H. Fess Jr. Jaundice Bitters Milwaukie

This aqua bitters bottle from Wisconsin is embossed "H. FESS JR." on the front, "MILWAUKIE, WIS." on the back, "JAUNDICE" on the left panel and "BITTERS" on the right. Note the old German spelling of Milwaukee. It has a smooth base and a square blob, unlike the other varieties that have the double collar lip and pontil mark. Henry Fess Jr. was a prominent Milwaukee druggist in the 1840's and 1850's. There are a couple of varieties of pontil marked and smooth based bitters and at least one pontil marked druggist bottle known from this company. From left to right below are iron pontil marked bitters 8 1/4" tall, open pontil bitters 7 1/4" tall, and open pontil marked medicine. All are Henry Fess Jr. The large size is found with smooth base, IP and OP.