Arny & Shinn


Company Names, addresses, dates1:
  Arny & Shinn, 57 Greene Georgetown (1855-1862)
  R.A. Shinn, 57 Greene Georgetown (1863-1871)

Notes:
Charles W. Arny (born 1831 in DC) was listed in an 1858 directory as a bottler of porter, ale, and mineral waters, living on Washinton street near Bridge Street1.
Riley Shinn owned the Union Hotel in the 1860s. He also owned a bottling establishment that turned out stout, ale & porter3. Shinn is listed in city directories at "57 Greene" or "Greene cor Olive" between 1863 and 1871. In 1872, "Palmer & Green" is listed at the "57 Greene" address. Greene street is currently called "29th Street NW".
Three of the five "Arny & Shinn" bottles listed in the book4 are pontiled, so these are old bottles. The book4 also lists a pontiled bottle from "Maack & Arny".


Bottles:

arny3 (enlarge) This 9.7" stoneware bottle holds 1 quart and is marked:
front: ARNY & SHINN / SUPERIOR / ROOT BEER
arny1 (enlarge) These are 7" short blob top bottles. Left bottle is teal. Center bottle is aqua and has a graphite pontil mark on the bottom. Right one is light aqua with large letters and has the original stopper. All 3 have applied lips and are marked:
front: ARNY & SHINN / GEORGETOWN, / D.C.
back: THIS BOTTLE IS / NEVER SOLD
arny2 (enlarge) These are teal squat blob bottles with double-tapered collar tops. The one on the left is 7" and has large letters. The one on the right is 7.5" and has small letters. Both have applied lips and are marked:
front: ARNY & SHINN / GEORGETOWN, / D.C.
back: THIS BOTTLE IS / NEVER SOLD
arny_4 (enlarge) This is a 7.2" aqua blob top bottle marked:
front: ARNY & SHINN / GEORGETOWN, / D.C.
back: A & S / THIS BOTTLE IS / NEVER SOLD
rashinn2 (enlarge) This is a 7.5" stoneware bottle marked:
front: R.A. SHINN / GEO'TOWN D.C.
shinn_01 (enlarge) The left is a 7" teal squat bottle. The right is the same except that it's got block letters (which have been painted to show them off). Both bottles are marked:
front: R.A. SHINN / GEORGETOWN / D.C.
back: S / THIS BOTTLE IS / NEVER SOLD
shinn_02 (enlarge) The left is a 7.2" aqua blob-top bottle with block letters. The right is the same except that it's got regular letters and it's an even 7" tall. Both bottles are marked:
front: R.A. SHINN / GEORGETOWN / D.C.
back: S / THIS BOTTLE IS / NEVER SOLD
The one on the right has a "2" embossed on the bottom.

1 Boyd's Directory for the District of Columbia (various years)
2 Washington & Georgetown Directory, Stranger's guide-book for Washington 1853 compiled by Alfred Hunter
3 Chronicle of Georgetown Life 1865-1900 by Mary Mitchell
4 Antique Bottles from the Washington DC Area by Potomac Bottle Collectors, 4th edition




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This page last updated on April 14, 2008.