ITEM 2440. "ST CATHARINES / MINERAL WATER / G. L. MATHER AGENT / ASTOR HOUSE / NEW YORK", clear olive green, whiskey-type cylinder, smooth base, 11 1/4"H x 3"D, applied sloping collar with ring, shallow ¼" base edge flake with an associated bruise of similar size. American, 1865-1875, extremely rare.

This extremely rare mineral water bottle has thus far defied our attempts to research its exact origins. The bottle is very likely associated with the famed New York City Astor House Hotel (perhaps containing foreign waters bottle for consumption by upscale patrons) but it MAY also relate to an Upstate New York Astor House, containing waters drawn from a spring on the site. As shown, the bottle is boldly embossed and pleasingly crude with a strong vertical whittle pattern adding notably to its visual appeal. The bottle is if not unique certainly extremely rare - we have spoken with one collector who saw a similar bottle many years ago but he cannot be certain if it was in fact this same piece. You may never see another!