Meadville Whiskey | Collecting Vintage Saegertown and Meadville

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Here is a card from the Meadville Pa. Distilling Co. Limited. It has a great illustration of the distillery buildings.

MVC-206S — See text for a description of image M1:

Image M1, shows a selection of quart Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey bottles. The brown bottles all have the “Puryo” label with the first bottle on the left from McNierney, Meadville, Penna. The clear quart bottle on the left side of the picture has a revenue stamp dated 1923. The first brown quart bottle on the right side of the picture has a revenue stamp with a 1909 date. In the center of the image, there is also a pinched sided “back bar” bottle, that simply has the word Meadville on it.

MVC-205S — See text for a description of image M2:

Image M2 shows a group of Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey bottles in the pint, half pint, and 1/10 pint sizes. Five of the bottles have the Puryo label. The first half pint bottle on the left side is not Puryo and is from T. Regan & Co., Buffalo, NY. The brown pint bottle on the left has a revenue stamp dated: Made fall 1903 – Bottled fall 1907. The brown half pint bottle, second from the right, has a revenue stamp dated: Made Spring 1905 – Bottled Spring 1909. The small round 1/10 pint bottle in the front right side of the picture was used during the distilling process. The label says: “Meadville Rye Package No. 53 Sample 1/11/39 Distilled Dec. 29/38 102 proof Distiller W. Donahue.”

MVC-203S — See text for a description of image M3:

Image M3 has a group of Prohibition Era Meadville whiskey bottles. The first two clear pint bottles on the left have a diamond pattern molded in the glass. The third bottle from the left is a brown pint bottle and has a simple screw type metal cap. The fourth bottle from the left is a pint bottle with spider webs molded into the glass. It has the Antique Whiskey label dated Spring 1916, and the cup-type cap that screws on the top. (See image M14 for a new arrival that is the same, except it has all its labels and an attached prescription.) The half pint bottle on the right has never been opened. It has the spider webs molded into the glass. It has all its labels including the Antique Whiskey label, the medallion hanging by a cord on its neck, its box (missing its lid) and the revenue stamp dated: Made Spring 1915 – Bottled Fall 1925. This bottle was stored on its side for a very long time, so there’s only a residue of whiskey left inside. The 1/10 pint bottle in front has a revenue stamp dated: Made Spring 1930 – Bottled Fall 1934. It also has two labels on the back.

Here is a close-up of the medallion on the half pint un-opened Meadville Whiskey bottle shown in image M3. This is the only medallion we’ve found.

Here’s a better look at the matchcover shown in image M4 below. It illustrates the Old Erie Brand and David Meade Straight Rye Whiskey labels. The cover on the left has less wear.

MVC-204S — See text for a description of image M4:

See text for a description of image M4a.

See text for a description of image M4b.

Image M4 has a brown pint Paul Jones Whiskey bottle with a Meadville, PA Prohibition Prescription attached to the front. It is from the Eastwood Pharmacy located at the corner of Park Ave. and Chestnut Street, Chas. W. Coyan pharmacist. Dated 2.20.31 the dose is: Tablespoonful as required. This bottle has never been opened and still has most of the whiskey and its box, that further explains the “medicinal” properties of this fine product. The revenue stamp is dated: Made Spring 19?6 (it has a wrinkle) – Bottled Fall 1929. The clear pint bottle in the front is a Post-Prohibition bottle from the Meadville Pennsylvania Distilling Co. Incorporated Meadville, Penna. It has the David Meade label for Special Reserve Rye Whiskey A Blend. It has a revenue stamp with no date, a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Sticker on the front, and two more labels on the back. The top back label gives more information and only has a corner missing. The other bottom back label is damaged, but from what is left, it must have said that this was a sample – not to be sold. It has a metal cap that screws on. In the bottom left of the picture you can see an Old Erie Brand Blended Whiskey label from the Meadville Pennsylvania Distilling Co. Incorporated Meadville, Penna. The bottom right of the picture shows a matchcover advertising both the Old Erie Brand and the David Meade Rye Whiskey labels from the Meadville, Penna. Distilling Co.
In image M4a, I have the David Meade bottle (shown in image M4) tilted on its side, to show more of the label. There’s also a better look at the Old Erie label (shown in image M4) and at the bottom left of image M4a, is a Meadville Puryo label that says “100 PROOF – BOTTLED IN BOND UNDER UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SUPERVISION – Straight Rye Whiskey – BOTTLED BY FRANKFORT DISTILLERIES INCORPORATED – BALTIMORE, MD.”
Image M4b has two David Meade Distilling Co. labels, circa. mid-1940s. On the left is a yellow label that says: OLD ERIE BRAND – (in a circle around a vintage train engine, car and the letters MGR) UPHOLDING A TRADITION. A Blend of Straight Whiskies BLENDED AND BOTTLED BY David Meade Distilling Co, MEADVILLE, PA. The tan label on the right says: OLD ERIE BRAND – (in a circle around a vintage train engine, car and the letters MGR) UPHOLDING A TRADITION. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey BOTTLED BY David Meade Distilling Co. MEADVILLE, PA.

Here are two Meadville Registered Brand United Distillers Products Corp. labels. I don’t know if they are part of this story, but I’m putting this image in now and when I find out more information, I’ll be sure to update.

Here is a better view of the two unopened whiskey bottles shown and described in images M3 and M4. In the background is a plaque made from a piece of wood and a sheet of stationary from the Meadville Distillery, Meadville, Pa.

Here is another Meadville Registered Brand label from United Distillers Products Corp.

The last three images show a quart, and 3 different types of pint bottles, with the Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey labels. They are all from distillery No.1 Port No2E, circa. 1920s Montreal, Canada.
Image CM1 shows the white label that has an insignia that says Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey Consolidated Distilleries Ltd. The main label says Bottled in Bond Under Government Supervision.
Image CM2 shows the pints with the black labels. These labels have an insignia that says Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey Consolidated Distilleries Ltd. Montreal. The main label says Distilled and Bottled in Bond Under Government Supervision.
Image CM3 shows the entire group.

See text for a description of image M4.5:

Starting on the left side, image M4.5 shows an amber, 6 oz. Meadville Rye Whiskey bottle. The label says: “Meadville Rye Whiskey – Blended and Vatted – Distillery Meadville, Crawford Co., Pa. – Meadville Pa. Distilling Co. Limited. Secretary & Treasurer’s office 632-634 Ellicott Square, Buffalo, NY. Registered. Bottled by C. Person’s Sons, Buffalo, N.Y.” This bottle has approximately the same dimensions as a typical 1/2 pint bottle, but it’s thinner, and embossed on the back: 6 FL. OZ. Image 4.5, also takes a closer look at all three of our Meadville Rye Whiskey 1/10 pint bottles. The 1/10 pint bottle on the left is a Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey 1/10 pint bottle from The Meadville, Pa. Distilling Co. Limited. The middle 1/10 pint bottle is shown and described in image M2 and the 1/10 pint bottle on the right is shown and described in image M3. Remember that you can click on any picture for a larger image.

These last three images show quart and pint bottles, that are the same style. Both labels are rough. The amber quart bottle has a label that has some soiling and edge wear, but it is still a nice example. The clear pint bottle (also seen in the image below right) has edge damage and quite a bit of fading. The Meadville in red, at the top of the label has all but faded out. These are: Meadville Pennsylvania Pure Rye Whiskey bottles with A Distillery Product Guaranteed Pure and Straight Rye – aged in wood in U.S. Bonded Distillery Warehouse of MEADVILLE PENNSYLVANIA DISTILLING CO., INCORPORATED.

Here are three pint Prohibition whiskey bottles with prescription slips attached. The left bottle of Overholt Whiskey has a slip from Sharpsburg, Pa. The center Meadville Whiskey bottle has a slip from Heckman’s Drug Store Meadville, Pa. The right Mount Vernon Whiskey bottle has a slip from Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Here is a better view of two half-pint Meadville Whiskey Bottles and a matching label (on the right), They are from Salamanca, N.Y., Buffalo, N.Y. (shown in image M2) and (label) Pawtucket, R.I. Here is a better look at the Meadville Whiskey sample bottle (used during the distilling process) shown in image M2.

MVC-215S — See text for a description of image M5:

Image M5 features a Meadville Pure Rye Whiskey case. It has the Puryo trade mark on both ends and is intended for 12 full quarts. The back of the case has its large revenue stamp and the case has the following information: Bonded Spring 1914 – Bottled Fall 1918 – Inspected Dec. 1918. On the right side of the picture you can see an advertising jug (made by Fulper Pottery) for Meadville Rye, from Troy N.Y. On the left side of the picture there is a quart bottle of Lion brand Crystallized Rock & Rye Cordial from Dreutlein & Kiebort Distributors, Meadville, PA.

Here is the back of the Meadville Whiskey case shown in image M5. You can see the large revenue stamp in the middle.

Here is a better look at the Rock & Rye bottle shown in images M5 and M6a and the Meadville Rye advertising jug in image M5.

Image M6 shows a half pint bottle with a paper label. It is soiled enough to make it a little hard to read. It has the word MEADVILLE diagonally across it with the rest of the label reading: PURE OLD RYE WHISKEY. There are three advertising shot glasses. The one on the left says: DRINK CAMPBELL’S XXX WHISKEY 174 Chestnut St Meadville, Pa. The middle shot glass says: M.A. LOWMAN WHOLESALE LIQUORS MEADVILLE, PA. BOTH PHONES 121 PURE WHISKIES $3.50-$3.00-$2.50 PER GALLON. The shot glass on the right says: BEST BY EVERY TEST “STERN’S RYE” Per Gallon 3.50, 3.00 & 2.50 S.I. STERN, MEADVILLE, PA. This image also shows two advertising cork screws. The cork screws are protected by wooden sheathes. The front one says: Best by every test “Stern’s Rye” Meadville, Pa. Price 3.50, 3.00 & 2.50 Per Gallon. The cork screw in the middle of the picture says: MEADVILLE RYE WHISKEY THOS. MAHER SHAMOKIN – PA. At the back left side of this image is an advertising booklet from the Meadville, PA., Distilling Co. Limited. It shows the Meadville Puryo Whiskey trademark on the front cover, and the back cover shows a quart bottle with the same label as you see on the first bottle on the left in our image M15 (below). It was issued by the Secretary and Treasurer’s Office Buffalo, N.Y. The trade card at the back right of this image is also from the Meadville, PA., Distilling Co. and is issued by J.H. Prescott, Jr., Secretary, Buffalo, N.Y.

See text for description of wholesale dealer items in image M6a.

Image M6a contains items from three Meadville liquor wholesalers. The bottle in the center (also seen in image M5) is from Dreutlein & Kiebort wholesalers from Meadville, Pa. It has a neck label with a lion’s head and the words: EXQUISITE QUALITY. The main label has the word LION – with a great picture of a proud lion – and it says: CRYSTALLIZED Rock & Rye CORDIAL – CONTAINS HARMLESS COLOR – EXQUISITE QUALITY – DREUTLEIN & KIEBORT DISTRIBUTORS MEADVILLE, PA. The invoice on the left is Dreutlein & Kiebort from Dec. 5, 1894 – Meadville, Pa. The invoice on the right is Dreutlein & Kiebort’s from Jan. 6, 1911 – Meadville, Pa. It has the beautiful Anheuser-Busch Brewing Assn. logo featured. The two items bottom left are from M.A. Lowman Wholesale Liquors, Meadville, Pa. The shot glass, is also shown and described in image M6. The funnel is embossed on the rim: M. A. LOWMAN WHOLESALE LIQUORS MEADVILLE, PA. On the bottom right side are four items from FRANK CAMPBELL WHOLESALE LIQUORS – MEADVILLE, PA. From Frank Campbell, we have the business card, shot glass (also shown and described in image M6), glass drink mixer stick and advertising cork screw.

Here is a better look at the promotional cork screws in images M6 and M6a.

Here is a better look at the promotional shot glasses in image M6.

Here’s a better look at the trade card and booklet shown in image M6.

During prohibition, the Meadville Pennsylvania Distilling Company, produced ginger ale under the name of French Valley Springs Incorporated, in Meadville, Pa. The company was shut down in 1924. The next eight images, show: one of their wooden cases, with an assortment of bottles and closeups of the bottle labels and matching case logo. They used pint and 8 ounce bottles. The bottles were produced in light green, dark green, and light blue. All the bottles were embossed on all four sides with the F over V company logo. They were also embossed on the bottom: FRENCH VALLEY SPRINGS INC. MEADVILLE, PENNA. The case shown below, held 24 pint bottles. The side of the case says: 24 FULL PINTS – French Valley – Ginger (company logo) Ale – FRENCH VALLEY SPRINGS Inc. – MEADVILLE, PENNA. U.S.A. The end of the crate says: THIS BOX AND BOTTLES Cannot be Sold Under Penalty of the Law.

French Valley Ginger Ale case and various bottles.

The different sizes and colors of French Valley Ginger Ale bottles.

Neck label for French Valley Ginger Ale on an 8 ounce bottle.

French Valley Ginger Ale 8 ounce bottle with labels.

French Valley Ginger Ale 8 ounce bottle, showing body label with company logo.

Close-up of the company logo on the French Valley Ginger Ale case.

Side of the French Valley Ginger Ale case.

End of the French Valley Ginger Ale case.

Here are three Meadville, Pa. siphon or seltzer bottles (see text).

The clear bottle on the left, is from R. Cunningham & Company, Meadville, Pa. The other clear and green siphon bottles, are from Meadville Bottling Works – phone 708. See image M17 on the Meadville Items Page to see the Meadville Bottling Works wooden case that held six of these 28 oz. bottles.

This Dreutlein & Kebort ad appeared in The Pennsylvania Farmer newspaper, printed in Meadville, Pa. December 1,1910.

Here is an unopened bottle of Paul Jones Whiskey, with its prohibition era prescription label from Easterwood Pharmacy, Meadville, Pa. It still has its box, and we also have a cast metal bust of Paul Jones, promoting Paul Jones Fine Blended Whiskey. See many more pharmacy items on our Pharmacy Items Page.

Here is an ad that appeared in The Pennsylvania Farmer newspaper, printed in Meadville, Pa. October 9, 1890. Note the Vallonia, Crawford Co. address.

This Meadville Distillery ad, appeared in The Pennsylvania Farmer Newspaper, printed in Meadville, Pa. December 1, 1910.

Here is a Sam Stern ad, that appeared in the Crawford Journal newspaper, Meadville, Pa., October 3, 1895.

Here is an 1899 Memo from Sam’l Stern Wholesale Whiskies, Wines & Cigars, Meadville, Pa. The promotional shot glass and cork screw are in front.

Here is a Stern’s Whiskey ad that appeared in the 1909-1910 Farmer’s Directory of Crawford County Penn’a., from Sol I. Stern Meadville, Penn’a.

This ad appeared in the Crawford Journal newspaper, June 26, 1879, Meadville, Pa. At the bottom it says “CALL AND SEE OLD JOE”.

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