Morse’s Celebrated Syrup Prov. R.I.

Morse’s Celebrated Syrup

Prov. R.I.

Ambrose E. Morse, Providence, Rhode Island

Emerald Green Oval Medicine

Provenance: Richard S. Ciralli Collection

In a beautiful clear medium emerald green glass, this robust oval medicine is embossed ‘MORSE’S CELEBRATED SYRUP PROV. R. I.’ vertically, shoulder to base, in three lines on one side of the bottle. The name is embossed in a strong serif typestyle with high kickup “R’s.” The last letter “P” in “Syrup” runs right into the base of the bottle. There is an applied sloping collar and an iron pontil scar. The bottle is 9″ inches tall and is in excellent condition with a nice pebbly, whittled, glass texture. There is an interesting in-making glass fold located on the reverse side base. An American Glass Gallery, Lot 224, Auction #16 sticker is on the base.

Morse’s Celebrated Syrup aquamarine glass examples are scarce and can be found with open and iron pontils. The open pontil examples are slightly harder to obtain. Blue-green glass examples are found with an iron pontil and are considered rare. Emerald green examples come with an open or iron pontil, and both are considered very rare. The rarest color is clear, which is extremely rare.

The Morse’s Celebrated Syrup bottle is one of two large oval medicines from Rhode Island. The second is embossed “Ambrose Morse’s Compound Dock Root Syrup No. 112 Westminster St. Providence R.I.” Only two examples are reported to exist.

Ambrose E. Morse was born in Rhode Island on May 27, 1801. His father was named Charles, and his mother was Rebecca (Adams) Morse. Ambrose would marry Eliza Dunlap on March 15, 1829, in Plainfield, Connecticut. They would reside in Coventry, Rhode Island, where they would have two children, Elizabeth Morse and Lowell Adams Morse.

The 1850 United States Federal Census lists Ambrose Morse, age 49, living in Providence, Ward 4, Rhode Island. His occupation was “Druggist & Apothecary.” Ambrose’s brother was Charles Morse Jr., who at the same time had an apothecary at 142 Westminster St. in Providence. In 1851, Charles Morse advertised his Dr. Morse’s Compound Syrup of Yellow Dock Root.

For reasons unknown, Ambrose Morse and his wife Eliza moved to Dane, Madison, Wisconsin, in 1854, where Morse would continue selling medicine while practicing as a physician. He died on October 8, 1879, in Madison.

Primary Image: Morse’s Celebrated Syrup, Prov. R.I. bottle imaged on location by Alan DeMaison, FOHBC Virtual Museum Midwest Studio

Support Image: Auction Lot 224: “MORSE’S / CELEBRATED SYRUP / PROV. R.I.”, America, 1850 – 1860. Beautiful, clear medium emerald coloration, oval, applied sloping collar – iron pontil scar, ht. 9”, near mint; (just some typical, minor, light exterior wear, otherwise perfect). Odell, p.173. A big, beautiful pontiled medicine, great color, character, and condition with a nice pebbly, whittled, glass texture. If you have been waiting for a great example, this could be it! – John Pastor, American Glass Gallery, Auction #16

Support Image: Auction Lot 3: “Morse’s / Celebrated Syrup / Prov. R.I.” Medicine Bottle, America, 1845-1860. Oval form, light blue-green, applied sloping collared mouth – iron pontil mark, ht. 9 1/8 inches; (light exterior high point wear). AAM pg. 370 A big attractive bottle with a highly whittled surface. Fine condition. – Norman Heckler Jr. & Sr., Norman C. Heckler & Company, Auction #148

Support Image: Auction Lot 38: “Morse’s / Celebrated Syrup / Prov. R.I.” Medicine Bottle, America, 1845-1860. Oval, medium bluish green, applied sloping collared mouth – iron pontil mark, ht. 9 1/4 inches; (shallow 1/4 inch flake on edge of base). AAM pg. 370 Crisp embossing and a beautiful, bright color. Generally fine condition. – Norman Heckler Jr. & Sr., Norman C. Heckler & Company, Auction #170

Support Image: Auction Lot 101: “Morse’s / Celebrated Syrup / Prov. R.I.” Medicine Bottle, America, 1845-1860. Oval, aquamarine, applied sloping collared mouth – iron pontil mark, ht. 9 1/4 inches. N #459 Fine condition. A brilliant, large, pontiled medicine bottle. – Norman Heckler Jr. & Sr., Norman C. Heckler & Company, Auction #104

Support Image: Item PM077, MORSE’S / CELEBRATED SYRUP / PROV. R.I., bluish emerald green, Open Pontil, 9 1/2″ high, bold embossing, nicely whittled, a super example in a beautiful color, circa 1850 – greatantiquebottles.com the website of Ed & Kath Gray

Support Image: Auction Lot 226: “AMBROSE MORSE’S / COMPOUND / DOCK ROOT / SYRUP / No. 112 / WESTMINSTER ST. / PROVIDENCE R. I.”, America, probably 1850 – 1855. Aquamarine, rectangular, ‘tombstone form’, sheared mouth with heavy applied flanged lip – blowpipe pontil scar, ht. 9 1⁄2”, attic mint! Odell, p.259. A large, impressive, ‘tombstone-form’ medicine bottle, heavily whittled, and believed to be one of only two known, and the only example in this pristine condition. – John Pastor, American Glass Gallery, Auction #19

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