ATDTDA (2): Old Gideon (40.21)

[Tim Strzechowski]

Hershel holding out a banknote, "Reverse tip.  Bring me a bottle of Old Gideon and some ice.  If there's any change, keep it.  Learn frugality.  Begin to see the arrangement?" (p. 40).



OLD JOE GIDEON WHISKEY - This pint flask is largely a variation of the Dandy flask that was (and is) called the "The Alton Flask."  The name is from the early 20th century Illinois Glass Company catalogs and the style was apparently a proprietary design that was named after the location of their main glass factory in Alton, IL.  The Alton differs slightly from the typical Dandy in that there is a molded ring at the junction of the neck and shoulder and the finish is a double ring.  The pictured flask is mouth-blown with a tooled double ring finish, air venting, and was blown in a cup base mold.  It is embossed with OLD / JOE GIDEON / (large G with BROS. inside) / WHISKEY / AWARDED / GOLD MEDALS / ST. LOUIS 1904 / PORTLAND, ORE. 1905 and dates from between 1905 and National Prohibition (Thomas 1998a).  Click on the following link to view the illustration from the 1906 Illinois Glass Co. catalog of The Alton Flask - IGCo. 1906 pages 160-161; the flask is illustrated on the upper left
 page  (Thomas 1998a) 
 
http://www.blm.gov/historic_bottles/Typing/liquor/joegideonaltonflask.jpg
 
http://www.blm.gov/historic_bottles/liquor.htm
 
 
One of the early drinks was Taos Lightning, a corn or wheat based liquor. It was brought up from New Mexico and was popular with both Indians and trappers. Different varieties of bourbon were very popular too, such as Old Crow and Old Gideon. [...]
 
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_west/102390
 
See also:
 
http://www.bottlebooks.com/questions/Oct2002/october_2002_questions_ask_digge.htm


And:

http://www.goantiques.com/detail,vintage-amber-flask,1151401.html?source=VYZ4474