| Collectors of vintage glass bottles may start out | | | | designs or embossing and types of bottles. To |
| by simply coming across one in the attic. Others | | | | get a final determination of value, of course, |
| have actually discovered their first treasure while | | | | expert help is often desirable and can be found |
| finding the top of an old bottle while walking in the | | | | online or with the aid of a local museum or |
| woods. A glint of light on the ground, makes them | | | | antique specialist. Among the most popular are |
| curious. With luck, that first find may turn out to | | | | milk bottles, whiskey containers, bitters, specially |
| be a rare antique - perhaps a historical flask or | | | | shaped bottles (famous figures, unusual shapes), |
| bitters bottle worth thousands of dollars. There | | | | ink and soda bottles. Antique bitters bottles, |
| have even been bottles which sold for over sixty | | | | including 1860s plantations, are regularly listed in |
| thousand dollars. | | | | the three hundred dollar price range on auction |
| Once the first vintage bottles are found, it may | | | | sites and at estate sales. |
| not take long to develop a passion for collecting | | | | To help determine the value, it helps to have it on |
| them. After all, they are a part of history, with | | | | hand and keep a list of specific details. Important |
| some only being made for a few select years | | | | factors to note are any words on it and whether |
| and some shapes (including animals or famous | | | | they are raised or embossed or not, the color, |
| people) being particularly rare and in demand. | | | | condition, type of base and even details about the |
| Many products which used to be produced in glass | | | | top or stopper. If the bottle was blown by hand |
| may no longer be sold that way, including many | | | | and has an uneven or free shape, it may have |
| medicines and pharmaceutical supplies. Milk bottles, | | | | been made before 1860. Sometimes, it can be a |
| medicine and even soda have all changed through | | | | single detail which makes the difference between |
| the years. | | | | a valuable vintage and a copy. |
| Collecting vintage bottles appeals strongly to | | | | One way to get a rough idea of value is to look |
| those with a nostalgic streak or for those who | | | | at auction prices on sites like eBay or specialized |
| may remember parents telling of milk being | | | | collectibles bottles sites. Many serious collectors will |
| delivered in glass. Collecting them is a way to | | | | wait till the last minute to snap up an item, |
| preserve pieces of history which no longer exist. | | | | perhaps getting in a bidding war. Looking at closed |
| Not only is there the nostalgia factor but aesthetic | | | | auctions can give collectors an idea of their value, |
| appeal, since vintage glass is often lovely and | | | | as well as which ones are most popular (but keep |
| come in nearly every color imaginable. | | | | in mind the popularity of specific bottles can rise |
| But how do collectors know which ones are truly | | | | and fall through the years). For serious collectors, |
| popular and desirable and which are common? | | | | websites may be an integral part of keeping track |
| There are several factors which can help. These | | | | of vintage bottle prices and updates. |
| include the age, condition, color, any special | | | | |