Just to kick things off, here's something I stumbled upon. This is, as far as I know, the earliest mention of a strainer--and here it's a "cocktail strainer," no less, indicating that people were serving their drinks up (unless the strainer was going in the glass and people were sipping through it, which also happened). Also one of the earlier mentions of the "mixer" or shaker. And I kind of like those "silver plated waiters"--do you think the plating impedes them from standing at your table and announcing their names?
San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, 9/06/1856
RODGERS’, WOSTENHOLM’S AND
NEEDHAM BROS.’ CUTLERY;
WAX MATCHES AND VESTAS;
GUTTA PERCHA TOILET COMBS;
SILVER PLATED BAR PITCHERS
SILVER PLATED ALE MUGS;
SILVER PLATED WAITERS;
SILVER PLATED COCKTAIL STRAINERS;
SILVER PLATED MIXERS;
SILVER WHISTLES;
DERINGER PISTOLS.
Just received and for sale low, by
W.C. ALLEN & CO.,
145 Clay street.
[Transcribed by David Wondrich, 11/2008]
Oh the Bartender is just like a mother to me / And I am his favorite child. --Slim Gaillard
Thanks David! Too bad there weren't any pictures with this as well.
Clearly a proprietor with an eye for the needs of bartenders. Why, just the other day I forgot my Derringer, and let me tell you I won't be doing that again anytime soon.