Everyone Can Collect Old Bottles of All Kinds

Have you ever come across an old glass poison or medicine bottle? Have any interest in collecting them or finding their value?

Values of bottles are always fluctuating. My advice is to buy a good guide book.

There are, however, certain bottles to always keep an eye open for when tag saling.

Glassmaking began in the 16^th century and many bottles were made as flasks. In the 17^th century people began making them for water as well.

It wasn't until the 19^th century that bottles were made that held medicines. Most of the bottles are colored. Why? A lot of people were illiterate and could not read. Manufacturers made them in colors or specific designs so people knew what was in them.

When looking to collect a bottle, condition and rarity are important. The bottle should not be broken in any way. The unusual shape or design also plays a major role.

Sometimes you will find flasks shaped as a person, a dog, gun or even a bell. Those are often more valuable than a flat, square or round bottle. A brown saltglaze flask in the form of Queen Victoria is valued at about $100. A Mason's Mallet bottle with raised symbols from the early 1900s is worth about $700. A cobalt blue Harden Grenade Sprinkler Fire Extinguisher vertically ribbed with contents form the early 1900s is valued around $900.

Although those are great collector items, they are probably not ones you will find around the house or at a tag sale.

Most often you will find medicine and poison bottles. Most vary from $5 to $50. But, there are some that can be worth much more.

A Warner & Rosser Skinner Street London pontilled glass medicine bottle with a long neck is valued around $500. A Wilson's Emerald green glass poison bottle embossed "Miriam's Embrocation" can go for as much as $400. An early 1900s Warner amber glass medicine bottle marked "Warner's Safe Compound" with original label is worth about $500 to the right collector. Also, be on the lookout for a "Handyside's Consumption Cure" dark olive green glass bottle that is valued at close to $200.

Remember now, these are book prices and getting someone to buy them at that cost may be difficult. But, if you are a collector, hold on to them. As the economy improves a buyer may come forth.

Even today, new interesting bottles are being made. If you buy a product, for example a maple syrup bottle or alcohol bottle, that is unusual, hold on to it. Depending on how many other people saved the bottle, it can become valuable in time. Not overnight, but in as little as ten years it can be quite collectible.

Stay away from bottles that are marked "collectible" as so many people collect them they are worth practically nothing. You want the ones no one else has.

You can always find bottles when grounds are broken for new homes or buildings. Many people's cellars also houses old bottles.

If you have a place to dig that is a possible spot where bottles were buried start there. Some people seek out areas for digging. Always, always ask before digging on private property.

If you are just starting out look for bottles at tag sales and flea markets. If the cost is high, bring a price guide with you. But, don't hesitate to buy an unknown bottle for around $1. Chances are good its value is much higher.