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Nabob and Thistledew Whiskey Bottle Pair [184670]

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Bottles & Insulators Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 800.00 USD
Nabob and Thistledew Whiskey Bottle Pair [184670]
SOLD
250.00USD+ (62.50) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2024 Aug 22 @ 12:25UTC-7 : PDT/MST
UNCLAIMED MERCHANDISE: In the event that a successful bidder has paid in full for their merchandise but fails to settle outstanding shipping invoices or make arrangements for merchandise pickup within 60 days, HWAC reserves the right to declare the merchandise forfeited. This forfeiture will result in the merchandise becoming the property of HWAC and the successful bidder shall have no claim to or rights over the forfeited merchandise.
Two applied top whiskey bottles, Nabob (c1878-1890) and Thistledew (c 1882-1890). Nabob is medium amber, clean and bright. Thistledew is yellow-amber, clean and bright.

Nabob and Thistledew Whiskey
These two whiskey bottles appear related because of near-identical embossing style and the bottle manufacture, complete with identical kickups. The commonality, however, is simply the bottle manufacturer, who apparently suggested the same style to both companies.
Nabob got its start from G, Simmonds who imported his Nabob Whiskey from Kentucky to San Francisco. His first advertisements are found in California newspapers in April, 1878, and by 1880 are all over the west, particularly Eureka, Nevada and all of California. Simmonds, and others, claimed whiskey was the ìdrink of the age.î His production in 1880 alone was reported at 200,000 cases. In mid 1881, Simmonds brought in a partner, Ann Francisco pioneer whiskey and wine merchant A. Vignier, and afterwards the partnership was known as Vignier & Simmonds. The brand lasted through at least 1888.
Thistledew was a unique Kentucky bourbon produced and marketed by Henry W. Smith in Kentucky. His first advertisements are found in 1882. I found no tie directly linking Smith and Simmonds.(fh) Smith was a different kind of promoter, choosing to independently distribute his product. At first, it was spread throughout the south and east. He did contract for a sole agent in Washington, DC with Frank Hume. By 188, Smith had realized a huge market was awaiting him in the west, and he contracted with W.O.H. Martin in reno for sole distribution rights in Washoe County, Nevada; Nevada, Lassen and Mono counties California.
Nabob is the older of the pair. We put this pair together because of the similarity in styles, and the very different stories behind their distribution in the West.
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