crudity,
expected to do well, with an estimate of $75,000-$100,000, but the final and in mint condition.”
price blew past that. A Catawba Wine Bitters bottle with an embossed cluster of grapes, in
Following are additional highlights from the Part 1 auction. All prices pristine condition with a super drippy top, found a new owner for $7,150.
quoted include a 10 percent buyer’s premium. It is known that Catawba grapes were grown in Ohio and it is thought these
A Dr. Boerhaave’s Stomach Bitters bottle with an applied tapered top, bottles were made for an Ohio concern. Some have the graphite pontil,
circa 1868-1869, finished at $28,000. This San Francisco made bitters, with including this one. Collectors love the distinctive embossing and colors they
the distinctive windows on the reverse, had its own special identity. This one are found in.
was a beautiful light to medium green, as these bottles came in a multitude American Bottle Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for
of colors. Graded a high 9 out of 10, the bottle also boasted good whittle future sales. To do so call toll-free, at 1-800-806-7722; or e-mail
and bubbles. info@americanbottle.com. To learn more about American Bottle Auctions
A Henley’s OK Bitters bottle with applied band, made circa 1869-1871, and the Part 2 auction of the Ken Fee collection visit americanbottle.com.

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