Lot 1512

S.C. Dispensary Palmetto Tree Embossed Whiskey Flask

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S.C. Dispensary Palmetto Tree Embossed Whiskey Flask

Estimate: $100 - $10,000

Current Bid: $50

(1 Bid)

by Mebane Antique Auction
August 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
7607 Hwy 70
P.O. Box 308
Mebane, NC, US 27302

Late 19th Century, Original

  • Provenance: Patterson Collection
  • Exhibited: Currently Mebane Antique Gallery and available for preview
  • Literature: he South Carolina Dispensary system was a unique, state-run liquor monopoly established in 1893 by Governor Benjamin "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman as a political compromise to control the alcohol trade and stave off the growing prohibition movement. Under this system, the state banned all private alcohol sales, operating its own dispensaries to bottle, distribute, and sell liquor in embossed containers featuring the state's iconic Palmetto tree. This specific "Jo-Jo" style flask dates between 1893 and 1900, a period marked by intense public backlash, black-market bootlegging, and severe government corruption. By 1900, anti-alcohol advocates successfully pushed the state to remove the Palmetto emblem from the bottles so the state's proud symbol wouldn't be associated with liquor, and the entire corrupt dispensary system was completely dismantled and abolished by the legislature in 1907.
  • Medium: Glass
  • Circa: Late 19th Century
  • Notes: Available for live in house bidding and pay-pick up from our gallery, Always bid with confidence with Mebane Auction. Thank you Jon Lambert
  • Condition: Very Good

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

ALL items won by bidder will be shipped through the United States Post Office Insured Mail and/or Registered Mail UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY BUYER.

We at Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, count it a privilege to be able to service our customers through our shipping department. We have and will continue to serve our customers in all 50 states & internationally. All the shipping of items sold online or absentee/phone are done in-house. A majority of packages will be shipped United States Post Office (USPS) priority mail. All books will be shipped USPS media mail unless specified by buyer. USPS registered mail will be used for item(s) that exceed $5,000. Items that exceed 70 lbs. or 108 inches in length & girth combined will be shipped Fed-Ex. unless otherwise specified by buyer. All items, will be packaged accordingly with USPS shipping standards or standards from which the company providing service.

In the case of denied/unpaid claims, Mebane Antique Auction Gallery will not be held responsible or liable for the payment of these items to buyer. Buyer releases Mebane Antique Auction Gallery from any & all unpaid claims on behalf of USPS or shipping companies providing service. All packages, will be shipped in a timely manner. A timeline for items shipped will not be provided. Items will be shipped in the order paid invoices are received. Once a USPS label is created & an email address has been provided, buyer will receive an email confirmation containing the tracking number. We thank you and anticipate any & every item(s) purchased from Mebane Antique Auction Gallery that requires shipping to be an easy & pleasurable experience.

Items that are not picked up or shipped within (30) days post sale will be considered abandoned. Abandoned items will either be donated to a local charity or re-sold at auction to compensate the storage fees incurred. There will be no refunds on abandoned items.

We DO offer in house shipping. We DO NOT provide shipping estimates.

Buyer is responsible for paying ACTUAL shipping cost (postage AND insurance), which will be charged to the buyer's credit card as soon as the item is ready to be shipped. Some invoices are subject to a $5 to $10 packaging material fee per box. This fee is based on the size, weight and amount of items purchased. There is no charge for labor or transportation to the post office.

Invaluable/ AuctionZip Bidders: We will add shipping charges to your invoice once we have your shipping cost. We will charge the card you have on file through Invaluable twice: once for the original invoice and again just for shipping. Once payment for the invoice is received, we will have our shipping department package and prepare your items for shipping. That means we automatically prepare items for shipping after payment is collected. We use the address listed on your Invaluable account for shipping. IF YOU NEED TO USE A DIFFERENT ADDRESS OR DO NOT NEED SHIPPING AND WILL PICK UP, LET US KNOW ASAP AFTER PAYING YOUR INVOICE.

We thank you and anticipate any & every item(s) purchased from Mebane Antique Auction Gallery that requires shipping to be an easy & pleasurable experience. If you have any questions, concerns, or special shipping requests please contact Bryan at 919-563-2424.

As of March 1, 2025, MAAG is not liable to handle insurance claims. If an item is damaged in transit, it is on the bidder to submit a claim through the post office: https://www.usps.com/help/claims.htm.

As of May 1, 2025, if MAAG needs to use a third-party shipper, it is between the bidder and third party to handle shipping, including packaging and cost. MAAG can deliver to a third party, dependent on size, but will not act as liaison between bidder and third party.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $9 $1
$10 $99 $5
$100 $299 $10
$300 $999 $25
$1,000 $2,999 $50
$3,000 $9,999 $100
$10,000 $19,999 $500
$20,000 $99,999 $1,000
$100,000 $299,999 $5,000
$300,000 + $10,000