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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Nov. 9, 1962
Flasks, Decanters, Figures Highlight Bottle Display
By Nilofer Ahmed
An object from the past may often be viewed in many different ways—as an objet d'art, a fragment of history, or the embodiment of a social custom.
This was applicable to a collection of bottles from an earlier era displayed at the University's Museum of Art. The exhibition concluded Oct. 28 after a two-month showing.
The least attractive, but perhaps the most important historically, was the group of bottles classed as "Flasks." Used for liquor, and probably as common in their age as the present-day Coke bottle, these flasks often carried illustrations and inscriptions relating to some important topical event or honoring a person of distinction.
Flasks decorated with likenesses of Gen. Taylor, Gen. La Fayette, George Washington and Jenny Lind were among those on display, as also one with the interesting legend, "Success to the Railway" — hailing the meeting of United States railroads from the East and the West.
In sharp contrast to the flasks, made purely for utilitarian purposes, were the highly ornamental decanters, ruby-stained, dark blue light blue, of opaque and clear glass. Many were adorned with intricate overlay.
THIS METHOD of ornamenting glass vessels originated with the early Roman glass-makers. A glass design of contrasting color was moulded to form a bas-relief and was overlaid on the glass vessel so that the design stood out. The glass
was then reheated until the two were fused together.
Other ornamental bottles on display were those classed as "Figures." Many of these artistic, elaborately fashioned bottles were evidently designed as perfume containers for aristocratic toilet-tables. Typical of these bottles was one in the shape of a woman holding a pitcher, the pitcher forming the receptacle.
Bottles for whiskey, for bitters and for use by apothecaries, designated "Store Bottles," formed another highly interesting part of the collection.
In this group was the well-known Booz's Whiskey bottle, the name believed by some to have been the origin of the word "booze" (a conjecture that, however, finds no support in the dictionary where the origin of "booze" is traced to the Middle English "boussen" which, in turn, is stated to have been derived from the Middle Flemish "busen," to tipple).
AN ELOQUENT commentary on some of the ways and values of the 19th century was provided by the many bitters bottles in this part of the collection. The drinking of bitters has been described as something of a mania in the 19th century.
Containing a high percentage of alcohol, bitters were peddled as "medicines" and effectively appeased the consciences of many who regarded taking alcoholic drinks, as such, to be a sin. Authorities on the subject tell us that though consciences were quietened sufficiently to make the contents acceptable, empty bitters bottles were often broker,
to destroy incriminatory evidence!
Such hypocrisy, we are told, was
what led to the disappearance of
bitters bottles, so that not many are
found today.
An uncommon and remarkable object which, though not a bottle, was displayed as part of the collection, was a glass cane. Literary-minded spectators may have recalled that such a cane was the subject of G. K. Chesterton's essay "The Glass Walking Stick."
"When we have given up valuing life for every other reason," Chesterton wrote, "we can still value it, like the glass stick, as a curiosity. For the universe is like the glass stick in this, at any rate: it is unique."
Illinois To Honor Fifth State Capito
SPRINGFIELD — (UPI) Illinois' fifth capitol in Springfield was sold to local Sagamon county in 1869 when the state decided to build a larger building.
The two-story domed building turned out not to be large enough for the county either so the entire building was lifted in the air and another floor was built at ground level.
The building is now back into the hands of the state, for the development as a state shrine.
Patronize Your Kansan Advertisers
'Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU' Among Many KU Traditions
By Jan Piekarski
"Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU!"
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU. This school yell, selected the most famous college yell in America, is one of the oldest KU traditions.
The Rock Chalk yell was originally the Science Club yell with the words, "Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, KSU". Later, with the discovery of chalk strata on Mt. Oread, the Science Club changed the wording from "Rah Rah" to "Rock Chalk" — and besides Rock Chalk rhymed with Jayhawk.
"Crimson and the Blue," written by Prof. George Barlow Penny, was adapted from the old English folk song, "Annie Lisle." It was intended only to be used on a concert tour, and was replaced with a new alma mater upon the group's return. Several songs have been suggested since 1891, including one by Fred Waring, but "Crimson and the Blue" has remained the official alma mater.
The traditional KU colors, crimson and blue, were selected in 1891 after it was announced that maize and sky blue would represent the University. The bolder, brighter crimson and blue were selected after the KU football team defeated Missouri that year and inspired the alma mater, "Crimson and the Blue."
With the exception of a few changes of words in the verse, "Crimson and the Blue" is much the same as when it was first heard.
Order Personalized Greeting Cards Book Nook 1021 Mass.
Another symbol of KU is the soon-to-be-replaced landmark. Fraser Hall (formerly University Hall) named in honor of John Fraser, first chancellor of KU. Fraser Hall, opened in 1872, was the first building on the now sprawling KU campus.
Fraser Hall is known, not only by KU students, but by the people of America as the place where Horace Greeley made his famous speech "Go West, young man, go West!" At the turn of the century, Fraser Hall was the cite of the annual Maypole Fight, a skirmish between men of the various classes who tried to raise the flag of their class in front of Fraser Hall.
Peanut Curing
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — (UPI) — Learning to control temperature and humidity are key factors in curing peanuts artificially, an agricultural engineer at Texas A&M College says.
W. S. Allen says air entering the peanut drying bin should not exceed a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity not less than 55 per cent.
Portraits of Distinction
HIXON STUDIO
Bob Blank
721 Mass. VI 3-0330