Saturday, July 4, 2009

Ya Gotta Love the Name.

Just a fascinating name for a product! Curiosity alone should have helped sell this product! One of three Henley's products marketed in this cylinder shaped container. It is believed to be the third product marketed, behind the famous Dr. Henley's Wild Grape Root IXL Bitters first brought to the market in 1868, followed by the OK Bitters, which was a spiced wine bitters product marketed in late 1871, followed by this product Dr. Henley's Eye Opener some years later.

With a product name like this, one would think that the base vehicle ingredient used would be stronger than the wines, brandies, rum or wheat whiskies that were being used in other bitters type products.

Louis Gross & Co was the sole proprietor in San Francisco for Henley's Wild Grape Root Bitters in 1868, Henry Epstein & Co were the sole proprietors in S.F. when the OK Bitters was marketed. Most likely Isador Landsberger was promoting the Henley products when the Eye Opener was brought to market.

These bottles come in some beautiful colors, some examples in current collections are yellow-olive, light green and blue-aqua as seen here. Approximately 10 or so examples are in western collections.

6 comments:

  1. I have an interesting ad from Henley which I will post shortly....

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  2. I know the IXL bitters come in a wide variety of colors, but the "OK Bitters" I've only seen (and heard) in aqua to bluish aqua. Most OK Bitters that I'm aware of were found in Oregon. Anyone hear of the OK Bitters in other colors or found in locations other than Oregon?
    -Rob G.

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  3. I ran into two Colorado diggers a few yrs ago that told me they found several of the OK's there in Colorado. I have never found a pc of one in California. Has anyone found one broken or whole in California ?
    AP

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  4. The Eye opener bottle was made in 1873 only. And supposedly had an eye embossed in the glass Henley was partnered with William Bradbury in this endeavor, but sales werent very good so he quit and went back to Oregon....Source...Bill & betty Wilson's Western Bitters

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  5. Has anyone seen any Eye Openers in these colors?Anyone have pics ?
    AP

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