Bottle book

[Frank1960]

What is a good book for checking on old bottles and their worth? I have a friend who has a small collection of old bottles and he was wondering their worth and age. Thanks in advance for any help!

Frank

 

[surf]

Hello Frank,

There's been a lot of debate over the "value" books over the years. The Kovell's vs. Michael Polak vs. Hugh Cleveland vs. fleabay. The one sure thing is that each of those hard copies is obsolete on date of publishing. They are also pretty light, or bereft of history. The bottle "market" has been in the tank the last few years.

There's one Medicine guide that is pretty realistic:

Antique American Medicine Bottles Book

You might encourage your friend to take some good photos, and post them here...

Hugh Cleveland is probably the most 'realistic' for common bottles, IMO.

 

[Frank1960]

Great Thanks surf I will look into those

 

[surf]

Hey Frank,

I've got some of each of those books. They're kinda like bottle porn, especially Michael Polak's latest, but, and it's a big but, the prices quoted are generally for the best possible examples, and the highest possible valuation. From that standpoint, I think they are unrealistic.

I don't closely follow pricing on fleabay, but do look frequently when researching bottles. Your friend might get the most realistic 'values' by doing a completed auction search at said site.

Your state may have a good book with realistic pricing. You might wanna do some searches.

 

[sunrunner]

athe beast place is a bottle show.thay will give you an idea on whats selling at what price in toyr neck of the woods.also give you a good over vew ove the hobby as hole.

 

[Frank1960]

athe beast place is a bottle show.thay will give you an idea on whats selling at what price in toyr neck of the woods.also give you a good over vew ove the hobby as hole.

Will have to see if there are any of those around these parts.