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

Circa 1871–1873, applied top, fifth. John C. Morrison Jr. was one of California's early pioneers arriving in San Francisco in June 1849 during the Gold Rush. He briefly mined at Horseshoe Bar before moving to Sacramento and eventually returning to San Francisco, where he established himself in the liquor trade during the 1860s. By 1872, Morrison was advertising his California Club House brand. Although rare, these bottles enjoyed a wide distribution and have been found in San Jose, Marin County, Portland, and, of course, Nevada, where multiple examples have been discovered. After more than 60 years of searching, bottle collectors can account for only about ten examples. Considered by many to be the finest Western whiskey fifth, owing to its head-to-toe embossing, iconic name, early age, and highly coveted street address. There are believed to be about 5 amber, 3 green, and 2 olive examples known. This is the famous example once owned by the legendary John Thomas, who purchased it from Frank Shoengarth shortly after Frank dug it in Columbus, Nevada, in 1970. Frank had dug two olive examples: this example and another that was missing its neck and was later repaired.

Description & Condition: Olive amber with heavy whittle and an outstanding strike. Moderate scratching and scattered surface impacts, likely the result of spending nearly a century in the Nevada desert. Includes a small 1/16" impact with minor glass loss on the C in C. Morrison, along with a few other harmless surface impacts measuring approximately 1/32" to 1/16". While not perfect, it is about as well preserved as one could reasonably expect for a bottle that survived the rigors of the Wild West before lying buried in the Nevada desert for nearly a century.

Min. Bid $5,000 - Est. $10,000–$20,000