rare and original c. 1858-1859 completely intact vibrant cobalt blue iron pontiled early soda bottle manufactured for chicago bottling giant john a. lomax at his original location, 38 w. lake street. the slim body and low shoulders taper into a long and narrow neck finished with an applied blob top that exhibits heavy whittling and slop, as well as stretch marks below the collar. the front body is embossed with the bottler's initials and location, "j a l / chicago / ill". at the base is a deep kickup with little to no residue from the iron pontil. crudities include large bubbles and allover seeding, and whittling. in near mint condition, with no chips, cracks or haze. john a. lomax entered the bottling operations in 1854, distributing soda water located at 38 w. lake street in chicago. in 1859, the plant was destroyed by fire and operations were moved to a two-story frame building located at 16 charles place. as business grew, john and his son george erected a large masonry building in 1871, which was consumed by the great chicago fire the same year. shortly after, lomax rebuilt an even larger four-story facility that was advertised as being the "largest bottling house in the world.” during their peak production years, lomax serviced more than five thousand of the approximately seven thousand saloons across the city of chicago. their bottling works furnished soda-waters, ginger ale, mineral and spring water, ales and other drinks. the company ceased operations in 1885.