This collection was donated by Jeanne M. Drechsel in memory of her and our dear friend, Pamela D. Chute. The collection features stoneware pieces made by the Bangor Stone Ware Company, sarsaparilla bottles from A.M. Robinson Jr., Apothecary, as well as advertisement cards, labels, and wooden codfish boxes.
This is a pint-sized stoneware jar produced for A. E. Jones between 1880 and 1917.
The Bangor Stone Ware Company operated in Bangor, Maine, between 1880 and 1917 and was located by the waterfront near downtown Bangor. The company was founded by Andrew Persson, an immigrant from Sweden. They manufactured a multitude of stoneware jugs and fine pressed wares for various uses.
OB01942 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This is a quart-sized ceramic jar with a salt glaze. This piece was produced between 1880 to 1917.
Some items in this collection have a “salt glaze.” A salt glaze would be made by throwing salt into the furnace during the hottest part of the firing process. This would be done not only to add protection to the stoneware but was also done to give it a nice glossy shine.
OB01960 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This is a pint-sized ceramic jar, produced between 1880 and 1917. This piece has a wooden lid.
OB01954 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This is a ceramic batter pitcher, produced between 1880 and 1917. This pitcher has an Albany slip glaze.
Some pieces in this collection have an “Albany Slip Glaze.” This slip is made from natural glacial clay discovered in Albany, New York, in the early 1800s. “Slip Glaze” is the potters’ term for a glaze made by clay mixed with water. High in iron, Albany Slip produces a deep brown color or black, as seen on this jug.
OB01966 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This is a ceramic 1/2 gallon oyster jug. This piece was produced between 1880 and 1917.
Some of the artifacts in this collection feature “Alfred Jones Sons” stamped onto the front.
Alfred Jones Sons was another Bangor business that was founded in 1855 and continued to operate into the early twentieth century. The wholesale fish dealer was located at 140 & 142 Broad Street in Bangor.
OB01964 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This is a salt glazed, ceramic, pint-sized oyster jar. It was produced between 1880 to 1917. This jar was used by Alfred Jones Sons.
Artifacts stamped with “Alfred Jones Sons” were manufactured by the Bangor Stone Ware Company. These pieces are salt glazed and have blue lettering similar to the Bangor Stone Ware Co.’s own logo.
OB01963 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This salt-galzed jug was used by Bell’s Sarsaparilla and was manufactured by Bangor Stone Ware Company.
Also featured in this collection are Bell’s Sarsaparilla Soda jugs from A.M. Robinson, Jr., Apothecary, in Bangor, Maine. The soda was originally advertised as “The Wonder Cure.” It was claimed that it would “… cleanse your blood, stimulate your liver to renewed activity, and make you bright and happy.” This product was sold all across the state of Maine during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
OB01961 Jeanne M. Drechsel Collection
This is an advertising card from Bell’s Sarsaparilla. These cards, as well as the soda itself, where manufactured by A.M. Robinson, Jr., Apothecary, which was located in Bangor. This card was produced between 1870 and 1900.
Testimonials from Bell’s Sarsaparilla customers include Ambrose Evans from Brewer, who said “I suffered five years with humor in the stomach, backache, headache, heart and kidney troubles. BELL’S SARSAPARILLA cured me.” Another review from Geo. R. Barker from Corinna said “BELL’S SARSAPARILLA cured my wife of terrible sick headaches from which she suffered since she was twelve years old.”
