Identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
A rare, unopened pint of 100-proof brandy bottled under federal supervision during the height of American Prohibition. This piece is uniquely complete with its original wax seal, tax stamps, and a hand-written physician's prescription label.
Maker / Origin
American Medicinal Spirits Company, distilled by Madera Cognac Co., California; American Medicinal Spirits Company, distilled by Madera Cognac Co., California
Condition & Value
The bottle is unopened with a remarkably high fill level for its age. The labels show expected age-toning and some tape reinforcement, but the handwritten details remain perfectly legible. The wax seal is largely intact, which is the most critical factor for preservation.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The market for Prohibition-era spirits is robust but sharply bifurcated. Tier 1 consists of Kentucky bourbons and ryes (e.g., Old Hermitage, Stitzel-Weller), which are highly sought after by "dusty hunters" intending to consume the liquid, often driving retail prices between $1,400 and $2,000+. Tier 2 encompasses alternative spirits like medicinal brandies, gins, and rums, which are collected primarily as historical artifacts rather than for consumption, as vintage fruit spirits from this era are often oxidized or flat. Valuation for this Ramona brandy is established by combining its baseline category value with its exceptional ephemera premiums. A comparable unopened California medicinal brandy ("Old Mission") recently sold for approximately $450, establishing a baseline. However, the completeness of this specific package drives the estimate higher. Empty Ramona medicinal bottles have realized $70–$150, while standalone 1930s paper prescriptions fetch $75–$150. Given the pristine preservation of the wax seal, the intact tax stamps, and the highly desirable Culver City (Hollywood-adjacent) retail provenance, this intact artifact commands a "sum of its parts" multiplier, comfortably placing its auction estimate in the $500 to $800 range.
▲ Exceptional completeness including original wax seal, federal tax strips, and front/back labels.
▲ Intact handwritten 1931 prescription label from Sunset Drug Co. in Culver City, offering highly desirable Los Angeles/Hollywood-adjacent provenance.
▲ Dual-institutional history, showcasing both California viticulture (Arakelian) and the federal 'Whiskey Trust' (AMS Co.).
▲ Physical embodiment of the Volstead Act 'medicinal loophole,' appealing to both spirits collectors and Prohibition historians.
▼ California brandy sits in a secondary market compared to the intense demand for Prohibition-era Kentucky bourbons.
▼ The liquid is likely oxidized or 'flat', meaning the bottle has no gustatory value and appeals strictly to display/ephemera collectors.
▼ The 'Ramona' brand was a volume product, lacking the prestige of heritage luxury spirits.
Best Venue
A specialized vintage spirits auction (e.g., Whisky Auctioneer, Sotheby's Wine & Spirits) or a premier historical Americana/Ephemera sale.
Upside Potential
A bidding war between local Los Angeles historians or Hollywood memorabilia collectors drawn specifically to the Sunset Drug Co. /Culver City provenance.
Authenticity Risk
Risk Level: Medium. The vintage spirits market has seen an influx of counterfeits, specifically regarding intact tax strips and reproduced labels applied to period-correct glass. The owner must verify that the glass bottle does NOT feature the 'Federal Law Forbids Sale or Re-use of this Bottle' embossing, which was only mandated post-Repeal (1934/1935). The dates on the federal BiB tax strip must also logically precede or align with the January 1931 prescription date. Authentication by a vintage spirits specialist is highly recommended.