| Jeremiah Thomas’ Funhouse Mirror | |
|---|---|
|
Origin |
Jeremiah Thomas |
|
Type |
Mirror |
|
Effects |
Mixes drinks with available spirits |
|
Downsides |
Distorts drinker to become oblong and rounded |
|
Activation |
Drinking and starting at mirror |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
July 30, 1956 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
Jeremiah P. Thomas (October 30, 1830 – December 15, 1885) was an American bartender who owned and operated saloons in New York City. Because of his pioneering work in popularizing cocktails across the United States as well, he is considered "the father of American mixology". In addition to writing the seminal work on cocktails, Bar-Tender's Guide, Thomas displayed creativity and showmanship while preparing drinks and established the image of the bartender as a creative professional. As such, he was often nicknamed "Professor" Jerry Thomas.
At one point he toured Europe, carrying along a set of solid-silver bar tools. He was well known for his showmanship as a bartender: he developed elaborate and flashy techniques of mixing cocktails, sometimes while juggling bottles, cups and mixers. He often wore flashy jewelry and had his bar tools and cups embellished with precious stones and metals. At the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, Thomas was earning $100 a week—more than the Vice President of the United States.
Upon returning to New York City, he became head bartender at the Metropolitan hotel. In 1866 he opened his own bar again, on Broadway between 21st and 22nd Streets, which became his most famous establishment. Thomas was one of the first to display the drawings of Thomas Nast. In his saloon he hung Nast's caricatures of the political and theatrical figures; one notable drawing, now lost, was of Thomas "in nine tippling postures colossally." The saloon included funhouse mirrors.
Thomas was an active man about town, a flashy dresser who was fond of kid gloves and his gold Parisian watch. He enjoyed going to bare-knuckle prize fights, and was an art collector. Always a good sport, at 205 pounds he was one of the lighter members of the Fat Men's Association. He had a side interest in gourds; at one point in the late 1870s, Thomas served as president of The Gourd Club after producing the largest specimen.
Effects[]
Makes any mixed drink with available liquors. Will always find a suitable recipe widely known and if one’s not available, create a new one on the spot to delight drinkers. Distorts customer’s body proportions to match their stupor, turning them gourd shaped and big-boned like a caricature.