When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Antique 1916 Golden Wedding Bottled-in-Bond Whiskey Crate
Jos. S. Finch & Co. Distillers — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Exceptional original pre-Prohibition wooden whiskey shipping crate from historic Pittsburgh distiller Jos. S. Finch & Co., featuring the firm’s Golden Wedding Whiskey advertising.
This is an especially compelling survivor because the crate itself preserves an unusually detailed record of the whiskey it originally carried.
Notable markings include:
* Jos. S. Finch & Co. — Distillers
* Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* 12 Bottles / Full Quarts
* 3 Gallons
* Proof 100
* Bonded
* Spring 1912
* Bottled Spring 1916
* Inspection marking March 6, 1916
It also retains a substantial portion of its original U.S. Internal Revenue bottled-spirits case stamp.
The 1912–1916 dates are particularly significant.
Under the federal Bottled-in-Bond standard, qualifying whiskey had to be aged for at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse and bottled at 100 proof, among other requirements.
This crate is marked Spring 1912 and Bottled Spring 1916 — a four-year span that corresponds directly with that federal aging requirement.
In other words, the markings are not simply decorative shipping information. They document the regulated production history of the bonded whiskey once packed inside this crate.
That combination of:
Spring 1912 → Spring 1916 → 100 Proof → Bonded
makes the crate an especially interesting piece of surviving American whiskey history.
Outstanding Original Advertising
The crate retains beautiful period graphics on multiple sides, including the distinctive Golden Wedding illustration depicting two formally dressed gentlemen enjoying whiskey.
The primary advertising panel includes:
“Golden Wedding”
“Bottled in Bond”
“Whiskey”
and the wonderful period slogan:
“Fifty Years Ago When Golden Wedding Whiskey Was Young.”
Additional details include:
* Impressed / embossed lettering
* Embossed decorative borders
* Early finger-jointed corner construction
* Original-style nailed construction
* Multiple branded advertising faces
* Historic Pittsburgh distillery identification
* Surviving federal revenue documentation
* Wonderful naturally aged wood surface
The combination of graphic advertising, original regulatory markings and early construction makes this much more visually and historically interesting than a typical antique wooden shipping crate.
Condition
Authentic antique condition with extensive age-related character and wear consistent with more than a century of use and storage.
Condition includes fading, stains, scratches, surface wear, edge and corner wear, small wood losses, old fasteners, discoloration, splits/separations between some boards and general irregularities associated with age.
The original federal paper revenue stamp is incomplete, torn and heavily worn.
No restoration or refinishing has been performed. The crate has intentionally been left in its original aged state.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Dimensions
17.25 inches wide
13 inches deep
12 inches high
A fantastic display piece for a:
* Whiskey or bourbon collection
* Historic home bar
* Cigar lounge
* Restaurant or private club
* Pittsburgh history collection
* Pennsylvania advertising collection
* Breweriana collection
* Pre-Prohibition collection
* Americana or industrial interior
The crate has tremendous presence and displays beautifully from multiple sides.
Empty antique shipping crate only. No alcohol or bottles are included.
AI-generated room images, if included, are provided solely for decorating and styling inspiration. Actual product dimensions, condition, color and details are shown in the photographs of the crate itself.
