Over 325 vintage bottles will be sold online, Jan. 8-18 Over 325 rare and vintage bottles -- most of them made between 1850-1900, the period most desired by collectors -- will be sold in an Internet and catalog auction Jan. 8-18 by American Bottle Auctions
News-Antique.com - Dec 07,2009 - (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) – Over 325 rare and vintage bottles – most of them made between 1850 and 1900, the period most desired by collectors, when superior embossing techniques were employed – will be sold in an Internet and catalog auction slated for Jan. 8-18 by American Bottle Auctions (www.AmericanBottle.com). Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted in the auction.
“This is our Auction 49 and serious bottle collectors need to mark their calendars,” said Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle Auctions. “We have some great stuff -- bitters, fruit jars, medicines, historical and western flasks, western whiskeys, sodas and more. This could be the best auction we’ve ever had.” Bidders can call or e-mail for a free catalog (1-800-806-7722, or info@americanbottle.com).
Mr. Wichmann said the auction was shaping up as only a so-so event until the start of November. “Then we just started getting all these wonderful consignments in, like outstanding whiskey and bitters collections and other rarities. Bidders will be able to see each bottle on a live streaming video during the sale, as part of our state-of-the-art and easy-to-use online bidding platform, developed especially for us.”
Following are some of the anticipated top lots of the sale, with minimum bid figures included.
A Miller’s Extra E. Martin Old Bourbon with embossed trade mark (circa 1871-1875) is one of the best of the embossed Cutter/Martin fifth bottles, and this is one of only about 10 mint examples known. Fresh to the market, it was found in a basement with the original cork and appears as it probably did when it was first made nearly 140 years ago. Medium old amber in color (Grade 9.7, MB $4,000).
An E. G. Booze’s Old Cabin Whiskey (1840) with applied top is one of the classic bottles in American history. It is known the Booze name was used before this bottle, but apparently a bit of a revival occurred when it reappeared. This example was purchased from an earlier glassworks auction and may have been displayed in a museum. Pretty, and graded 9.7, with no visible flaws (MB $2,000).
A J.H. Cutter Old Bourbon E. Martin & Co. Sole Agents (circa 1873-1877) banded pint flask with a crown on the shoulder is one of numerous Cutter whiskies in the auction, and that’s a good thing. This popular crown shoulder example is considered one of the top western flasks ever made. A few minor scratches on the reverse panel and elsewhere are the only imperfections (Grade 9.3, MB $4,000).
A Bridgeton New Jersey Washington pint flask with a sheared lip and open pontil is an outstanding pint in a rarely seen color. This spectacular Bridgeton (GI-24) boasts a jagged tubular pontil and an outstanding medium-to-deep amber coloration near the base. It has loads of overall whittle and a pristine surface. A spectacular piece with a super strike, this rare pint flask is graded 9.8 (MB $2,600).
A Washington/Baltimore Glassworks portrait flask with the Baltimore monument and portrait of George Washington (circa 1830-1850), with rolled
