About Vintage Glass Bottles
As the world around us keeps progressing, there is something inside us all that longs for elements of the past – the way things used to be. Collecting antiques is one way that connects people to times that were more simple and less busy. In recent years, antique glass bottle collecting is becoming more and more popular and helps connects us to our rich heritage.
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There are many places you can find antique glass bottles. Flea markets and auctions are the most obvious places to find vintage glass bottles. Others may come across bottles when cleaning out their attics, in an old shed in their backyard, along the side of the road, or even sticking out of a construction site. A newer fad and hobby when searching for valuable glass bottles is called “bottle digging” or “privy digging. ” Diggers often find bottles when traveling down old roads or hiking and seeing signs of formers “dumps.” A tell-tale sign of a promising dig spot is pieces of broken glass, or rusted metal sticking out of the surface of the ground. Often, when there are a few discarded items in view, there are more things buried beneath it. If you happen to find bottles, you may be able to distinguish age quickly, just by taking note of other items that are buried with it. For example, a bottle may appear old, but if you find a plastic bag beside it, chances are it's a replica and may not be worth much.
Other places these antique treasure hunters look are old riverbeds and banks where bottles may have been discarded and then floated downstream. Also, old towns that have all but been classified as “ghost towns” may have some great vintage glass bottle finds. The main thing to remember before starting to explore any property, is to find out if there is an owner and to ask permission.
Vintage glass bottles come in all shapes and sizes. Most were handmade so few are identical, with flaws that make them unique such as bubbles within the glass. It is these characteristics that often make the bottle more sought after and therefore can make it more valuable. However, there are many other factors to consider when appraising value:
1) Age - bottles that were made before 1870 had lips that were hand-made. Bottle makers would add a piece of hot glass to the already molded bottle and form the lip by hand, often making them crude and uneven. Age can also be determined by the base of the bottle. Most bottles made before the mid 1800's will have a mark on the bottom where the rod used to hold the bottle while the lip was being formed, is broken off the bottom.
2) Color – highest value colors are yellow and olive greens, cobalt and teal blues, yellow, purple, and green. Black glass is most likely the earliest form of American glass. The dark color was beneficial in that it helped protect its contents from spoiling. The term “black” also refers to dark amber and olive-amber colors.
3) Design or Embossing – it is of more value if the embossing identifies date producer, where the bottle was made;
4) Condition – chips or cracks will devalue the bottle;
5) Category – Medicine bottles, flasks, soda and alcohol bottles, druggist bottles, to name a few.
So why even bother to spend the time looking for these long-forgotten everyday items? There are several reasons why a and depending on some the criteria outlined above, they may have a monetary value or historical significance. Imagine the surprise of finding an old bottle and researching it only to find out its worth $50 or more. How exciting! Beyond the monetary value though lies something that is more complex and heartfelt. Old bottles bring back memories for many of us; memories of loved ones sipping on a a bottle of soda or using a certain product. When you see one of these items your thoughts will turn to simpler, happy times when life seemed so much less complicated.
Vintage glass bottle collecting is a popular and exciting hobby that can satisfy the treasure hunter in all of us. From glass beverage bottles to glass medicine bottles, there couldn't be a more fulfilling and exciting hobby for the history addict or treasure hunter.
I have lots of different antique glass…about 20 to 30 beer bottle with lightening stoppers…about 30 different mason jars and old juice glass jars, and medcine jars…they were left in my house when I bought it 15 years ago…The house is about 135 years old…Where can I go to see what my collection is worth and to sell them..
I have a glass bottle with a plastic lid. On one side there is a raised shape of a crown. On the other side there is a raised crown shape and the raised letters of TMKA. Do you know what kind of bottle this is?
Gayle Spangler
I am trying to find some information on a old bottle with a cork and has 5 whiskey shot glasses with it. It is shaped as a jenny bottle and has peak edging around the bottom half and so does the shot glasses. (like popcorn edging)
Would you know anything about this type of whiskey bottle? I found it in a old house of my grandmas. Thanks a bunch..
yes its a 1919 kottonmouthking bottle very very rare actual it comes from region amesterdam im pretty sure its worth like 200 to 350 bucks
I have an old antique bottle & I want to know more about that bottle. If req I will send the phtos.
found old bottle light blue in color and has A.WHITEHEAD ACROSS top and CHESTER . PA on bottom also along bottom says “this bottle on to be sold” can anyone help identify.
so i have a blue cobalt genuine phillips bottle that was made in canada and has the number 7 on the bottom with the rest of the info. it stands at about 5 or 6 inchs. if you know anything please send me a email at soccerchick082009@hotmail.com thanks!!
Hi Drew,
I have a cobalt blue “genuine Phillips” bottle of the very same description as your bottle, and same size. If you have learned anything more about it, I would be very interested to hear from you. I live near to Toronto, Canada.
my lil bro burned down my barn and under it was many jugs and glass bottles wat website or where can i go to sell these all i know is that there from 1912 to 1922 so someone halla back me or if u want to buy them my number is 1 262 483 8713
I’ve come across LOTS of vintage Coca-Cola bottles in my home town (Anderson IN) and I can’t seem to find any this old on the Net.. anyone close to me that might be able to help would be great. I’m not asking much for them even though the ones I do see that are old seem to be selling kinda high… some of my Coke bottles a very old 1 liter bottles with the Coke lids still in tacked and most are’t even sun faded. I have come across-ed many old bottles but need to look for the others online still. I now the Coke ones can sell!!!… thanks J.S.
Hi I have and old green glass Toohey’s bottle all marks are embossed, with the deer emblem sitting down , the bottle itself is a Vance and Ross , and it is in great condition.v.daniel@telstra.com
Hi there,
I found 2 very dark bottles, from what i can tell they are 1800′s. The bottles have a seam around the shoulder and 2 going up the neck. The top looks as though it has been tooled. Are these collectible or just more flea market junk
i found a 1754 bottle color green kings patent label says balsam of life found in mt. pleasant s. c.
no them there are german swtmen ther worth a pretty penny budd
Crisco jar about 1 1/2 qt 6″ high clear glass has anyone ever seem one of these
hi i have are j t morton jar 1849 i need to sale if any one please rmfaloos@yahoo.com thanks
Dear
I have are 500 years old tea spoon an many things to sale rmfaloos@yahoo.com thanks have are nice day
I found an old bottle. Brown think its an rx not sure. Has a # r567 a symbol with a k with a 3 under it,
followed by a 23-4. Any ideas of what it could be?
Information on 13 gallon greenish glass bottle that is embossed on bottom? Email: craigsankey@ymail.com
I found a clear glass bottle about 12 inchs tall and about 21 inches. Diameter. Round. Its got a date on bottom I think is what it is 1749 and the number 24 on it. Does anybody know what it is and what it may be worth.
id like to sell all my bottles weymouth mass jwl691@yahoo.com
Have a old 1968 Goody’s Chocolate soda bottle with the boy on it, 9 oz’s. Cant seem to find it on the internet anywhere. Can you tell me the value and more about it?