An extremely rare Kelly's Old Cabin bitters bottle from 1863 is expected to see remarkable results in an antique bottle sale in California on August 19.

A rare green variation of the collector's favourite, it is one of two that were discovered in a well over 40 years ago, along with a collection of the widely-available amber and olive-green examples.

When first taken for appraisal, the green variant's rarity caused the auctioneer to dismiss them as fakes.

Rated 9 out of 10, the since-verified bottle at auction is said to be in much better condition than its partner, and is expected to bring between $35,000-75,000. An amber version of the bottle typically sells for around $6,000.

"The Kelly's Old Cabin bitters is the undisputed heavyweight champ in this auction, but there are many other rare and exciting bottles that collectors will get excited over," said Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle Auctions.

An aqua blue Chalmer's Catawba wine bitters bottle, made in 1872 and featuring an embossed picture of Sutter's Old Mill in California, will sell with a pre-sale estimate of $7,000-15,000 as the auction's second most valuable lot.

Elsewhere, one of the sale's most unusual lots will be provided by a Wm Bodmann Cathedral pickle jar, which is thought to be the first of its kind made in the US. Produced circa 1842, the 11 inch tall jar is graded 9.9 out of a possible 10, and is expected to make $5,000-10,000.

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