When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Nice A. CRESTO TRINIDAD, COLORADO 1900\'s Saloon LIQUOR JUG - Wild WEST Town !!!
This sale is for a small size probably about a 1 gallon capacity saloon whiskey jug from the A. CRESTO saloon Trinidad, Colorado.
Medium bluish-gray cobalt blue letteringsurrounded by a fancy up and down zig-zag border. Reads \"A. CRESTO LIQUORS and CIGARS TRINIDAD, ** COLORADO.\"
This jug has a very sharp clearlooking stencil, displays absolutely AWESOME !!!
Trinidad was a wild west town for sure, its history includes Bat Masterson, who was marshall for a time in the 1880s. He was considered to be a good lawman when not pursuing his favorite pastime of gambling.
I\'m sure plenty of non-stop vice was available in this town which had a colorful early past, however, not a whole lot of info out there that I could find on this proprietor.Also, I can find no other examples of this jug mentioned, listed, described or otherwise on the Internet.
Now, throughsome serious online research with old city directories and sanborn maps, I did find and cannow prove that Antonio Cresto was operating a saloon at 213N Commercial in the years 1901, 1907, and 1912. The adjoining 2 buildings, 211 and 209were a liquor house and a cigar shop owned by same as evidenced on the jug- basically a 1-STOP shop for all your vice needs - I LIKE it!!!
I also found out that this proprietor owned and operated a general merchandise store and saloon during the year 1888 in Engleville which was about a mile east of Trinidad, then he relocated to Trinidad and set up residence there too.
The color of this one is a grayish oatmeal for the main body, the top is a brown color with anicely done and perfectly applied handle. Look at the base, it kind of reminds me of the swirls in a cinnamon roll before its baked - check it out !!!
Some typical manufacturing crudity, glaze imperfections, etc - all quite normal character traits for a hand thrown piece.
Measures about 9-1/2 inches tall and about 5-3/4 inches in diameter across the base. I\'m calling it a 1 gallon capacity or pretty close anyway.
This jug is about as perfect as the day it was made, and that\'s pretty hard to say about a piece of utilitarian stoneware not really meant to survive- a few day to day nicks on the edges and on the inside edge of the lip, a little cleanable rust discoloration in places, a small chip/sliver off the bottom base edge, no cracks - I\'ve looked it over very carefully and see nothing else worth mentioning - see all the photo details below - THANKS !!!
These nice old primitive western whiskey/saloon advertising jugs are getting harder and harder to find nowadays and should be regarded as investment pieces for the future !!!
Please see all photo details for an accurate representation of this fine jug.
Larger photos below:
Here are a couple Sanborn map images that show the establishment as a Saloon in 1907 and closed in 1917 when prohibition would have shut it down hard:
Please review all photos and read the description carefully and/or ask questions before offerding.
Item MUST BE INSURED and will be included in the shipping price - NO EXCEPTIONS !!!
Shipping cost is for US buyers only - other buyers please email for shipping cost as rates will be different.
NOTE: Please wait for my invoice before paying so proper shipping costs can be determined as calculator is most always WRONG !!!!
Thanks for looking and good luck if you choose to offer !!!