Bottle
Object number96.167.101
Date1929
OriginPittsburgh, PA
Mediumglass, paper, ink, plated metal
Credit LineGift of Ralph W. Friday
DescriptionBrown to amber glass bottle with two seams. Short, squat body with well-defined shoulder and long neck. Fitted with a crown-type metal cap. Applied paper front label features illustration of a toy top, superimposed by a diagonal banner in red with name of product; maker and product information surrounding center design. Paper neck label shows a monogram "IBC" in a shield shape outline, and product name in script. Maker's mark on underside.DimensionsHeight x Diameter: 8 × 2.875 in. (20.3 × 7.3 cm)MarksPaper belly front label has a red diagonal banner across center with white text "Home Malt Tonic"; other text on front, from top to bottom "A "TOP" QUALITY PRODUCT / (NOT A BEVERAGE) / ALCOHOLIC / CONTENTS / NOT OVER / 2% BY VOL. / TRADE MARK / SILVER TOP / A / LIQUID EXTRACT / OF / MALT & HOPS / CONTAINING / 12% SOLIDS / PERMIT / PA H-20096 / CONTENTS / 12 FL. OUNCES / PRODUCED BY / INDEPENDENT BREWING CO. OF PGH. / PITTSBURGH, PENNA."
Left side of belly label has printed text including "HOME MALT TONIC / IS A PURELY MEDICINAL PREPARATION AND IS NOT SOLD AS A BEVERAGE. / DIRECTIONS FOR USE:..."
Right side of belly label has printed text including "HYGIENIC--NUTRITIOUS / [list of health benefits]".
Front belly label has dot-perforated date: "8-15-29".
Paper neck label shows a monogram "IBC" in a shield shape outline, with surrounding text in script "Home Malt / Tonic".
Raised text on underside "6" or "9".
Historical NotesHome Malt Tonic bottle. Though the Volstead Act prohibited the sale of beer as a beverage, certain malt-brewed products were allowed to be marketed as medicine; Independent Brewing Co. produced this Tonic, A Liquid Extract of Malt & Hops as a Hygenic Nutritious...Medical Agent.Label TextAlthough the Volstead Act prohibited the sale of beer as a beverage, many breweries produced a concentrated malt extract for use as medicine; though usually not particularly palatable as a beverage, it was easily converted into a potable beer. Labels for the Home Malt Tonic Preparation and the Duquesne Extract Home Malt Tonic carry the caveat: “ … A Purely Medicinal Preparation And Is Not Sold As A Beverage”
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