2 Summer 2006 Bottles and Extras T D G This consisted of a metal plate made HE ATING AME: of varying sizes to fit the various molds used in casting bottles of W T &C HITALL ATUM O. different shape [he noted the American Druggist as his source]. By Bill Lockhart, Carol Serr, David Whitten, Bill Lindsey and Pete Schulz According to Griffenhagen and Bogard One of the best-known manufacturers Glasstown plant or the Upper Works; the (1999:36), bottles with embossed letters had of prescription glassware was Whitall newer plant was called the South Millville been used in the United States since at least Tatum & Co. Once perhaps the largest plant or the Lower Works. 1809. Donut-shaped plate molds around producer of flint container glass in the That the operation specialized in the outside edges of bottle bases were world, the firm produced a large variety of glassware for druggists, chemists and invented by Henry Ricketts in 1821 (Jones bottles and jars over a long time span. In perfumers probably reflects the fact several & Sullivan 1989:48-49). Jones and addition, most Whitall Tatum bottles were of the early owners were Philadelphia Sullivan also noted that “an official starting clearly marked with the company initials pharmacists (Shoemaker 1890; Toulouse date for plate moulds in the United States in a variety of styles from the last third of 1971:545). This was not true of the is a patent of 1867” – obviously referring the 19th century until near the end of the Whitalls and Tatums. It did, however, to the Christie patent noted above. 20th century. provide them with a business compatible Although peripheral to this study, there with their religious beliefs. Both families is empirical evidence that plate molds were Company History were devout Quakers, who “did not believe used on the bodies (rather than the bases in war, nor in litigation, nor in the like Ricketts-type molds) of soda water Whitall Tatum & Co. manufacture or sale of intoxicating bottles at least as early as 1850. We have Whitall Tatum & Co. has a long and liquors.” As a result they refused to seen bottles produced by the Union Glass involved history that goes back to the manufacture liquor bottles of any kind – Works of Philadelphia, for example, that cylinder window-glass house of James Lee, then one of the mainstays of most bottle were embossed with plate molds for the San established in Millville, New Jersey, in makers (Anonymous 1896). Francisco soda water firm of Lynde & 1806.1 Although many writers have Since an important element of their Putnam that operated only in 1850 and referred to the evolving ownership of the trade consisted of bottles embossed to 1851 (Markota and Markota 1972:53). operation, Toulouse (1971) and Pepper identify local druggists, some background There are numerous other examples of soda (1971:225-228) seem to provide the most on that market is worth discussion. Pepper bottles with embossed plate molds prior to systematic chronologies based on primary (1971:230) noted that “as early as 1868 the 1867 patent. Boley & Co., Sacramento, sources - and they contradict each other on Whitall Tatum began making lettered plate California, for example used bottles with several points. According to an ad in The ware.” She explained that “some customers plate molds during the 1849-1862 period. Glass Packer (November 1925), the could not afford an individual mold cut for Delahanty, Skelly & Co., San Francisco, company itself traced its existence to 1836. about $400, [so] Whitall Tatum devised an used similar bottles from 1854 to 1864 It is clear, however, that from 1845 to 1848 inset lettered plate that cost only about $2 (Schulz et al. 1980:125, 136). the firm was styled Whitall & Bro., and to $10.” This suggests that Whitall Tatum Pepper (1971:228) claimed that Whitall from 1848 to 1857 it was Whitall, Bro. & adapted the use of plate molds on bottle Tatum began making “flint glass” (i.e., Co. In 1857 the partnership became bodies, but the story is more complex than colorless glass) in 1863 and built a “new Whitall, Tatum & Co., and remained so for that. In 1867, James J. Christie patented a flint glasshouse at South Millville” in 1864. the rest of the century. On January 2, 1901, “glass bottle mold fitted with a removable However, she claimed that the company the firm incorporated as the Whitall Tatum panel that was inscribed with the name and used “William Leighton’s formula for lime Co. (Moody Manual Co. 1914:1200). It address to be molded in the bottle.” Christie glass” which actually used no decoloring was purchased in June, 1938 by the made flint glass bottles in Baltimore, chemicals. Pepper stated (1971:232) that Armstrong Cork Co., who owned the Maryland. Whitall Tatum began using the “the flint glass was of extraordinary clarity operation until April of 1969. plates in 1868 (Griffenhagen & Bogard and brightness, especially considering its Although the factory originally made 1999:36). intended use for fairly expendable bottles. window glass, by 1820 it produced Tatum (1900:20330) supported the date . . . Sand for the flint glass was brought in “carboys, demijohns, vials, druggists’ from a perspective only 23 years removed. by rail from Ohio where washing was done bottles, snuffs, chemicals, and the like” After discussing the introduction of the on a large scale and more economically than (Toulouse 1971:545-546). The company French Square,2 he noted that: Whitall Tatum could have done at the bought a second Millville factory about time.” Despite her claims, all identifiable 1853. Allegedly the second plant was not this was followed about 1867 by the bottles we have seen were solarized purple, wanted by the Whitalls, but its purchase appearance on the market of lettered a sure indicator of manganese used as a was necessary in order to secure rights to bottles, that is bottles bearing on one decolorizer in the glass. timber needed for fuel but controlled by the side in raised letters the name and Horner (1985:98) placed the date of second plant’s owners. Regardless, the address of the pharmacist, Whitall Tatum’s first flint glass company thereafter operated both factories accompanied in some cases by manufacture at 1862 (almost certainly the (Lefebvre 1949:89; Pepper 1971:225-228). devices, monograms, etc. The process described by Pepper) and noted that The original plant became known as the lettering was known as a plate mold. it met with “only partial success.” The lack Bottles and Extras Summer 2006 3 of complete success led to the building of after Repeal it is clear that those bottles – and 1937 were helpful in establishing the the new flint glass house in 1864. It was in a departure from the company’s 19th- relationship between catalog numbers and not until 1870, however, that “the progress century tradition – were meant to hold beer. embossed digits as well as related data. in that branch of the business has been quite Wine and liquor bottles soon followed. This This sample gave us a good look at rapid.” “Glass formulae” used by Whitall was evidently part of a major effort at bottles in use between at least 1880 and the Tatum included ten ounces of Manganese diversification, which had already led to early 1920s. Marks on these bottles are Dioxide for a 500-pound batch of “Lead production of glass insulators beginning in sometimes embossed horizontally and Glass” and four ounces for a 200-pound 1922. sometimes slightly arched depending on the batch (Horner 1985:101). This is more in shape of the bottle base. On drug store keeping with observed Whitall Tatum W. T. & Co. and W. T. Co. bottles, all marks are found on bases. Many colorless pharmacy bottles. Manufacturer’s Marks on Pharmacy of the colorless bottles are solarized (often In addition to pharmacy bottles, the Bottles artificially by collectors) to a light amethyst company manufactured laboratory ware for Toulouse (1971:544) claimed that the color, and it may be that all of them would chemists and druggists, perfume bottles, W T & Co manufacturer’s mark was used change color if exposed to ultra-violet nursing bottles and other druggists‘ by the company “until 1935.” As shown radiation. It is clear that the use of sundries, as well as various glass and rubber below, this is incorrect. Other dating manganese extended for the full time period implements used by physicians. Toward methods are more realistic. For example, when the W. T. & Co. or W. T. Co. marks the end of the century the operation was any specific bottle with a mark that includes were used. touted as “probably the largest flint- bottle a patent date could not have been used prior A few generalizations provide a basic works in the world,” having “thirteen flint- to the patent date. However, many patents guideline (see Table 1 for a basic dating furnaces, in addition to five green-glass were used for years, so the patent date does guide to Whitall Tatum pharmacy bottles): furnaces and a green-glass tank.” The firm not necessarily reflect a valid initial date 1. A major division between marks employed “from 1500 to 1900 employees, for the bottle’s use. According to occurs with mouth-blown vs. machine- according to the demand for their goods” Griffenhagen and Bogard (1999:38), made bottles. Mouth-blown bottles are (Depew 1895:282) Whitall Tatum & Co patented at least ten marked with either the “W. T. & Co.” or Whitall Tatum had developed a designs for medicine or pharmacy bottles “W. T. Co.” logo. Machine-made bottles semiautomatic machine for wide-mouth alone during the 1878-1898 period. Until are marked “W/T” in an inverted triangle. containers by 1904 and had one for narrow- this time, Bethman (1991:78-79) has been 2. The ampersand (&) was used in the mouth bottles operational by 1912 the best source for dating Whitall Tatum mark during the pre-incorporation period (Toulouse 1971:544-547). However, the bottles. Indeed, we have used his dates as from the 1870s to 1901. Bottles following plant also continued to make bottles by a baseline for this study. the 1901 incorporation lack the ampersand. hand. In 1913, the company was listed as We examined a total of 228 Whitall 3. “U. S. A.” may have become part of using both mouth-blown and Tatum marks on bottle bases in our initial the mark in the 1880s, but it was not semiautomatic processes (Anonymous study and have observed literally dozens generally used until sometime after 1890. 1913:953). The use of both hand-blown since. Our sources included eBay auctions, This may reflect a Whitall Tatum entry into and machine-made bottles continued at our personal collections, archaeological the international market. least until 1924, the company’s catalog of databases, and entries in books that either 4. Three stars accompanying the mark that year still listing a large component of illustrate or thoroughly describe marks by were used infrequently. If they had any specially-embossed hand ware. the company (Elliott & Gould 1988; Miller specific meaning, we have yet to discover When hand production was dropped at 1999; Pollard 1993; Ring 1980). Each of it. These were generally used between ca. the Whitall Tatum plants is currently these researchers provided date ranges for 1890 and ca. 1901, although a few uncertain. However, a 1925 news report the use of individual drug store bottles or, examples exist with the “W. T. Co” mark, implies that the transition was well in some cases, for the specific drug stores. indicating a manufacture after 1901. underway if not complete (Anonymous By consolidating these date ranges for 5. The use of a capital or lower-case “o” 1925), and it is likewise interesting that individual bottles, we can get a better in “Co” was apparently a random variation from 1925 onward, the company’s ads tout picture of the overall use range of a specific at the whim of the engraver. The lower “full automatic machine process” but no variation of the Whitall Tatum marks. In case appears a bit more commonly in earlier longer mention lettered ware. By 1932, the addition, the Whitall Tatum catalogs from bottles, while capitals are overwhelmingly ads mention amber “beverage” bottles, and 1880, 1892, 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902, 1909, dominant in later ones. Figure 1: Whitall Tatum Mark – mid- Figure 2: Whitall Tatum Mark – ca. Figure 3: Whitall Tatum Mark – 1870s-late 1880s (Bethman 1991:811) 1880-1895 (Bethman 1991:810) 1891-1894 (Bethman 1991:533) 4 Summer 2006 Bottles and Extras Table 1: Chronology for Whitall Tatum Prescription Bottles MARK DATES / PATENT DATES SOURCE W. T. & Co. 1880, 1881, 1888 mid-1870s-ca. 1890 Bethman (1991:79); Elliott and Gould (1988:205) (letter or number) 1888 ca. 1880-ca. 1895 Bottle Research Group (BRG) W. T. & Co. W. T. & Co. 1878 ca. 1880-1895 Bethman (1991:79); Elliott and Gould:196) (letter or number) W. T. & Co. 1881 ca. 1890-1894 Bethman (1991:79); Miller (1999:87) (letter) U.S.A. W. T. & Co. 1898 ca. 1896-1901 Bethman (1991:79, 730); Pollard (1993:255) U.S.A. W. T. & CO. 1878, 1891, 1892, ca. 1890-1901 Bethman (1991:79); Elliott and Gould (1988:190) (letter or number) 1894 U.S.A (letter) 1890-1896 Bethman (1991:79) W. T. & Co. U.S.A. W. T. & Co. 1878 1889-1890 Bethman (1991:79); BRG U.S.A. (letter) * * * 1892, 1894 early 1890s-1901 Bethman (1991:79); M. Miller (1999:72); Elliott and Gould (1988:206); W. T. & Co. T. Miller (n.d.:16) (letter) U.S.A. W. T. & Co. mid-1890s-1901 Bethman (1991:79); Preble (2002) * * * (letter) U.S.A. * * * 1892, 1894 early 1890s-1901 Bethman (1991:79); Preble (2002) (letter or number) U.S.A. * * * early 1890s-1901 Preble (2002) W. T. & Co. (letter) U.S.A. Logos with Stars to mid-1890s-1901 Preble (2002); Miller (1999:72) One or Both Sides W. T. Co. 1892, 1898 1901-ca.1905 Pollard (1993:243, 251, 255) U.S.A. W. T. Co. 1892, 1894 1901-1924 Bethman (1991:79); Elliott and Gould (1988:198; BRG (letter or number) U.S.A. * * * 1901-ca. 1905 Preble (2002) W. T. Co (letter or number) U.S.A. W. T. Co. 1901-1924 BRG; Pollard (1993:277) (letter or number) (letter) after 1901 Bethman (1991:735) W. T. Co. (letter) ca. 1912-ca. 1915 Miller (1999:67, 97) U.S.A. Bottles and Extras Summer 2006 5 6. Letters and single-digit numbers 1907 would not indicate that the bottle was accompanying the marks are probably mold made after 1907. codes or identifiers of production groups. It is, of course, also possible that W. T. It is worth noting that in the 1937 Whitall & Co. marks extended for the first few years Tatum catalog, single- and double-letter into the corporation era. This may have codes are used to identify all models of been caused by the employees continuing pharmacy bottles. Although that system to use the older molds until they wore out may have been used at earlier dates, it was (a common practice in the glass industry). never recorded in the earlier catalogs. We Thus, occasional W. T. & Co. marks may Figure 4: Whitall Tatum Mark – have not been able to detect a notable have extended to ca. 1903 or so. Possibly 1896-1901 (Bethman 1991:730) pattern for letter/number use, nor are they future research will clarify this possibility. helpful for dating purposes. W. T. & Co. An Important Note About Sources [mid-1870s-ca. 1890] Virtually all the sources (except catalogs According to Bethman (1991:79), “This and ads) used to date the Whitall Tatum embossing dates from mid-1870s-1890.” It marks are books about local/regional drug was certainly the earliest mark used by the store/pharmacy bottles written for company [Figure 1]. Griffenhagen and collectors. They were never intended as Bogard (1999:130) dated the mark 1868- Figure 5: Whitall Tatum Mark – vehicles to date manufacturer’s marks. 1903, but they did not address the 1890-1901 (Bethman 1991:839) Each of these sources has compiled the variations. Their beginning date is available data to produce date ranges for probably too early, while the end date is a the individual businesses in a specific state mistaken date for the company name or region. These date ranges are usually change at incorporation. Bethman intended to reflect the length of time a (1990:649, 672, 681, 736, 774, 811, 835, business was open based on existing 850) illustrated ten examples of this mark. sources. His date ranges varied from 1880 to 1890. In cases where the authors found more Two examples of W. T. & Co. marks, than one bottle used by a business, they have unaccompanied by other markings, were usually attempted to determine a range for also listed by Elliott and Gould (1988:205). Figure 6: Whitall Tatum Mark – that type of bottle – not for that type of mark They dated the bottles ca. 1880. None of early 1980s-1901 (Bethman 1991:825) – using a variety of characteristics such as our sources extend back to the 1870s, but a embossed addresses or name of the large post-1880 sample indicates that the proprietor, local advertising, and other unaccompanied mark was probably not bottles with similar styles. In all cases, used much after 1880, although the mark these date ranges should be considered was still used some after that date. Preble approximate. (2002) listed numerous examples of bottles It is important to note that the best bearing the mark with date ranges for the information available does not necessarily companies using them extending from the reflect the entire date range for a business. mid-1870s to ca. 1900 or later. Figure 7: Whitall Tatum Mark – Thus, for example, an unusual date range We have seen examples with “PAT. mid- to late 1890s (Bethman 1991:813) (i.e., one that does not fit in with other NOV. 17, 80” below the logo and “PAT. known ranges for a mark) most likely APLD. FOR/W. T. & CO.” on a second indicates that historical information for the bottle. A single example in Pollard drug store in question is incomplete. It (1993:246) included a patent number above usually does not indicate that the date range the logo (“PAT. JAN. 24 88”). Bethman for the mark needs to be questioned. (1991) noted a patent of “JAN. 18 ‘81.” A hypothetical example might better Ring (1980:52, 113, 144, 150, 451) listed explain. Let’s say a drug store was in five bitters bottles with the “W. T. & CO.” Figure 8: Whitall Tatum Mark – business from 1885 to 1907 with a total of mark, but none included patent dates. 1901-ca. 1924 (Bethman 1991:388) two known owners, and two different types Although most usage of this mark probably of bottles, both mouth blown, have been ceased by the mid-1880s, the 1888 patent discovered by the author of the study. The extends the range to mid-1870s to late author might date one bottle from 1885 to 1880s. 1891, based on the proprietor’s name embossed on the plate mold. The other one, (letter or number) / W. T. & Co. he or she would date 1892 to 1907 because [ca.1880-ca. 1895] no owner’s name appears. If this second Elliott and Gould (1988:195) listed a bottle had the “W. T. & Co.” mark (used single example of a slight variation – “A/ Figure 9: Whitall Tatum Mark – before 1902), then a date range of 1892 to W. T. & CO./U. S. A.” – which they dated ca. 1912- ca. 1915 (Miller 1999:67) 6 Summer 2006 Bottles and Extras ca. 1880-1881. Bethman (1991:735) 22 78” between the W. T. & CO. and the two ca. 1911. We do not accept the 1911 illustrated two examples of this variation, accompanying letter. The letters included date because all other dated examples we both with a “P” above the logo. He dated C, E, and F, although one example is have seen of the mark with the ampersand the bottles ca. 1887 and ca. 1892. He also marked C N, the only case we have found (&) were from the pre-incorporation period included a variation with the patent date with two letters that were not in the “A” (i.e., pre-1902). The U. S. A., however, (“PAT JAN 24 ‘88") embossed above the series. Bethman (1991:597, 608) also was not generally used until the 1890s. letter A, both above the logo. He dated this showed the patent number variation. Along Pollard (1993:254) showed this bottle with variation ca. 1888. Preble (2002:485, 598, with the date shown in Elliott and Gould, neither a letter nor a numeral. These were 633) also showed examples of the mark he added “PAT. 5 MO 7 78.”3 He dated his likely made between 1896 and 1901, with date ranges extending from 1883 to examples 1885-1888. Based on the above, although the style could have been used 1888. In one case, however, he noted a we amend the date range to ca. 1880-1895 earlier. Griffenhagen and Bogard range from 1894 to 1900. We have also but suggest that the middle-to-late end of (1999:130) dated the inclusion of USA from observed two examples (N and 1) with the the range (1885-1895) is the most likely. 1890 to 1903 but did not address the letter/number above the “W. T. & Co.” Preble (2002:578) illustrated the only variations. Ring (1980:420) listed a single Preble (2002:458) showed an known example of this mark with a single bitters bottle with this mark embossed on interesting variation on this mark. His star embossed above the logo. He dated its base. example had a single star below “W. T. & the bottle ca. 1881. A series of three stars Co.” He dated the drug store using the in conjunction with the “W. T. & Co.” logo W. T. & Co. / (letter or number) / U.S.A. bottle as having been in business between were found on bottles that dated from the [ca. 1890-1901] 1895 and 1900. Although a series of three early 1890s to 1901. Only one other Bethman (1991:79) included this with stars was used on marks dating from the example of a single star associated with the the mark discussed below. However, we early 1890s to 1901 (see below), this is one mark is known, also from Preble (see have listed it separately because it is a of only two examples we have found with a previous). Since all other published notable difference, even though both marks single star. examples of Whitall Tatum marks with date to the same period. The mark was stars date to the ca. 1890-1901 period, this likely introduced ca. 1890 and used until W. T. & Co. / (letter or number) mark likely does also. It is possible that Whitall Tatum incorporated in 1901 [ca. 1880-1895] the mark was intended to have three stars, [Figure 5]. Bethman (1991) illustrated 31 Bethman (1991:79) dated this mark but two were bad “strikes” and were too examples of this mark on Washington drug “1889-1893” and only found letters indistinct to be noticed. store bottles. Inclusive date ranges for the included in his sample [Figure 2]. He bottles stretched from ca. 1887 to 1896 with illustrated 34 examples of the mark that W. T. & Co. / (letter) U. S. A. two outliers dated ca. 1900. The bulk of generally ranged in date from ca. 1885 to [ca. 1890-1894] the examples fell within the 1890-1896 ca. 1895 with occasional outliers on both For this mark, we rely mostly on range. ends. Outliers ranged to extremes of 1879 Bethman (1991:79) who noted that “this Elliott and Gould (1988:190-207) or 1880 to 1903. All of Bethman’s marks marking dates from about 1891-1894.” showed numerous bottles with this pattern were shown with a capital “O” in “CO”. Bethman (1991:533, 612, 734-735, 737, embossed on the bases and generally Elliott and Gould (1988:196, 205), 775, 804) illustrated eight examples of this included similar date ranges. It should be however, listed 15 bottles marked W. T. & mark [Figure 3]. His dates ranged from noted that Elliott and Gould date occasional Co. above a letter or a number and dated 1889 to 1892. Miller (1999:87) showed a marks of this type to the ca. 1910 period, them ca. 1880 or ca. 1881. We have found single example of this mark with an “I” to although other sources suggest that the letters ranging from A-O and AA-AO with the left of U. S. A. He dated the bottle 1891. ampersand (&) was not used after the numbers from 1-9 (including one marked In our collections, we have examples with company incorporated in 1901. Most marks “9.”). Miller (1999:87) also showed the a “1” and “K” to the left. Bethman (1991) contained a capital “O” in “CO.,” but a mark with AJ below the logo. All but two illustrated marks with the letters B through single example had a lower-case “o” and of the marks we have found contained the K and AM. He also showed one example the number “4.” Those with capital “Os” lower-case “o”; the remaining two used with a patent date of JAN 18 81. Preble included letters from A to O or the capitals. Ring (1980:146) listed a single (2002) included numerous examples of this number 1. Bethman (1991) added B and J bitters bottle marked with “W T & CO/1” mark with date ranges from 1889 to the along with 1-4, 6, and 8. Ring (1980:84, on the base. Schulz and Schulz (1990:311, mid-1890s. 198, 487) listed two bitters bottles with this 319) reported two bottles with the letters mark. Schulz and Schulz (1990:311, 313- “A” and “P” from California pharmacies W. T. & Co. / U. S. A. 314, 319, 329) reported eleven bottles with that can be dated 1873-1898 and 1886- [1896-1901] this mark (seven including patent dates), 1889, respectively. We found an interesting Although Bethman (1991:79, 730) did all made for California pharmacies. Letters engraver’s error when we examined the not note this configuration in his discussion and numbers include A, H, J, Y, 8 and 901. Tucson Urban Renewal collection at the of the marks, he illustrated a single example Dates assigned for the bottles were 1889- Arizona State Museum in Tucson, Arizona. that he dated ca. 1896 [Figure 4]. Three 1893, 1892-1901, 1894-1901 and 1898- This bottle base has “W. T. & Co./AO” examples of the mark were recorded by 1901. embossed on the base in mirror form. Elliott and Gould (1988:196, 207), and we Bottles marked with this logo included Elliott and Gould (1988:196) showed have observed the mark. Elliott and Gould several patent dates (although bottles with an interesting variation with “PAT. JAN. dated one example at ca. 1880 and the other no patent dates are common with this Bottles and Extras Summer 2006 7 pattern): “PAT. JAN. 22 78;” “PAT. FEB. bottles with this mark, both patented * * * / W. T. & Co. / (letter) U.S.A. 24, 1891;” “PAT. JAN. 5 1892;” or “PAT. January 5, 1892. Pollard (1993:278) also [early 1890s-1901] DEC. 11 1894.” Patent dates were usually showed the mark but offered no date range. Preble (2002:e.g., 694) showed three embossed below the “U. S. A.,” but Elliott At least one minor variation exists on this examples of this mark. He dated the range and Gould (1988:196-197) listed four theme. Letters under the W. T. & Co. logo of two drug stores using the mark at 1891- examples with the patent date between the in Bethman (1991) include A-D, G, and R. 1909 and the third at 1905-1909. Since “W. T. & CO.” and the single letter. In Patent dates illustrated were only “JAN 5 the “W. T. & Co.” mark could not have been three of these, the pattern is “(letter) U. S. 1892” and “DEC. 11 1894.” Miller used after 1901, a reasonable date range is A.,” a format previously unrecorded. In (n.d.:16) added another slight variation, early 1890s-1901. Preble (2002:467) also two other examples, the patent date is this one with stars, “W. T. & CO./U.S.A.” illustrated two examples of a variation that between “W. T. & CO.” and “U. S. A.” with but no capital letter below “W. T. & CO.” had the same configuration without the “W. a “J” at the very bottom. All of the He dated the bottle 1890s. T. & Co.” with a date range of 1890-1896. variations noted in this paragraph carry a patent date of “JAN. 22 78.” All of the W. T. & Co. / * * * / (letter) / U. S. A. Logos with Stars to One or Both Sides exceptions are dated between the 1880s to [mid-1890s-1901] Miller (1999:72) noted a single bottle early 1890s [we suggest late 1880s]. It is Bethman (1991:666) included a single with the stars embossed vertically to the left notable that some bottles used during the example of this configuration with the letter of “W. T. & Co./A/U.S.A.” The date range late 1880s-1890s carry a patent date for B. He dated the bottle ca. 1899. Preble for the bottle was 1898-1900. Preble (2002) 1878. While patent dates provide an (2002:e.g., 629, 687) offered five more listed four variations with stars beside the absolute not-used-before date, they may also illustrations of the mark with date codes marks, including the configuration not be reliable as initial use dates. ranging from 1895 to 1915. The end date, illustrated by Miller: of course is too late for the W. T. & Co. 1. “W. T. & Co./(letter)/U.S.A.” with (letter) / W. T. & Co. / U. S. A. mark. It should be noted that the date three vertical stars to the left – Preble [1890-1901] ranges are for individual drug stores and (2002:465,503, 505) listed three examples Although Bethman (1991:79, 618, 327) were not intended as ranges for the marks. of this mark. He dated them between 1894 did not list this as a variation, he illustrated and 1898 with one example dated 1908 to two examples with AD and AE above the * * * / (letter or number) / U. S. A. 1909. The latter date range is too late for logo and U. S. A. below it. He dated the [early 1890s-1901] the mark. This mark should be dated from bottles 1890-1896. Schulz and Schulz Bethman (1991:79) noted that “a few the mid- to late 1890s. (1990:323-324) report this mark (below bottles produced by Whitall Tatum & Co. 2. “W. T. & Co./(number)” with “PAT JAN 27 88”) on three bottles from a had this style of base marking, which date “U.S.A.” vertically to the left and three stars California pharmacy that began operation (sic) to the mid-to-late 1890s.” Although in a vertical line to the right – Preble in 1892 and continued into the 20th century. he did not include the letter or number in (2002:430, 634) showed two examples of Letters included were “B” and “C.” his discussion, he almost certainly meant this mark with date ranges of 1898-1899 the mark that included those digits [Figure and 1894-1909. We assign the mark a W. T. & Co. / U. S. A. / (letter) 7]. Elliott and Gould (1988:194) and range of late 1890s-1901. [1889-1890] Pollard (1993:244, 252), however, showed 3. “W. T. & Co./(letter)” with three stars This is another subvariation that was this style along with a patent date of January in a vertical line to the left and “U.S.A.” unlisted by Bethman (1991:79, 755), 5, 1892. The patent date was always below vertically to the right – Preble (2002:485, although he showed a single example of the U. S. A. 493, 519, 581) illustrated four examples of the mark with “PAT JAN/22 78” between Bethman (1991) illustrated 11 examples this mark. The combined date ranges the “U. S. A.” and the letter “A.” He dated with four letters: A, B, F, and J. He extend from 1894 to 1902 with a single the bottle 1889-1890. dated these marks between 1895 and outlier to 1915. Our suggested date range 1902 and showed patent dates of “JAN 5 for the mark is mid-1890s-1901. * * * / W. T. & Co. / (letter) / U. S. A. 1892” and “DEC. 11 1894.” We found 4. “W. T. & Co./(letter)” with three stars [early 1890s-1901] no examples of the mark without letters in a vertical line to both the left and right Bethman (1991:79) stated, “This base or numbers in his book. Miller (n.d.:6) sides. Preble (2002:442) showed only a embossing was used from the mid-1890s showed a single example of this mark single example of this mark with a date to 1901. The same embossing exists with the January 5 patent date. He range of 1900-1906. Since the ampersand without the ‘stars.’”4 Bethman (1991:567, dated the bottle 1890s or later. Preble was only used until 1901, we assign this 580, 618, 626, 731, 762, 825, 847) (2002:e.g., 676, 713) illustrated numerous mark a date range of ca. 1900-1901. This illustrated 10 examples of the mark on examples of this mark. His dates ranged mark may be an engraver’s error, in which Washington drug store bottles [Figure 6]. from 1890 to 1907. Preble (2002) case, the logo was probably intended to have All but two of these fell into a date range also showed a single example with a series “U.S.A.” on one side. of 1898-1903. One outlier was dated ca. of three stars in a row replacing the letter 1890; the other was 1892-1895. Preble or number above the “U.S.A.” He dated W.T.C. (2002:e.g., 461, 602) noted date ranges the drug store that used the bottle bearing Ring (1980:338) listed a single bitters from the mid-1890s to 1904 with an outlier the mark from 1894 to 1901, the bottle with this mark embossed on its base. range from 1886-1890. approximate date range for other star- She identified the bottle as Muller’s Elliott and Gould (1988:206) listed two associated marks. Genuine Bismark Bitters but offered no 8 Summer 2006 Bottles and Extras other information about it. W.T.C. was “PAT. JAN. 5, 1892;” “PAT. DEC 11, prescription bottles were still being offered either a misreading of the bottle, a 1894.” The patent date was always below by the plant as of September 1, 1924. typographical error (of which she had the U. S. A. Similar patterns were recorded Thus, the W. T. Co. mark may have been many), or the mark of a different company. in Miller (1999:57-58, 60,64-65, 70-72, 74, used on mouth-blown bottles for a few more We have found no other source that 78-79, 82, 86, 89, 95, 97, 100, 104-105, years. Dating by collectors, however, mentions such a mark. 106-107, 112). In addition to the 1892 indicates that few of those bottles were patent, Bethman (1991) recorded patent actually being ordered by drug stores. W. T. Co. / U. S. A. dates of “JAN 22 78” and “DEC 11 1894.” Paper label identification had taken over, [1901-ca. 1905] Ring (1980:84, 338, 487) listed four bitters and the era of embossed, proprietary drug This mark appeared in Pollard bottles with this mark on the base. store bottles was at an end (Whitall Tatum (1993:243, 255). Because of its similarity Co. 1924). to the final W. T. & Co. mark, we have * * * / W. T. Co. / (letter or number) / assumed it was the earliest of the new U. S. A. Design Patents corporations marks. It was probably only [1901-ca. 1905] Bethman (1991:89-91, 93) reproduced used during the first few years, possibly Preble (2002) showed three examples some of the pages from the 1895, 1898, and 1901-ca. 1905, although a later use is of this mark. The date ranges for drug 1904 Whitall Tatum catalogs. Other patent possible. One example was marked “PAT. stores extended from 1892 to 1915. All dates came from the Whitall Tatum 1902 JAN. 4, 1898” below the “U. S. A.” Pollard other known examples of the star-series catalog [Figures 10 - 11]. Some of the (1993:251) also showed a single example marks were in conjunction with the “W. T. drawings and descriptions include patent with a letter (E) to the left of the “U. S. A.” & Co.” logo and were dated between ca. dates for specific styles [Table 2]. 1891 and 1901. It is likely that these marks Many of these (including Millville W. T. Co. / (letter or number) / U. S. A. were used only during the first few years Rounds, Knickerbocker Ovals, Manhattan [1901-ca. 1924] after the change to the “W. T. Co.” logo. Ovals, Seal Ovals, and Penn Ovals) Although he only noted a letter beneath were shown in the 1902 catalog. the company initials, Bethman (1991:79) W. T. Co / (letter or number) Many others (including Kinckerbocker explained, “After the company was [1901-ca. 1924] Ovals, Manhattan Ovals, Manhattan incorporated in 1901, this base marking Pollard (1993:277) recorded this Ointment Pots, and Bronx Ointment was used throughout the rest of the variation, and we, too, have seen a single Pots) also appeared in the 1909 Whitall operations that produced hand-blown example. It, too, postdates 1901. This Tatum catalog. The implication is prescription bottles.” [Figure 8] He system may have been used in conjunction that bottles embossed with patent dates provided an end date by saying that “the with the “letter/number” system or may of 1878 and 1888 were being used production of hand-blown prescription have followed it. Until further evidence is 15-25 years later, and dates of 1892 ware was discontinued in the 1920s” uncovered, this variation must also be dated and 1894 were still listed fifteen years (Bethman 1991:78). Although Elliott and 1901-ca. 1924. later. Thus, patent dates, while providing Gould (1988:198-199) date bottles with this absolute beginning dates may not be mark to the mid- to late 1890s, we agree (letter) / W. T. Co. even close to reflecting the year of with Bethman’s post-1901 date. This is the [1901-?] manufacture. most common mark we have found. The Bethman (1991:735) illustrated a single mark was ubiquitous in Bethman’s work. bottle with this mark. The letter on the Other Markings, Colors, and Other Date ranges on illustrated bottles varied example was “P.” He dated the bottle ca. Container Types from 1904 to 1922 with a single outlier with 1892, but this is problematical. The Whitall Tatum made cobalt blue glass a 1900 date. It is notable, however, that ampersand (&) was dropped in 1901, so bottles from at least 1876 (Pepper the number of examples made after 1918 the bottle was either made later than 1971:230). According to bottle collectors noticeably decreased. Although production Bethman suggested, or the logo was advertising on eBay (who dug bottles at the dramatically decreased after 1920, miscopied. Whitall Tatum factory), cobalt blue bottles the change to machine-made bottles (and found at the site contained no markings on a different mark) probably did not occur (letter) / U. S. A. the bases. However, at least one cobalt blue until ca. 1924, a date confirmed by [ca. 1912-ca. 1915] bottle was marked “W. T. Co./U. S. A.” Griffenhagen and Bogard (1999:40). The Although these marks cannot be (eBay). Although Toulouse (1971:544-547) accompanying letters could include positively identified as belonging to Whitall claimed that Whitall Tatum began making virtually the entire alphabet (A-X), and Tatum, they follow a very similar pattern. “opal [milk] glass” at the Glasstown plant double letters up to AJ have been observed. Miller (1999:67, 97) noted three instances in 1893, Pepper (1971:230) cited the The letters could also be replaced by single- of the mark’s use on Arizona pharmacy Whitall Tatum catalog from 1876 as digit numbers (3-8 that we have seen so bottles [Figure 9]. The date range for including opal in its list of colors. This far). By far the most common in the Miller’s bottles, 1912-1915, is currently our indicates that the company was making literature are letters A-C. best estimate for the use of the mark. white opaque glass by at least that date. By This pattern was shown in Pollard 1934 (ad in the Glass Packer), the company (1993:245-246, 250, 253-254, 256-259, A Note on the End Date stated, “W.T. bottles come stocked in 263, 268, 270, 280-282) and was often The 1924-1925 Whitall Tatum catalog Crystal Clear Flint, Rich Amber, Light accompanied by patent dates, including: makes it clear that hand-made, plate-mold Green, and Emerald Green.” Bottles and Extras Summer 2006 9 Other Druggist Ware a mark or lettering on the base. It is also The company expanded its line to possible that the small size of the bottle include larger bottles for druggists’ supplies played some part in the decision to leave (known as shop furniture) in 1870. A the base unmarked. department for druggists’ sundries was Two graduated beakers (offered on opened in 1876, and the company added eBay) had “WHITALL TATUM CO., perfume bottles in 1878 (historical PHILA. GUARANTEED ACCURATE. addendum to 1880 catalog). The company N.Y. CITY APPROVED TYPE III SERIAL began production of glass insulators at the A-9” etched into the glass on one side Glasstown plant in 1922 (McDougald & [Figure 12]. The absence of the ampersand McDougald (1990:133). It is currently (&) dates this mark after 1901. A variety unknown whether any of these (except of graduated beakers were offered in the Figure 10: Patent January 22, 1872 insulators and laboratory glass – discussed 1880 catalog. Although the 1892 catalog (Bethman 1991:755) below) were marked with a company logo. listed a large variety of wares, no graduated An unusual trademark was used by beakers were listed. Numerous dose glasses Whitall Tatum for laboratory glassware. were offered in the 1902 catalog (including The mark, consisting of “NONSOL” above a goblet-shaped beaker), but graduated “W.T.Co.” in an oval, was registered on beakers were again absent from the listings. September 19, 1916, although it had been At some point, however, beakers must have used since 1904. Used on “glassware for been offered again in the 20th century for chemical laboratories, namely, flasks and this style to have been available. Graduated beaker glasses,” the mark was “usually beakers also did not appear in the 1937 Figure 11: Patent January 5, 1892 displayed by burning it directly into the catalog. (Bethman 1991:724) goods, although it may be stenciled thereon, A final, different mark is on an etched printed upon labels to be attached to dose glass. Etched on the side of the glass packages containing the goods, or is COMPLEMENTS/1928/WHITALL otherwise displayed.” It is highly likely that TATUM COMPANY [Figure 13]. While the trademark was applied to wooden embossed dose glasses (similar to shot crates, cardboard boxes, and tags that glasses – called medicine glasses in the accompanied the glass objects rather than catalogs) were available in 1880 and 1892, being embossed, etched, or otherwise it was not until the 1902 catalog that directly applied to the glass surfaces. “engraved” medicine glasses were According to collectors, few, if any, available. Engraving appears to be what Figure 12: Etched Mark on Beaker perfume bottles were marked with makers’ we would now call etching. Whitall Tatum (eBay) logos. It may have been an unofficial policy dose glasses are reported by collectors all of Whitall Tatum as well as others, to leave over the world – as far away as New perfume bottles unmarked, as in the Zealand. tradition of most ‘fancy’ glassware, cut Occasional pieces were simply marked glass, and tableware items. From the point with the Whitall Tatum name. Apparently, of view of most of the earlier glass during the 20th century, the corporation had companies, it seems to have been figured that free advertising was to its considered undesirable from an esthetic advantage. Although we are unable to standpoint to clutter up the “grace” and positively date some of these, all were made Figure 13: Etched Dose Glass (eBay) “beautiful design” of this type of glass with after 1901 (as shown by the lack of the Table 2: Patents Recorded by Whitall Tatum & Co. January 22, 1878 Millville Round Prescriptions May 7, 1878 Double Philadelphia Ovals January 24, 1888 Seal Ovals April 2, 1889 Rounded Square Recessed Ware January 6, 1892 Manhattan Ovals June 7, 1892 Manhattan Ointment Pots June 21, 1892 Bronx Ointment Pots December 11, 1894 Knickerbocker Ovals May 28, 1895 Tooth Powder Bottles with Composition Caps Figure 14: Dose Glass Mark – January 18, 1898 Penn Ovals ca. 1890-1901 (Lockhart) 10 Summer 2006 Bottles and Extras ampersand). An eBay seller describing a 15]. All examples from Miller (1999:66, milk-glass apothecary jar noted that “text 104, 112) and our collections have double on the bottom of the jar forms a circle. The letters from AL to AN. These were used text reads Whitall Tatum Co. Phila & N. Y. from 1901 to at least 1913. At the center of the circle is the letter ‘B.’” A similar piece with identical marking on Food, Beer, and Milk Bottles the base was described by McKearin and Whitall Tatum also made a limited line McKearin (1941:165; plate 62). Numerous of food bottles. These included catsup eBay apothecary jars have been reported bottles, pickle jars, honey jars, mustard with similar markings. The Philadelphia bottles, and maple syrup bottles. Although and New York sales offices are of little help these may have often been unmarked, in dating as they were in place by at least Zumwalt (1980:436) showed photos of 1880 (Whitall Tatum catalog). pickle jar bases marked “W. T. & Co./1”, a mark used by the company prior to 1901. MANHATTAN OVAL Although Zumwalt dates the jars as “circa Figure 15: Dose Glass Mark – [after 1891] late 1860’s to early 1870’s,” the mark is 1901-ca. 1924 (Lockhart) Giarde (1980:136) attributed this mark similar to that claimed by Bethman to Whitall Tatum and dated it “from 1891.” (1991:79) as being used from 1886 to 1893. He offered no further information except Bethman’s mark, however, used a letter that the mark “may not have been used at instead of a number. It is possible that the all on milk bottles,” and it certainly was company used single-digit numbers to mark not. The 1892 catalog called the Manhattan food bottles prior to the use of numbers on Oval a “new prescription bottle” and pharmacy bottles about 1890. Marks found claimed that the bottles were “of a new and on ware other than pharmacy bottles are very handsome design, and are so shaped consolidated in Table 3. that no angles are presented, all the corners Pepper (1971:421) claimed that Whitall being rounded. The Moulds are arranged Tatum began beer bottle production in to take the same lettered Plates that are used 1927, so some of those bottles should have for French Square Prescriptions and the W/T in a triangle mark on them. Philadelphia Ovals.” Sizes ranged from ½ However, this date makes no intuitive sense ounce to 32 ounces. The bottle design was as it occurs in the middle of Prohibition patented on January 5, 1892 (Bethman when beer was legally forbidden in the U.S. 1991:88, 91). However, Whitall Tatum She may have misunderstood certain claimed the mark had been used since Whitall Tatum ads. For example, an ad in September 1891 (Griffenhagen & Bogard the December 1933 Glass Packer (p. 774) 1999:38). Thus far, we have not actually illustrated a bottle type that was ubiquitous seen this mark on Whitall Tatum bottles. during the latter Prohibition era and has It is important to note that the “use” of the often been mistaken for beer bottles mark does not necessarily indicate that it (Gershman 1990:153; Lockhart 2005:69- was embossed on bottles. This “use” 70; Pendergrast 1993:196). The ad calls probably indicates that “Manhattan Oval” the style an “amber beverage bottle.” Later was used in ads or catalogs. ads (e.g., p. 471, July 1934, p. 8, January Figure 16: Household Fruit Jar 1938 Glass Packer) showed both export- (Creswick 1995:86) W. T. & Co. / (single or double letter) / U. S. A. [ca. 1890-1901] Miller (1999:88) showed a dose glass with this mark and an “AN.” Dose glasses with the mark (and letters B, S, Q, AH, AN, and AM) have been offered on eBay [Figure 14]. The mark was likely used from about 1890 to 1901, the same time period as similarly-marked prescription bottles. W. T. Co. / (double letter) / U. S. A. [1901-at least 1913] When Whitall Tatum incorporated in 1901, it slightly altered its markings for dose glasses in a similar way to its new markings for prescription bottles [Figure Figure 17: Phenix Ointment Pot (Whitall Tatum 1900 Catalog) Bottles and Extras Summer 2006 11 style and “Esslinger” beer bottles. These (downward arch)/MILLVILLE NO. 3. 1995:220-221; Roller 1983:280). Whitall appeared in ads along with the W/T-in-an- (upward arch) on the top. Creswick dated Tatum also made a variety of other fruit inverted-triangle mark, although we have the container “circa 1884 based on a jars (see Creswick 1995:158-159) and other not seen any actual examples of beer bottles separate patent (#292,386) assigned during jars including pickle jars and ointment pots. embossed with the logo. that year. Another example was the The Crystal Milk Jar, patented HOUSEHOLD FRUIT JAR (Creswick W. T. & Co. / (number) September 11, 1888, was offered in the 1995:86) embossed with W. T. CO. in the [late 1870s-ca. 1890] 1892 catalog. The jar came complete with front center, produced ca. 1857-1938 As discussed above, this mark is found a glass lid that used tension in a wire [Figure 16]. The W. T. CO. embossing, on pickle jars from Whitall Tatum and may arrangement (similar to the lightning however, was more likely used during the grace other food jars made by the company. stopper) to seal the lid. The jars were 1901-1924 period. It may have been used as early as the late available in pint and quart sizes. By 1902, According to Caniff (2001:6-8), the 1870s until about 1890. Pickle jars and the more modern “common sense” milk 1861 patented jar was embossed on the side other food containers were offered in the bottles were listed, although Whitall Tatum with “MILLVILLE ATMOSPHERIC 1880 catalog. continued calling them “milk jars.” The FRUIT JAR.” He showed variations of the drawings, however, depict the cap seat style jar through time, usually with the full name W. T. & Co. / (3- or 4-digit number) / of the common sense milk bottle developed embossed on the front. Some smaller jars (letter) by Hervey Thatcher. Milk bottles were were only embossed “MILLVILLE.” One [ca. mid-1890s-1901] obviously not a targeted item – the entire style was completely unembossed, and We discovered this variation on a copy read, “All styles and sizes, furnished another only had “W. T. & CO. U. S. A.” Phenix5 Ointment Pot marked “W. T. & with Paper Tops or Metal Fittings. Prices on the base. The last known advertisement Co./681/D/PAT JAN 1 1889.” The marks on application.” Although Giarde for the jars was in 1891. Creswick included patent dates (below the other (1980:136) suggested that the W. T. & Co. (1995:226) listed a half-gallon jar embossed markings) of “JAN 1 1889” on an amber mark was used to 1924, it is much more “W. T. & CO. 2” on the base. Roller jar and “APR 15 1890” on a jar made of likely that W. T. Co. was used from 1901 (1983:251-253), apparently unaware of the opal or milk glass. Both of these are salve to 1924, followed by the inverted triangle 1891 ads, also included several of these jars, jars with non-continuous-thread finishes. mark (see below), used until the company but dated them to the ca. 1860-1880s In both cases, the mold line continues to sold to Armstrong Cork in 1938 period. the top of the finish, indicating a machine- (Griffenhagen & Bogard 1999:40). Whitall Tatum & Co. also made three made jar. The numerals indicate catalog other fruit jars, but these were only marked numbers. Whitall Tatum’s 1880 catalog Fruit Jars and Other Jars with the company name (plus (pp. 25, 68) only shows jars with fitted lids Fruit jars were also a part of the “PHILADELPHIA NEW YORK”) on the – none with continuous thread finishes. company’s offering from an early date. glass lids. These included the “museum Unfortunately, the 1890 and 1892 catalogs Creswick (1995:158) and Roller (1983:380) jars” available from 1879 to as late as 1924 were limited in scope and did not show both showed a grooved-ring wax sealer fruit (Caniff 2001:8-9). Another fruit jar had short jars, such as the one described above. jar embossed on the front with WHITALL’S “J. M. WHITALL’S PATENT APRIL 11 However, specimen jars had no threaded PATENT (downward arch)/JUNE 18TH 1865" embossed on the underside of its lids, and the only fruit jars listed were “for 1861 (upward arch). The accompanying glass stopper. The jar, itself, was unmarked. corks.” Glycerine Jelly jars were the only lid was embossed WHITALL’S PATENT The patent number was 540,890 (Creswick items listed with continuous thread finishes and “nickel-plated screw caps” (Whitall Table 3: Chronology for Other Whitall Tatum Marks Tatum catalog 1892). By 1896, however, MARK BOTTLE TYPE DATES SOURCE Phenix ointment pots (with the patent date W. T. & Co. Pickle Jars 1886-1893 Zumwalt (1980:436) “JAN 1 1889”), Millville ointment pots, (number) and Manhattan ointment pots were offered (Whitall Tatum catalog 1896). These jars W. T. & Co. Jars and early 1890s- Bottle Research Group and ointment pots, therefore, probably (3- or 4-digit number) Ointment Pots 1901 (BRG) became available from Whitall Tatum (letter) sometime between 1892 and 1896. Opal or milk glass jars could have been made at W. T. & Co. Dose Glasses ca. 1890- BRG least as early as 1876 [Figure 17]. (single or double letter) 1901 Jars of this type were made by press U.S.A. molding, a technique used as early as the W. T. Co. Dose Glasses 1901-1913* Miller (2000) late 17th century. In this technique, glass is (double letter) dropped into a mold, and a plunger is U.S.A. depressed into the center to force the glass to conform to the molded sides. The W. T. Co. Jars and 1901-1924? BRG plunger is withdrawn, and the two (or more) (number) Ointments Pots WT Catalog, 1902 part mold is opened to remove the final (letter) product. In this technique, the inside of * All of these that we have seen have threaded finishes. the container does not conform to the