Posted 9 years ago
AnnaB
(85 items)
These are some of unmarked bottles i have, and i would like to know if it's possible to determine the maker, age and/or purpose of these bottles. I do know the basics of identifying an antique bottle from, say, something post-1920-30, but my knowledge stops there. Thanks for all help.
What is written on the third bottle from the left?
"This bottle is not to be sold"
Left (green) to right:
European wine is likely (up to 1930s, but likely 1910s.) If no vertical seams, it's a turn-mold and that almost verifies European make.
Ammonia bottle missing paper-label (1900-1920.)
Beer/hard cider missing paper-label (circa later 1800s.) Likely your oldest there.
Likely a patent medicine circa-1890s-1910, done in a post-mold (base.) Missing label.
BTW...
This Bottle Not To Be Sold takes on multiple forms (Such as, "This Bottle Stolen From" or, "Return to ___.")
Essentially, stealing bottles (one company slapping their own label over other companies' bottles) was extremely common. A company in my own town, Lack's, would not even remove paper labels before crudely slapping their own over another's bottle-- all because companies didn't want to pay for more bottles to be made.
Really, it was quite rampant and ridiculous and went on for probably a few centuries.
The statement, in my opinion, did little.
Thank you so much, SpiritBear, very informative! Would love to get one saying "This Bottle Stolen From" =)
Thank you all for the love, very much appreciated!!!!