Community Finds: Terry’s Multi-Generational Masterpiece — A 1913 Old Overholt Pure Rye with Full Paper Provenance
Every antique bottle tells a story, but rarely do we find one with a narrative so flawlessly preserved, documented, and cherished across generations. Reader Terry reached out to share an absolute crown jewel of American whiskey history: a family-heirloom pint of Old Overholt Pure Rye Whiskey that has traveled thousands of miles over the last century without ever losing its seal—or its paperwork.
What makes Terry’s submission so extraordinary is that it includes the original handwritten prescription label alongside a fascinating 1973 corporate response letter from the National Distillers Products Company.
The Patient, The Doctor, and the “Looproof” Typo
The orange pharmacy label affixed to the front of the bottle provides a literal snapshot of Prohibition-era medical treatment.
Issued by the Clutton Drug Company (located at 226 E. Washington Street in New Castle, Penna.), the prescription was filled by manager P.L. Kerr for Terry’s grandfather, Louis Arthur Blumer (spelled phonetically by the pharmacist as Louis Bloomer Jr.). The directive from Dr. Shaffer was clear and clinical: “Tablespoonful every 3 hours.”
Eagle-eyed observers will spot a fantastic printing anomaly on the prescription itself. The typewriter skipped a beat, rendering the strength of the spirit as “whiskey looproof”—a classic, charming typographical error for what the federal green tax stamp confirms is standard 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond rye.
Reading the Glass: Monongahela Monarchy
Looking at the main label, we can chart the exact vintage of this iconic Pennsylvania spirit:
-
The Distillation: The back label states this true Monongahela-style rye was Made Spring 1913 by A. Overholt & Co. at Broad Ford, PA (Distillery No. 3, 23rd District of Pennsylvania).
-
The Bottling: It rested in charred oak barrels through the onset of World War I and the passage of the Volstead Act, finally being packaged into glass during the Spring of 1923.
-
The Quality: The paper caution notice on the reverse side marks it as a true Bottled-in-Bond product under the strict criteria of the landmark 1897 Act of Congress.
The 1973 National Distillers Time Capsule
As shown in the supplied photos, Terry’s father, Dr. Louis Arthur Blumer III, reached out to the National Distillers Products Company (NDPC) in February 1973 to uncover the history of the family heirloom.
The executive response on NDPC letterhead serves as a wonderful historical summary. It notes that true Monongahela rye was among the very first spirits produced in early America, thriving because grain was a far more economical way for frontier farmers to transport their agricultural goods to eastern markets via riverboats. By the time Prohibition hit, NDPC had absorbed the Overholt brand, preserving these stocks for the exact prescription pool Terry’s grandfather utilized.
Exceptional Preservation
What makes this specific example a true marvel for collectors is its physical state. As visible in the photos, the liquid fill line remains incredibly high—resting securely at the lower neck. This proves that despite migrating from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and eventually down to Texas, the cork and the original green stamp have remained completely airtight for 103 years.
To have a pristine, full-pint 1913 Overholt is rare. To have the original prescription detailing exactly who it was for, coupled with a 50-year-old corporate archival letter tracking its legacy, makes this one of the most thoroughly documented lone survivors we have ever featured.
A monumental thank you to Terry for allowing us to catalog and honor his father’s and grandfather’s incredible family time capsule!
Does your family have an heirloom bottle with a unique story?
If you have a Prohibition-era medicinal bottle, an old prescription script, or an antique spirit passed down through the generations, we would love to help you tell its story. Head over to our updated Whiskey Bottle Evaluation Form to share your photos and history!
