Abacus
Antique Dealers: Antique Bottle Value
Most
of the antique collectors are confused about how to
determine antique bottle values. If you are an antique
collector, this comprehensive guide helps you to know
how to determine the antique bottle value. Let us
check this topic in detail.
According
to antique colleting experts, one can determine the
antique bottle value by checking the following factors.
All these factors are not sufficient always to make
an antique bottle valuable. Antique bottle value is
determined by checking whether the bottles have one
or more of these value factors.
Given
below are the main factors which determine the antique
bottle value:
•
Demand and supply
• Age
• Condition
• Rarity
• Size
• Color
• Category
• Design and embossing
• Esthetic appeal
• Historic significance
• Individuality
• Locale
Demand
and supply of the antique bottle
Demand
and supply of antique bottle is the first factor which
determines the antique bottle value. For example,
milk bottles as well as soda bottles with beautiful
labels, mostly built after the turn of the century,
has become a favorite collectible antique item recently.
The main reason for the increase in the antique bottle
value is the demand and excellent supply of these
items antique bottles of different types.
Age
of the antique bottle
Age
of the bottle is an important factor which determines
the antique bottle value. Collectible antique bottles
are mainly divided into different periods to determine
the value. The ‘Open Pontil’ bottles are
considered as the earliest in America, which are made
between 1600 and 1850. The ‘Iron Pontil’
bottles are generally built from 1840 to 1865. ‘Smooth
Based’ bottles are those which were created after
the American Civil War and before the World War I.
While all those bottles which were created ahead of
the turn of the century are completely or partly hand
made and shaped. Generally after 1914, the bottles
were made by machines.
Condition
Just
like any other hobbies, antique bottle collectors
also need items in the original condition. Bottles
which are in their original condition have good antique
values. Generally chips and cracks will decrease the
antique bottle value. Bottles with wrappers, original
labels, and boxes will help to raise the antique bottle
value.
Rarity
Rarity
also determines the antique bottles value. Rarity
alone will not make an antique bottle valuable –
it is seen that there are numerous rare bottles which
are not as expensive as there is no demand for them.
So if you are a novice antique collector, it is better
to consult antique specialists or other collectors
to know about the rarity and demand of the antique
bottles.
Size
Size
is another factor which determines the antique bottle
value. Even though the size is less important when
compared with the other factors, it influences the
price of the bottle. Large sized antique bottles bring
more money when compared with small antique bottles.
For example, large cathedral pickles, large sized
Pontil medicines, large bitters, and half gallon jars
have high antique bottle value.
Color
The
color of the bottle also determines the antique bottle
value in various ways. Antique bottles boast a wide
variety of colors for which attracts the collectors.
Antique bottle value will be high for those bottles
with rare and remarkable colors. Some of the popular
antique bottle colors include amber, aqua and a wide
range of greens (such as olive green, blue green,
teal, and emerald). One of the rare colors for antique
bottle is cobalt (blue). Hence antique bottles of
cobalt color are highly expensive.
Design
and Embossing
Without
beautiful embossing and design, a bottle with common
color will not get any demand. That is, the antique
bottle value will be less for these types of bottles.
But there are some exceptions – if the bottle
is very old, rare or have any historic value, then
it will have high antique bottle value. Embossing
will add valued to antique bottles. The place where
embossing is done is also significant. For example,
if the embossing is on the center and can be seen
from the front view, then the antique bottle value
will be high.
Esthetic
Appeal
Esthetic
appeal of an antique bottle is entirely subjective.
Generally antique bottles which are beautiful in shape,
design, or color will yield more demand. Labels with
eye-catching graphics or color, neural fancy panels,
and crudity can increase the demand of a bottle which
results in the antique bottle value.
Historical
Significance
The
historical significance of a bottle can increase the
antique bottle value. That is the combination of age,
rarity, color and historical significance can increase
the antique bottle value.
Individuality
As
antique bottles are generally hand made, most of them
have less uniformity when compared to modern bottles.
For example, some antique bottles are crudely made,
while others feature numerous bubbles on it, some
have ‘whittle marks’ etc. These types of
individuality can increase the antique bottle value.
Locale
The
geographical area of origin of a bottle can increase
the antique bottle value. For example, Hawaiian and
Alaskan bottles have more antique bottle value than
similar bottles from other areas.
Even
though these are major factors which affect the antique
bottle value, antique bottle collectors from various
parts of the country shows varying interests. For
example, Western state collectors are much interested
in early whiskey bottles, Hawaiian sodas are popular
antique bottles in Hawaii. That is, the interests
of the collectors tend to change in different places.
Therefore, the antique bottles value can also change
in different places.
