Dug a sarasina stomach bitters which lead to another discovery...

GoingDigging

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Jul 12, 2014
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I managed to squeeze a short dig in this week at the old dump. I got a mess of bottles but the best came down to 2. I Got a nice scarce sarasina stomach bitters in a nice medium amber which alone made the dig worth while. I also got a multi paneled emerald green caper jar with a good amount of label intact. What is the color of the lighter keasbey & mattison bottle? I put an amber one next to it to show difference. The bitters made me think of a bottle I found early in the year I had sitting on a chair in the corner of my room collecting dust on an old video card for a desktop. I saw one sold for 545$ in 2011 on ebay and thought can't be. I guess it is a rare local bitters. A McKees bitters m sheehan & co Troy NY. Possibly my best bottle. Should I get it tumbled or leave it as is? Thanks for viewing my post and any information is appreciated. As always happy hunting. ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466302738.688437.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466302807.439362.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466302834.406030.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466302875.905335.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466302958.011494.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466303008.155347.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466303038.456775.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466303118.254671.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466303153.556701.jpg ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466303191.022063.jpg
 

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Goldenplug

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That Troy bitters is awesome. My vote as you know is tumble/professional cleaning. It will bring out those bubbles and great original color thats hiding under the patina. Also I would call that color yellow-amber. Theres a good webpage about jar color that would apply to all bottles. I will post it on here when I get the chance.
 

NJKLAGT

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Oct 18, 2014
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Oh wow, these are all beautiful. Yeesss that McKee's is absolutely gorgeous, definitely my favourite of these!

Personally I wouldn't tumble this beauty because that would be irreversible. I've heard that some collectors will buff their bottles with a bit of baby oil or something else that can be washed off to reveal its natural condition again.
 

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GoingDigging

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I am leaning towards keeping it as is for now. A future owner can decide what to do. I think i will continue to scrub it on occasion and shake with copper. Maybe I will try the baby oil and see how it looks. Neglecting my best find for so long. For shame! Now get on the top shelf where you belong!
 

NJKLAGT

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It really is an awesome bottle. With the oil hand-buffed on with a soft cloth, the haze will then be temporarily wetted and so you should be able to see right through the bottle. Of course the glass will look a bit oily, a bit slimy, but the more you buff the more this should go away to an extent. Don't press too hard while you're buffing, and watch that the bottle doesn't get too hot from all of the rapid movement. Let it cool once in a while if need be.
 

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GoingDigging

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Just noticed what looks like a humanoid creatures face on the back/side of the McKee's. Scary looking. ImageUploadedByTreasureNet.com1466352313.287733.jpg
 

cje

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It's amazing how labels can last so long when buried. Was it in an ash layer?
 

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GoingDigging

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It's amazing how labels can last so long when buried. Was it in an ash layer?

Yes I believe so. Fell out near top when I was caving a ledge in. Saw both labels and the 10 paneled neck. Let it dry and lightly brushed with edge of soft bristle tooth brush. Cleaned all around and inside as normal. Turned out pretty awesome withe red on the label against the emerald green slim multi paneled glass. On the top rung of my shelves. I kind of like the humanoid face. It's the original owners ghost giving you the stink eye for messing with his favorite brand of bitters. Or perhaps.... Just maybe...It is just a stain. That's crazy. Gotta just be a damn ghost stuck on the bottle. Anyone know a good witch doctor?
 

jgas

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Awesome color. Love em all. Any Bitters dug is a good day in my book. jgas
 

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