Edinburgh Sterling Silver Whisky Bottle Ticket Or Decanter Label 1807

Description

Heading : A Whisky decanter label or bottle ticket
Date : Hallmarked in Edinburgh 1807 for William Constable and either Alexander or John Ziegler
Period : George III
Origin : City England
Decoration :Reeded band border
Size :  45mm x 26mm
Condition : Excellent
Restoration : None
Weight :  0.33 ozt

William Constable and either Alexander or John Ziegler were cooperating in 1807-08. This was not a documented formal partnership. perhaps that was the intention. Clearly it did not work out well for either party. both makers marks on appear  together on silver assayed in 1807 and 1808.

Nowadays we associate whisky with brands. It only became legal to distill whisky in 1823. Until then it was illicit to distill or sell whisky. although it was so widely accepted that even the Prince Regent himself asked for the finest Speyside to be sourced for his visit to Edinburgh. Whisk was sold by Edinburgh merchants from the cask. This required a bottle to be filled and hence the need for a bottle ticket or decanter label when being served.