Drake's Plantation Bitters, 1862-1890

Summary

Bitters is an herb-infused alcoholic mixture. Named for its bitter taste, the liquid was originally developed as a medicinal tonic to help soothe stomach complaints or other digestive disorders. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, patent-medicine dealers bottled and sold the elixir. Americans purchased bitters in simple mold-blown bottles or ones shaped like drums, barrels, or cabins.

Bitters is an herb-infused alcoholic mixture. Named for its bitter taste, the liquid was originally developed as a medicinal tonic to help soothe stomach complaints or other digestive disorders. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, patent-medicine dealers bottled and sold the elixir. Americans purchased bitters in simple mold-blown bottles or ones shaped like drums, barrels, or cabins.

Artifact

Bitters bottle

Date Made

1862-1890

 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Davidson-Gerson Gallery of Glass

Object ID

2017.0.16.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)

Color

Amber (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 10 in

Width: 3.5 in

Length: 3.5 in

Inscriptions

on front: DRAKES / 1860 / PLANTATION / X / BITTERS on back: PATENTED / 1862

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