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

Circa 1870–1875, applied top, fifth. The Dr. Wonser's U.S.A. Indian Root Bitters ranks among the most desirable of all Western bitters. The brand originated with I. H. Wonser of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who was manufacturing Indian Root Bitters by at least 1863. At some point he met William Hawkins of San Francisco and the two partnered to produce and distribute this product. As is often the case with California's great bottles, many of the known examples have been recovered from Nevada, where the product appears to have enjoyed considerable popularity. The bottle remains a favorite among collectors, its bold embossing, prominent U.S.A. lettering, and distinctive design combining to create one of the most recognizable bitters bottles of the nineteenth century. Examples are known in a remarkable range of colors, from chocolate amber and yellow amber to green and even aqua.

Description & Condition: Yellow olive color with abundant whittle. Remnants of the original neck foil remain. Small 1/8" chip off the edge of the base, a 1/16" peck off the base edge, and a 1/16" peck on the shoulder above the embossing. All minor issues.

Min. Bid $4,000 - Est. $8,000–$12,000