Amund Gustave Thompson was the man behind Thompson Manufacturing Co. in Chicago, Illinois. He was born in 1857. Amund Thompson’s early education was gained in public schools, he graduated from college in 1878. After college, Thompson was employed as a traveling salesman by a musical instrument house, and then he opened a music store. He sold his music business and moved to Chicago to commence the manufacture of his “Wild Cherry Phosphate,” using the Hygeia Spring in 1887. The business steadily grew until it assumed enormous proportions. Thompson’s Wild Cherry Phosphate Manufacturing Co. was known all over the United States and Europe, with branch offices in many major cities.

The rectangular bottle contained Hygeia Wild Cherry Phosphate, advertised alternately as a medicine and a mineral water soda drink. An 1892 advertisement said, “Hygeia Wild Cherry Phosphate. We want dealers and agents to handle the original and only genuine Thompson’s Hygeia Wild Cherry Phosphate, a delicious beverage condensed. One teaspoonful to a tumbler of water. Best tonic and nervine on earth.” Another newspaper post in 1895 stated, “Thompson’s Hygeia Phosphate. Drank by millions of men and children – cost them twenty-five cents the bottle – and they gladly pay the price – no cost to you for a trial this week – made while you wait, served free – as cold as ice can make it.”

This one is 6” high and 2” wide embossed on all 3 sides with the large indented cross on the front “THOMPSON MFG, CO. HYGEIA WILD CHERRY PHOSPHATE (including a TMCO logo) NEW YORK, CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS” in a rich cornflower blue aqua. The bottom is uneven, with many seed bubbles with stretch marks on the neck and a pot-stone (undissolved silica) flaw on the shoulder. It is shiny clean with a small fleabite flaw on the lip with black spots but no damage. This would have been an early 1900s example since it includes the other cities after the product had become a success. This will add some excitement to your beverage extract collection.