Black Death Vodka 1987 Original 1st w/Brown Coffin 750ml Bottle Slash Guns Roses

Description

DETAILS:
Original  1987
first version
bottle and wooden coffin of
Black Death Vodka,
Sigurdsson Family. Circa 1987. Note that the coffin packaging is made of cheap thin granule
brown
wood with rectangular brass side clasps. Later versions are made of denser black wood with varying types of clasps. Also note that the bottle is for the original 750ml bottle which is the size that the distiller issued for their American debut. We have searched countless databases over a 30 year period and were only able to find 5 other examples of this version of the coffin and only one example of the coffin along with the issued bottle. Rare.
BACKGROUND: Black Death Vodka
was first distilled by the Sigurdsson family, a small distiller in Iceland in 1906. In 1987 the family decided to enter the United States market. It debuted in America, packaged in a dreary macabre coffin made of thin cheap wood that one would associate with a tasteless casket. As provocative as their packaging was, the brand did not attain much sales success and was primarily distributed in California and New York. Most Americans found its branding to be far too offensive and in very poor taste. Reviewers used words like sleazy, smut, and repulsive to describe it. However, among a small cadre of counter-culture hardcore connoisseurs, the brand represented everything they wanted in their booze. One of these connoisseurs was guitarist Slash of the heavy metal band Guns and Roses, who was a proud serial consumer of the spirit. The Sigurdsson family entered into a sponsorship agreement with the guitarist and redesigned their packaging to look more modern with a smooth slick wooden
black
casket and a fancy bottle label that was found to be more appealing to women. This was the
second version
packaging for the brand. It was promoted by the GNR on their 1990 Use Your Illusion Tour and appears to have been a tremendous success. The association with Guns & Roses however,  had an unintended consequence as it gained the attention of the
US Department of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
(
ATF
) who forced the brand to cease operations in 1992. After a protracted legal battle, which the Sigurdsson family won, and resumed selling their vodka but this time with another redesign of their packaging. This version is known as the
third version
.
CONDITION:
Nice clean example of the original first version. The clasp are solidly attached with no wiggle whatsoever. No splits in the wooden coffin. No cracks or chips on the bottle. Top of the bottle still has its original cap as well as the accompanying packaging. Over all an exceptionally well preserved example of a rare item. Most likely the cleanest example of this brand that still exists.
Please note that this listing is only for the packing. It does NOT have any alcohol.
Oxxbridge Galleries
Established 1987
Oxxbridge Galleries was founded in 1987 and specializes in vintage items. We carry an extensive selection of fine and macabre collectibles. Be certain to view our ebay store for other rare items.
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