O.H. Wathen’s letter dated 1909

I think everyone knows that Bottled In Bond whiskies hold a special place in my heart. Not only was the Bottled In Bond Act of 1897 the first consumer protection legislation in the history of the United States, it probably saved straight whiskies from the rectifiers and blenders. In other words, if it wasn’t for Bottled In Bond, we might all be drinking Seagrams 7 today.

When the BIB Act was passed in 1897, the distilleries had to educate bartenders, customers and the consumers on just what it was. I came across a letter from O.H. Wathen from 1909. They distilled Old Grand Dad Whiskey, and he is informing one is his distributors, Mesars, Bateman-Switzer Co. (and I assume duplicate letters to other distributors were sent at the same time) that the demand for their Old Grand Dad B.I.B. and other B.I.B. private label was great, and if they wanted delivery for the “Christmas trade” it would be “well for you to favor us with your order now for the amounts you would want…”

If you can't see the letter clear here, this is what it says word for word:

Messrs, Bateman-Switzer Co., Nov-24-1909
Great Falls, Mont.
Gentlemen,

We wish to advise that the demand we have been having for
our OLD GRAND DAD B.I.B. under our label, and under private labels of
our customers, has been so very heavy in the last sixty days that we
have been unable to fill the orders as promptly as is customary with
us; therefore, we are writing to inform you that, should you desire
any of our goods to be B.I.B. under our label, or yours, for your
Christmas trade, it would be well for you to favor us with your order
now for the amounts you would want, even though you would not care to
have shipment made until after Dec-1st, for by having the orders now
it will enable us to get the shipments out on the date you desire.
Hoping, therefore, if interested, that we will have the
pleasure of hearing from you at an early date, and with our best wishes,
we are,

Yours very truly,
OLD GRAND DAD DISTILLERY, CO
BY OH Wathen