posted 04-23-2016 05:55 PM            

Few American labels were made before the mid-19th century, and English labels were occasionally shipped here. George Washington is known to have bought silver English labels. In the US they are often referred to as decanter labels, liquor labels or bottle tags. I haven’t yet seen one from the US that was made with the name of a wine.

What I have found are labels with appealing designs made in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Here are three by George Shiebler; each by a different artist, apparently.

A small one: RYE

Retailed by and marked Theodore B Starr: CLARET

A classic Shiebler art nouveau design: WHISKEY

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posted 04-24-2016 02:11 PM            

I wonder what other bottle tags/tickets/labels members might share with us?

Here is a better look at the Theodore B. Starr mark.

And here is a 1883 patent paper for a bottle tag.

posted 04-26-2016 04:21 PM            

I haven't bumped into any Shiebler examples to add.

Here's one by Paul Storr:

posted 05-02-2016 08:10 PM            

Not much of Art Nouveau in this design:

posted 05-08-2016 10:39 AM            

You mention the London based Wine Label Circle. I assume you maybe a member.

Are other SSF members also Wine Label Circle members?

posted 05-10-2016 12:07 PM            

quote:

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Wine Label Circle Org - Labels

One of the attractions of labels is the many different aspects they display. These include:

Name or title on the label, ranging from wines like CLARET to obscure ones like MOUNTAIN, sauces from the well-known SOY to the obscure ZOOBDITTY MATCH, medicines, toiletries, boudoir labels.

Material from which the label was made, such as silver, silver plate, enamel, china or mother-of pearl, but not paper labels designed to be stuck on bottles – that is a separate field of collecting.

Maker of the label, though this is usually known only for silver and some enamel labels.

Where made - marks on silver labels can show the maker, the town where they lived and the date it was made. For labels in other materials, the design may give a clue.

The designs of labels are a particular attraction ranging from simple rectangles to ones with a profusion of decoration and shape. Often they reflect the changing styles and designs seen in larger items of silver or other materia

....

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posted 05-12-2016 09:29 PM            

The Wine Label Circle is indeed in England. Membership is about 150, two-thirds of whom are in the UK. There are 21 members in the US, 11 in Australia and a few in Canada, France, South Africa, Germany and Japan.

One WLC focus is the makers, with Sandylands Drinkwater and the Batemans being among the most highly regarded; high design is also appreciated. They have also recorded several hundred wines & spirits names on their List, including variations.

English silversmiths had been quite prolific before Americans got into the business, and attention to American labels has been modest.

Yes, I joined a few years ago, but haven't had much contact with them yet. Perhaps after I make another post or two on this thread, I will direct their attention to it. Or I might send photos and a write-up to them for publication in their beautiful semi-annual Journal.

posted 05-16-2016 09:51 PM            

I missed your post until today. Thanks to you I have a growing awareness/interest in bottle tags.

Most members hold their associations fairly close....so I don't really know.

posted 06-07-2016 12:22 AM            

Richards & Knight, London, 1985

Ari Norman, London, 1986

Richards & Knight, London, 1987

C.J. Vander, Ltd., London, 1967

Received this nice mid to late 19th century electroplate label, by John Gilbert of Birmingham, as part of a mixed lot in a Christmas gift exchange last year:

~Cheryl

posted 06-12-2016 05:13 PM            

~Cheryl