Collection Additions, November 2023

Thanks to Adam, a friend of mine that collected Michter's decanters, I now have two Sour Mash decanter prototypes. Shown in the photo below are what appears to be (From right to left) the original mock-up, a revision without full paint, and the commercially released decanter. The Sour Mash decanter was released as only 500 decanters in 1985 to commemorate the distillery dog of the same name. Yes, Michter's had a dog that lived at the distillery!

Let's take a look at the three decanters individually. First, let's look at the original prototype. Note the larger ears, more texture for the fur, differently shaped nose and mouth, and small barrel. The paint detail is excellent as well. 

Next is what appears to be a production body and head but with no dark fur highlights. Note how many of the details of the prototype have been smoothed over and the barrels has been greatly enlarged.

 

Lastly comes the version the public got. Less detail, large barrel, dark fur highlights, and a Michter's Sour Mash sticker glued on the barrel and a clear Michter's whiskey sticker on his butt (See above photo showing rears of all 3 decanters for detail of this sticker). 

And for comparison to the real deal, I present Sour Mash the distillery dog!

If you'd like to order a Sour Mash, you're 38 years too late. However, here's the original advertisement announcing the decanter's arrival......

Michter's Drinkware- With a January 2023 Collection Addition

 As many of you are already aware, Michter's loved putting their name on things that would sell well alongside their whiskey or at the Jug House store at the distillery. Here's a sampling of the various pieces of drinkware Michter's made over the years:

Many of the mugs I've found were made by Hall China in Ohio. Note the suggested recipe for Michter's Mocha on the rear of some them!

 

Michter's went a step further with a few of their sets of mugs too. The below "hex" mugs and water pitcher coordinated with their cube Hex Decanter. A note on these sets- some of the small mugs were made with black "Michter's" lettering on the side. These are very rare.

To coordinate with the highly successful line of Tut decanters, two water pitchers based on the hex pitcher design were released with additional info printed on them.

Lastly, Michter's made water pitchers and mugs to coordinate with their Series B and Series C ceramic decanters. These pitchers and mugs carry the same logos as their decanter counterparts and were released in 1976 and 1978 respectively to correspond with the release of the decanters. Note that instead of Michter's Mocha, there's a recipe for Michter's Amish Coffee on the rear of the mugs.

Glassware was naturally shot glasses. Several different styles and two different sizes rounded out the offerings. Note one of the shot glasses has "EST 1753" on the rear. These are quite rare. The plastic cup is also very rare as they were disposable.

 

And finally, the collection addition, which goes right along with the drinkware- a silver spoon with the Michter's logo on the top. Want to add some sugar or dried creamer? Why not use a Michter's branded spoon too! A big thank you to Woody for this new piece in the collection!

Collection Addition- August 2022 Edition!

 Was down in Havre De Grace Maryland for the day today checking out the antique stores and found this amazing gem at Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer MuZeum. What's so special about it? This is another Michter's item I didn't realize existed. Of course the Liberty Bell and its wooden stand are well known, but being in one proprietary package? That's a new one for me! Note the box even mentions the Bell and stand and has a graphic on the long side of the Bell and stand together. The Bell carries its Maryland tax stamp as well. I would imagine nearly everyone threw out the outer carton, which is why I only became aware of its existence today. It makes me wonder if any of the other decanters that came with stands also had an outer single carton too?

An Assortment Of Clothing From Michter's

 Over the years, Michter's made shirts, hats, and even aprons. These days, these items are quite rare, but I've been fortunate to collect a few remaining examples. This is not the definitive collection, there are still plenty of items I'm sure I don't have. But this gives you an idea of what Michter's was making and selling through the Jug House....

 

Then there was this shirt- not made by Michter's but instead made by a Harley Davidson dealer for a trip to Michter's back in about 1986....

 

Then there are the items I know exist but have yet to find. Here's a few old photos from Michter's (And a Historic Schaefferstown event) showing some neat views of what once was......

Additions to the Collection: April 2021 Edition

 As the collection grows, purchases don't happen as often, but when I come across something I don't have, it's time at that moment to bring it "home" to the Michter's collection. From the graciousness of a fellow collector that has a very impressive collection (...and shall remain nameless for privacy's sake) comes a few amazing pieces of Michter's distillery. Check it out:

If you're familiar with Michter's decanters, you're probably familiar with the moderately common Doughboy decanter that depicts a WWI solder in uniform. You're probably also familiar with its monotone nearly pea green glaze, which doesn't do what could be a beautiful decanter any favors. Well, boy what could have, and SHOULD have been. Gaze upon this prototype beauty that shows a nicely painted/glazed soldier:

Next is a lowly copper jug with a story to tell. What looks old, worn, and pedestrian was actually a sampling cup from the distillery that was used in daily operations. How do we know the legitimacy? A signed and notarized note from Mr. George Shattls himself, who was Manager at the distillery!

Next are a post card, rare style of brochure, and plastic drinking cup. Definitely very cool items as well.

Lastly, and largest in size, is the wagon wheel ceiling lamp from the Jug House. Complete and all original. Needs a little cleaning, but nothing I can't accomplish easily. Absolutely a custom build, it's well crafted and uses the same glass globes and steel diffusers as the lamps that were made from leftover unsold gold pot still decanters. Each diffuser wears the same sticker the 101 proof copper pot stills have. Now to check the wiring and find a place to put it up.....................