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***IFYOU WANT YOUR BOTTLES TO LOOK LIKE MY LISTINGS, I CAN RESTORE THEM FOR YOU!!!
DESCRIPTION
This is a beautiful and unusually ornate pre-Prohibition S. Hirsch & Co. Crystal Brook Whiskey bottle from Kansas City, Missouri. The elaborate molded shoulder design immediately separates this bottle from the typical plain whiskey cylinders of the period.
This is a large bottle, standing approximately 11 3/4" tall and measuring 3 1/4" in diameter. It was blown in a mold and has a hand-tooled lip.
The front is strongly embossed:
S. HIRSCH & CO.
CRYSTAL BROOK
KANSAS CITY, MO.
The embossing is strong, crisp and exceptionally attractive against the crystal-clear glass.
What really makes this bottle stand out, however, is the spectacular highly ornate shoulder and neck design. The entire shoulder is covered with an elaborate repeating molded pattern that catches and refracts light almost like cut glass. A decorative band separates the patterned shoulder from the cylindrical body, with another molded band surrounding the base of the neck.
The base is also embossed PATENTED.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
S. Hirsch & Co. was a prominent Kansas City wholesale liquor firm associated with Simon Hirsch. Historical records describe the company as wholesale dealers in liquors, wines and cigars, with a substantial trade extending through Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.
Crystal Brook was one of the firm's most important whiskey brands. Historical research identifies Crystal Brook and Quaker Maid as S. Hirsch & Co.'s two flagship brands, with Crystal Brook marketed as a sour mash whiskey.
Period advertising confirms that S. Hirsch & Co. was actively marketing whiskey nationally by the early 1900s. A 1906 newspaper advertisement, for example, identifies S. Hirsch & Co. of Kansas City in connection with its whiskey business.
AGE & MANUFACTURE
Collector research places S. Hirsch & Co. from approximately 1887 to 1908, after which the business operated as the S. Hirsch Distilling Co. from approximately 1909 to 1918.
Because this bottle is specifically embossed S. HIRSCH & CO., rather than S. Hirsch Distilling Co., and has a hand-tooled finish consistent with the period, I would date it:
CIRCA 1887–1908
That makes this a genuine pre-Prohibition Kansas City whiskey bottle, now approximately 120–140 years old.
CONDITION
This bottle has been professionally tumbled and restored, resulting in exceptionally clear, brilliant glass that really showcases the ornate shoulder design and strong embossing.
There are several small bubbles scattered throughout the glass, which are original manufacturing characteristics and add considerably to its early character.
Most importantly, this example has NO DAMAGE.
No chips. No cracks.
The bottle is in excellent condition, particularly impressive considering its age and the complexity of the heavily molded shoulder.
As with virtually all bottles of this age, close inspection may reveal minor manufacturing irregularities, tiny surface marks or other normal evidence of age.
HIGHLIGHTS
- CIRCA 1887–1908
- S. HIRSCH & CO.
- CRYSTAL BROOK
- KANSAS CITY, MO.
- Large 11 3/4" tall whiskey bottle
- Approximately 3 1/4" diameter
- Spectacular ornate molded shoulder
- Strong, crisp embossing
- Blown in a mold
- Hand-tooled lip
- Embossed PATENTED base
- Small original bubbles scattered throughout the glass
- Professionally tumbled and restored
- Beautiful crystal-clear glass
- No chips or cracks
- Excellent condition
- Classic pre-Prohibition Missouri whiskey bottle
This is an especially attractive example because it has three things working for it at once: size, embossing and architectural glasswork. The heavily patterned shoulder looks fantastic in sunlight and gives the bottle considerably more display presence than a conventional clear whiskey cylinder.
A NOTE ABOUT DATING
Dating antique bottles is rarely an exact science. The circa 1887–1908 date range is based primarily on the documented operating period of S. Hirsch & Co., together with the company name embossed on this bottle and its mold-blown construction and hand-tooled finish. The company subsequently operated under the S. Hirsch Distilling Co. name.
