The functioning distillery and vodka and liqueur factory of Hartwig Kantorowicz, operating since 1823 in Poznań, was one of the most modern industrial facilities in the city. It quickly gained international renown, and the trademark "Hartwig Kantorowicz" became a symbol of the highest quality alcoholic products. This was confirmed by prestigious diplomas and medals received at world exhibitions, including Vienna and New Orleans.
The vodka "Wyborowa" was one of the company's first products. It was recognised as the best in Poland. Among the most well-known brands of alcohol produced in the factory were "Allasch Orłow" caraway liqueur, "Crystal", "Starka", and "Myśliwska" vodkas, cherry and plum liqueurs, orange liqueur, as well as the liqueurs "Jarzębiak", "Mandarin-Ginger", and "Podbipięta", which was a precursor to "Żołądkowa Gorzka" liqueur. (https://poznan.wikia.org/wiki/Fabryka_wódki_i_likierów_Hartwig_Kantorowicz, accessed on 14 February 2021).
The factory had branches in Hamburg and Berlin, and its products were exported to European markets, China, Brazil, and Australia. In 1920, the plant was sold to the Polish Industrial Bank (http://zamek.org.pl/aktualnosci/butelki-hartwig-kantorowicz/, accessed on 14 February 2021).
A miniature advertising bottle of "Allasch Orłow" caraway liqueur, produced in the Berlin branch of Kantorowicz's factory, is part of the collection of the District Museum in Leszno. It is a ceramic bottle with a cylindrical shape, with a "narrow neck," a thickened pouring lip, and a small handle . The bottle does not have a cap. The whole bottle was made in the shape of a small jug and covered with white glaze. There is an enameled blue inscription on the belly: "Allasch/ Orłow/ H K/ Rok 1823/ Kantorowicz Berlin." The text is separated by a hexagram (Star of David), also in blue. In the central field of the star, there is an image of a fish.
The flacon was purchased in 1993 from Leszek Wnusz of Leszno and was exhibited for many years at a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history and culture of the Jews of the Wielkopolskie Province.
Dariusz Czwojdrak
