Ryan was a prominent Savannah bottler of soda water, mineral waters, and other beverages from 1852 to 1885. This one is cobalt blue, 7.5 inches tall with raised letters reading: EXCELSIOR / SODAWATER  /SAVANNAH / GEO on one side and JOHN RYAN / 1866 on the other. Surface scratches and hairline cracks, but attractive.

Ryan was born in Ireland, emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Savannah by 1852, when he established the Excelsior Bottling Works. Most of his bottles are said to have come from northern suppliers and he thus struggled to stay in business during the war, but made it through and expanded to Augusta, Atlanta, and Columbus before his death in 1885.  [sr] [ph:m]

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