Dirty old bottles

Here we have a "C&R" on the left and a C&K next to it. Casey and Kelly first opened their soda water manufacturing business in 1858, but this type of embossing doesn't show up until 1860/61. Prior to that it is believed that the "Sac Eagle" embossed bottles were used to contain their products.

The "C&R" bottle is believed to have been made for and used by a James Kelly, a usurper, who listed the address of 109 K St as his place of business. This was the location of the C&K Works, a place to which he had no connection. C&K were understandably ticked off about this blatant copycat and went about securing a trade mark on their bottles. They also moved their works to 107 K, distancing a bit further from James Kelly who understood the situation and disappeared from the Sacramento soda water scene.

The C&K bottles are quite common, but the "C&R" not so. Notice the size difference between to two bottles, with the C&K being somewhat larger than the other.