knock ‘em dead: the round-bottomed bottle

Here’s another New Orleans acquisition, found a few months back under my great-great-grandfather’s house on Orleans Street in the French Quarter:

The shape was a mystery to all of us–how impractical! how frustrating! Desperate to know more, I talked to an expert and learned that this type of round-bottomed bottle was invented by Schweppes in the early 19th century to keep corks wet. Now stored on their side, the beverages no longer went flat. This particular bottle dates to about 1875 and likely held some kind of Irish ginger beer.

In barrooms these bottles were clipped in place and could be swivelled to allow the bartender to dispense the liquid without removing the bottle. My source also told me that this particular style of bottle, with its heavy, solid glass bottom, was particularly popular in bar brawls, as it would really put a dent in your enemy’s head.

I know they're all itching to knock each other out.

Embossed bottles of this sort are worth about $40 apiece. This one, which is plain, is worth about $20.