The Colour of the Sea

The colour and patina of these bottles are exquisite. The old glass has an iridescence, a pearlized sheen to it. They would look wonderful in front of a window with the sun shining through them. Three of the four are marked: one says ”This bottle is the property of Eug Mirault, Ottawa”; the second “H.H. Sugarman, trade-mark registered, Ottawa“ with an image of what looks like a dog, perhaps a bulldog; the third “Florida water, Murray & Lanman, druggists, New-York”.

So far my research shows that Eugene Mirault was listed in the 1909 Ottawa City Directory, his business listed as aerated water manufacturer in the name index. In the street index, "mineral water" follows his name. He has the same listing in the 1923 Directory.

Hyman H. Sugarman is identified as a peddlar in the 1909 Ottawa City Directory. In 1912 he is listed as a soda water manufacturer.

There's a lot more information available on Murray & Lanman's Florida Water. Turns out Florida water was introduced on Valentine's Day in 1808 by Robert Murray. Brother Lindley Murray succeeded Robert and took David Trumbull Lanman as a partner in 1835 under the name Murray & Lanman. It wasn't until 1858 that the firm became D.T. Lanman & Kemp. So my bottle must date somewhere between 1835 and 1858.

And what was Florida water? It was the company's most popular product, an orange-scented toilet water for both men and women, also used as a skin toner, cologne, and aftershave. Florida water is apparently still sold today.