July 2001 Questions

Digger Odell Publications © 2000

Hey digger,  I have a 16 inch tall Galliano Guard.  I know it is at least 40 years old.  The bottom of the bottle has raised porcelain numbers that I can not quite make out.  It is stamped with Coronetti Cunardo Italy, the numbers 21167, and two gold lines.  It is in very good to excellent condition.  Could you please tell me if he has any value or even how old he actually is?  Thank you Mike

I found what is probably a similar item - a statue of a guard from the same company was being offered for $45.  digger

Digger

    I dug this jar and was wondering if you could help to id it. It is embossed on the bottom patented United States and England Sept.5 1899  May23 1899 Canada with the number 534. It measures 2 1/8 high and 2 3/4 across it has a hollow glass insert in the center that is part of the jar. Enclosed is a few pics. Thanks Henry

Henry, think paste.  You have found a paste jar. I dug one many years ago and wondered for along time about it.  You are missing the lid and paste brush which set into the cylindrical hole in the center.

Many years ago I dug up a bitters bottle in the woods upstate NY.  At the  time I did a little research and found that there was a misspelled word on my  bottle.  It is a 6 inch aqua single screw top that has the following embossed  on it:     ATWOOD'S JANNAICE BITTERS FORMERLY MADE BY MOSES ATWOOD GEORGETOWN,MASS.  It has a P circled on the bottom along with the number 7.  In the book I  had found it in it said "JAUNDICE BITTERS," not "JANNAICE"  I would appreciate any information you could give me.  Thank you-Janice  Tomczak

Sound like a mold error to me.  Mold error were fairly common and since it was an expensive process to make a mold, they often just used it.  Being a very common bitters and being machine made and screw top, I would not expect the bottle to to be worth much more than $5-10.  Digger.

Hi we are trying to find out the approximate value of a Chianti wine bottle it is really unusual it has a basket braided on the base and the glass is fish one after the other all the way up the bottle . The bottle is 38" tall and the glass is green. The brand is FONTO    and it says it is from Certaldo Italy.....Any info or help you may have would be great.....thanks ....Spike

 I have seen a number of decorative wines but I can't tell you anything.  Maybe a reader will know. Digger

Hi my name is Donna and my roommate came up with what looks like a "genie bottle” Attached is a picture. The bottle has a seam all the way to the top and  there is an M stamped on the bottom. I was wondering if you could possibly estimate the age and worth for me. Donna Collins 

The only thing I could find about the "M" on the base was the possibly that the bottle was made by the Maryland Glass Corp. 1907- 1970s.  If so, and the M does not have a circule around it, it could have been made prior to 1916 (but not much given that it is machine made.  More likely is that the bottle is foreign.  The form is unusual. The color suggests wine or something similar. It well could be foreign and if so it could have been made within the last 30 years.  I cannot tell from the pic what is on the neck.  It is interesting and I can see why you picked it up.  I'd guess, without any other markings the value to be $10-15.  Digger.

I am new to this hobby. I bought a box of 75 or so old bottles at an antique expo. Some of the bottles have French writing on them. They are apothecary looking bottles. They had sales prices of 12. to 15 . dollars on them. for who knows how long. What about foreign bottles, rare as they are?

One only needs these days to look on Ebay to see the wide range of foreign bottles available.  I do not think of them as rare any longer.  The Internet has globalized collecting unlike anything else.  twenty-five years ago English soda bottles were being imported by antique dealer, but were not bring much more than a few dollars.  Ten years ago, American Bottle collectors who wanted foreign bottles were still rare.  Now as more quality foreign antique bottles have been made available they are slowly gaining acceptance among Americans. The trend started with collectors of American bottles like Warner's Safe Cure bottle who began picking up English, Australian and German variants.  Poison bottles are another area in which collectors have accepted foreign bottles.  Often novice and sometimes even advanced collectors are not aware of a bottle's origins.  In addition, English bottles were routinely shipped to this country for almost all of our history.  Collectors have been less willling to accept bottles with foreign words (not in English) embossed.  this is less true in categories like wine in which one would expect French writing.  The latest issue of the Antique Bottle and Glass Collector Magazine had an ad for a new bottle shop - in France.  Digger

Digger, I’d like any or all info on this bottle it was dug up in San Francisco. It's twelve sided, aqua, an applied top?, seam runs across the bottom and up to scallops, it's 7 1\4 inches tall, there's a crease, not a scratch or crack, between the top and the Three Rings on the neck, there is also a T near the bottom on one of the ribs.  I have two other twelve sided bottles also dug up, One is 6 3\4 inches tall,2 1\4 inches across the bottom,  neck is just about 1 inch, flat sides, pontil on the bottom, applied top that is flat on top, seam runs up under the applied top, it too is aqua.  The third one is clear,3 1\8 tall less than 1\2 inch neck, looks like a smooth pontil on bottom, just over an inch across, round shoulders, seam stops at base of neck top also looks applied but flat across the top. Thanks, Bruce Must say I REALLY enjoy your site.

Bruce, the bottle with the panels and the three rings on the neck sounds very much like a sauce bottle. It could have been pepper sauce or something similar. Typically sided bottles as you are describing are either food, medicine or cologne depending upon the form.

hello! I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me.  I recently cleaned out a university pharmacy closet which contained many old bottles. I was going to put them into the trash, but I think they may be valuable. There are two in particular I wondered if you could help me with:  1) Hamlin's Wizard Oil: Rectangular shape, clear color, open pontil, top looks hand molded. It still has it's label, which is in very good condition. Embossed on the back is "Hamlin's Wizard Oil", and on one side "Canada" is embossed and on the other "Toronto, Ont" is embossed. The only thing on the bottom is "1149" embossed.  The bottom of the label says "Copyright 1902"  2)The other bottle is also clear and has a round shape.  Embossed on the front is "Solution of Citrate Magnesia" and "Dose-Adults One Half to One Bottle As Directed, Children In Proportion To Age" There are two medical symbols embossed on either side.  The top looks to be a double-lipped type top, but it has a porcelain stopper attached that can be "popped off", but is still attached by a metal fixture. The bottom is an open pontil and has an embossed oval with a diamond through it, and the number 12 to the left and the number 10 below.  Are these bottles worth anything to anyone? Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated!  Christa Brosseau Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Christa, Yes, your bottles are worth something especially since they have the original labels.  They may in fact be more valuable being Canadian than American.  Although both in the picture are American companies they did business in Canada as they grew into multinational trade.  The Hamlin's Wizard Oil is a very old brand with its beginnings in Cincinnati and Chicago.  The Wizard Oil bottles can be found pontiled but the mark on the base of your bottle is called an Owen's Ring and is the mark of an early machine made bottle.

I'd guess your bottles would date about to the First World War up to the 1920s. The Dr. Miles has nice graphics on the label but the staining reduces its value slightly.  I would guess that Canadian collectors would be interested in these.  I'd say they would be worth in the $20-30 range.  You can find out more about both of the bottles pictures by searching my site as I have answered questions about them in previous months.  The Citrate of Magnesia is less collectible although the presence of the label makes it a $10-15 item.  Digger

 

Dispensary bottles are very popular with collectors these sell in the $50-200 dollar range. The pint (far left is the most common of these bottles.  Several round variants also can be found.

Hi, we are new at this, but have some very old bottles that are not in the    Kovel, Polak, or Megura books. one of these bottles is a SC dispensary  bottle,, pint size, clear rose in tint, with the sc insignia on the front, a  110 # on the bottom, and on the back is...CCCo.  we would love to be able to identify some of the bottles we found.  We need to know which of the  magazines or books we need, can you please advise?    thanks

The book we all want does not exist. No one could list all the bottles in every category.  There are millions. Literally.  At the left are two of a half dozen variants of the South Carolina Dispensary bottles.  I suggest for the serious collector - subscribe to the magazine, buy all the books you can get.  Follow the major auctions.  Digger

PS obviously I am biased and would suggest my own books after-all I tried to write a book I would like. 

We have this bottle that we are curious about. My boyfriends mother gave us the bottle (she is 82 years old) she said it was her grandmothers and it had  smelling salts in it. What ever was in it was horrible smelling and we  dumped it out and rinsed the bottle out with water. It is 6 1/2 inches tall  from the top of the stopper to the bottom of the bottle. I can not see any  markings on the glass which is clear. The mold seam stops at the base of  the neck. The bottle and the stopper are covered with I believe a lead  material that is cut out in floral designs. Three side have a little window  cut out and the fourth side has the design but it is not cut out the window  is solid lead. The stopper has the lead on the top of it as you can see  from the pictures. The bottom of the bottle is smooth with a circle  indention that covers almost the whole bottom area. The bottle itself is 2  1/4 inches wide not counting the lead on each side. The lead is crimped at  the top and bottom of the bottle so that is does not slip off of the  bottle. There is one little knick on the top of the neck of the bottle  otherwise it is in very good condition in my opinion. Anything that you  could tell us about its history and worth would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance :):) Diane Yost

The bottle is a toilet water or cologne bottle.  it was a common practice in the 1890s and first decade of the 20th century to cover bottles with metal.  The fancier ones were covered in silver.  Yours is probably nickel or lead.  Your grandmother might well have used the bottle for smelling salts or the foul smelling liquid could have been a perfume gone bad.  The value of your item is probably about $30-40.  I would say the heirloom value would be priceless.  No many us have the family treasure you do.  Digger

Hi! Just wondering if you knew of a web site that gives a brief history of the miniature corn bottle made by Wheaton Glass. What were they used for and how many colors do they come in (I think amber, blue, green, and ruby)? Thank you for any information you can give. Heather McDonald

Heather, I do not know of such a website but there are a few out there that give some listings of the various bottles.  I beleive in additional to the colors you mentioned they also came in amethyst.  I am pretty such the bottles had no utilitarian purpose but were simply made for gift shops.  Digger.

I have this bottle I found in six feet of dirt in the Kings Canyon National Forrest in CA. It is aqua Green . It has raised lettering which reads Prairie Weed on the front. The left side says Roxbury Mass. And the right side says Dr Kennedy's. It is 6" long has a smooth base and it is in excellent condition. Kimberly

Dr. Donald Kennedy had a very successful line of medicines.  His biggest seller was his Medical Discovery which he began selling in the early 1850s.  it was described as having as its active ingredient, a common pasture weed.  The Prairie Weed was probably inspired by the Discovery and was advertised as early as 1876.  It is much scarcer than the Discovery.  Kennedy died in 1889 but the business continued.  You can find more in December and February 2000 Question.  Digger

Digger has three books out which deal with antique medicine bottles. The Pontil Medicine Encyclopedia lists nearly 2000  Pre-Civil War medicines. Order yours today

Indian Bottles & Brands has loads of background material on patent medicine companies.

Sir or Ma'am, I found your website while looking for leads to reproduction glassware manufacturers.  Your site is so informative and obviously well researched on antique bottles that I wondered if you might have knowledge of some modern reproduction manufacturers?  I'm looking for reproductions of 17th and 18th century wine and rum bottles (black glass, onion bottles, shaft and globe etc.) for recreational use.   If you happen to have any information in this area I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks. Jeremy Soule

I am not aware of any firm reproducing Black Glass.  Maybe a reader knows.  Digger

Hello Digger

What do the letters GII-24 mean on a bottle .?

mel

They refer to McKearin's book called American Glass.  the G stands for Group and the number I would be the first group which are portrait flasks. so in your example GII-24 is group two (eagle flasks) number 24 (24th one listed) Digger

 

Dear Digger, First of all, we love your site!! My name is Alison, and I am from VT.  Recently while digging in an old dump we found a soda bottle that says Barr's  Better Beverages and then underneath that it says Hardwick, Vermont. It has  some numbers on the bottom. I have no idea what time period we are talking  about or the value of this bottle. Can you help? Thanks, Alison

I found There was a company producing soft drinks and mineral waters under the name "Barr-Up from 1940-1983. It was made by the Barrington Bottling Inc. of Barrington, New Jersey. Another company making Barr's beverages is found in Great Britain.  The British company produced a wide range of fruit flavored sodas and other products from 1938-1994. But I could not find any reference to your Vermont company.  I think if the bottle is embossed and has a crown top it would have been produced in the 1920-40 period.  Since Vermont sodas are scarce, I'd expect the value could be $20+ Digger

Dear Digger

   My next door neighbour has asked me to see what information I could find on a bottle of Apricot brandy that she has.

Description Brass top and bottom with clear glass in the middle shaped like a hot air balloon. The top has a brass handle which is the shape and head of a sea serpent and has a large spout for pouring like a milk jug. On the base there is engraving Distillerie Buton Bologna Italia Casa Fondata NEB1820 Argenterie G Galbiat Milango
Base of the bottle is smooth with above engraving on
shape of bottle is like a hot air balloon (glass part)
It has a chain on the bottle with a sign saying Apricot brandy buton 42% proof produce of Italy
Glass is clear and not stained
Very Good condition
The stopper in the top is tapered to go into the bottle to seal bottom part of this is cork and above that is wood which then connects to the brass to which has a ring on it so you can get it out of the bottle
Handle is also brass and is like a sea serpent or dragon
Unfortunately I don't have a photo so I could email it to you but my next door neighbour would like to know how old it might be and is it worth anything

 Unfortunately tracing down such an item is not within my ability.  The best clue to age is the way the bottle is manufactured and the type of closure. Given the elaborate nature of the item, I'd expect it would have some value but I would need a picture to even hazard guess.  Maybe another reader has seen the piece.  Digger.

Digger, In the bottom of my lake I found a green 7oz. 7-up bottle with a plain white  label, no "bubbles" like a lot of bottles from the 50's I've seen.  I also  found a "Sloan Liniment" medicine bottle.  Any info on when these were made? thank you, Chris Dawson

Chris, without a bit more description I can't tell you much about the green 7-up.  it is possible that your bottle is the typical red label bottle but that from being buried has faded the color.  This is often the case with dug ACL bottles.  As for the Sloan's Liniment it is very common you will find more information in May 2000, March 2001, and April 2001.

Wonder if you can help me identify something.  I have two clear glass cowboy  hats that have Kessler on them.  The bottom has a space that looks to be set  on top of a bottle.  The top of the cowboy hat is open and appears to hold an  amount equal to that of a shot glass.  Am I right in assuming that these set  on top of the whiskey bottle and used to measure???   I found these in West Virginia recently and cannot find any information or anyone who knows anything about them.  I am even having a hard time finding  anything about Kessler Whiskey on the internet. I would appreciate your reply to this.  Usually it is not hard to find such  information but I am stumped.  Please help.  Thank you so much.   Charm Gay   Carrollton, Ky

I can't say much about your shot hats but I did find out a bit about the company.  Julius Kessler was president and director of the corporation which first used his name for whiskey in 1935.  The Kessler Distilling Co. was located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Julius Kessler died some around 1953 and the company was purchased by Joseph Seagram & Sons, New York and still later by Jim Beam. 

 

The biggest bottle that my friend has is 8 1/2 high and 2 1/2 wide it has original cork and flavoring and the label is original. it has eastern states brand tea company on it. the seam is down the middle on both sides. mouth of bottle is round color of bottle is clear from what we can tell. the smallest bottle is 5 3/4 high 1 5/8 wide it has the same things as the big one.   he also has some bottles that have flavoring in them that are from Thomas Bell this is the same size as the little bottle of the other brand he has about 14 bottles and they are all mint condition    BUFFY SMITH

HI   MY HUSBAND DISCOVERED A BOTTLE THAT HAS PROPERTY OF COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO  ASHEVILLE,NC IT HAS IN RAISED LETTERS QUALITY BRAND 6 FL OZ. SODA WATER. SO  YOU HAVE ANY INFO???????????

Two different Coca Cola bottles are listed from Asheville, NC. One in clear and one in aqua.  I do not think the bottle is rare.  Digger.

  Hello, I have a question about a bottle that I found while diving off the coast of Southern California.  I can't seem to find any info on the thing and was wondering if you could help.  Here are the particulars on the bottle: It is a "Frosty" bottle with a raised textured feel to it.  I guess to resemble ice. This is what is written on the bottle itself:  FROSTY BOTTLE, PAT'D FEB.10, 1925 COCA-COLA BOT. CO. L.A.  On the other side it reads:  FROSTY BOTTLE TRUE FRUIT FLAVOR FRUIT ACID - ART. COLOR  On the bottom it reads:  BENZ. SODA IN ORANGE ONLY  CONT 6 FLU OZS 32  It is a clear bottle but has a few chips on it, mostly on the most protruding edges.  Nothing that can be polished out though.  Any information you can provide would be helpful.  Thank you,  Chris Webre

I was not able to find anything about your bottle. Maybe a reader can help.  Digger

CANADIAN CANNERS LIMITED 1929-1884

I also have a bottle (empty) of Tiger Brand Tomato Catsup.  I found this bottle while photographing an empty house in New Brunswick, Canada.  The label on the bottle says the catsup was packed for Burlington Canning Co., Burlington, Ontario.  Does this help in identifying the age of the bottle or value?   Warren

I suspect the above trademark is the same brand even though the company name does not match.  Canadian Canners were also located in Ontario.  As for value, it depends up the condition and age.  An early 1930s bottle in excellent condition might bring $20-25.  Digger.

  I recently found on a building site a bottle dug up about 6 ft underground the bottle in question has a  oval bottom with a slender neck it has the inscription on it called brooke & prudencio limited with a picture of Neptune on the bottle please can you give me some information on this one as I would like to find out the year and the exact value of this bottle .  thanks for your help in this matter paul andrews

  I have two bottles that at the top on both sides it says MARLBORO they are round and 11 1/2 inches tall on the lowest portion of the round portion it says Duraglas on both sides one is green and the other is clear they resemble quart soda bottles I have asked a lot of people about them but nobody seems to have ever heard of them can you help?

In 1979, Philip Morris Incorporated first used the name "Marlboro" for soft drinks. I do not think the idea sold well and they appear to have stopped making it since they did not renew the name. 

  Bob L. Porter

  Hi Digger, I really enjoy your website & have found it very helpful & interesting. I  have three questions for you if you'd kindly take the time to answer them to the best of your knowledge.  1: I have a medicine bottle that is embossed: Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Co.,  Memphis, Tenn. It is aqua in color, around 5 inches in height, seam runs  halfway up the neck & stops. Could you please give me some history on this  drug company?  2: I have a bottle from Paris Medicine Company that is embossed "Febriline".  Could you please tell me what this was?  3: Last, I have a small cork top bottle, amber in color, 2 1/2 inches in  height, square or rectangle shaped, embossed "Dr. H.S. Thacher's Liver  Pills, Chattanooga" Is this the same Thatcher that had the liver & blood  syrup? I cannot find  a reference to this bottle anywhere. What are the values on the above bottles?   Thanks  TC Estes

Comments from a reader 8/1/02
Saw your reply regarding the above mentioned company.

This particular Van Vleet family is a collateral relative via an ancestor
that married the father of Percy Van Vleet (i.e. Ralph Swarthout Van Vleet). 
A couple of my great aunt were named Ramelle is honor of Percy's wife,
Ramelle McKay.

Here is some additional information on Percy and family:

from Tennessee the Volunteer State 1769-1923: Volume 3

"Peter P. Van Vleet was for many years the executive head and guiding spirit of one of the largest and most progressive wholesale drug houses of the United States. He carried on his business in Memphis, where he developed a large enterprise, and he was long recognized as one of the dominant figures in the commercial life of the south. A native of Michigan, Mr. Van Vleet was born in Sherwin on the 17th of November, 1849, and was descended from distinguished Holland Dutch ancestry, his forefathers having emigrated to what was then New Amsterdam, now the city of New York, in 1666. There the original members of the family were prominent in the business and political affairs of the Empire state for many years. His great-grandfather fought throughout the Revolutionary war and was for two years incarcerated on the New Jersey prison ship, coming out of this terrible experience blind and with hair as white as snow. When the war was over his wife went to meet him but on account of his changed appearance did not recognize him, and because he was blind he could not see her. It was not until they both arrived at home that he could make himself known. Several generations of the family remained in New York and eventually a branch of the family was established in the wilds of Michigan, its members traveling overland by wagon, bringing with them their household effects, which included the first pair of andirons that were ever introduced into the west. They took active part in the development of Michigan, just as they had in the growth and progress of New York.

PETER P. VAN VLEET.

The early education of Peter P. Van Vleet was acquired in the common schools of Michigan, while later he attended college at Kalamazoo, that state, to which place his father, Ralph S. Van Vleet, had removed from Geneva, New York, where he was born and where he had conducted business so successfully that he had become a capitalist.

In early manhood he had wedded Miss Henrietta Lockhart, a representative of the eastern family of Lockharts of English origin. This worthy couple were able to surround their son with many of the advantages and opportunities of life and his home training was such as made for the development of splendid manhood and admirable character. He completed his education in the college at Kalamazoo, which he attended to the age of eighteen years, and then started out in the business world as a drug clerk in that city, serving a three years' apprenticeship there.

In 1871, however, he left Michigan and came to Memphis, traveling partly by stage and partly by boat, coming down the Mississippi on the packet, Belle Lee, fully intending to make Charleston, South Carolina, his home, but when he arrived in Memphis he found it a thriving little city which made strong appeal to him. He came ashore as the boat docked on a moonlight evening and was so charmed by his first impression of the place that he concluded to remain. Accordingly, he obtained a position as drug clerk and was thus employed for fourteen years. His first position was with the firm of G. W. Jones & Company and later he formed a partnership with the widow of Mr. Jones, while following her death he sold his interest in the business to her heirs.

It was then that he established business independently, organizing the wholesale firm that operated under the name of the Van Vleet Drug Company. In February he merged with his own enterprise the drug business of S. Mansfield & Company and in 1902 took over that of the W. N. Wilkerson Company and also of the S. W. Jones Company, buying the interests of the three concerns and merging them with the Van Vleet-Mansfield Drug Company, of which Mr. Van Vleet remained the president until his death.

Thus he was for many years the head and manager of one of the largest and most progressive wholesale drug concerns in the United States. He was truly a self-made man in the best sense of the term and successful in everything that he undertook. Step by step he advanced in his commercial career, through the wise use of his opportunities, and eventually he became owner of a business that under his guidance grew in volume and importance until it was second to but one wholesale drug house of the country. In addition to his wholesale drug business Mr. Van Vleet was a director of the Bank of Commerce & Trust Company of Memphis and in other ways was closely associated with financial and business interests in this city.

LEM BANKS. page 19 [p.19] Mr. Van Vleet was a very liberal contributor to all charitable and benevolent organizations, including especially the Baptist Hospital. He was at one time a director also of the old Memphis Medical Hospital and he cooperated heartily with many organized efforts for the uplift of his fellowmen and for the advancement of the best interests of society at large. During his later years he and Mrs. Van Vleet traveled extensively throughout the world and he numbered among his friends many prominent and distinguished Europeans as well as leading Americans. He was an active member of the Memphis Country Club, the Tennessee Club, the Chickasaw Club, the Waponoca Club, the Hatchie Coon Club, the Bear River Duck Club, the Mud Lake Duck Club and the Tarpon Club of Tarpon, Texas, and his social qualities were such as made for popularity among all who knew him. The sterling traits of his character were many, and by reason of his upright life and his admirable qualities his acquaintances were fast converted into warm friends. He was rich in the possession of all those things which men most admire in the individual and in the business man and through the steps of an orderly progression he came to a point of leadership in America. The date of his death was April 28, 1915." Dan Wolfe, Clive, Iowa Thanks for the contribution Dan!! Digger

From The Pharmaceutical Era, August 13, 1908- "P. P. Van Vleet, president of the Van VleetMansfield Drug Co., Memphis, Tenn.. was born in 1849 at Kalamazoo, Mich., and received his education in the Kalamazoo College. Just after completing his course, he started out for himself, with no particular place north of New Orleans in view, but on reaching Memphis he was quick to see and realize the possibilities of the place and secured a position as prescription clerk with G. W. Jones & Co.. at that time the largest drug house in that town. In 1879 he purchased a half interest in the business. This interest he sold in 1884 and established the wholesale house of Van Vleet & Co., which business was continued profitably until 1894, when the business of the Mansfield Drug Co. was purchased, thus establishing the Van Vleet Mansfield Drug Co.

Mr. Van Vleet is a man of great executive ability. to which there could be no better monument than the largest Southern drug house of which he is the head. He is one of the most public spirited men in Memphis, and. while he does not take an active part in politics, he is always ready to contribute his money and services for the welfare of the city. Mr. Van Vleet is an ardent fisherman and a prominent member of the Tarpon Club at Aransas Pass, Texas, where he goes several times a year in quest of the gamiest of fish. He is also a great traveler and has made several trips to Japan and Europe, and has been round the world once

."

Hi Digger,  I am a novice collector living in the Bahamas and would like some help identifying this recent find.  The bottle is free blown, dark green, round, 9" in height, with a deeply indented conical base with no visible markings. The lip is rather crudely formed and there appear to be some sort of vertical tooling marks around the circumference of the neck just below the base of the lip.  The bottle is fairly heavily stained as evidenced by the accompanying pictures.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for the great web site.  Regards, Steve

Steve, your bottle is probably an English ale bottle dating from 1880 or so. Similar bottles are quite common and in its present condition it is probably just a great souvenir without a great monetary value. Digger

We do not always have access to internet, so would REALLY appreciate a reply to this message!   Found coca-cola bottles, aprox 20 yrs old. Would like to know value. Excellent shape...many in wooden crates (also in great shape) Bottles are a clear w/ aqua tint  color, 32 oz. label printed on the bottle is red w/white letters ....coke on one side, Coca-Cola on the other, return for deposit, money back bottle and Trade-mark ® they had a screw on cap, and are almost 12 inches tall.  also found... 16 oz. almost the same color, aprox. the same age and height, no red label, just white letters on bottle. and same trade  mark sign and also have the letters... return for deposit, money back bottle, .Excellent condition.   Lastly, 32 oz. green glass bottles. Aprox. same age, and height raised letters say  RETURN TO THE BOTTLER OF COCA-COLA. White paper labels say A-TREAT BEVERAGES, pale dry ginger ale....excellent condition.  Thank you so much for your time!

Coca Cola is not my specialty but I would not think such recent painted label bottle would be saleable. If the 32 oz bottle is really green and not aqua it might have some value, especially with the label.  I'd say Ebay would be the place to see.  Digger

I have been looking for information on my mothers old apple cider jugs. They are 1 gallon and shaped like an apple and narrows  at the opening on the top.  you can feel the leaf imprint, on the glass jugs  they are in mint condition.  Can you tell me anything about these, or where I can get information on them?  At this time I do not have a picture, but can get one. We believe they are cider jugs due to the apple shape of them.  Thank you for your time.  Kathy

Your bottle is almost certainly the White Apple cider vinegar jug. It is known in several sizes.  Today two were being offering on Ebay one half gallon and one quart both brining around $35 each. If you log on Ebay and do a search for "White House" in the bottle area on any day you'll find quite a variety of the products being offered that were produced by this company.  The best item I saw was a vinegar jug (not the apple shape) with a complete label with numerous bidders and a price over $300. Digger

I found a partial answer to my search on your site. You answered a question about Samuel Callet Co. baby bottles dated to the 1950's. Do you happen to know the value of these bottles as I have five: Tom Thumb, Jack and Jill, Mary had a little lamb and two Jack and the Beanstalk. I also have what appears to be a measuring cup made by the same company all with the number 2 on one side. Thanks for any info you can give.

These bottles were produced in great quantity and great variety with over 40 different characters and are certainly collectible.  The value would depend upon the condition, the completeness (e.g. the fittings, cap and nipple, disc and ring).  I do not have a good idea which of the designs are rare or what the demand is for these so I am a bit hesitant to price them without this warning.  I'd guess on average they would be worth in the $20-30 range. Digger 

Hey Digger, I recently scored this bottle at a flea market in Missouri on vacation last week.  It's a stoneware beer bottle - 8" in height, quite unusual, and probably pre prohibition.  Name is inked on bottle: LEES'S -HURST CROSS -HERB BEERS with a large cross in the center.  No marks on the bottom at all.  The inside top of the bottle has an inner thread which probably held a wooden threaded stopper.  I have enclosed 3 nice photos of it.  Thanks!  zenbeer Hey, Zen nice item.  It is clearly English and probably imported by an antique dealer sometime in the last thirty years. I'd say it dates from the 1880-1910 period.  I like the medicine connection.  I say it would be valued in the range of $30-35.

Hi I live in rural Oklahoma at the foot of a small, what is called by the old timers, "mountain" that is very rocky with approx 6 foot by 10 inch rock slabs down to pebbles.  The community used this mountainside area for a dump back in the early 1900's.  There are about three obvious old roads that run across this 260 acres-one north and south and two roads ran east and west in the old dump area.  I realize there probably won't be any Boston antiques but we have scratched around the obvious sites and found medicine bottles, snuff jars, cork top bottles, etc. My question is do you think there is any possibility of finding bottles any deeper that six inches--due to the rocky terrain?  There is a lot of broken glass on top of the ground and right under the leaves and these are the areas I am referring to as "obvious dump sites". Thanks Tanda Baca

Unless there was organized dumping by the community which might have been in a ravine or dug out area it sounds like most of the dumping was hit and run surface dumping.  If any dwellings were ever located up there then there might be privies to explore. Look for any areas that might have been filled in.  Talk with some of the old timers to see if they can remember any such activity.  Digger

I have a bottle that says  "Try Me beverages" on the side. under that it says "trademark" and rec or reg, I cant tell.  It holds 9 Fl. ounces and on the base it says LGW. On the very bottom of the bottle it says Birmingham Ala. I don't know anything about bottles and I can't find this company or a registered try me trademark anywhere. thank you very much. The glass is clear by the way and it has seams on both sides.

I found a few references to the "Try Me" Beverages.  I found the company was operating in Jacksonville, Florida from 1925 until 1950 (and one from Daytona and there are probably other cities as well) . I also found a Charlotte, NC bottle from Try-me Beverages. and a " TRY ME, PAT. APRIL 24, 1924", cl. glass, pinched, fancy, for sale for $15.00.

Hello, I have found a Grosskarben Taunus Brunnen wine bottle? I was wondering if you could tell me a little about its age and how much it might be worth. Thank You.

 I cannot.  Maybe a reader has an idea.  Digger

Dear Digger,  Just curious about a bottle my family has. Any information you could provided would be very helpful.  Thanks, Douglas Aldrich Bottle reads: "Distilled in Kentucky Old Kentucky 1846 Reserve Bourbon S.P. Perkins Co."  Height: 19 inches Width: 8.5 inches Color: Green There are a number of different bottles similar to yours.  The color and embossing varies. Yours is in a great color and should be worth in the neighborhood of $400-500.  I do not know anything about their origin. Digger.

Hi I collect Warner safe cure bottles and I like the reproductions to do you know if Crownford china Co. is still around ? Let me know thanks  Bill

Bill check last month for a reference to what I could find.  I do not think they are still making repro bottles.  Digger

Dear Sir: Please send me information on a bottle of kummel? The information on the bottle is as follows: Leroux-Kummel made/bottled in Phil., PA Back label is in German only Product of USA Sealed Federal law forbids sale or re-use of this bottle Indented bottom - R-108 [8] 1-51 8-sided bottle Needless to say, the bottle is full, never opened.   Thanks very much for whatever information you can give me. Do you know if the Leroux company is still in business? Sincerely, Sue Jaeger

 Leroux and Company were makers alcoholic beverages, liqueurs, such as Rock and Rye, Peppermint Schnapps, Malhort Bitters, Pale Orange Bitters, Anisette, Curacoa, Grenadine and numerous other flavored drinks.  The name Leroux was first used in 1933. The name is now owned by Seagrams. Your bottle can be dated between 1932-1964. The tax stamp may be another clue to the exact date.  

Hi , I have some old magazines that I'm about to through away can you tell me if they have any value? The name of the is OLD BOTTLE MAGAZINE  the one I'm looking at is in good shape and is dated may 1977. THANK YOU GARY G. BORG

Gary you can find these for sale on Ebay from time to time they usually bring $3-4 each.  How many have you got? Digger

I found an old bottle in MA., it is clear, 3 3/4 inches tall, smooth with the word GLiM 4 times just below the top curve with a lip below the words, and once on the bottom. It has what  looks like a globe with a ring around it below the GliM on the bottom. Around the sides are four raised humps and 12 indents.  The bottom is 2 inches across and has a 1/2 open on the top, with a screw on top. Can you tell me anything about it, product? company?  Thank You Alan Holmes System Security Engineer Logicon, TASC, Space & Intelligence 

Alan, The word mark "Glim" was trademarked by the General Aniline & Film Corp. New York in 1946 and renewed in 1967.  It is no longer active. Apparently Glim was a "Non-Ionic Chemical Liquid Detergent first used in 1946. I believe the company changed hands about 1955 when the name was again registered by B.T. Babbit Inc. also of New York who renewed it in 1975 at which time it was described as a "Synthetic Chemical Liquid Detergent. Digger

Hello,  I found a milk bottle and was wondering if you could give me some information on it.   It has an APL on it.  It says,  ME-LA MILK DEALERS ASS'N BIG RAPIDS, MICH on one side and the other says,5c STORE BOTTLES REGISTERED.   embossed on the bottom is SEALED-REGISTERED on the other 52 ONE QUART LIQUID and under that is 20.   Thank you for your time and concern. 

I cannot tell you anything about but Bill Edmondson, Lansing, MI. 517-321-8327 who is the author of: The Milk Bottle Book of Michigan (describes over 11,000 milk bottles) Michigan County Milk Bottle Guides (A series of 12 County Groupings, identifying milk bottles by County) Michigan Milk Bottle Caps Book (over 3000 milk bottle caps in COLOR) Speciality Book (A separate listing of War Slogan, Babytops, Creamers, Rhyme bottles, etc.) might have it listed in his book.  As you can see he has listed over 11,000 milks from Michigan alone. The local library might be willing to check its directories to see if they can find a listing and give you an idea of a date.  Digger.

I chanced upon a figural bottle, bust of General U. S. Grant, which I purchased for $1.00.  It is clear glass, stands about 12" and has what I believe to be a ring shaped blowpipe pontil scar on the bottom.  It has no stopper, but the spout is ground on the inside. Can you provide me with any info on this bottle?  Thank you.  Irene Schlesinger.

Some, your bottle is one of many similar bottles made both domestically and from foreign sources.  My sources indicate that, if your bottle is indeed General Grant, it may have been made for his campaign or during his tenure in office. The missing stopper affects the value but it still is probably worth in $350-$450 range.  Sounds like you got a bargain.  Digger

i am looking for any information on a Schenley whiskey decanter. it is from  the 30's and it is shaped like the empire state building it is a clear glass  bottle can you help me

I was not able to find any information on your bottle.  Maybe a reader will know.  Digger

I'm hoping you are able to give me some general insight about this.  Its not a bottle really, but more of a decanter.  I don't believe it would be any older than maybe the late 1960s - early 1970s.  I never saw anything like it before and thought it was very unusual.  The bottle has no embossing that I can see.  The underside is dimpled and concave, but not perfectly.  It is wrapped with a thin material which is embossed with three pictures, and a paisley and alligator-type design.   It measures approximately 8-1/2 inches tall and the "spout" on the side measures approximately 5-1/2 to 6 inches long.  The "spout" has no opening and the tip has been broken off.  I'm not sure what type of mouth the bottle has, but the mold seam does go over the top of the lip.  I've included a close up of the mouth.  The shape of the bottle is round.  It's made of a loverly amber glass.  As far as I can tell the only thing wrong with it is the tip of the "spout is broken" and the wrap is torn in two places, otherwise it is very good condition.  I would be interested in anything you could tell me about the bottle.  I don't believe it to be very old, nor excessively rare.  I'm curious to know if this was distributed by a liquor company or sold as a decorative item.  Thank you very much~Lisa Ritzmann

 Lisa, Several people have sent in similar items but to date, I have not been able to be much help.  It was not made in this country.  I found one very similar on Ebay today exact same shape except it was totally covered in leather with a Don Quixote theme.  It was being offered at $4.99 and had two bids which pushed the bidding to $5.50.  The practice of covering bottles with leather and sometimes vinyl is popular in Italy and Spain and probably other European countries. I strongly suspect your bottle is Spanish and was made for a gift shop or for the tourist trade. Digger

A woman from my church told me about a whiskey bottle that she found in the  back of her closet. She lives in an old desert mining town where he husband  was a miner in the 1940s. She lives in a house made out of railroad ties. But  anyway, she only gave me a few basic characteristics, so if you could be me a  rough value that would be fine.  It says this on the label:  Seagram's V.O. Canadian Whiskey  80 proof  It was given to her husband in 1977, but the people that gave it to him said  that it was already 6 years old.  Please tell me how much this is worth.  Thanks  Morgan

Rough value would be $2-3 unless it is full.  Digger

Bottle is light blue, "Green Seal Select" and elk or deer embossed on face of bottle.  Number "12" embossed on back of bottle.  Also statement at lower portion of bottle reads embossed "pure and without drugs or poisons" Bottom of bottle reads in embossed letters "Buckeye Bottling Works, Toledo, O.".... Seam goes all the way over top of lip.  Approx 12 inches tall. Any ideas? If you have any idea on the age and value as well as other history I'd appreciate it. Scott

 The bottle is a soda.  I found a listing in the Ohio Bottle for an earlier version of your bottle.  It was also embossed with an Elk's head and the words "Buckeye Bottling Works" but was from Cleveland and was in a Hutchinson soda form. I also found similar listings under the beer category. They have six different pre-1900 variants listed two of which are from Toledo and have the embossed Elk or deer.  The bottles are known in clear, amber and aqua. The company operated under the Buckeye name in Toledo from 1886-1919 and then again from 1933-1966.  Your bottle might be from the 1933+ era given the reference to drugs and poisons. I'd estimate a value of $5-8.  Digger

Might you be able to help.  Many years ago the Mennen Company produced an after shave, green in color,  but in a bottle shaped like a golf club. Might you suggest a way I can find  out the name of the company that made that bottle?    Thanks,   Ted

Either by writing to the company.  They may have a company historian (doubtful but worth a try).  The only other way I can think of would be by the presence of some mark on the base of the bottle.  Digger

Dear Digger, My grandfather founded the star bottling works in Richmond Virginia - how can I find a bottle from that company.  I would love to have it to show to my kids.  He died before I was born - came to this country from Tripoli Lebanon in 1902.  I have nothing of his.  He was also president of the carbonated beverage association way back then.  Please help Thank  you so muchNora Trabilsy

Put an ad in the Antique Bottle and Glass Collectors Magazine.  Check the links section of my web site. Digger

Dear Digger, I found a bottle in Cape May, NJ, it has BY THE KINGS ROYAL PATENT GRANTED written on the front side, then ROBT TURLINGTON FOR HIS INVENTED BALSAM OF LIFE written on the back, but it breaks up Turlington to fit it on the bottle. On the left side it says LONDON, on the right, JANY. It is 2 5/8" tall, 1 3/8" wide (at its widest point). The mold seam appears to stop below the lip, it is smooth bottomed.   it is not exact but that's basically its shape. The coloring is aqua. It has some dirt that I could probably get out with a Q-tip other than that it's ok. What I would like to know is what was in it and what is its value.   Thank you, Blaine Gallagher

 A number of people have asked this question check December 1999 Questions. Digger

I have a light green molded bottle approximately 1 liter in size with the following embossed on the front:  This bottle is not sold but remains property of Sir. R. Burnett & Co London England  I would appreciate any insights you may have or a reference to someone who can help. Regards,  Ira

 With the "bottle is not sold" is is most likely to be a soda but I can't tell you much else.  Digger

Hello, I was looking for information on a cleaner bottle. label is intact says "Union Glass Cleaner" the stem is metal the cap is a black resin screw on top. Thanks in advance

This might be the product about which you are asking. Word Mark STEEM-OFF  was an anti-fogging, non-toxic glass cleaner first used in 1934.The trademark filing Date June 25, 1969 was by the UNION CHEMICAL CO. INC. DBA KAR PRODUCTS CO. CORPORATION OREGON P.O. BOX 10334 PORTLAND OREGON 97210.  The mark is no longer active. Digger

Hello,  Work as a construction worker and always pick up bottles when I see them ,well on a site now and  I am finding  tons of bottles and stoneware  a lot of are dated into the 1800's . I have bought books and cant find them in there ,went to different web sites no luck.  I have roughly 200 bottles and growing fast . any suggestions. would like to sell... thanks for your time....Chris

Chris, Ebay is a open market and if one of your bottle is especially valuable the market will respond.  Selling bottles that have not been cleaned often results in much lower prices.  Ebay and a local bottle show would be the best places to start.  Digger.

An aqua green sloping neck collar bottle has been found.  The base is a protruding round base that cannot be set upright.  Side seam is from base to collar hardly visible. Would like some information on date, value, origination, etc.   Web sites to go for info. Thank you so much for your time.Rogers1289

You will find many references to your round bottom soda in other months. Digger

Hello.  My friend and I recently found a clear rounded bottle with the  following markings: P. Moller Ol Jecor Gador Ver Christiania Any ideas as to its age and country of origin? Thank you in advance for your help.

Try this link: Mystery bottle Digger

l have a scotch bottle, a Spey Royal, that has a music box and dancer in the bottom. It is a clear bottle, Approx. 16 3/4 " in height. We believe it is  from around 1949 or 1950, but are not certain. Any info you could give to us would be most appreciated. The company that produced the scotch was bought by  J&B, if that will help.    Thank you  Robbie McClure

 If it is indeed from that time period it might bring $50-100+ especially with original labels and seals.  I found two bottle music boxes from that time period selling on Ebay today.  The label may have clues that could be used to trace the time more exactly.  Digger

Hi Digger, here are pictures and descriptions of some of the bottles I was interested in. Any help would be most appreciated, I have found so many in the past couple of months, but usually I can't find any of them in my books or Internet. Thanks again for your time! Chris H

Richard Hudnut, New York, 4fl oz. net, 6" tall, w/brass top, frosted glass. $2-4

Brown bottle, clay stoneware, 11" tall, no writing or dates $10-15

Hemingray, green glass, Patent May 2, 1893, 4" tall. $4-5

Looks like your dump site dates to the late 1890-1910 period.  All of the above items are common.  The Richard Hudnut was an inexpensive perfume or toilet water.  The stone bottle was probably ale or beer and the insulator is one of the most common Hemingray (the color looks more green than most but I can't be sure that is not just the lighting or pic.  One of several of Hudnut's trademarks is shown below. Digger

Hey Digger.  You have an interesting site.  Hope you can help me.  My brother found a bottle of Waterfill and Frazier Special in his cellar.  The label says Sept 7, 1927 on it.  The bottle has D.W. Distillery Co. on it.  The bottle is about 12", a perfect label on it, and has never been opened.  We were wondering if it had any value.  Thanks for any help. 

 William E. Dowling  of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky doing business it seems with the name D.W. Distillery Co. trademarked the words "Waterfill-Frazier for whiskey.  The word mark had been in use since 1875 but the registration was filed in 1935 and renewed for the second time in 1975 but is no longer active.  I assume this means they are out of business. Your bottle being a pre-prohibition item probably , depending upon the graphics and condition, should be worth $50-75. Digger

If you could answer my question it would be great, but if you don't want to  and tell me to buy your book that is totally understandable. here is a description of the bottle I have: - clear glass - "psychine" printed on the bottom of the bottle (rectangular bottom) - 6.5" tall 1" wide - "T.A. Slocum LIMITED with the hope is the harbour of the soul logo    Now I have heard of some similar bottles but this one has "TORONTO" underneath the t.a. Slocum limited    I am not an avid bottle collector yet but I am just starting to get  interested.  that's why when I saw your page on the internet I had to ask . thanx for any help you can give me. Eric

Eric,  Oddly enough I just got this question again from another reader this month.  You can find some information about Psychine in May 1999 questions.   The name has always intrigued me. Psychine goes back at least to 1879.  I found three different sizes of pre-1900 bottles with Psychine embossed.  Yours is newer.  Many of the patent medicine companies set up branches in Canada - especially after the 1906 Food and Drug Act.  The "Psychine" was a cure for consumption (tuberculosis). Here is an interesting interview with the owner of the medicine. Pyschine  Digger

Digger; I loved your night dig's stories, I have a few Myself. I have a( Dr. Miles Nervine) bottle I have been trying to get some info. on  Have you ever encountered one? I think by the name (Nervine) that it had opium/ or Ladlum in It to Help calm your Nerves.??    Can you help me out   Paul In Nevada

 You will find information about your bottle in December 1999 Digger

Hi,  My husband found an old bottle inside a tree trunk and we were wondering if you could tell us about it.  I have tried to look it up but wasn't successful. I will try to describe it as best as I can. It is a ABM bottle I think, clear cone shaped with  raised lettering on the bottom that reads in script:  Lady Betty and below that it is printed Foods and has a number 7.  Above the Lady Betty there is a mark that I am not quite sure what it is.  It looks almost like a grinder or something. Any information you can give will be appreciated. Thank you,  Paula  Leil

The word mark LADY BETTY was issued for  MAYONNAISE, SANDWICH SPREAD COMPOSED OF PICKLES AND DRESSING, HOME STYLE DILL PICKLES, THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING, MINCEMEAT, FRENCH DRESSING, CHILI SAUCE,] CUCUMBER WAFERS, [SALAD DRESSING, POTATO SALAD, BARBECUE SAUCE, RUSSIAN TYPE FRENCH DRESSING,] PRUNE JUICE, [AND MACARONI SALAD]. It was first used commercially in 1920.  The mark was registered in 1940 by WHEATLEY MAYONNAISE CO., INC. KENTUCKY. LOUISVILLE, KY. REPUBLISHED BY WHEATLEY FOODS, INC.,/LOUISVILLE, KY. Digger

Hi digger,  my dad has found many different bottles with different markings, I would like to know if they have any value or any info on them, they are marked like this  *Bell Mann & Co. Perfumers  *JAL Chicago  *J.A. Lomax 14&16 Charles Place Chicago  *James Stenson Chicago ILL  *SASS & Hafner Chicago ILL  *WHH Chicago  the bottles are dark blue, aqua green, and clear. they were found in the downtown area of Chicago, by some old railroad tracks (the Metra train passes through there now) near Lake Michigan

The blue ones...JAL and Lomax and WHH Chicago. are pretty good bottles and should be worth in excess of $50 each maybe more depending upon if they are smooth based or pontiled.  The others are probably only $2-4.  The WHH bottle is a William Hutchison bottle.  He was the fellow who invented a bottle stopper which became the industry standard for more than thirty years.   See June 2001 May 2000 and numerous other pages. Use the search feature. Digger

Dear Mr. Odell, I've already looked through your Med Encyclopedia and volume # 5 but to  no avail. I'm looking for "Dr. Maynards lung restorative & cough balsam" ...about 5 in high thinly flared lip, aqua, pontiled....written  vertically...This would have been a N.E. Med bottle as it was dug in Maine.  This came out of an awesome 4 X 6 wood privy, my first "urban" dig, (Thanks for the pointers)  I've got the city council all abuzz because this  permission was on city land.. My 10 yr old son and I are in our glory. Would you say that historical flasks would only be found in homes of  wealth or could they be bought by people of meager means? found 3  already...all broken....but we're on the hunt!!  'preciate your time,  Ed in the Pine Tree State

Great Find Ed. The bottle is unlisted and is a real prize.  Yes, you might very well find Historical flasks in your digs they were purchased by people of all means.  Digger

Good morning from New Brunswick, Canada. We have a bottle which has been in my wife's family for some time, and we are asking for some help in determining the possible history and potential value. It is probably a pottery item about 12in. high; 3in. in diameter with a 1in. opening at the top with a finger grip. It is brown in colour. It is labeled as follows; Kiderlen's freebooter gin. There is a trademark etched below the name with the word registered below the mark. All of the marking was etched into the bottle and the trademark is not very distinct. It was broken at one time and repaired intact. I realize that you specialize in glass, however was wondering if you had any info on this item. We are not dealers, and it seems that people are reluctant to answer any inquires if one is not in "the circle". Anything you may choose to share would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Carl Patterson

Kiderlen is a well known name in the world of gin bottles. I think if you look on this site you will find 2-3 inquiries about similar crockery items that contained gin and some which held mineral water.  In fact, I had a question last month June 2001) and posted a picture of a bottle I think you will see looks just like yours.  If so, the form is very common and they usually sell for $15-25 in this country.  Digger.

Hello,  I have a deep purple decanter with a label that says Genuine Rossini  Empoli Glass.  It appears to have been molded.  Could it be a genuine  Rossini?  I though Rossini was only blown glass.  Thank you very much.  Joe

I am looking for any info. I can get or where to go to get that info. about a bottle of Crown Royal still sealed in the original blue bag and box dated 1957. Can you help me? Thanks  Pat Lowery

Crown Royal was first created in 1939 and introduced into the United States in 1965 according to their web site. I have to make a guess but I would say in the $30-40 range.  Digger

 

Can you tell me what this bottle might be worth please?  It's a Symington & Cos Edingburgh Ess Coffee & Chicory bottle with what looks like a large S on the bottom with A190 above it, IGB below it and a 5/6 or G to the left and an 0 to the right. Thanks Anne

I can tell you the bottle is English and I have seen it before.  It was probably brought over as an antique. It sounds like a flavoring to me.  I'd think it was made about 1880-1890.  I do not know anything about the company. Value would be $10-12. Digger

Dear Digger, I recently visited a country town in Idaho , which has a lot of historical background.  It was originally a mining town with a large population ,  later it got burnt down in a forest fire.  Only a few buildings remained standing.  While I was exploring, I discovered a log cabin in the forest.  I looked around and found an old bottle.  The bottle is 6 & 5/8 inches or 16.5 cm tall,  it has a square band lip.  Locals said the bottle was made around 1890.  They said it was illegally sold in stores as alcohol , when alcohol  was banned.  The bottle is very heavy with thick glass.  It has written on the front RHEUMATIC LINIMENT, left side ROXBURY MASS, and on the right side DR KENNEDY'S. I'm wondering if you could find the age, current value and possibly some history behind the bottle Thanks heaps..............Justin

A reader in a letter above asked about a bottle from the same company.  Your bottle is probably late 19th century and scarce but not rare.  It was advertised as early as 1865.  Check the base of your bottle for a hinge mold seam.  I cannot determine this from your excellent drawing. It is nice find with a value of $15-25.  See the comment above about Dr. Kennedy's Prairie Weed.  Digger

I am looking for some information about an "interesting" family heirloom that  has been passed down over the years.  It is a flask, similar to the one  featured on the Baltimore Club's web page but with a slightly different shape.   The flask has the same Baltimore Glass anchor logo on one side, and the image of a swan and the word "resurgam" on the other side.  It appears to be  more rectangular than the one on the Baltimore site and curving only at the  top.  Incidentally, the bottle also contains a cucumber, evidently grown inside  of the bottle and then corked up in whatever sort of vinegar solution was  used for preservation in those days.  We believe it to be the product of a  childhood experiment conducted by one of my great-great-great-grandmothers  who was born in the 1850's.  I would like to find out more about the age of  this bottle in hopes of shedding some light on why the original owner saw fit  to hand it down through the generations.   By the way, I read one of the questions featured on your March 2000 question  page and discovered that I have one of the bottles mentioned-- the container shaped like a fox.  Mine has a weathered jar lid on it and I can still make  out some of the words on it:   Around the lip of the lid:  "Enjoy the other [.......] Flavors"    The weathered words look like "U Bet" but it isn't clear   On the top of the lid:  "Pour a drink [.......] side of bottle"   Any information you can provide will be appreciated.  Thanks!

Your flask is listed in McKearnin and Wilson's American Bottles & Flask GVII-53 and GVIII-54 as common (still desirable however).  It is found in two different pint sizes in a variety of colors.  The "Swan" is really a phoenix (a mythical bird).  The words "resurgam" mean "I will rise again."  These flasks occur with and without pontil marks and were made from about 1850  through the end of the Civil War or later.  The cucumber and fact that yours is a family heirloom make a great treasure.  Now it is not much of a stretch to consider the religious connection, although I doubt this was the bottle-makers intent.  More likely but not confirmed is that it was inspired by a local railroad.  This railroad, constructed under a charter granted by the Maryland legislature, ran between Frenchtown and New Castle.  At first the cars were pulled by horses until 1831 when the first steam engine was purchased from an English company.  At first the locomotive was called, "The Delaware" but it was renamed about a year later to, "The Phoenix."

Wordmark for U-bet registered 1946

Ubet was the trademark for "sirups" for the preparation of milk drinks and was first used in 1942.  Now the interesting part is the owner's name was H. Fox.  Hence the fox shaped container. The company was in Brooklyn, NY.  Thanks to your providing the extra bit of information I was able to track this bottle down. Digger

Hi,  My father has an old bottle with a marble like glass  ball in the neck, that acts as a meter pour. The bottle has the word  Bermuda  in raised lettering. It is a light blue/ green color. Do you know anything about these kinds of bottles?  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Norma

I have two bottles both are green in colour. One has a ball inside which i understand is a stopper with the words D McCall & Co Oban embossed on bottle The other has a round bottom and has the words CORRY on one side and BELFAST on the other.

You both have Codd soda bottles. This closure was patented in 1872 (1873 in the U.S.) by another Englishman, Hiram Codd. Do a quick search on Ebay to see how many are being offered these days.  They come in great variety and from many parts of the world.  Those from Canada and the U.S. are highly collectible in this country.  English Codds have been imported as antiques for 25-30 years.  they can be found in many of the Islands off the coast of the U.S. and in any territories that had English influences such as Australia and even India.  Unusually colored Codd bottles sell for premiums.  Aqua ones even those with nice embossed graphics often sell for under $20. 

Hello!  I have what appears to be an old very faint blue/aqua milkglass decanter. The back has a heavily embossed windmill with some clouds and seagulls around it. The front of the bottle has dark blue sailing ships on it. The handle and top are ornate. The bottom of the bottle is embossed with, "Federal law forbids sale or re-use of this bottle." D-334 M9 4 63 are also embossed on the bottom. I'm assuming it was some kind of liquor decanter.  Do you know how old it is, or its value?  Thanks, Kurt

l hope you can help me. l have a soda bottle from the La Vida bottling co in Fullerton California. the company is no longer around(40-50 years ago). The  bottle is clear but is chipped on the lip. l have researched and cannot find  anywhere anyone who has this bottle. The local museum would love to have it  but l have no idea where l could get a value for it. l have no idea if this  is a unique item or not. As l said before l cannot find this bottle anywhere.  would that make it valuable or not>>??

 LaVida was bottled mineral water and other flavored soft drinks.  the name was trademarked by the La Vida bottleing company inc. corporation of Fullerton California in 1946.  The name had been used commercially since 1927. The mark was renewed in 1988 and is still active. The registration was by the La Vida Hot springs Inc Corp of 6155 Carbon Canyon Rd in Brea, California 92621. I am guessing your bottle probably dates to the late 1940-50 period. Digger

Dear Digger, I have two questions that I would like to ask. First of all, I have a blue glass bottle that has Root Bitters embossed on it. It is 10 inches high and the bottom is a 3 inch diameter circle. Its base is shaped like a candy root beer barrel, as is the lid. If taken off and sat down. It also has Root Bitters embossed on the lid. On the top of the lid and on the bottom of the bottle it says, Made in Taiwan. It is in excellent condition. I'm guessing it's a reproduction and should no longer hold on to it, but I'm not sure? My next question is. Is there any way to find out about old soda bottles made in central and north east Iowa? I have a small collection from Boone, Eagle Grove, Manchester and Waterloo, Iowa. Thank-you Brenda from Iowa

I believe there is a book out on Iowa bottles.  Check on the Federation web site for address of someone in one of the Iowa bottle clubs.  I do not know who the author was.  Your Root bitters is clearly a reproduction or more likely a fantasy bottle as no such item was ever actually produced in this country. Digger

I have 5 rock and rye bottles that were part of some estate items I bought in Shiner, Tx.  A member of the family had owned a saloon in Shiner, and these were in the saloon at one time.  I also have bitters bottles from the same estate.  The rock and rye bottles are in excellent condition as they were store in the attic.  All have paper labels, no embossing.  the mold marks do not go into the lip of these.  The label reads De Luxe Brand, crystallized Rock and Rye cordial, made and guaranteed by Schlesinger and Bender, Inc., established 1879, Liqueur and Brandy Distillers, San Francisco, Cal. U. S. A. , net contents, 1 pint 6 fluid ounces.  Four still have the cork with the seal that goes around it, and the fifth still has the cork but no seal.  These bottles are round, 11 and 1/4 inches tall, with the number 2 embossed on the bottom.  It is hard to tell the color, but I think they are pale green. I would like to know rarity, and value.  I also have the box that these bottles came in.  It is wooden, and it has the words in large letters on the ends Crystallized Rock and Rye. On the sides is a nice graphic within a circle of vats and a bear standing on an overturned keg. Around the circle is printed Schlesinger and Bender, Growers of Fine Wines.  Above the circle is printed About 2.4 GALS.   The bitters bottles are amber.  There are four of these.  All have either a complete or partial paper label.  On the best one I can tell that one half of the label is in English and the other half is in French.  Three are 10 and 5/8 inches tall and one is 7 and 1/2 inches tall.   The taller ones have embossing on them that says Standard American Aromatic Bitter Cordial, Yochim Bros., New Orleans.  I can't tell if the mold mark goes all the way to the top or not because the original seal is on them and the corks are still in them.   These bottles are round and have no  embossing on the bottom.  The smaller bottle is green in color.  It does not have mold lines all the way to the top.  It still has some of its contents, but some of it has been removed.  The amber ones are full or partially full.  A good bit of the label on the green one is gone, but I can make out that its label was printed in Spanish, English, and German.  It's bottom is sunken in somewhat with a circle in the center, but no pontil mark.  It is by the same "inventors" as the label says (Yochim Bros.) as the taller bottles.  I would like to know the age, rarity, and value of these bottles.   If you could please send me an email, I would greatly appreciate it.  Patsy

First, since the Rock and Rye bottles have labels and the box and are from a Western company they certainly would be very collectible.  I would expect the four bottle with the box to sell for $300-$500.  They are undoubtedly rare I am not sure just how much collector interest there is in unembossed Western whiskeys but I am sure there is some.  Determining the age of the bottles might be helped by examining the box.  If the box is nailed as opposed to dovetailed then it is probably newer.  I'd guess the bottles were from the late 1880s-1890s period.  Your bitters bottles present a bit of a dilemma.  That being - they might not be classified as bitters bottles.  The company did produce a bitters bottle, known in amber and embossed. Yochim Bros. Celebrated Stomach Bitters and the bottle is listed as rare.  Your bottles are embossed "Bitter Cordial" which to you might seem like splitting hairs but no so to the bitters collectors.  Your bottle is not listed in the bitters book and I believe it is for this reason.  Now that does not mean the bottles are not desirable. Given the embossing and labels I'd guess they would bring $75-150 each assuming they are about the same age as the whiskeys.  Digger

What a great info filled site!!!  Could you help me with some more info for one of my patrons here at the South MS Regional Library please.  He has a 6 1/2  ounce Buffalo Rock bottle. On the front it has Columbia, Mis.  towards the bottom.  On the side it has B,GHAM,ALA and on the back B.R. Company, Birmingham, Al.  This is a painted label.  Anything you can tell us will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you, and once again GREAT SITE!   Lorri South MS Regional Library, Columbia, MS.

Lorri, the word mark "BUFFALO ROCK was registered for ginger ale and for syrup for the manufacture of ginger ale.  It was first used in commerce in 1906.  Interestingly, this mark was filed in November of 1999 by the Buffalo Rock Company corporation of North Birmingham, Alabama at 1000 Commerce Center 2027 First Ave. 35203.  the owner I believe is Clifford Spencer Jr.  the presence of a painted label dates his bottle after about 1932 and probably in the 1940-1960 period. Digger.

  The bottle is 3 & 15/16 inches tall and it is brown in color. It has the word Lysol written around it 4 times right before the neck gets small. After  the neck gets small it steps twice. On the bottom center of the jar it has a B  with a circle around it. Then it has a 7 right by it. Next it has writing  that says h h bottle made in U.S.A. It also has in big print L.&F.prod.corp.  Bloomingfield, N.J. with an off center ring around it. Can you please  tell me  how much it's worth.

 Your bottle is very common and has a value of $1-2.  You can find more in other months. Lysol  | More Lysol

hi i have one whiskey bottle that i bought about 20 years ago. this is the  extent of my bottle collection so I'm really not keen on spending 25dollars  to find out about it. maybe we could make a swap for telling me it's value. (I own a watch and jewelry repair - do u need a watchstrap or repair. I also  make sterling jewelry if u need a gift. I'll tell u about my bottle and u can decide.  it is a whiskey bottle in the shape of a house in cobalt blue. at  the roof of the house it says e.c.buoz's old cabin whiskey on the backside of roof it says 1840. on the side of the house it again says e.c. booz's old  cabin whiskey and on the flip side it says 120 walnut street Philadelphia. on the bottom it says wheaton, nj with a cut out indentation. the bottle is in  mint condition with it's cork.    any info would be greatly appreciated    thanks sooo much  gigi gillingham

 Gigi, You will find the answer to your question in my article on Booz bottles.

hi , I have a brown cod liver oil bottle.. lies on its side.. has been in the family for years.. does it have any value...

I do not know from the description.  Check my Ask Digger page for hints on how to get a good answer.  Digger

Great site. I Could you tell me how to find where the town dump used to be located? Are there records and who would know? Thanks and Best Regards, Byron Graham

Byron, If I knew where the town dump was I would have already dug it.  Just kidding. Talk to the old-timers.  No records probably. You are going to have to dig out that information yourself.  digger

  Found under an old barn that we tore down a bunch of old bottles.    The only writing on them is on the side around the bottom.  Which says.  NET CONTENTS 22OZ.    I.P.C.CO..48 /3   They are brown in color and are 111/2 inches tall.  Any ideas?  Thanks Janice

 The I. P.C. CO mark on the base identifies the bottle maker as the Illinois Pacific Coast Co. (circa 1930) the color and size suggest chemical bottles to me. Possibly something to do with animal care since they were found around the barn.  They do not have much value without any other embossing.  Digger

Hi Digger, I have an old bottle with no markings, clear slight amber color.  Mold marks end before the lip, which appears to be hand-tooled; some few small bubbles in the glass.  Bottom is rounded, lays on its side; understood it was closed with a cork which, of course, is gone.  Do you know anything about these bottles?  Thanks.

Round bottom soda in amber??? I'd like to see a picture.  Digger

I have some old cobalt blue apothecary bottles of various sizes and shapes  from a dump site where this Apothecary used to be.  We found the bottles  during construction of a new building and wonder if they are worth anything?    I could not find any information about Melvin & Badger Apothecaries on the  web.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I have ordered your Medicine  bottle magazine.  Thank you.  Valerie Donnelly

Valerie, Yes! these bottle are worth something maybe lots.  If they have raised ridges down each side and are oddly shaped (six sided) They could be worth worth anywhere from $40-100 each.  I will need a bit better of a description of them - including the heights - to give you any realistic idea of value.  Pictures would be best.  Digger

Hi there,

I was just prowling around garage sales today and came upon what looks like a full bottle of Dr. Thatcher's vegetable syrup, label and all.  When I smell the top of the cork it smells like a liquerer very similar to Jagermiester.  Any input you may be able to give me regarding its value and authenticity would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Griff   

 Griff, The value would be between $8-20 depending upon when the bottle was made (it's age).   If the box is with the box it might be more.  The bottle itself is quite common.  Digger

I recently dug up a small bottle approx.5 1/2" by 1 3/4" clear glass. All it says on the bottle is GOODRICH DRUG CO. OMAHA..I was wondering what you could tell me about it.  I'm new to this trying to research items on the web.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks, KgK This 1899 ad was the closest I could come to Goodrich.  Your bottle is a local prescription bottle sounds like it dates to the turn of the century. The local library might be of some help.  Digger

I noticed that a Betty Medford had a question about several milk bottles that she had found.  I am interested in contacting her r.e. the J. A. Mordic Dairy  bottle.  J. A. Mordic was my maternal grandfather and operated a diary in  Brinkley Arkansas from about 1915 to 1955.  I would like to purchase this  bottle from Ms. Medford if she is interested in selling.  Thanks for your  assistance.  Al Smith

 While generally do not act as a connecting agent, I found and sent the address.  I could only wish to find a bottle used or made by one of my ancestors.  Digger

Can you give any information on what appears to be a soda bottle? It  is a 7  oz. bottle clear in color paten date Jan. 25 1927 The word Kist on both sides  of the middle of the bottle. The glass seam goes over the top of the bottle.  The bottle has a raised circular design. It is a round bottle 9 1/4'' tall. Also I have a jumbo peanut butter jar with a picture of an elephant on front   1 lb.. It has the name The Frank Tea & Spice Co. Cincinnati O. On the bottom  it has Jumbo the bottled health food. This jar is round and 5 1/4'' tall  Spiral raised ridges with a smooth place on the back that looks like where a  label would go. Both are in excellent condition we found them and know  nothing about either. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Noel

 

The word mark "Kist was first used in 1919 for soft drinks and liquid concentrates for making soft drinks.  The mark was registered by Citrus Products Company of Chicago Illinois who owned the brands from its inception through the 1950s.  The mark is still active and is owned by Moxie Industries Inc of Atlanta Georgia.  The mark was renewed for the third time in 1983. I would expect a value of under $10.  The Jumbo jar is very well known and heavily collected.  Emil Frank was the owner of the design shown at the left. the company began using the name about 1908.  I have found examples for sale in the $20 range.  But there are many variants.  The Frank Tea and Spice company produced many successful brands.  The company was bought out by Durkee in 1964. 

Hello I wonder if you could help me with a query. I have regarding a miniature yellow case of coke bottles, 24 in the case, lightish green in colour. I’ve been told its from the 50s and it was given out as part of a coke promotion and never officially for sale, only in coke plants. Do you know anything regarding this and if so could you let me know? Regards Maryjane Goodhew Thanks for your time..

 I do not , maybe a reader knows.  Digger.

I went to a flea market yesterday and got a variety of bottles, some I have already identified. These three I can't. 

1) The bottle is clear and only about 5 inches high and down one side it reads F.A.RICHTER & Co., Inc. The letters are raised. The other side says NEW YORK. The bottle had a cork top, the neck is about an inch high and the opening is very small. 2)The bottle is clear, about 7 inches high, had a cork top.  The imprint on the front reads, in a circle, UNION MADE,  CBBA OF US & C. The letters are raised. 3) The bottle is clear, about 5 inches high, had a cork top. The front says CREA SEAL, THE STYRON BECCS CO., NEWARK, OHIO. The letters are raised. I'm thinking that they may be medicines or something along that line. Anything you can tell me will be helpful. Thanks again. Have a great day. Marla 

All of the bottle you mention are common and two of them have been mentioned in other months of Questions (Use the search feature).  The Richter is produced by the same company that made Pain Expeller,  a pain medicine ( bottles had an anchor embossed). The third bottle actually says "Great Seal" and I have yet to discover what was in these.  They are very common. The Union made bottle is probably a whisky.  The lettering CBBA I am pretty certain stands for C? Bottle Blowers of American. Digger

Digger...  How much is the teal variant of Glover's Imperial Distemper Remedy (BIM, 5 inches tall, mint) worth?  Thanks,  Ron Johnson

I have always wondered about the history behind these bottles.  They are all machine made and come in about 4 great colors.  I have never seen one with a label or a shred of a label but I have seen many of the earlier bottles with the same embossing with labels.  I have suspicions that they never held any medicine but I cannot find any evidence.  they are beautiful.  they usually bring $40-50. Digger

Udolpho Wolfe was my Great Great Great Grandfather. I am interested in information and references about him, his company, the company's bottles, etc.  Also, if there is any place to get one of the "coin" advertisements (on a coin). Any particular place to buy the bottles? Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read this, Duane

 Check September 2000 Questions for what I have been able to find.  Ebay might have some bottles but they are always in the bottle auctions.  You have a great choice since there are many many variants and wonderful colors of this bottle many pontiled variants can also be found.  There are collectors out there.  Put a an ad in the Antique Bottle and Glass Collector Magazine. Digger

Hi,  My name is David and I am a surveyor i find old bottles often I came across this old bottle . It is brown glass with rose vines raping all around  it except for where their was a label . I was wondering if you could shed some light on what type of bottle this could be. at the bottom the bottle  says buy this bottle only in tin top sealed carton. At the top it says  federal law forbids sale or re-use of this bottle. Their are numbers D11   56 5   on front plus says one pint.T.M.REC.U.S.PAT.OFF.    PAT. PENDING           THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP                  David

 Sounds like one of many post-prohibition whiskey bottles.  Check the design section of this site for a picture of a "4 roses bottle"

I recently found a Listerine bottle, Lambert Pharmcal Co. embossed,  3" tall, 1-1/4" round, looks like it might have screw type top. I would like to know the vintage of this. Thank you, Connie, Westland, Michigan

Listerine bottles had a cork type top well into the 20th century.  I'd guess your bottle dates to  1940+ Digger

To whom it may concern: I found two bottles that i am having a hard time pricing.  hopefully you can help me. Tthe first is an aqua colored bottle approximately 9" tall.  on the front it says "HOODS SARSAPARILLA" (sarsaparilla is separated).  on the back it says "APOTHRCARIES".  on one side it says "C I HOOD & CO" and finally on the other it says "LOWELL MASS".   The bottle seems to be blown as there are air bubbles throughout. The second, is also aqua colored and is appr. 5".  it states in raised letters."MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP" "THE ANGLOAMERICAN DRUG CO." "SUCCESSORS TO   CURTIS & PERKINS PROPRIETORS" I hope you can help me.  if not at least point me in the direction that could. thank you for your time.

Both bottles have been covered extensively on this web site.  Use the search feature to find out more.

   DIGGER I HAVE RECENTLY ACQUIRED 2 HAYNER WHISKEY BOTTLES WITH LOCK TOPS.  ONE IS FROZEN IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION, AND THE OTHER IS LOCKED IN THE BOTTLE BUT THE DIAL WON'T TURN.  DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR FREEING UP THE LOCKS AND THEN FOR GETTING THE COMBINATION? THANKS CRAIG

I think you are out of luck.  Use the search feature for "Hayner" to see what the company said about keeping the combination in a safe place.  Digger

I have a decanter. It is stamped on the bottom as follows: OMB No.15 1972 Royal Halburton China. It also has 2 "pen" marks and it looks like number 41 written on it in pen/marker. These marks were put on it before it was fired. The decanter is a horse & rider. The horse has it's head down eating grass and the rider is wearing a black suit or tux. The rider appears to be holding a book in his hands and he is reading it. Thank you for your time on this. Sarge

Sarge, Royal Halburton decanters appear to have been made as "collectibles" in the early 1970s.  They sell for $10-15 from what I can tell.  Digger

Hello from Pennsylvania! I am a dealer here and found a soda bottle with the  name of the town misspelled. The bottle was Frank McKeone Phoenixville. Does  it make the bottle more valuable? Phoenixville was misspelled as  PHEONIXVILLE. Thanks for your help.           :Nancy

Only if a collector thinks so.  I am not be flip here.  You are one of a half dozen people to ask about error bottles.  If there is a collector in your area who specialized in those bottles it might make a difference.  To myself and millions of others who are not collecting those sodas it would not make any difference.  It would make an interesting collecting to have both the correct and incorrect bottles. Digger

Hi, We have an old jar containing nuts and bolts.  It is 31/2" wide x 4" high.  The markings on the bottom are  545    T    V 23  The top of the lid info is as follows: ICE-BOX JAR L&S Packed by Lutz & Schramm, Inc. Pittsburgh, Pa. WHEN EMPTY USE AS CONTAINER FOR CHEESE,FRUITS,DESSERTS AND VEGETABLES The side of the lid says:TO OPEN - RUN HOT WATER AROUND EDGE Is this jar collectable?  Thanks for your time. Carol Gleason

The trademark above was registered by Lutz & Schramm 1910.

The company first used the mark in 1905.  They produced chili sauce, pepper sauce, strawberry preserves, tomato preserves, catsup, mustard, peach preserves, as well as blackberry, cherry, pineapple, quince, apricot, plum and raspberry preserves, olives, gherkins, pickles, chutney, and relish and in recent times probably other products.  The trademark was renewed for the third time in 1971, but it is no longer active so they are probably out of business.  The value of your jar would depend upon the age.  I would guess that what you are describing is a tin lip with paint.  Refrigerator jars (water jars) are collectible, but I am not certain yours falls into this category. I would think it would have some value but I am not sure how much.  Digger.

Hi! I hope you can point me in the right direction.  I have a green  depression-style decanter.  It was actually an old vinegar bottle  manufactured by or for White House Vinegar, which is embossed on the bottom  of the bottle.  The pattern is the "Dancing Girl" which I collect.  Could you  tell me when it was made; whether it had some kind of stopper; what if any  value it has?  If you don't know, could you at least tell me how to look for  information?   I sincerely appreciate any help you can give!!!

 Believe it or not Charlie Perry has written a whole book on White House bottles and they have been the object of discussion in "Questions" numerous times. Charlie Perry, 39304 Bradbury Rd, Middleport, OH 45760,  Email: perrycola@eurekanet.com I do not know if copies are available. If they are let me know and I'll plug his book for him.  Maybe he'll send me copy. Digger

My husband uncovered a Pflug & Ackely bottle. How can I tell if it's worth anything?

 Read everything on my web site.  Just kidding (sort of).  I need more information to help.  Digger.

I found a glass hi lex bottle at a rummage sale rust colored with the original cap. Can you tell me how old it is and how much it is worth? It is a gallon bottle.

 I have covered this question in May 2001. Digger

Dear Sir, I noticed that there is a bottle much like the one that I have on your site. It was found with other old bottles where I live. It is a 10 inch buffalo Lithia Water bottle with a woman on the front pouring from a pitcher, sitting on a stool. It has a blob top like the other and it also says natures materia medica on the front, but it does not have the C 10 on the base it has a number 2. Another difference is that it is a greenish color instead of aqua blue. I would appreciate any information you could give me on the date, value and history ot this bottle. Thank you, Stephanie LeClair

 Check August 2000, April 2001 and June 2001 Questions for information about your bottle.  Digger.

I have a bottle from the "Shasta " Water Co. that is 9" tall clear glass that is turning, I think it is hand blown.  I would like to know the approx. age and value if that is possible from this description. Thank you Johanna Sutton

MT SHASTA NATURAL SPRING WATER SINCE 1889

I would guess from the color and the fact that it is turning (purple) that it dates between 1900-1920.  I also assume it would have a crown top - not a blob. As the trademark above indicates this company has been using the Shasta name since 1889.

hi!  I was wondering if you could answer a quick question about what we think are antique bottles. a friend of ours just brought the bottles as a housewarming gift - they both have gold lettering one says "RYE" and one says "GIN" in gold lettering.  The bottom border has carved X designs and the bottle bottom says "federal law forbids sale or re-use of this bottle" N D-23 7 72 54  the N is in a box.  any info would be greatly appreciated.  thank you -dmm

 I can't tell much except they are not "antique but date between 1932-1964.  The 72 or 54 could be a date and the N witin a circle could be the glass makers mark.  Possibly Northwestern Glass Co of Seattle.  Digger.

dear digger  I've got a light blue bottle which i hope you can help me with.  its 4 1/2 inch diameter, neck is just over 2 1/2 inches in diameter, height is 4 1/2 its seam's run right to the top, the base has an indentation the size of a 10p.. from the bottom it rise's 2 1/2 inch then it slope's inward an up the neck to a lip which edge's out then its goes up 1 more inch, where the end is  jagged, there is no embossed marking air bubbles     thank you      j aughey  keep smiling.      ``   ``

I am having trouble visualizing your bottle, especially the jagged part.  If this is the lip then the bottle is probably English otherwise a picture would be helpful. Digger

we have a one pint whiskey bottle dated 1917 the brand is whiskey antique bottled at the Frankfort distillery the bottle is brown in color and has a spider design in the glass with a spider on the back in the design   the bottle has never been open but the liquor is evaporating and the tax seal is semi in tact  and the label says for medicinal purposes only sell for use for other purposes will cause heavy penalties to be inflicted   100 proof  I am trying to find the manufacturers web site so I can get a value for this  maybe you can tell me what it is worth    thank you any help is appreciated Pam

 The bottle is pretty common -you will find numerous questions about similar "spider web" bottles designs in other months.  It is much more unusual to have the content and seal.  I'd guess a value of between $50-100. Being a prohibition era bottle makes it collectible since so little was available.  The Frankfort Distillery was in business prior to prohibition and appears to go back to as early as 1869.  After prohibiton ended they trademarked a number of brands about 1933 one of which was the very popular Duffy's Malt Whiskey (circa 1884). Digger

Word mark filed May 25, 1973. Registered July 1976

We purchased a Crass pop bottle while in N.Y.  We were wondering what kind of pop it was.  It says it was a product of Coca Cola.  We also purchased a Hi Tide bottle and do not know what kind of pop that was.  We have a Kist bottle and Howdy bottle and would like to know what they were.  Was the Nesbitt's bottle with a black label an orange  pop? How do you clean up painted labels?

The word mark was registered by James E. Crass, Coca-Cola Bottling Plants Incorporated Virginia, 1310 Roseneath Rd, Richmond, Virginia. The trademark information only describes the word as being for "soft drinks." the mark was never renewed and is expired. Both Kist and Howdy have been covered in other months. I found one reference to: DURHAM'S HI-TIDE SODA, 08 OZ., CLEAR RED/WHITE/BLUE ACL LABEL, CIRCA 1954 NONE LISTED  Having been a child in the early 1950s, I can remember drinking Nesbitt's from the bottle you describe.  As I recall I could have grade, orange and I think strawberry.  I know the grade and orange came in the black label bottle.

HI I found A NEHI BEVERACES Bottle today and it came from NEHI BOTTLING CO. SANTA  ROSA. CAL. Plus I found more today  Goebel I found A few of these one with A label it was made in CA. And A bottle with IRON CLUE McC & Co on the bottom of it. And one bottle with WHITTEMORE  BOSTON  U.S.A. on the side of it. And one with Elmo on the side of it. If you can tell me what maybe the price for these are I can't find them on any books I have? Donald Chase

From your description two of the bottles possibly come from an older site: The Whittemore bottle is a shoe polish and the Iron clue is really Iron Glue.  Both of these could date to the 1890s, but they could be from the 1920s as well.   The Nehi bottle could not date prior to about 1924.  In the 1950s the Nehi Corporation was located in Atlanta.  They probably franchised out licenses for other parts of the country. Upper Ten, a brand owned by Nehi was being produced in Santa Rosa in 1958. Nehi apparently was bought out by Royal Crown Cola in Florida by the 1990s. Goebel goes back to 1873 but again it would have been an associated bottling plant located in California.  I expect your bottles have a value from $1-5 each. Digger

 DEAR OLD DIGGER,  MY HUSBAND RECENTLY FOUND A GOEBEL BEER BOTTLE.  IT HAS AN EMBOSSED LABEL  THAT READS "PURE FOOD GOEBEL BEER REGISTERED DETROIT".  HE IS TRYING TO FIND  SOME HISTORY ABOUT IT AND IS HAVING NO LUCK.  CAN YOU HELP?

Sure, The august Goebel & Co. was started in 1873 under the name Cincinnati Brewery.  He continued under that name until 1889 when the name became Goebel Brewing Company ltd. A. Goebel Brewery. They continued until prohibition about 1919.  The Goebel Brewing Co. Inc. reopened under that name from 1934-1936.  From 1936 until purchased by Stroh's the operated under the name Gobel Brewing Co. It was torn down in 1964.  Digger.

Used 1982-1996

Hello,  I purchased a bottle of liquor from an antique store in North Carolina while  on vacation last week and I was curious as to how old it is and how much it  is worth. It is tan and a rust color not rusted but rust color. It is shaped  like a locomotive. It has a stamp on the bottom that says made in Italy the  seal is still on it and it says (Julius Wile sons and company inc. New York,  New York) the contents of it is Creme DE menthe Garnier 60proof   1 Pint,  product of France. Stamp number is 325055730. The spout is the smoke stack of  the train. Any information you may have on it would be helpful I look forward  to hearing from you. Thank you.

 I do not have any information maybe a reader will help.  Digger

Could you please help us find any information on a jar we recently purchased? 10.0pt; It is a clear Duraglas jar with a white metal lid with a "Big R brand Oysters written on the top. The jar has a wire handle just under the lid. It is hard to tell, but the bottom of the jar has:  7   (circle with an I)    5  ( some number, 15,13,18???) C2980 ?? It's pretty hard to read, but that is what we think the numbers are.  We found your address while searching about the jar. Hope you can help us! Thank You! Wade Whitehead

 
Big R Brand has been in used since 1898 and commercially since 1904.  The trademark is owned by Roberts Brothers Inc. 1638 Seventh St Winter haven Florida 33880.  The appear to still be in business. They seem to have specialized in Fruits and Vegetables.  You might contact the company to see if they have an idea of when they were packing oysters.  Digger

Digger, Have you ever heard of any of these bottles? F. GOETS (Dyottville Glass Works Philad. on back) green, iron pontiled soda. J.R.&Co. light teal, iron pontiled soda. Norwood's Tinct.V.Viride, aqua, open pontiled medicine? I'd appreciate any info. Thanks, Gary Wiebe

I have not heard of either of the soda type bottles.  Philadelphia has hundreds of different pontil age soda bottles.  I do not have any where near a complete listing. I hesitate to make any judgment about value on them but I think they are probably scarce to rare. The Norwood's I have listed in clear in My Pontiled Medicine Encyclopedia.  It was advertised as early as 1852 and as late as 1923.  What I found very interesting was that in 1912 it was being manufactured by the United Society of Shakers Medical Dept. Mount Lebanon, NY.  All in all you found some pretty good bottles. Digger

  Hey Digger-  I have come across quite a few bottles at my grandmothers house and have been successful in locating value and history on most.  I have 2 that are giving me trouble. They are both Mineral water bottles both from Amsterdam both are apprx 10 inches tall and quite heavy. Short snout and no threading. Both are deep blue aqua in color. All writing on bottles are a form of etching and they seem to have a swirl technique in the glass. First Bottle says J.D, Dieker, Minerral Water, Fabriek, Amsterdam  Second Bottle says Mineral Water, Fabriek, Jac. Booijkl, Purmerend, H Dijkstra, Amsterdam Any help would be appreciated, Thanks, Shaughan Lewicki PS- Aso have some other bottles and jars of interest. You have a great website !!!!

They sound a bit like seltzers but for the height.  I would love to see a picture.  They certainly have value.  I'd guess in the $75-150 range but that is just a guess.  Maybe one our foreign readers will help out.  Digger.

I have a SunCrest clear bottle from the National NuGrape Company, Atlanta, GA.  DES.PAT 118862.  Don't know how young/old this is and don't know when the soda was produced.  Has no paint, think I read where it was painted red and white, and attractively embossed.  But can read from imprint the paint left.  Could you share info about this please. 

 The design patent was file Sept 1939 for this bottle by one Walter Meyer of Toledo Ohio, assignor to National Nu Grape Company of Atlanta Georgia.  the Patent was granted Feb. 6, 1940.

  Hi Digger,  I have been a bottle collector/dealer for over 30 years and have enjoyed your articles. I recently acquired a bottle which I can find no info on and hope that you might be able to help me. It is cobalt blue, smooth base with tooled top, 6-3/8" tall, 3" wide and 1-5/8" deep, irregular hexagon with ribbed sides. Embossed vertically on the front is "F. & E. BAILEY & CO. LOWELL, MASS." with "8 CCC? PATENT APPLIED FOR" on the base. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Reed

I think you have a good one here.  I cannot find a listing but it is the style described by Kuhn as the irregular hexagon.  Your apparently lacks the wording "Poison" but it is clearly a poison bottle.  The initials on the base are probably C L G & Co. Which was the Carr Lowry Glass Company.  In 1889 Samuel Carr (who had worked for Whitall Tatum) and William W. Lowry who also had a background in the glass business opened their own factory in Baltimore to make glass exclusively for perfumers and druggists. they became quite successful.  The plant burned down in 1898 and was rebuilt immediately.  Your bottle probably comes from the 1889-1898 period.  I have seen many bottles with this glass mark on the base and they usually are highly colored, blues and greens. Since you have been around a while you recognize this a good bottle.  If I had to guess, I'd expect it to bring $400-600. The larger the size the bigger the price on this one.  The large size 7 1/2" in this style bottle brings $700-800.  You can find a number of these listed in my Volume 10 Drugstore and Poison bottles.  Digger.

Hi Digger, ok ok ...I’ve got a bottle question. I was digging at a friends 1840's farm house and man oh man We found the best bottle I’ve found yet. The bottle has ripples that run from the bottom to the shoulder , lots of bubbles, a cool pontil mark and a crooked short neck. The color is a deep olive green maybe even a little yellowish green. It all depends how you look at it in the light. The bottle is rectangular and the sides have 3 bevels on each side. the mold lines are angled across the top and stop at the bottom of neck .You can tell that the neck and lip were fashioned by hand The top or lip looks kind of like the tapered 1840's thats on your web site. The bottle is about 5 3/4 inches tall and about an inch and a half wide with the bevels on the side each about 1 /2 inch wide. The neck of the bottle is about 3/4 of inch long. I'm sending along some pics Thanks for your time . Dennis Dennis you found a beautiful and early bottle.  It looks much like a Covert's Balm of Life in both shape and color.  It is just missing the embossing. It is an early medicine and a real treasure. I think you got so excited about finding it you forgot to ask me a question.  Digger

Dear Sir, I am trying to find a bottle from Dubonnet that has a picture of a beautiful woman on it.  The contents of the bottle are either wine or liquor (not sure which).  I am not a bottle collector, but am trying to find one for a friend.  His mother is the woman on the bottle. Can you give me some pointers on finding it?  I have tried Ebay to no avail. Thanks, Trey Smith

I can't but I will leave this posted in hopes someone else can.  Digger

A question if you can help me. I was cleaning out an old house that had recently been purchased by a friend. in the basement we found a case of rum. I have never heard of or seen it before. It was call Chas. L Richardson’s Martinique Rum out of Boston Mass. I'm trying to date the bottle to try to get an idea of how old this is. so here is the bottle description: It is a clear bottle that stands about 11 1/2" tall and is about  3 1/4" in diameter - it begins to taper at 6 1/4" then it taper slows down at 7 1/4" (please understand these are rough measurements) - there is a glass bead around the neck of the bottle at 9 1/2" - a seam run up and down the length of the bottle - the bottle has several marking embossed in the glass  - the bottom has a couple of numbers on it the first set is 123-53 below that there is a R 661 and then a five point star below that.  -around the base of the bottle it has it measurement (4/5 Quart) and opposite of that on the side of the base there is a small 2 and a small glass bump raised off the side. - at the point of the taper there are words embossed in the glass it says "FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR RE-USE OF THIS BOTTLE"  please let me know if you can help me id the year of this bottle. I'm guessing in the 1920s. thanks for your time and expertise, Bradford Kosich

Brad it could not be in the 1920's.  The Federal Law.... was embossed between 1932 and 1964.  I could not find any reference to the company. Digger

I have found a old bottle with a cork, and label that reads The People's  Medicine Dr GoodHue's, Root Herb and Bitters.  The bottle is clear and is  blown glass.  It all so has a 2 cent U.S. Inter Rev stamp with George Wash  on it that is in excellent condition as well.  Guessing the bottle is approx  91/2" tall.  The label indicates the wholesaler was at NO#4 Cambridge St.  Salem MA.  Please help me with this quest for knowledge on my find?  Jeff

Your bottle is listed in Ham and Ring's Bitters Bottles.  It was produced by Flint and Goldthwait No 21 Peter St., Salem, Massachusetts.  The variant listed in the book is aqua unlike yours. The Salem directory lists Flint and Goldthwait at 4 Cambridge st. in 1866-1876. An aqua embossed bottle is known "Old Dr. Goodhue's Root and Herb Bitters Salem Mass. J. H. Russell & Co. at 21 Peter St. Sounds like an unlisted variant.  Nice find.  Digger

I was curious to what the value of a full unopened bottle of Johnny walker(4/5) size would be worth.   I think it is from about the forties or fifties.  it has a cork top and everything. thanks

I would guess in the $25-35 range.  Digger.

Dear Mr. Odell,  1)  In searching for privies in rural settings in Northern New England I've come across quite a few of these 4X8 ft depressions in the ground,  within 5o yrds of the foundation, with a rock wall around the perimeter. But  these don't seem to be privies. Have you seen where maybe they would put a  small building on a small foundation? I'm still workin' on my probing  technique, so for now I am relying on the depression. 2)  Don't you find some caps to these things that are so nasty, you just  have to decide to either dig it or leave it? Do you find the purpose in filling an old privy would have been to isolate it completely from the free  world or just to make it safe? I'm finding some spots that i know something's there, but even a simple test hole can turn into a couple of hours with  sometimes nothing conclusive.   3) I am also finding depressions of correct size but the surface has 2  or 3 big rocks on top, is your experience to remove these rocks and dig,  cause probing is difficult and shoveling around them is just as time  consuming? There are no other similar rock pilings around  4) Is there any hope to reach out to true archaeologists in my state,  and try to form an alliance of some nature, or do i  just do my thing? I have  contacted them and they gave me the "people shouldn't dig privies, but we  cant stop you" line  5) What type of drink would be in the historical flasks?  I do intend to send a photo of the "Dr. Maynards lung restorative and cough balsam"  Thanks for any guidance you could give on these questions! Ed in Maine

Ed, much of what you ask is covered in my Secrets of Privy Digging.  Archaeologists have a very different view of the whole thing than bottle diggers.  They are into "preservation" and rightfully so.  I have published my opinions in an article on the subject on this site.  I have mixed feelings about the issue. Sites are destroyed constantly and I have no problem excavating from a soon to be destroyed site.  I think we need to give back in terms of information.  Historical flasks were whiskey or hard cider bottles.  Thanks for pix of Maynard's you found it is truly a wonderful and unlisted specimen.  Digger

I scuba dive in Saint Croix ,while diving I have found bottles in the  harbor . I have been told that they are Danish ale bottles. some are green,  some are brown. I have been looking for information on these bottles.  Is  there a difference between a Danish ale bottle and an American ale/beer   bottle? is there a web site that might have some info about bottles from  outside the us?   thank you for your time  jean

Great question Jean.  Yes, there is a difference between a Danish, Dutch, English, Spanish and American ale bottles.  In some cases the forms are similar yet distinguishable.  Their uniqueness is due to the fact they were hand blown and without molds (except perhaps an open cup like mold).  Each European country's factories tended to make the bottles slightly different but many of the glass blowers themselves came from places like the Netherlands.  The Dutch were even imported to American in the earliest times.   There are several excellent sources on this topic.  The most recent of which was published by a European Collector, (Dutch I believe) the name of which I do not have at hand. I am not aware of a web site with such detailed information but Google does search 2,073,418,204 web pages. I have not looked at them all. Your local library should have some general sources such as McKearnin's American Glass or McKearnin and Wilson's American Bottles and Flasks. Digger

 

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