Monday, June 13, 2011

All Mixed Up

About a month ago, there was an estate sale close enough to work that I was able to go over lunch. What drew me to it intially was a slightly off camera shot of a huge lot of swizzle sticks adverstised on EstateSales.net. I have a friend (and follower of this blog) that collects these, so I'm always on the lookout.

The swizzle sticks were still there when I arrived and I quickly grabbed those and another glass full that hadn't been shown in the picture. It was the largest collection I've ever come across (221 as it turns out).  They were $5.  One batch is in what might be an ice bucket, the others in a western-themed mug.




While going through them, I came across a note written on the back of a bank deposit slip. I did a fresh count and couldn't resist updating it:


This man was a true collector, keeping date and count of his inventory.  And he was quite the traveler.  Most of the swizzle sticks are from local now-defunct hotels and bars, but there are also a number of airline, cruise and international locations.

There are lots of duplicates and many generic swizzle sticks as well as liquor advertisements. Below are some of the more interesting ones. As I said, many of the places these come from no longer exist. I've included links on the swizzle sticks for those I've been able to locate information or at least a picture.  ***Update***  Okay, I gave up on the links.  It was just taking too long to get this post out.  Google it yourself!

Enjoy and if you recognize any of the swizzle sticks I couldn't identify, let me know!






Aruba Hotel and Casino

Bartke's Restaurant in Tampa International Airport (1952 -1956)
















Dearborn Jackson Recreation, Chicago



















The Gill 'n Quill


Glen Echo Country Club


Government House Rums


Heinz 57


Hill and Hill

Hill and Hill Glass Vial


Hot Fish Shop


Hotel Chase - St. Louis


Hotel Commodore - New York


There's an interesting story regarding the demoliton of this hotel where 3 men were buried in the demolition.


Hotel Desoto - St. Louis


Hotel Hamilton - The Party Spot

Hotel Lennox - St. Louis


Another Hotel Lennox

Hotel Mayfair - St. Louis


Another Hotel Mayfair


Hotel Melbourne - St. Louis


Hotel Vendome - Boston


Howard Johnsons


Inferno Show Lounge - Kansas City




Ivanhoe "Wamba" Relic from the Catacombs - Chicago



Jockey (Unknown)


Joe Hrdlicka's Cherokee Cafe


Key (Unknown)


Keyed Up Executives Unwind at Sheraton


Layton's Lounge (Now Northside Chop Suey)


Little Bevo -St. Louis


Western Airlines (I thought that was an "M" at first)


Mark Twain Hotel - St. Louis


Maui Hilton


Muddler


Mrazek the Mover LAclede-5300 (still in business)


New Jefferson Hotel - St. Louis


Old Stag Top Kentucky Bourbon


Old Taylor 86


Pagliacci's Pizzeria (Now the site of a Jiffy Lube)

Palace Bar 215 East 10th Street (City unknown)


Pan Am


Parrot Jungle, Miami, Florida


Pennywise Plastics


Playboy Club


Relska Vodka "The Diplomatic Drink"


Royal Tehran Hilton, Iran


Sans Souci Hotel Berkshire, Kansas City, MO


Score with Canadian Mist


Seagram Sea Breeze


Seagram's 7


Seagram's Gin Cooler


Seagram's Golden 49


Sheraton Boston Hotel


Shearaton Jefferson Hotel -- St. Louis


Smirnoff Vodka


Southern (Airlines?)


Statler Hilton - New York


Straws (Unknown)


T. Pattaris, New Orleans (Now a Wendy's)


The Deauville -- Miami


The Domeliners -- Union Pacific Railroad


The Fabulous Topper Club -- Stuttgart, Germany


The Fabulous Topper Club -- Stuttgart, Germany
 

The Fabulous Topper Club -- Stuttgart, Germany


The Famous Restaurant and Lounge - Kansas City, MO


 The Gashouse (unknown location)


The Golden Ox "Where the Steak is Born"


The Monteleone Carousel Lounge

The Park Plaza - St. Louis (glass)

The Park Plaza - St. Louis


The Sands - Las Vegas Nevada


"The World Agrees on Gilbey's Please"


Top of the Mart


Treasure Isle Cocktail Lounge - St. Louis


Tupper


TWA


TWA


TWA


Un Hotel Intercontinental - Tamanaco, Caracas


Unknown


Waikiki Outrigger Hotels


White Horse Blended Scotch Whiskey


Wurlitzer Phonograph Music


Zebra Head (Unknown)


Phew!   The end...for now.

***Update***

I've noticed this post has rocketed to my number 1 viewed position in the past month.  I'm wondering where the traffic is coming from.  If someone would share in the comments, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

2 comments:

  1. hooray! outstanding instant collection. you've got some in there that are really great (from the now long-gone, lamented SANDS in vegas -- home of the rat pack!), and wurlitzer (!!), and some really awesome quirky ones. my faves are the local ones, like the bevo mill and such, and the retro-fabulous, like the tiki disney one, and the skulls.

    a couple notes: the one that you have labeled "M - unknown" i believe is actually a stylized "W", for western airlines. i have a couple of those. and the one you have labeled as a "mixer" (with the pointy prongs on the bottom) is a little muddler, probably for keeping your drink nice and mixed. judging by the prongs, it probably was for a drink with fruit in it.

    also, thank you for the ones you sent. i should photograph my collection and share them at some point.

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  2. Thanks for the clarification on the unknowns. A "W" and not an "M". Wow, all in the way you look at it! That makes sense though, given the other Western Airlines mixer. Never heard of a "muddler", but now I have! I liked the Wurlitzer one myself. Music and booze, two great tastes that go great together. Love to see your collection. I know you've picked up some good ones over the years in addition to the one's I've sent you.

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