Subject: Bottles

A glass bottle with the inscription: "132 EAST GAY ST.; NAME WITHIN AN OVAL...COHEN, JOHN B.....WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA." This bottle likely dates from circa 1885 and is associated with the business of John B. Cohen in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

A glass bottle with a lead stopper, from the business of John B. Cohen located at 132 East Gay Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania. The bottle is circa 1885.

A glass bottle from the Mendelsohn Bottling Works in Reading, Pennsylvania. The bottle dates from circa 1875. The bottle is part of the Judaica Americana collection.

Glass bottle from the Oriental Bottling Department of Weisbrod & Hess, a Philadelphia-based business. Circa 1890s. The bottle features the text 'ORIENTAL BOTTLING DEPARTMENT'.

Early molded soda bottle featuring a lion design and the text "Seeters Vichy and Carbonated Beverages." The bottle also includes the manufacturer's name, "L. Cohen & Son," molded into the glass. A large "C" is molded on the bottom. The raised images were printed at a much later date. Circa 1885.

A 5" x 2 1/8" clear glass bottle with a paper label reading "W.H. Cohen & Co." The label is black ink on the bottle, which appears to be used for food. The bottle is in excellent condition, showing no chips or cracks; it features a tooled lip. Circa 1880. Found in Objects Box 3, Arc.MS.56.

Custom whiskey bottle engraved with "KATZ'S WHISKEY" in deep, large, Gothic letters. Used by bars for house brand drinks. The top features a two-part mold in a diamond design; the bottom is a single mold. The mold includes "DESIGN PATENT." The bottle retains its original wire stopper. Date of manufacture is unknown.

Green glass molded bottle with the inscription "ABM. WOLF..21ST WARD..PHILA." Dating to circa 1855, it provides a material example of 19th-century Philadelphia commerce and potentially reflects the business activities of Abraham Wolf in the 21st ward of Philadelphia.

Three Selzer bottles featuring etched Jewish motifs. The bottles date from circa 1910. The exact manufacturer and location of manufacture are unknown.

A whiskey bottle manufactured by Wm. Frank & Sons in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The bottle is molded with the company's name on the bottom. It is an example of early American Jewish glassmaking, circa 1865. William Frank (1819?-1891) was a German-Jewish immigrant who established a successful glass manufacturing business in Pittsburgh, becoming a significant figure in the city's Jewish community.

Amber glass whiskey bottle; approximately the size of a small pint. The bottle is embossed with "SAMUEL WESTHEIMER & CO., ST. JOSEPH, MO." Samuel Westheimer & Co. was a wholesale liquor business operating in St. Joseph, Missouri, beginning as early as 1868. This bottle dates from an unknown time in the company's history.

Milk glass whiskey bottle, possibly a sample bottle, hand-painted with a depiction of a house. The bottle is labeled "THE OLD HOMESTEAD FINE BURBON WHISKEY, SAMUEL WESTHEIMER; DISTILLER." One of a pair with different painting. Samuel Westheimer (1833-1914) was a prominent businessman in St. Joseph, Missouri, involved in wholesale grocery, liquor, and tobacco. He served as president of the Jewish Congregation Adath Joseph and was a director of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives. From 1878-1885, he was involved in St. Joseph's municipal administration, playing a key role in restoring the city's finances. Circa 1890s.

Milk glass whiskey bottle, possibly a sample bottle, hand-painted with a bird. The bottle is labeled "THE OLD HOMESTEAD FINE BURBON WHISKEY, SAMUEL WESTHEIMER; DISTILLER." It is one of a pair with different paintings. Circa 1890s.