Best Of The West Live Auction (November 13, 2026 5:30 PM PT)

Circa 1881–1885, applied top, 8 3/4". A recently discovered 1881 advertisement identifies Paul Oesting, a Visalia druggist, as an agent for Dr. Harvey's Blood Bitters. Interestingly, the advertisement notes a London depot for Harvey & Son and states the product dated back to 1628, suggesting a connection to the famed English physician William Harvey. Another advertisement from 1884 identifies an agent in Fresno marketing the product as well. Given the bottle's distinctly Western curved R embossing and the documented California distribution network, it seems likely these bottles were produced in San Francisco during the early 1880s. Supporting this theory is the fact that many of the known examples have been recovered in the San Joaquin Valley near Visalia. A rare bitters with a great name.

Description & Condition: Medium amber with some whittle. Light exterior scratching, mostly on the rear recessed panel. Potstone on the reverse with an associated 1/4" bruise.

Min. Bid $500 - Est. $1,000–$2,500