EARLY BERKSHIRE GINGER BEER BOTTLES

Fidler - Newbury

In Pigot's Directory of 1844 the list of Chemists and Druggists is really interesting.  Whilst noting that 'Chemist' is spelt as 'Chymist' in these earlier times, we know that Fielder, Hickman, Marriner and Ryott later went on to be successful chemists in Newbury which we have bottles and pottery to support as empirical evidence.  At this point there was no mention of Fidler being a chemist.

Below is a picture of a Fidler Ginger Beer from Chris Brownell's collection:

From Pigot & Co.'s Directory of Berks, Bucks ... , 1844:

The only people named Fidler in this directory in 1844 are shown in the extracts below.

My first thoughts were that John Fidler from the Monument Pub was the person that this ginger beer related to but I was actually incorrect.  It is actually Thomas Fidler who became a chemist and druggist, originally based in Speenhamland as below.  He also became a Fire and Insurance Agent for "Star Fire and Life", it appears, like many other chemists did.

From Kelly's Berkshire Directory, 1848:

By 1852 Thomas Fidler had moved from Speenhamland to a very central position in Newbury being 3 Mansion House Street which would have been a much more strategically well positioned business at that time in the centre of Bartholomew Street, Bridge Street, Northbrook Street and the Market Place.

From Slater's Directory of Berkshire, 1852:

From Post Office Directory of Berks, Northants ... , 1854:

By 1876 Thomas Fidler had expanded his business, forming a company and having an additional premises in Bartholomew Street.

From Harrod & Co.'s Directory of Beds, Bucks ..., 1876:

In terms of dating the bottle.  Based on this information it would probably make sense that bottle dates from Between 1848 and 1876.  By considering the shape of the bottle and lip, I would say it is pre-second industrial revolution perhaps from 1855-1860.

I find it amazing again that it was another "chemist's" bottle!!