L. Rivard - Trois Rivieres. QC-41.

Some ginger beers simply have everything going for them. The L. Rivard is one. The transfer is unique, detailed and historical. It is certainly one of Canada's very best. At the time we wrote the book on transfer printed ginger beers there were two known - with the second being little more than a myth.

This example may represent only the third found to date. This is a dug bottle that for being in the ground is in remarkable shape. There are the usual minor scuffs and scrapes. In the blob there is a fine glaze hairline that runs along the edge for 1/2"". It is otherwise perfect.

If you want the very best - this is a top shelf piece that will stand out in even the most advanced collection. The best stuff appreciates and this bottle is as good as they come.

Opening Bid: $2000

Estimated Range: $2500-3500

Sold for $4,050.

Meikle Bros., Black Bear Brand. BC-26

Rare BC ginger beers seldom appear for sale. There is a mature and thriving collecting community on the West Coast and the better pieces seem to stay put and trade hands privately.

The Meikle Bros black bear ginger beer is not just one of BCs rarest and most desireable transfered bottles but it is certainly one of Canada's best. In handsight we underclassified this one in the book. It is definitely a 5 based on the transfer and scarcity. There is no Canadian collector who would not like to have a black bear on his shelf.

This example is in overall good shape but there is a large chip, nealy 1 1/2 inches wide, off the base. This chip is almost entirely hidden with only a small bit visible on the base edge below the "Co." in Meikle & Co. Ltd. There is a relatively large potstone just below the "D" in ""BRAND"". This is an in-manufacture flaw but detracts nonetheless. Otherwise there are only very minor flaws. This bottle was likely dug. There are a few light scuffs in the glaze and very minor spots of stain. There are two tiny flakes off the base edge caused when the bottle was removed from the potter's wheel. This bottle could be professionally repaired for less than $100 and it would appear near mint.

This is a rare bottle and a mint example will be near impossible to find. If you want one for the shelf - this is quite possibly your one chance. We have never sold one nor have we ever heard of one selling at public auction before. The stopper is an original Meikle marked inside-thread.

Opening Bid: $1500

Estimated Range: $2500-3500

Sold for $3,400

Givans and Sons - upside down transfer. NB-36 variant.

There are rare bottles and then there are one off flukes. The "ordinary" Givans are highly sought after rare bottles. We are pleased to offer three variants in this sale - a testament to the quality of the collection.

This Givans with the upside down transfer is one of a kind. The Givans are believed to be rare Maritime examples of a Canadian-made ginger beer - manufactured by the Brantford Stoneware Company in Ontario. The Brantford bottles are notoriously poor for condition. The glaze was of low quality and is nearly always cracked and distressed.

This Givans is a dug bottle so you would expect the glaze to be bad. It is in fact quite good. There is some underglaze cracking but it is very fine and sparce. There is some heavy black stain on the right side of the transfer. Incredibly - this bottle is in near mint condition. There are a couple of very minor glaze cracks on the inside of the lip. There is a fold in the pottery with a thin glaze crack off the left seam on the base edge. This is an in-manufacture flaw.

You could not hope for a better example of such a wonderful and unique piece. This bottle has plenty of character in the glaze with a prominent red slotch on the front where the tan neck meets the cream body. There are also grey blue splotches in the neck and lip up the right side. Someone has scratched the initials "RL" lightly on the base with a sharp instrument. No doubt the former owner wanted to be very sure no one stole his prized possession

Someday when the ginger beer book is re-printed we intend to add a category for those truly exceptional bottles. This will certainly be among them. If you want the very best and enjoy owning the only example of something - this one is yours.

Opening Bid: $1500

Estimated Range: $2000-3000

In Callbacks

Sold for $3,300

Wm. Givans and Sons - solid cream. Unlisted.

Since publishing Transfer Printed Ginger Beers of Canada in 2002 we are proud to say that only about a dozen bottles have surfaced that we did not catalogue. We visited most of the largest and best quality Maritime collections and consequently we got the vast majority of the East Coast bottles. But we missed this rare variant of the Givans.

The two-tone Givans is an extremely rare bottle. Before this auction we had sold one example twice over. This sale contains a second. We have never sold a solid cream one. This example is to our knowledge unique.

One of a kind bottles are remarkable enough but when they are found in good condition they are really something special. This solid cream Givans is in excellent shape - especially for a Brantford Stoneware bottle. The glaze is very clean with a minimum of crazing. There are a couple of very small chips and a few short thin glaze cracks on the edge of the lip . Very minor stuff. Likewise - the base edge is near perfect with just a couple of small flakes and glaze cracks. The base edge is always rough on Brantford bottles.

Another solid cream Givans may someday surface but the odds are this example will remain the very best. Like the upside down transfer - this bottle has the initials "RL" lightly scratched in the base.

Opening Bid: $1500

Estimated Range: $2000-$4000

Sold for $3,050

Wm. Givans and Sons, Moncton. NB-36.

This Givans is in fine company so it might seem in comparison a bit plain. So it bears mentioning a second time that this is only the second example of the two-tone Givans that we have ever sold.

This example is as close to mint as you are liable to see. There is some hairline cracking visible on the inside of the lip and down into the neck but this penetrates to the exterior just in one spot for about a 1/2 an inch. You have to really look for it. The story with this bottle is the glaze. We have already mentioned that Brantford bottles are notorious for poor glaze. We dare say this one is near perfect. There is very little crazing - barely any at all - and only the slightest bit of underglaze staining. The base edge is typically rough but there are only two tiny glaze flakes.

Truly a stellar example!

Opening Bid: $800

Estimated Range: $1200-1800

Sold for $950

Charles Gurd Maritime Display Bottle. NB-86.

The Gurds display bottles are something to see. They have quite the visual impact. Their sheer size (over 30 inches) lends them an absurd quality. They are great! These bottles were produced in small quantities for stores to use for promotion. Precious few have survived.

These bottles were made in two varieties. This is the Maritime one. This condition of this example is excellent. The lip is flawless. There is one potstone and a couple of small marks in the neck and shoulder but these are very minor. There is also a long light scratch in the shoulder measuring roughly 5 inches. This is very hard to see. In the bottom portion is a backwards "L" shaped underglaze hairline about two inches long - clearly in-manufacturing. On the base are two large chips that were obviously the result of the bottle being separated from the potter`s wheel. The largest of these is about 1 1/2 inches long. None of this damage detracts.

You will not find a better example of this impressive bottle.

Opening Bid: $1500

Estimated Range: $2000-3000

Sold for $3,200

Ferris and Frederickson, Charlottetown Blob Top. PE-01.

There are just three transfer printed ginger beers from Prince Edward Island. All are extremely rare category 5 bottles. Arguably - PEI is the most difficult province to get if you are building a cross country collection. Serious Maritime collectors are luck to find one example. Collectors living elsewhere are unlikely to ever see one much less have a chance to acquire one.

We are very fortunate to be selling near mint example of all three types. Someone with deep pockets could conceivably get the full set in one shot. An opportunity that may never present itself again.

This lot contains the blob top example of the Ferris & Frederickson. This is a Price Bristol bottle. The transfer is simple but boldly struck and clean. This is a dug bottle. There are the usual minor imperfections. The lip is excellent with only very minor glaze flakes and one glaze hairline. These are barely worth mentioning. Likewise the shoulder has a bit of roughness but nothing significant. There is one large flat flake off the base edge just to the right of the transfer. There is a second flake beneath the first on the base. It is just visible on the base edge where it is more of a chip. There is a bit of heavy rust on one side of the base. There are a couple of smaller clean flakes caused when the bottle was separated from the wheel. Overall the damage is so minor as to not even warrant a repair.

A very good example of an exceptionally rare bottle.

Opening Bid: $1000

Estimated Range: $1500-2000

Sold for $1,750

Ferris & Frederickson Charlottetown PEI Lightning Stopper. PE-02.

This is the lightning stopper variant of the Ferris & Frederickson. This is a Munderloh marked bottle. This bottle may have been dug but it is in near mint condition. The glaze is exceptionally clean with just a couple of long dark scrape marks at the very back. Incredibly the only damage is a few minor flakes around the stopper holes and one very minor flake off the base edge. The lip is perfect. The stopper is original. While marked the transfer is illegible.

This is quite possibly the best specimen of this bottle. It is unthinkable that you will ever find an upgrade.

Opening Bid:$1000

Estimated Range: $1500-2000

Sold for $2,250

GH Simmons, Charlottetown PEI. PE-03

Simmonds primitive bottles are among eastern Canada's most common primitive stoneware bottles. The transfer print ginger beer is an altogether different story. They seldom if ever come up for sale.

This example is exceptional. The transfer is bold and striking. The bottle is incised with the initials of Webster Smith - bottle agents in Halifax. This example is near mint. There is a small flat flake off the very back of the lightning stopper. The shoulder and base edge are as close to perfect as they come with only very minor imperfections. The glaze is exceptionally clean. The stopper is original and clearly marked. Nearly in the same condition as the day it was made.

If you want one - this is the very best.

Opening Bid: $1000

Estimated Range: $1500-2000

Sold for $1,700

T.A. Hooley, Fairville. NB-05.

The Hooley bottles are very rare examples of Foley Pottery ginger beers.

This quart size bottle has a beautiful milk chocolate coloured glaze on the blob top and shoulder. On this example the cream coloured body is flecked in a pleasant way that add a ton of character. The condition is outstanding with only minor imperfections. There are a couple of tiny glaze flakes on the top edge of the blob. The shoulder and base edge are essentially mint. This is a dug bottle and there are a few scratches in the body at the rear but these hardly detract.

A better example cannot be had!

Opening Bid: $400

Estimated Range: $700-1000

Sold for $400