Re: History of the Gear

Andy Arrington — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:41:59 GMT

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.

Re: History of the Gear

Robert Hess — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:42:59 GMT

Thanks David! Too bad there weren't any pictures with this as well.

History of the Gear

David Wondrich — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 22:55:37 GMT

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]

The Golden Age

Re: History of the Gear

Re: History of the Gear

History of the Gear