Atwood's Jaundice Bitters Bottle Value Guide

The Atwood's Jaundice Bitters Bottle is a classic piece of American patent medicine history, originally formulated by Moses Atwood in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Its distinctive twelve-sided shape and vibrant aqua glass make it a highly recognizable and sought-after specimen for antique bottle collectors.

What affects the value of Atwood's Jaundice Bitters Bottle?

• The presence of the original paper label can significantly increase the $150 base value.
• Glass clarity and the absence of 'sickness' or cloudiness within the aqua material.
• Structural integrity, specifically looking for chips on the multi-sided corners or the lip.
• The sharpness and depth of the embossed 'Atwood's Jaundice Bitters' text.

How to Identify Atwood's Jaundice Bitters Bottle?

• Look for the characteristic twelve-sided (dodecagonal) body shape unique to this medicinal brand.
• Check for the specific embossed lettering of the product name directly on the glass panels.
• Verify the authentic aqua-colored glass consistent with late 19th-century American manufacturing.
• Examine the base and neck for mold seams or hand-finished tool marks typical of the 1880-1910 era.

History of Atwood's Jaundice Bitters Bottle

Moses Atwood began producing his Jaundice Bitters in Georgetown, Massachusetts, around 1835. This patent medicine was marketed as a cure for jaundice and other ailments, containing a concoction of undisclosed ingredients. Bottles like this one were used to distribute the 'bitters' throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The distinctive aqua color and multi-sided design are characteristic of early American medicinal bottles.